AD #1668 – 2016 Honda Accord First Look, Best Cars to Buy Again, Hyundai’s DIY Update
July 29th, 2015 at 11:55am
Runtime: 8:30
- Honda Accord Styling Details
- Hyundai’s DIY Software Update
- Joint Ventures do Make Sense
- The Best Cars to Buy Again
- John McElroy Answers to Your Questions and Comments
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On today’s show… First look at the new Honda Accord, Tesla’s Model S takes yet another top honor, and how to upgrade a Hyundai Sonata. All that and more coming right up on Autoline Daily.
This is Autoline Daily for July 29th, 2015.
ACCORD STYLING DETAILS
Honda is making a big push with new products this year. First it was its small crossover the HR-V followed a couple months later by the 8-passenger Sport Utility Pilot. Last week we got our first look at the refreshed 2016 Accord. And yesterday we got a chance to drive it. Though driving impressions are still under an embargo, we got one of Honda’s executives to talk about the new styling of one of the best selling midsize cars in the market.
“Well, for the 2016 Honda Accord we have a lot of new additions. One thing we wanted to focus on was styling. We have a completely new look for the Accord. We have a new grille, new front fascia, new rear fascia. We have LED lighting that’s incorporated throught the lighting. LED Daytime running lights, LED Fog lights and LED taillights as well,” Guido Rasser, Senior Product Planner, Honda Accord.
We’ll have more on the Accord including a demo on Apple CarPlay coming up soon on DAILY. And by the way, the car goes on sale in mid August.
HYUNDAI’S DIY SOFTWARE UPDATE
It can be difficult to find time to run over the dealer for something as simple as a software update but now Hyundai is letting you take care of that yourself. 2015 Sonata owners that have the navigation package can now can now update their system to include Android Auto for free, and from the comfort of their own home. Just register at the MyHyundai owner’s site to download the software onto a USB drive, then plug it into the port on your car and the rest pretty much takes care of itself. There’s a step-by-step How To video on YouTube and it’ll take about an hour to complete. Oh, and if you don’t feel comfortable doing it yourself, you can always take it to the dealer where they’ll do it for free as well.
Coming up next, man is the Tesla Model S popular with its owners..
J-Vs DO MAKE SENSE
Five years ago Daimler and Renault-Nissan signed a joint venture to work together, and now they’re really putting their money where their mouths are. They’re investing $1 billion to build a new plant in Mexico, to produce compact cars for both Infiniti and Mercedes-Benz, starting in 2017. The plant will initially produce about 230,000 vehicles a year, but could ramp up after that. While Sergio Marchionne says joint ventures don’t produce the kind of cost savings he wants for FCA, J-V’s are becoming more and more common. Who would have ever thought you’d see Benzes and Infiniti’s rolling down the same line?
I’LL HAVE ANOTHER
Can’t wait to try a different new car? Well some drivers can’t wait to buy the same car again. Consumer Reports surveyed 350,000 car owners to see which ones they’d love to buy again. Not surprisingly, four Porsche models made the top ten list with 91 percent of Cayman and Boxter owners saying they would buy another. Other performance and muscle cars like the Chevy Corvette and Dodge Challenger had 95 percent and 86 percent of their buyers salivating at new one. Diesels — like the Mercedes-Benz E250 BlueTec and BMW 328d had 88 and 86 percent of their buyers giving the thumbs up. In the middle was the Chevy Volt with 85 percent approval. But the king of all buy-backs was the Tesla Model S. A whopping 98 percent of its buyers said they’d have another. All the way at the bottom of the totem poll is the Nissan Versa with only 42 percent of its buyers saying they’d want to get into another.
Coming up next, it’s time for You Said It!
A lot of you were as amazed as we were to see that a fuel cell car will pump 10 gallons of water through the exhaust pipe for every tankful of hydrogen. And you had some ideas of what to do with the water. Rob says, “How about a FCV lawnmower? Then you can cut the grass and water it too.” TC says, “How about adding a refrigerated drinking water system to fuel cell cars!” But
clem zahrobsky want to know, “How much water does a car’s A/C dump out on to the roads?” Great question, does anyone out there have the answer?
CarMan heard our report that the Viper might go out of production in 2017. ”I don’t care If the Viper is no longer made. I have a 2014 Viper TA and would love to see that price go through the roof.”
Our segment on whether classic cars should be fully restored or simply preserved as is generated a ton of comments. XA351GT kind of summed it up nicely. ”It’s really an individual thing per car. If you have a all original car, it’s best to keep it that way. If you have a car that has been modified from original or in serious need of repair then by all means restore it.”
Joe Kurnos wrote in to say, “The Volt forum lit up discussing whether or not the Gen 2 Volt will have a Universal Garage Remote, aka HomeLink. A forum member said that John McElroy has confirmed with Chevy that it will have garage door functionality. Can you go back to your Chevy rep and ask them to be more specific?” The Chevy rep says the new Volt will have Home Link. Remember, all anyone has seen so far is a pre-production prototype. So just because the prototype does not have Home Link does not mean the final version will not..
Elyas Girma Tesfaye wants to know, “Is Ford is considering readying the Ranger to barge it over the pond?” Not a chance. Any pickup that is imported would be hit with a 25% import tax, and that would make the Ranger uncompetitive.
And finally Greg Helton writes in to say, “I love Autoline’s great info, guests and discussions but you could throw in a hot chick on occasion, ya know?” Wha? Wha? You don’t like the way I look?
Thanks for all your letters and comments, some of them are a lot of fun to go through.
But that wraps up today’s show, thanks for watching.
Thanks to our partner for embedding Autoline Daily on its website: WardsAuto.com
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Comments (40)
July 29th, 2015 at 12:09 pm
The amount of water produced by an A/C system can vary widely depending on the size of the system, the humidity of the air and temperature of the evaporator (maybe even whether the underhood tubing is insulated or not. And, as was discussed earlier, the amount of water dispensed, in freezing conditions, is probably moot as the system will in all likelihood not be on in colder environments.
July 29th, 2015 at 12:14 pm
most cars have the A/C compressor on when in the defrost mode and that would be used in cold weather
July 29th, 2015 at 12:17 pm
From yesterday’s show…
Yes GA, I would have liked to have seen a dedicated truck engine like the 4.3L in the Colorado/Canyon (it would have been quite a hot rod with 305hp!), but I think the 2 mpg hit in highway mileage kept it from our truck.
I realize the mileage numbers are in the fullsize, but I don’t think we could have got much better in the midsize.
July 29th, 2015 at 12:41 pm
Haven’t seen Michelle Krebs on the show for a while, John. Just sayin’…
July 29th, 2015 at 12:43 pm
@ TB: I’ve given a lot of thought to just that.My conclusions are,4.3/3:42′s/8 spd auto.With the afm I think it would do very well.Even with a 2 mpg hit,it still beats the other two oem’s offerings,and would be a helluva
towing machine.Jmho…
July 29th, 2015 at 12:44 pm
From yesterday, MJB responded to one of my posts as follows:
“Not sure where are you getting this intel. I haven’t heard or read any bad press on the reliability of either the Lexus ES or IS. Perhaps when compared with other top-tier reliable autos they have fallen one or two points short in certain production years. But I think to suggest that they are “bad buys” is a bit extreme.”
I wasn’t saying that the ES or IS are unreliable. I was saying that the ES is a bad buy, compared to the similar, but much less expensive Camry in earlier versions, and the Avalon which is similar to the current ES. Regarding the IS, it drives poorly, and isn’t very roomy compared to most of the competition. That’s what I was saying, nothing about poor reliability.
July 29th, 2015 at 12:48 pm
#2 – Typically the A/C compressor clutch will not engage unless the ambient temperature is >32F. Makes sense since AC running will typically lower the temperature at the evaporator to approximately 33-34F. Actual temperature will vary by vehicle.
July 29th, 2015 at 12:48 pm
As chuck mentioned the amount of A/C water would vary depending on a few variables which are most likely much different in cold weather.
All I know is while on my motorcycle on a hot humid day I often feel the light spray of water from the car in front of me. At least I hope its condensation.
July 29th, 2015 at 12:50 pm
The reasoning probably also was that the diesel was going to be the “towing machine”. 7,700 pounds is quite a load for a midsize truck.
I’m afraid CAFE is taking all of the fun performance out of a lot of vehicles…
July 29th, 2015 at 12:57 pm
J-V’s were all the rage in the 80′s and early 90′s. Mitsubishi was one of the greatest benefactors of the concept. In North American it was with Chrysler, and in Europe is was Volvo and PSA. Mitsubishi in fact is basically responsible for the creation of Hyundai providing the technology for it’s first car the Pony.
It was the 90′s when consolidation became all the rage, and now many are seeing the faults of that strategy, and rethinking the value of J-V’s.
July 29th, 2015 at 1:05 pm
I think Colorado etc effed up going bigger size
& cost. I don’t like the bloated full size ones
either . Gonna keep my cherry ol Sierra stepside.
July 29th, 2015 at 1:40 pm
Hey, reference the Hot Chick post, if you recall I was pushing for the Mercury gal to be a guest on Autoline After Hours for quite a while! That appearance may have singlehandedly saved the brand.
July 29th, 2015 at 1:46 pm
@ #11 I agree that going bigger seems to always be the trend. The mini pick-ups served a great segment for people that want to be able to haul stuff but not use it as a work truck. Could get it with a 4cyl and 4wd but you always have people who try and go cheap and expect it to handle full size truck loads. So they go bigger and bigger with each refresh. Maybe they thought they needed toget a piece f the Dakota Mid-size market but thats basically what it is now. Cadillac did the same thing with the CTS until it killed the sales of the STS and now they had to introduce a ATS which is about the size the CTS was when it started. Its like they introduce a vehicle and with each upgrade they make it bigger. A true mini pick-up would be in a class all to itself right now.
July 29th, 2015 at 1:55 pm
9 As with the S10 vs big pickups in 1995, the Colorado gets barely better mpg with the V6 than a Silverado V6, and the same city rating.
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?action=sbs&id=12137&id=12157&id=35675&id=35570
It seems that the Colorado would get the same EPA numbers, or maybe 1 mpg worse highway with the 4.3 rather than the 3.6. Might they have used the 3.6, thinking its “sportier” sound might appeal more the the likely customers, who would be cross shopping Tacoma and Frontier V6es? Just a thought.
July 29th, 2015 at 2:03 pm
Hey John…..I love all your programs, Autoline Daily, Autoline this Week and of course Afterhours.
Would you ever consider having a small studio audience for Afterhours? I think it would be awesome to meet you and your guests and maybe even get to ask your guests a question or 2 during the program….
Thanks for great shows!!
July 29th, 2015 at 2:08 pm
@ Kit: The main problem with the 3.6 vs the 4.3 is towing.The 4.3 is a purpose built truck engine,made to tow more reliably then a modified car engine.I don’t remember what to numbers for the v6 gm twins towing is offhand,but to do that say cross country with a travel trailer would put more stress on the 3.6 then the 4.3,much more.In short,the 4.3 is a truck engine,the 3.6 is not.And many people who have bought the 3.6 to tow their campers and boats etc will end up with problems with the 3.6 if they go long distances with any regularity,especially in mountain states like I live in.
July 29th, 2015 at 2:18 pm
#6. Yep, that makes sense.
Regarding the amount of water from AC systems. Isn’t that completely a function of the humidity? I always thought the water that you see dripping from underneath a car when it’s AC is on was a direct result of condensation – you know, hot air coming in contact with ice-cold AC components causing the air’s moisture to liquify?
July 29th, 2015 at 2:51 pm
Is it my fantastic computer screen or does the new Accord have a premium looking exterior?
—-
As far as Autoline’s ease on the eyes, I do miss Ike getting all that camera time on AAH.
July 29th, 2015 at 3:08 pm
#18.
DISCO! You hit it right on the head. The new Accord does have a “Premium” looking exterior.
Why, you may ask, dear sir?
Because it has styling cues taken from upscale sibling, Acura. And as we discovered just a few AD’s ago, Acura falls into the “Premium” brand category.
July 29th, 2015 at 4:00 pm
John,
I know you mentioned the details of the new Accord are embargoed, but is the price for the car available.
Thanks for the great shows you produce. Look forward to ALL of them.
Rick Wakefield
July 29th, 2015 at 4:12 pm
Just read on TTAC that both Accord and Camry will start using turbo 4′s as the standard motor for the Accord and Camry will no longer offer the V6, Thankfully the Toyota will still offer a NA 4 banger as the base engine, not so with the Accord. So much for progress.
July 29th, 2015 at 4:15 pm
VW are number one in sales for the half year. Maybe it’s old news, but not mentioned here (or I missed it).
July 29th, 2015 at 4:19 pm
When will Sienna and Odyssey use turbo 4′s, like my 1989 Caravan?
July 29th, 2015 at 4:30 pm
Our MKX with Lincoln Touch etc. also was updated by USB stick. We even got sent one with a big update. Would have been good except the system was so bad, nothing could make it work well. They used obsolete hardware that would be embarassing in a pocket calculator, and you were required to run the car! for the hour to hour and a half it took to upgrade. I am sure Hyundai will do better.
July 29th, 2015 at 5:07 pm
@ 24: That is one of the reasons lincoln isn’t on many peoples radar.Those that run it suffer from terminal cerebral rectumitus it seems.
July 29th, 2015 at 5:16 pm
Towing on the Colorado/Canyon is 7,000 lbs.
Actually a lot more of the stress of towing is on the transmission and differential so I wouldn’t worry about the effects of the 3.6 compared to the 4.3.
As far as everything getting bigger, GM and all of the other automakers are only giving the people what they want. If bigger didn’t sell, we would all be driving micro cars. In Japan in makes sense do to the congestion, in the US with are wide open spaces, people want big…
July 29th, 2015 at 6:32 pm
At least the Camaro will be getting smaller, probably a good thing for that market. At least I hope so.
July 29th, 2015 at 10:00 pm
Just wanted to say thanks for NOT throwing in the hot chick now and then. As a chick myself, who knows and loves cars, I appreciate your classy, informative show more than the others that only cater to male viewers. Thanks for sticking to cars, which are not JUST for dudes.
July 29th, 2015 at 10:36 pm
The refreshed Honda Accord is looking more and more like an Acura. If this is the case then just run a model for 3 to 5 years as an Acura and then rebadge it as a Honda for the next 3 to 5 years of it’s life cycle. This makes a huge amount of good sense to me. Imaging the savings in retooling costs Honda would have. That saving could be passed on to the consumer who choose to wait for an Acura to become a Honda.
July 29th, 2015 at 11:51 pm
@ TB: I’m not trying to start a argument,but the full size pickups were built bigger to get around the cafe,or epa mpg ratings,(larger footprints).My 95 chevy 1500 reg cab reg box was a lot smaller then say my 2011 silvey,same config.I don’t know anybody who asked for bigger 1/2 tons,which is where the 3/4 tons were years ago.Todays 1/2 tons,by all the oems,are HUGE as compared to what was normally taken for a 1/2 ton 20 years ago.When people needed a bigger,more capable truck,they bought 3/4 tons,or 1 tons.
Todays cars are also getting bigger again.What starts off with a specific model that is ‘X’ size,5 years down the road they are longer/wider etc,same model.Same thing happened to the not so mini,mini vans.Years ago,back in the 2000′s,we Jeep owners signed petitions to have them offer a 4 cyl diesel in the wrangler.They got thousands of signed petitions,and they wouldn’t listen to what loyal customers wanted,and still haven’t.
So you say that ‘customers’ wanted bigger trucks etc.I just find it impossible to buy that bro,I’m sorry.
July 30th, 2015 at 7:56 am
Regarding the “buy it again” question on CR’s survey, the question is something like, “Would you get the same car if you could do it over again, considering styling, comfort, features, cargo space, fuel economy, maintenance and repair costs, overall value, and driving dynamics?”
The question relates to buying the same car again, at the same time, but not “would you buy the same car now, years later, against the competition that has arrived since your purchase.”
July 30th, 2015 at 8:46 am
@29.
Well, actually G.A., me and the wife both prefer bigger vehicles. Though she would never drive something as large as say, an Escallade. It was just the other night we were talking about the pony cars and how the Mustang is not on either of our wish lists (in part due to it’s styling) but in large part due to it’s smallish size relative to the Challenger and Camaro.
I do share your doubt about customers wanting bigger trucks. In fact each time I see a newer F150, I keep mistaking it for an F350 – because it’s so darn huge! Not that I think it’s a bad thing, however.
July 30th, 2015 at 9:43 am
31 An Escalade is tiny, in length, compared the the ever more popular “crew cab” pickups. Escalade length is 204 inches, while Silverado crew cab is 258 inches. Even the stretch, Suburban style Escalade is only 224 inches long. All of these would be about the same width, clise to 80 inches.
July 30th, 2015 at 9:47 am
Well I believe that Mini did it right. They relased the Mini and people loved it but there were folks that wanted more room. So rather than make it bigger they released a larger model the Countryman.
Not exactly sure what you guys are talking about with the Ford trucks as the 150 and 350 have the same body dimensions. Only difference is chassis which will make it sit higher.
July 30th, 2015 at 10:08 am
33. Shows how little I know… All I really meant (by saying the current F150s look like 350s) is that the F150 is HUGE.
Wasn’t there a time, however, when the the 350 was larger than the 150?
Perhaps I’m thinking of the 450…
July 30th, 2015 at 10:10 am
http://www.automotifhdwallpaper.com/wp-content/uploads/ktz/ford-f950-parking-in-new-york-city–the-urban-warfare-review-z4rhvd16-2ypvpokthgjct1shfksmbu.jpg
July 30th, 2015 at 10:12 am
After a proliferation of MINI models, they have scaled back to about where they should be. The funny looking coupe, and the roadster are gone. They now have a 5-door version of the standard hardtop, with about a 6 inch stretch, making the back seat semi-usable. I’ve read that the wider, taller Countryman platform will be the basis for front drive/awd BMW badged products, maybe the next X1.
July 30th, 2015 at 10:49 am
36. I loved that funny-looking coupe.
July 30th, 2015 at 10:54 am
Off-topic:
I ran into a Chevy Volt driver the other morning at the bagel shop. It was almost as if he was just WAITING for me to ask him about the car. He’s owned his for 4+ years and absolutely LOVES it.
It’s his daily driver and he’s got 40k miles on it. He’s averaging 180+ mpg, and is shooting for 200. …Nothing but good to say about it.
July 30th, 2015 at 11:31 am
37 A few people liked it, but not enough buyers to justify doing a second generation. I liked the related roadster, but not enough to buy one. I don’t know that I’ll be buying another MINI; my current one is doing fine, but if I did, it would probably be the basic 3-door.