Which U.S. automaker created the cleanest fleet of cars with the lowest combined score for smog-forming and greenhouse gas emissions, according to The Union of Concerned Scientists?
Honda Motor Co. was named America's "Greenest Automaker" for the fifth time in a row!
After being blown away test driving the 2011 Honda Sports CR-Z Hybrid, I chose a roomy 4-door Honda Accord sedan for my recent San Francisco trip.
Elegance
To begin, I walked toward the elegant Honda Accord SE on a cool San Francisco Bay Area day, after arriving to Oakland's airport.
(I much prefer Oakland to San Francisco's airport for its small size and ease of getting to and fro San Francisco and Marin)
Comfort
I put my bags in the large trunk, enough space to store a family of fours luggage or one woman who has camera gear and shoes, and headed for the driver's seat. I threw my purse on the passenger side, and adjusted the rear-view mirrors.
Immediately I felt the driver seat's power-lumbar and neck support, which I appreciated.
Last summer, an over-confident weight-lifter (me) lifted a file cabinet like Popeye. Only I'm not. Ouch!
So I can tell you that the value of lumbar and neck support while driving can be huge. It helps everything stay in place. Passenger seats offered similar comfort and plenty of leg room--for even the tallest passengers. The driver and front passenger seats offered heat, too.
Engineering and Safety Features
I pulled out of the parking lot, and the rear view mirror worked well. I didn't experience a blind spot like certain other vehicles. In less time than it took to wonder whether I should make a right or left turn, a sound signaled, reminding me to buckle up! Okay. Okay.
I took the 880 to the Richmond Bridge, navigating through traffic, feeling safe.
Besides being that I was in a car of a certain size that made me feel king of the road, I'd read about its front and side air-bags, and a long list of other safety features which you can read about too, clicking here and scrolling down.
The front and backseats had 3-point seat-belts, reinforcing safety.
This 2.4-liter four-cylinder LX Premium Special Edition model was a smooth ride with kick.
While I read that it produces 177 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 161 pound-feet of torque at 4,300 rpm, I'm not sure exactly what that means though I'm visualizing 177 horses pulling me really, really fast.
I can tell you that the Honda Accord SE was a solid ride. It moved. Only occasionally (I think twice) did the car respond to the freeway as if I were riding small waves. I wasn't sure to what degree that was the car or the road. It did not happen consistently.
This Honda Accord SE felt lighter than my forever current--13 years and counting--six-cylinder 1997 Lexus ES 300. It wasn't as quiet but it wasn't noisy either. I was able to enjoy a conversation or the radio with ease, and no road distractions.
Looking Good for Others
I'm not vain but it doesn't hurt looking good for others.
Enroute to my Dad's, I stopped at Barnes & Noble to buy gifts, and when I parked the car a couple walked by, mentioning what a good-looking car!
That evening, I met Mom for dinner at Cavallo Point located at Fort Baker in Sausalito, where a cameraman patiently waited for the fog to lift above the Golden Gate Bridge, for he was shooting a cell phone commercial.
Trying to shoot a cell phone commercial.
He wore a leather jacket and had time to talk. It was getting colder. He put on gloves.
I'll bet he was paid well to stand all day waiting for the fog to lift.
I didn't need the Golden Gate Bridge standing in red glory. Nope. I quickly snapped above photos, as the cameraman wrapped a scarf around his neck and commented,
"That's a handsome-looking Honda. Is it new?"
"As a matter of fact," I answered, "it's the all new Honda Accord SE..."
"I'll check your blog for the article!" he said.
I was quite sure he'd have plenty of time to check my blog, Gawker, TechCrunch, Boing Boing...
Poor guy.
As I pulled out, I snapped even thicker fog blowing in.
Fuel Mileage
The Honda Accord SE gets better fuel mileage than in previous years, and while I can't tell you my exact mileage, during my entire Bay Area trip, which lasted a week, included trips to Mount Tam, Point Reyes, Mill Valley, and going to and fro Oakland airport, I barely used half a tank.
According to the experts, the EPA city estimate is 23, and 34 for highway with a combined predicted fuel economy of 27.
Cost
At around 24k, the 2011 Honda Accord Special Edition is reasonably priced.
I recommend this car for those who need reliability, style, comfort, and roomy space in a sedan. Families and executives who drive clients around will especially find this car a winner.
More
To read everything you need to know about the Honda Accord SE, click here.
To read Honda's hot off the press 2010 Environmental Progress Report, click here.
To follow my clean air search and explore air pollution solutions together, subscribe to the Chasing Clean Air RSS feed!
Honda supplied the Honda Accord SE for review.
