By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

The slightly reworked 2014 Honda Civic Si sedan is not about horsepower and straight ahead performance. The Si version of the popular compact Civic has always been about a total performance package. And that objective remains the same for 2014 as Honda ups the ante by hardening the Si's performance personality.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

Honda has risen to the top of the mid-sized hybrid sedan ranks with its 2014 Accord Hybrid that promises an unprecedented 50 miles to the gallon in city driving, 45mpg highway and 47 combined while offering a non-hybrid-like driving experience.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

The automotive hit of the week was a vacuum cleaner. It was used to sweep up debris left from a plant-buying trip and picking up granola scattered about by a five-year old. All this cleaning was courtesy of the 2014 Honda Odyssey minivan and its newest feature, an in-vehicle vacuum cleaner.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

People shopping for a performance-infused sports coupe, but who aren't awed by the current crop of retro "pony cars" need look no further than the 2013 Honda Accord Coupe with the V-6 engine. The completely restyled coupe in six-cylinder guise delivers sparkling performance and handling on a par with the six-cylinder offerings from Mustang, Camaro and Challenger, but in a more sophisticated package.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

Honda wasted no time in refreshing its best-selling Civic compact sedan and coupe, significantly upgrading the car for the 2013 model year just 18 months after it introduced a complete redesign for 2012.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

Honda has done a creditable job with the all-new Accord, a sedan that should keep it at or near the top of the sales charts in the mid-sized segment. The 2013 Accord features a fuel-efficient drivetrain that offers solid performance, better handling traits than its predecessor, stretch-out room — front and back — for full-sized adults, and an overall pleasing driving demeanor.

GOLDSBORO, N.C. — The utility of a pickup truck and the comfort of a car make the aging Honda Ridgeline unibody crew cab a still-solid choice for the weekend Home Depot warrior. Or the family who desires a vehicle that can tow the jet skis, haul several duffels or roller-boards in a secure compartment, carry camping supplies in the five-foot-long dent-resistant bed, and tote five passengers for the weekend beach getaway.