On September 19th we saw the release of the totally re-designed Honda Accord. If you are looking to get some bang for your buck, the buck stops here. Honda has literally added thousands of dollars worth of features and technologies to its base model while only increasing the price by about $200 (depending on the model you choose).  You can expect your new Accord to cost $21,860 for the base model and up to $33,430 for the high-end Accord Touring model.  

Honda has taken itself to the next level, completely rebuilding the Accord- from the ground up. Not only does it have a new sleek look, but the technology it packs is competitive and impressive. You will find that every new Accord comes standard with alloy wheels, rearview camera, expanded view driver’s mirror, Pandora Internet Radio® capability, USB/iPod ®integration, Bluetooth®, AM/FM/CD audio, SMS text message function, and dual-zone auto climate control.

If that’s not enough to get you into this car, let’s talk fuel efficiency. Not only is this car fun to drive, but it is leading in its class on fuel efficiency. The 4 cylinder Accord rocks an impressive 27/36/30 mpg city/highway/combined fuel economy rating. That doesn’t impress you? Well, how about the 6 cylinder model, which is rated the most fuel-efficient vehicle in the midsize sedan V-6 class. You are looking at a city/highway/combined fuel efficiency rating of 21/34/25.

Still looking for more options? The 2013 Accord offers other impressive technologies such as the all-new HondaLink™ system which allows you to stay connected to your phone, social media, and music- so you can put your phone away. We are also seeing the all-new Honda LaneWatch™ blind spot monitoring system debut in the Accord.  Switching lanes make you a little nervous? Not any more, with a camera integrated in the passenger side mirror and using the 8 inch color display screen, you can see everything coming your way.

For a family friendly and gas efficient car loaded with the latest technologies, we think the new Accord is quite the value!

Last week, Subaru revealed its EyeSight driver assistance program – a program that integrates adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, and vehicle lane departure warning. The new technology can also detect obstacles in front of a parked car and limit potential damage in an impact.

The Subaru EyeSight program will officially debut at the New York Auto Show in April on the 2013 Legacy and Outback models. Throughout the year the technology will subsequently appear on other products in the Subaru line-up.

Subaru EyeSight system is one of the most affordable technologies of its kind in the U.S. market. It uses two charge-coupled device cameras that are mounted inside the car on the upper edge of the windshield.  This location reduces the potential for damage that could occur in bumper-mounted systems, such as radar.

The EyeSight system processes images to identify the vehicles traveling in front, as well as obstacles, traffic lanes and other items.  The video information is relayed to the EyeSight computer, which is also networked with the car’s braking system and electronic throttle control.  Below speeds of approximately 19 mph, EyeSight is capable of detaching pedestrians in the vehicle’s path and can activate in order to mitigate or even avoid the collision.  Under certain circumstances, EyeSight is able to bring the car to a complete stop, thus avoiding a collision.

Though EyeSight is an innovative technology designed to make vehicles safer on the road it is not a substitute for due care and attention on the road. 

The 2012 Ford Focus Electric is now officially America’s most fuel-efficient five-passenger car with a certified 100 miles per gallon equivalent city rating and 99 MPGe on the highway.  MPGe is a measure of the average distance traveled per unit of energy consumed.  This measurement allows consumers to compare energy consumption and fuel efficiency across all vehicles.

Focus Electric has also been certified by the EPA to offer 105 MPGe combined, beating the Nissan Leaf by 9 MPGe.  Focus Electric also offers more motor power and more standard features when compared to the Leaf.

Focus Electric beats Nissan Leaf in other ways too; the Focus offers more passenger room and a faster charging system that allows for a full recharge in nearly half the time of the Nissan Leaf.

“Ford is giving customers the power of choice for leading fuel economy regardless of what type of vehicle or power train technology they choose,” said Eric Kuehn, chief nameplate engineer, Focus Electric. “The Focus is a great example of how we transformed our fleet of cars, utilities, and trucks with leading fuel efficiency.”

Ford will ramp up Focus Electric retail production in the first half of 2012 for dealership availability in California, New York, and New Jersey.  By the end of 2012, Focus Electric will be available in 19 markets across the U.S.