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HONDA CR-Z

5 Models at Death’s Door

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Updated to clarify that the sales numbers are “year-to-date.” 

Automobile manufacturers work diligently to ensure that every conceived product has the potential to become a competitive sales reality. Apart from electric vehicles that have limited interest, automakers design, engineer and build models they believe will make an impact on the market.

The truth is, some models are doomed from the start, failing to capture an audience significant enough to sustain the vehicle line. Although not every model will prove as popular as a Ford F-150, a Toyota Camry, or a Honda CR-V, terrible sales will lead to ruination.

Our list of five models at death’s door reveals a smattering of vehicles we believe are threatened and how each manufacturer may respond.

1. Honda CR-Z

Honda beat Toyota to the US market in 1999 with its first hybrid, the Insight. Six months later the Prius arrived and Honda hybrids soon became an afterthought.

Honda CR-Z

Honda CR-Z

Honda offered and pulled the Insight twice in the face of withering sales. It has also canceled the Civic Hybrid and pulled the plug-in Accord hybrid, but it still has the conventional Accord hybrid and the tiny CR-Z.

The CR-Z hybrid is a sporty coupe, a two-seat model powered by a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine making a net 140 horsepower and paired with a 6-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission with paddle shifters. Its near $20,000 price hasn’t helped sales, with just 1,562 registered buyers through the first seven months of 2015.

Although these numbers are off by a third over 2014, Honda intends to keep the CR-Z around and will present a refreshed coupe for sale this November. The diminutive hybrid makes 36 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway, and the new model will gain a refreshed fascia with a new lower air dam, larger brakes, and an upgraded infotainment system. The current sales tally may scream “cancel,” but Honda will stay with the CR-Z. At least for now.

2. Chevrolet SS

Chevrolet SS

Chevrolet SS.

US Holden fans were enamored with the Pontiac G8, a full-size rear-wheel drive model imported from Australia. When Pontiac died, GM did not quickly move the model over to Chevrolet.

Well, the Chevrolet SS stepped in where the Pontiac G8 left off, moving the steering wheel to the left side and giving this Holden Commodore a proper treatment. Some say that the SS handles as well as a BMW 5 Series, but for thousands of dollars less. In any case, the SS has served as a niche big sedan as the Chevy Impala is clearly the go-to model for the brand.

Unfortunately, sales for this 415-horsepower naturally aspirated beast measured just 1,855 units year-to-date through July. But that alone won’t end this vehicle’s run — GM is shutting down its Australian manufacturing operation by 2017 and it won’t be bringing Holden tools and dyes to North America to extend this vehicle’s run.

Kia K900

Kia K900.

 

3. Kia K900

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the Kia K900, although year-to-date sales of 1,190 vehicles through July are a reason for concern. The K900 is based on the over-the-top Hyundai Equus. Both models advance European styling, but at a budget price.

That this model is a Kia may be part of the problem. That the Equus is sold in the same market doesn’t help either. With a price starting below $55,000, it is a bargain compared to the BMW 7 Series and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Trouble is that beyond its palatial feel and generous amenities, it doesn’t measure up against Europe’s cream of the crop.

Despite weak sales and LeBron James’ endorsement, sales will be hard pressed to reach 200 units per month. Yet, don’t look for Kia to cancel the model as Hyundai is readying an updated Equus. As it currently stands, whatever Hyundai makes, Kia takes — the two Korean manufacturers are joined at the hip and the K900 will likely be given some additional time to catch on. After all, it has been on the market for just the past year.

4. Cadillac ELR

Cadillac ELR

Cadillac ELR.

One of the worst selling models offered by a luxury brand is the Cadillac ELR. This model is underpinned by the same platform that powers the Chevrolet Volt, GM’s first plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. The body is different as this wedged 2+2 coupe is based on the jazzy Cadillac Converj design.

So, what’s the problem with the ELR? Everything, especially its price. With an initial sticker price of $75,995 in a bid to compete with the Tesla Model S, the Cadillac ELR was simply too costly. GM shaved the price to $65,000 and with the federal tax credit its final price fell to $57,500 or nearly twice the amount you would pay for the Volt.

Analysts have been calling for GM to dump the ELR, as only 659 units have sold through the first seven months of the year. However, GM has outfitted the 2016 edition with steering and suspension enhancements, and now offers more power via sport mode. Will GM kill the ELR? Not yet and maybe not as long as its stands by the Chevrolet Volt.

5. Scion iQ

Scion iQ

Scion iQ.

Three seats are better than two, but when you have a car as small as the A-segment Scion iQ, you need to give people a compelling reason to buy one. The iQ operates in a constricted city car segment initiated by the Smart ForTwo and since joined by the Fiat 500 and the Chevrolet Spark.

The four-seat Spark has been a surprise hit for GM and is averaging more than 3,000 units sold each month. The Scion iQ, however, has only registered 449 units sold for the year through July. But the Spark is priced $3,000 lower than the iQ, has more room, and gets better gas mileage. It also offers a broader selection of amenities, including OnStar 4G LTE.

The Scion iQ is already history as Toyota announced back in January that its demise was imminent. With gas prices trending toward $2 per gallon and larger models selling for less, the little Scion was an experiment that just did not pay off.

Endangered Species

Our fabulous five represent a portion of the slow sellers that are endangered species. Other models that are near death’s door include the all-electric Mitsubishi i-Miev, the Ram Cargo Van, and the Lincoln MKT.

Certain slow-selling niche models such as the Toyota Land Cruiser, Nissan GT-R, and Audi R8 are probably safe for the simple reason that they continue to help draw people to showrooms and place a halo over the brand. Consequently, our five do not have that same distinction.

See Also — About the 2014 Chevrolet SS

Meticulous Product Changes Propel Honda

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Help me Honda.

For much of the first two decades of Honda’s US marketing thrust, the brand relied on just three models and variants of the same for its business: Civic, Accord and Prelude. But by the late 1990s, Honda’s product line had doubled. Today, there are 10 lines of vehicles and more changes are in the offing. We’ll take a look at the most recent changes as well as what’s in store for the months and year ahead.

Honda HR-V

The all-new Honda HR-V is already a segment leader.

From Strength to Strength

No automaker is strong in every category, but if there is a weakness Honda finds a way to make the necessary improvements.

This year, Honda is releasing two all-new crossover utility vehicles. The Honda Pilot is its midsize SUV and has been completely redesigned for 2016. With room for up to eight, the Pilot now offers an available 9-speed automatic transmission paired with a direct-injected 3.5-liter, V-6 engine.

A new top-of-the-line Elite edition brings in LED headlights with automatic high beams and a blind spot indicator. All models provide a rearview camera, keyless entry and push-button start.

Honda’s strongest SUV is its CR-V, a compact model that is also the best seller in its class. Despite stiff competition from the Ford Escape, Toyota RAV4, Chevrolet Equinox and the Nissan Rogue, this model continues to outpace its competitors.

The CR-V theme has now been applied to an even smaller model known as the HR-V. Based on the subcompact Fit platform, the HR-V retails for under $20,000 and offers LED brake lights, heated side mirrors, roof rails and keyless entry is standard equipment. Bluetooth audio streaming and a USB audio interface are standard. The interior is roomy, seats five and fuel economy comes in at 35 mpg on the highway.

With the HR-V, CR-V and an all-new Pilot in the mix, Honda’s SUV offerings are solid. Indeed, in its first month of sales alone, Honda sold 6,381 HR-Vs, more than double the sales of the Nissan Juke.

Honda Civic

The Civic was Honda’s first automobile model sold in the US.

Honda Ridgeline Pickup Truck

Clearly, the Honda Ridgeline pickup truck has not been a strong seller for this Japanese brand. It is sold in a market dominated by traditional, body-on-frame models such as the Toyota Tacoma, Chevrolet Colorado, Nissan Frontier, and the GMC Canyon. That being said, Honda believes that there is a market for this truck .

The original Ridgeline was sold for nine model years from 2006 to 2014. That’s a long time to keep a model without presenting a new one. Instead of maintaining the old model, Honda canceled it while developing plans for a new Ridgeline, a vehicle expected to debut in Fall 2016 for the 2017 model year.

We don’t know a lot about the upcoming model other than that it will maintain its unibody construction. Spy photos shown here and teaser photos shown here demonstrate that the new truck will assume a more traditional look. It will retail for about $30,000, a starting price higher than its competitors, but in line with the more upmarket trim levels Chevrolet, Toyota and the others offer.

Honda CR-V

Along with Civic and Accord, the CR-V is a top seller for Honda.

Alternative Fuel Vehicles

Honda has long operated in Toyota’s shadow, especially where sales numbers and alternative fuel vehicles are concerned. The dominant Prius has put the squeeze on certain Honda products, including the Insight, a hybrid model canceled last year.

But the entire electric vehicle market is weak in the face of lower gas prices that are far below the historic highs we have seen in recent years. That means demand for some models remains too low to sustain them, thus Honda has canceled its Civic Hybrid and Civic compressed natural gas (CNG) models after the current model year.

Honda’s retreat in this segment is not a surrender. Instead, the automaker will concentrate its resources on maintaining its Accord Hybrid, although the plug-in version will not return for 2016. Its CR-Z hybrid will also stay around.

Upcoming New Models

The cancellation of two Civic models comes as the 10th generation Civic rolls out this fall. That new model will include its first ever turbo engine. Further, Honda says that it will achieve “…EPA highway fuel economy a few ticks above 40 miles per gallon.” That fact may not be significant right now, but it does put Honda in a strong place once fuel prices begin to rise.

Yet another Honda model is slated for a major overhaul. About the same time that a new Ridgeline makes is debut, the next generation Honda Odyssey will also roll out. Not much is known about this model, although rumors that it will share its platform with the Honda Pilot have been mentioned.

Honda Odyssey

A new Honda Odyssey is on its way.

Honda: Looking Ahead

Honda has long stood on its quality credentials to attract and retain customers. The automaker may not have the most exciting products on the market, but the company is well represented wherever it operates. Only Toyota matches Honda in most quality and reliability surveys, critical considerations for consumers who trust these brands to deliver the industry’s most dependable products.

See Also — Tiny Crossover Segment Set to Explode

Photos courtesy of American Honda Motor Company, Ltd.

13 Top Fuel Efficient 2015 Models by Category

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Lexus NX fuel efficient hybrid.

The 300h is the hybrid variant for the Lexus NX.

With gasoline prices trending somewhere below $2.50 per gallon, the rush to fuel-efficient vehicles has certainly come to a grinding halt. On the other hand, demand for pickup trucks, large utility vehicles and other less-efficient models has soared.

Even though pump prices have eased, some drivers continue to search for new cars that offer excellent fuel economy, perhaps because they know that long-term fuel prices will only rise. Indeed, if you have long term ownership in mind, you need to consider prospective fuel and auto trends when exploring your purchase options.

The following list represents today’s top fuel economy cars, trucks, utility vehicles, and wagons by category. For this Auto Trends has included standard hybrid models, but removed plug-in hybrids and other electrified vehicles that skew the numbers.

1. Large Cars — The Ford C-MAX is categorized as a large car even though its chassis is based on the compact Ford Focus. In the federal government’s odd vehicle measuring criteria, it is interior room that dictates space. This five-passenger, front-wheel drive wagon-like model is EPA-rated at 42 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway for a combined 40 mpg. For a bona fide large car, you can choose a Toyota Avalon Hybrid and enjoy the same combined 40 mpg as the small Ford.

Toyota Prius fuel efficient hybrid2. Midsize Cars — The Toyota Prius has a large interior, room for five and is front-wheel drive. It is the best known of all hybrid vehicles and the most efficient of them all. To that end, Toyota takes a 1.8-liter, four-cylinder gasoline and pairs it with a hybrid drivetrain. This Toyota is EPA-rated at 51 mpg in the city and 48 mpg on the highway for a combined 50 mpg. (Pictured: the PHEV version).

3. Compact Cars — The Toyota Prius C is a compact version of the larger Prius and is powered by a 1.5-liter, four-cylinder engine paired with a hybrid drivetrain. This hatchback seats up to five and is EPA-rated at 53 mpg in the city and 46 mpg on the highway for a combined 50 mpg.

4. Subcompact Cars — A gasoline-only vehicle leads this segment, a Ford Fiesta SFE model powered by a 1.0-liter turbocharged, three-cylinder engine paired with a 5-speed manual transmission. This five-passenger Fiesta is EPA-rated at 31 mpg in the city and 43 mpg on the highway for a combined 36 mpg. Incidentally, you can also opt for an Audi A3 outfitted with a turbo-diesel engine to equal the Fiesta’s fuel economy.

5. Minicompact Cars — Cars in this segment are the smallest on the road and include the three-passenger, Scion iQ. The front-wheel drive iQ is powered by a 1.3-liter, four-cylinder engine paired with a continuously variable transmission.This model is EPA-rated at 36 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway for a combined 37 mpg.

6. Two-Seater Cars — The EPA has a category for two-seat cars that includes vehicles of varying sizes. The most fuel efficient car here is the Honda CR-Z, a hybrid model powered by a 1.5-liter, four-cylinder engine and paired with a continuously variable transmission. This Honda is EPA-rated at 36 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway for a combined 37 mpg.

7. Midsize Station Wagons — There are very few wagons on the market. The Toyota Prius V is one such model, the largest of all Prius models. It is a hybrid vehicle with 1.8-liter, four-cylinder engine paired with a continuously variable transmission. This roomy five-passenger model is EPA-rated at 44 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway for a combined 42 mpg.

8. Small Station Wagons — Can the Honda Fit possibly be categorized as a small station wagon? Well, that’s exactly what the EPA has done with this five-door hatchback. The Honda Fit is powered by a 1.5-liter, four-cylinder engine paired with a continuously variable transmission. It is EPA-rated at 33 mpg in the city and 41 mpg on the highway for a combined 36 mpg.

Honda Fit fuel efficient vehicle

9. Minivans — What category seems to defy its name? That probably would be minivans, comprised mostly of medium-sized models. One exception is the six-passenger Mazda 5, powered by a 2.5-liter, four cylinder engine and paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. This model is EPA-rated at 21 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway for a combined 24 mpg.

10. Medium Sport Utility Vehicle — Sport utility vehicles typically do not get good gas mileage, but the exception is found in smaller models or with hybrids. In the medium SUV category. The Toyota Highlander Hybrid is powered by a 3.5-liter, V-6 engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and is EPA-rated at 27 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway for a combined 28 mpg.

11. Small Sport Utility Vehicle — The most fuel-efficient small SUV is a luxury model, a Lexus NX 300h front-wheel drive hybrid. This model is powered by a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Seating five, the NX 300h is EPA-rated at 35 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway for a combined 33 mpg.

12. Standard Pickup Trucks — Ford may have a lightweight, aluminum-bodied truck in the F-150, but it is a Ram 1500 HFE 2WD model that is the most efficient in this segment. That truck is powered by a 3.0-liter, turbo-diesel engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. It is EPA-rated at 21 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway for a combined 24 mpg.

2015 Chevrolet Colorado fuel efficient truck.

2015 Chevrolet Colorado.

13. Small Pickup Trucks — Small trucks are not as fuel-efficient as some would like, despite offering standard four-cylinder engines. Several models, including the Toyota Tacoma, GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado are tied in this segment, making a combined 22 mpg. The good news is that an upcoming turbodiesel for GMC and Chevrolet should boost fuel economy by about 20 percent when that engine comes out in 2016.

Fuel Efficient Tips

Official fuel economy numbers aside, you can maximize your efficiency in several ways, including avoiding jackrabbit starts and hard breaking, and by keeping your tires properly inflated. Use cruise control on the highway when road conditions are dry and you can increase your efficiency further.