| It's shaping up to be a great year for Honda. | | | | their new introductory sedan. And let's not |
| Just last month in Detroit the 2006 Civic and | | | | forget about the Civic Si, which offers |
| Ridgeline pick-up were named North American | | | | 197hp, a 6-speed manual transmission, and a |
| car of the Year and North American Truck of | | | | limited slip diff. That's a formula for a lot |
| the Year, respectively. Yesterday, AJAC | | | | of fun. In fact, the Civic Si has filled the |
| (Automobile Journalists Association of | | | | void left by the discontinued Prelude. The |
| Canada) named the Honda Civic Sedan and Honda | | | | Civic has raised the bar.Honda RidgelineWow. |
| Ridgeline pick-up as AJAC Car of the Year and | | | | A Honda winning three of the most coveted |
| AJAC Truck of the Year, respectively. Now if | | | | Truck of the Year awards. It beat out the |
| that's not enough, Motor Trend Magazine named | | | | newly revised 2006 Dodge Ram and Lincoln LT |
| the 2006 Honda Civic as the Motor Trend Car | | | | amongst others. The Ridgeline comes with some |
| of the Year, and the 2006 Honda Ridgeline as | | | | very clever touches. The storage compartment |
| the Motor Trend Truck of the Year.One brand | | | | under the bed, 4 wheel independent |
| has never been awarded The North American Car | | | | suspension, and the tailgate opens like a |
| of the Year and the North American Truck of | | | | door or can swing down. Honda also put 4 |
| the Year awards in the same year. Let alone | | | | lights in the bed for better visibility at |
| winning the AJAC awards and the Motor Trend | | | | night. These ideas sound simple enough but no |
| awards. Clearly Honda has designed two well | | | | other truck puts them all together in such a |
| thought out vehicles which raise the bar in | | | | well thought out package. Honda has taken a |
| their respective segments.Honda CivicThe 2006 | | | | different approach and made a truck that will |
| Honda Civic is clearly the dominant player in | | | | satisfy people who need a truck for the |
| its segment. With 140hp standard, it offers | | | | versatility, but who don't want a harsh ride |
| more horsepower than the previous generation. | | | | and poor maneuverability. The Ridgeline is |
| Clever engineering yields a completely flat | | | | one of the rare vehicles that will have a big |
| floor for the middle backseat passenger, and | | | | impact on its segment, making all of the |
| the two tier dash looks great yet serves its | | | | competition better. And if the competition |
| purpose by keeping your eyes on the road. The | | | | doesn't get better, they won't be able to |
| Civic sedan has morphed into a mini-Accord. | | | | compete.Peter Johnson is the chief writer for |
| This point is not lost on Honda as they are | | | | all-about-car-selection. |
| getting ready to introduce the Honda Jazz as | | | | |