2014 Honda Accord Plug-in Hybrid: First Drive

We haven't seen a Honda Accord Hybrid since the mid-2000s — and Honda might want to forget its seventh-generation effort, which eked out just 22/31 mpg (city/highway) in adjusted 2006 EPA figures. Two generations later, the Accord Hybrid is back, this time based on the redesigned Accord. It uses a four-cylinder, not the old hybrid's V-6, and it comes in regular and plug-in form. The Accord Plug-in Hybrid hits dealerships in early 2013, with the Accord Hybrid following later in the year.
 
Honda is mum on full details for either car — or any details at all on the Accord Hybrid, for that matter. But at last month's media drive for the Accord, the automaker had a plug-in hybrid prototype available for short drives.

Cars.com Reviews the 2013 Honda Accord

Last week, Honda released full details about the redesigned 2013 Honda Accord sedan and coupe. They also let us test-drive an array of trim levels of both body styles. Reviewer Kelsey Mays found the interior vastly improved, but there were a few changes he could do without. The sedan goes on sale Sept. 19, so start your research now.

2013 Honda Accord Review

Cars.com Reviews the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu

Chevy debuted the 2013 Malibu with a mild-hybrid system it called Eco. Now, you can finally buy a Malibu with a traditional and less expensive four-cylinder gas engine. How does it drive? Pretty well, according to Cars.com Managing Editor David Thomas, who found it an ideal commuter car. But even with a larger trunk than the Eco, there are still some areas where the Malibu comes up short.

2013 Chevrolet Malibu Review

Dodge Dart's Fashion-Forward Influence

If you hadn't read anything about Dodge's new Dart, you're doing a great job of avoiding coverage of the brand's first compact sedan since the Neon. It's an extremely important model for a company that has seen success with minivans, SUVs and large sedans but not much else. While many of us (me included) have a preconceived notion of Dodge being a manly man's brand, you may be surprised to hear that the Dart's interior has a decidedly feminine influence.

Dodge Releases Full Dart Pricing

Dodge previously announced that its new-for-2013 compact car will start at $15,995, and today, the automaker released full pricing for the 2013 Dart.

The automaker's first small sedan since the Neon will be available in five trim levels: SE, SXT, Rallye, Limited and R/T. Standard is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine; a turbo 1.4-liter four-cylinder is optional. Both engines make 160 horsepower and are mated to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. The sport-themed Dart R/T uses a 184-hp, 2.4-liter MultiAir four-cylinder and six-speed automatic or manual transmission.

Full pricing and equipment are below. All prices exclude a $795 destination fee. The 2013 Dodge Dart will be made at Chrysler's Belvidere, Ill., assembly plant and will go on sale this June.

2013 Nissan Altima: Photo Gallery

Nissan's all-new Altima promises best-in class fuel economy and a long list of trim levels to choose from. But how does it look? And are the backseats really that spacious?

More 2012 New York Auto Show Coverage

The 2013 Altima seems to advance Nissan's march of quality interiors in mainstream vehicles. We're only bummed that the LCD screen between the gauges wasn’t illuminated for our photographer.

Is the Chevrolet Caprice Coming to Dealers?

A new model is replacing the Chevy Impala in its NASCAR Sprint Series racing lineup, GM announced yesterday. More importantly, the automaker also confirmed that the new car will be in dealer showrooms.

GM is mum on the car's name, but it could be the Caprice, which is currently only available in police car trim. The rear-wheel-drive Chevrolet Caprice Police Patrol Vehicle gets power from a 335-horsepower, 6.0-liter V-8 and six-speed automatic transmission. If the Caprice makes its way into dealerships, we assume it'll be toned down considerably since the sedan can do zero to 60 mph in less than six seconds and has been "performance calibrated for police duty," according to GM.

We'll have to wait a few months for more details. GM said the showroom model will closely resemble the racecar and that both cars will be unveiled later this year.

Recall Alert: 2012 Honda Civic and Acura MDX

Honda Motor Co. is expanding an earlier recall of Honda Accord and Crosstour vehicles to include 627 Honda Civic and Acura MDX vehicles from the 2012 model year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

In certain vehicles, the side curtain airbags for the driver and front passenger may have a faulty inflator. In the event of an accident, the affected airbags will not deploy, increasing the risk of passenger injury.

Honda will begin notifying owners on Feb. 10, and the affected airbags will be replaced for free. Owners can call Honda at 800-999-1009 or NHTSA’s vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236 for more info.

2012 Mitsubishi i Delivered to First U.S. Retail Customers

Gas-free motoring options are expanding in 2012. Mitsubishi's first all-electric car, the i, is now finding its way to retail customers. The four-door hatchback first went on sale in Hawaii last month, and Mitsubishi is now rolling it out at West Coast dealerships. Customers in California, Oregon and Washington were the first in the continental U.S. to take delivery of the i.

The i (formerly called the i-MiEV) seats four and draws power from a 66-horsepower electric motor and 16-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack. The EPA lists a 62.3-mile driving range, but this number varies based on city and highway driving. Mitsubishi estimates charging time at 22 hours on a 120-volt outlet and seven hours on a Level 2 240-volt charging station.

The 2012 Mitsubishi i starts at $29,125; the $7,500 applicable federal tax credit brings the price to $21,625. But how much does it cost to drive? The EPA lists an annual fuel cost of $550. It uses the national average electricity rate of 12 cents per kilowatt-hour and an annual driving range of 15,000 miles to calculate the i’s operating costs. 

Mitsubishi plans a gradual rollout for the i, with nationwide availability by this summer.

Hyundai Owners Are Most Loyal, J.D. Power Study Says

Hyundai is on a roll. After reporting strong sales in 2011 and winning the North American Car of the Year Award for its Elantra sedan, the Korean automaker got more good news from J.D. Power and Associates. In the results of J.D. Power's Customer Retention Study, Hyundai came out on top in terms of brand loyalty.

The study, which J.D. Power skipped in 2011, charts customer-loyalty rates by vehicle brand, looking at who remains loyal and to which automaker. For 2012, the industry brand loyalty average is 49%, with Hyundai riding the top of the list at 64%, according to the study.