#TRAVEL: TRAVELLING TO SARATOGA? BOOKING.COM MAKES IT EASY

It’s been a major case of summertime blues for me. The year started pretty great, with the world finally opening up again to a semblance of what it was. Mask regulations were lifted and events are now back at full capacity. But for me personally, there have been a lot of losses of late. I lost my Dad after several bouts with his health over the past year, and some friends and heroes whom I look up to have passed as well in recent months. I was desperately in need of a recharge. While vacations don’t solve all our problems, sometimes that’s all we need to bring us that bit of light when our shine has been diminished.

Saratoga Springs, New York (nicknamed “The Spa”) has always been a happy place for me. Located in upstate New York, the city is just about seven hours from Toronto, proudly sporting its official slogan upon arrival, “Health, History and Horses”. Not to be confused with Sarasota, because many friends think I’m off to Florida when I say I’m going to this beautiful summer treasure!

Water from these Springs have diverse characteristics, healing properties and a distinct flavour. Saratoga Springs water is said to have magic healing powers that help with skin ailments, assist with digestion, and more.

It is no mystery how much I love horses and every summer for a 40-day meet, among the very best in Horse Racing congregate at charming Saratoga Race Course to enjoy the sport at its highest level. The meet draws people from all over. The venue, donning its distinctive red and white stripe motif throughout, recalls traditions of yesteryear, but with modern amenities and flourishes that have connected its spirit to a new generation of attendees who either grew up like me around the sport, or just want to come out showing off their summer’s best hats and fascinators. Once the meet ends, the city with a population of just under 30,000, goes back to its regular pace as a trendy college town. Saratoga Springs is a destination of incredible taste, refinement and sophistication that somehow manages to always feel fresh.

BOOKING.COM makes it easy – and on short notice!

Because the demand is great to be in Saratoga Springs between late July to early September, finding accommodations can be pricey and difficult. BOOKING.COM makes it super easy to filter a search on their user-friendly website and App (iPhone, iPad and Android-ready). The latter is used by over 100 million monthly active users globally. You can filter your search with the options you really want from their pool of 28 million reported listings with 30 different types of places to stay. Whether you’re looking for a villa, treehouse, cottage, or a boutique hotel, Booking.com truly has it all, everywhere. 

If, like me, you are known to travel on little notice, this can limit your options. BOOKING.COM made finding accommodations rather simple, narrowing down properties within a close driving distance to Saratoga Springs. Trust me, hotels here fill up months in advance, and sometimes I really don’t know if I’ll be travelling till much later than that. You’ll be relieved to know that on Booking.com, there often is an option for full refund before a particular date because the unavoidable happens!

I landed upon the stunning Desmond Hotel in Albany, New York, a scenic 25 minute drive away from my ultimate destination. Not only is proximity important. I come with a very specific set of requirements. When choosing a place to stay, I rely on reviews from actual people who have stayed at the property. BOOKING.COM has more than 283 million verified reviews from real guests who have stayed at each accommodation and booked through them. Based on this, I was able to filter my search to properties with a minimum “8.5” rating and up. The Desmond Hotel hit the mark.

Above this, I don’t travel without my beloved dog beanie and while searching “pet-friendly” accommodations, this requirement eliminated some wonderful establishments from consideration for me. On the flipside, it also paired me with a place that welcomed us and those who like mindedly don’t exclude our furry loved ones from our trips.

Travelling sustainably is also super important to me nowadays and with BOOKING.COM’s search filters, I was able to see that The Desmond is a “Level 1” Travel Sustainable Property. This means that they have implemented some impactful sustainability practices. Another thing we love about BOOKING.COM is that you can also look for properties with a “Travel Proud” badge, showing their commitment to understand and help overcome the challenges LGBTQ+ travellers face. We support businesses that support inclusivity and diversity.

If accessibility options are important to you, BOOKING.COM has filters for disabled guests, the ability to look for places that offer electric vehicle charging stations, and many more details that people might need at their accommodation.

THE DESMOND

While this hotel at first glance doesn’t appear to be particularly towering in the classic sense of a hotel, it is rather expansive horizontally. Each of its three floors are packed with rooms. There are in fact, 323 guest rooms, plus a litany of conference rooms, a 24/7 fitness facility, a restaurant (Mr. D’s – named after founder John K. Desmond, Jr.) and a beautiful indoor courtyard with greenery and a pond that is home to beautiful Koi fish. Though we drove in in an amazing 2023 Honda HRV supplied by Honda Canada, the hotel is literally right beside the Albany Airport and they offer shuttles to the airport for those who need it. The hotel lobby also features a monitor display showing upcoming departure times, a mindful added touch for those travellers flying.

Rooms bestow an elegant, thoughtful decor and here I had the pleasure of staying in a Double Queen Guest Room that could host four people easily. This was one of the best sleeps I’ve had in quite some time, with curtains that shut-out the light completely. beanie can vouch for this – she hogged the bed! In an effort to be eco-conscious, room refreshing can be done by request. We’re of the mindset that we don’t wash our towels and sheets daily at home, and wouldn’t expect the same on vacation at a hotel. There is an abundance of USB charging ports which is important, Wi-Fi, a large desk, an HDTV and temperature controls which I took advantage of.

Many hotels talk about being “pet-friendly”, but are they really? The Desmond has a grassy outdoor courtyard where dogs can stretch their legs and do their business, complete with thoughtful bag dispenser stations and bins ready as well. This means a lot, alleviating the stress of having to go far in an area we weren’t too familiar with. Parking is also free.

Attractions

BOOKING.COM has an ATTRACTIONS feature that offers users access to things to do in over 1,200 cities with over 39,000 curated bookable attractions and experiences, like tours, museums, activities, theme parks, rentals, and more. Though we know Saratoga Springs quite well, we know there is never a shortage of places to shop along their Broadway District, including delightful apparel shops or Saratoga Marketplace with numerous quality products from local retailers. If you love big box U.S. stores too like me, you’ll be pleased to know that there are super-sized versions of these in Saratoga Springs. And while you’re doing all this, why not take your furry loved one for a Spa Day of their own in “The Spa”?

Much of the action in this city centers around spectacular Saratoga Race Course in the summer. Last year alone, 1,075,586 fans visited over the span of their 40-day meet, enjoying horse racing at its highest level. The track is the world’s oldest major sports facility, having opened in 1863, and has seen legends gallop over its turf and dirt surfaces. The Oklahoma Training Track is open in the morning to the public to come see their favourite athletes train, with free parking during those hours. All of this is also a short walk away from the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, which opened in 1950 to commemorate those people and horses who have made a significant impact on the sport.

The meet at Saratoga Race Course includes marquee races which ultimately are precursors to deciding which athletes are crowned champions in North America at the Eclipse Awards at the culmination of the 2023 season. Important races include the Travers, Alabama, Test, Ballerina and the Whitney Stakes, all of which we were there for. The latter is a Grade I race valued at $1 million, named in honour of the influential Whitney family whom for generations had a huge impact on Saratoga, and this year was won by the striking gray horse WHITE ABARRIO ridden by unstoppable North American leading jockey, Irad Ortiz, Jr., for owners C Two Racing Stable & Antonio Pagnano and trainer Richard E. Dutrow Jr.

The heavy favourite going into the race was CODY’S WISH, owned by industry leaders Godolphin LLC and trained by iconic Bill Mott. The horse is named after a boy named Cody Dorman, who is living with Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome and saw his fateful “Make-a-Wish” come true when the horse took to the boy right away. This horse has gone on to win close to $2.5 million and is widely regarded as one of the best horses in training.

The Card on Whitney Stakes day was stacked with stars and gave us the honour of seeing top three-year-old filly PRETTY MISCHIEVOUS, who won the Grade I Test Stakes. Just this past May, she won the prestigious $1.25 million Kentucky Oaks, the female companion race to the Kentucky Derby..

Last but not least, one of my favourite parts of Saratoga Springs is Beekman Street, a mecca of art, culture and food. Galleries, pubs, shops and restaurants line this charming and low key residential district if you want that downtown vibe minus all the traffic and congestion.

A full Album of photos taken at Saratoga Race Course here.

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Dining

Saratoga Springs is a place of taste. Having been a few times over the years, my favourites align with those of locals. Hattie’s for Fried Chicken. Sweet Mimi’s Cafe for brunch and pastries – the Cinammon bread was recommended to me by owner Jeanette and I’m sold! The hotspots on weekends can see hour-long queues, so get there early and they offer free coffee for those in the queue. Uncommon Grounds makes a truly perfect bouncy Bagel, so we get why there are 30-minute queues. The Love & Lox is a hit. Historic Adelphi Hotel (also available as a property on BOOKING.COM) has been providing visitors top tier accommodations since 1877 and it houses some great spots to dine, like Salt & Char, plus a dog-friendly patio at Morrissey’s Lounge with its trendy menu spanning Asian, Italian and classic American. The Local Pub and Teahouse serves comforting pub fare and is very popular with locals. Their tender, melty Short Rib over mashed potatoes is perfection. Taverna Novo also provides an intimate and special experience if you love Italian. The latter two are on Beekman Street.

The food options at Saratoga Race Course are also great. They have their own Shake Shack and you absolutely must get the exclusive “Sloppy Track” milkshake. The track also has a branch of aforementioned Hattie’s, plus bars like the Easy Goer and Fourstardave, named after iconic racehorses who made their mark locally.Though we wish we got to spend more time in Albany, we were wowed by breakfast at trendy The Scene. This cafe has cocktails and coffee on its menu, plus several brunch options. Thoroughly enjoyed my Scenewich and Cinnamon Toast Latte set against an aesthetically-pleasing backdrop.

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Niagara… Because why not?

With it being a seven hour drive to Saratoga Springs, it’s important to take proper breaks along the way. We chose Hilton Garden Inn which is also available via BOOKING.COM and rated a strong 8.6 as calculated by user reviews. This hotel is just minutes from the Falls and equally close to wineries in the region. In addition, it boasts a remarkable Level 3 Travel Sustainable badge, a distinction reserved only for those accommodations that have made large investments and efforts to implement impactful sustainability practices. They are also pet-friendly, with grassy areas for your pet to go and thoughtful bag dispensers for your convenience. Did I mention that beanie got a welcome bag upon arrival? It’s honestly the little touches that make you want to share your experience with others! You’re literally across the road from the Outlet Collection at Niagara, or you can save up for cross-border shopping seeing that you’re only minutes from the U.S. All this, plus free parking!

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Our drive to Saratoga saw new revamped Applegreen Service Stations, which were actually quite amazing, giving us reasons to stop and recharge, and making that drive bearable! Dunkin’ Donuts, Panera, Popeyes, Shake Shacks and more, plus a chance to fill up on some reasonably priced fuel. America is so spoiled!

BOOKING.COM made it easy to plan this unforgettable trip. And they aren’t just for booking a place to stay. BOOKING.COM offers flights, car rentals, taxis, activities, all of which can be organized into one place – the BOOKING.COM app or website. No more rifling through different confirmation emails from different companies – keep your itinerary streamlined and simple. 

And with BOOKING.COM’s Rewards & Wallet feature, you can apply earned cash value to selected flight bookings, selected property bookings, any car rental bookings, any attraction bookings, any taxi bookings, and any insurance that you add to your trip through Booking.com.

Summer’s almost over. Isn’t it time you took a moment to recharge?

Grab a seat and join us on our journey to Saratoga Springs. A Reel of Highlights:

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(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

#PRODUCTWATCH: 2023 HONDA TOURING HYBRID CR-V TOURING

Was an honour getting to test drive the 2023 Honda Touring Hybrid CR-V, being a huge fan of the popular compact crossover SUV. We experienced some some major life events over the course of our test drive and were so appreciative to have it there for us the whole time.

My test drive began with Pride celebrations, leading to Canada Day. And in the end, I said goodbye to my father. Life of late has been about going back and forth to see my father at the hospital. Yet also like you, I have been balancing that hectic work-life balance, trying to make time for myself and having moments of lightness with my family and friends. This is how I cope with having to navigate several extreme emotions, whether it be the stress of work, the high excitement of the red carpet and ultimately, the grief of losing the man I looked-up to my whole life. So grateful for Honda Canada, their support and amazing famiy of vehicles in the many seasons of my life. Having the CR-V as a companion made all the difference, ensuring me and my Mom got to be with him, finding comfort in his final days. This is the type of ride that is meant to be a companion for any obstacles life throws our way.

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2023 HONDA TOURING HYBRID CR-V

Let’s highlight the Touring Hybrid CR-V‘s power. It is enhanced by its 2.0-litre, 16-valve, Direct Injection, DOHC 4-cylinder Engine, putting it ahead of other options in the family. It operates at181 @ 5000-8000 horsepower, packed with a four-mode driving system: Sport, Normal, ECON and now Snow! This is made truly for Canadians. And I love that it comes with Eco Assist. The moment you turn on the ignition with its push-button start and hear that gorgeous electronic whirring, you know this is going to be an experience.

Operating on Regular fuel, the Touring Hybrd CR-V boasts a Fuel Ecoomy of 6.0/6.9/6.4 l/100 km which is impressive. It’s beyond spacious seating five very comfortably and it hits all the marks in terms of cargo volume with a split of 1028/2030L.

Not to focus on looks only, the Touring Hybrid CR-V is divinely eye-catching. I got to drive one in a gorgeous Canyon River Blue Metallic, an elegant and timeless tinge. It’s got body-coloured door handles and spoiler, as well to boot, plus front and rear splash guards and a front wiper de-icer too.. Because it is a bit on the wider side, its dolding door mirrors comine in handy in tight parking situations – especially in underground lots downtown. And we have never been one to complain about having the luxury of intermittent rear window wipers/washer as well! We are a huge fan of rear privacy-tinted glass for our passengers, including our precious beanie. And get this the rear-camera even comes with a washer! How many times have we driven in the slush and snow, dreading to get out of the car just to have to wipe that camera. Visibility is everything and this is just one less thing to worry about so we can focus on driving.

We are a huge fan of intuitive little things that make our daily drives better. Beverage holder options and position are perfect, front and rear. We love traffic sign recognition, ensuring we stay within speed limits, plus also being able to see the external temperature. Our passengers love having their own ability to control their own climate with the Touring Hybrid CRV‘s built-in air flitration system and oh my God, those honeycomb grills are so gorgeous. We’re here for that aesthetic and hope it’s here to stay. The Driver gets eight-way power adjustment including two-way power lumbar support and everyone gets seat warming. Having a cooler however would’ve taken this to the next level if the standard can get any higher! Did you know it also has a Driver Attention Monitor, detecting steering wheel corrections. Focus, or stop for a coffee. We never need an excuse to get one! Also, scenic moonroof alert!

The Touring Hybrid CR-V is blessed with a bounty of active safety features including: 4-wheel Anti-lock Braking System, Auto high beam, Collision Mitigation Braking System, Forward Collision Warning system, Lane Departure Warning system, Hill Start Assist, Road Departure Mitigation system and Vehicle Stability Assist with Traction Control. If you know Canadian winters, you’ll understand why some of these are a necessity. I am a little obsessed with rear-seat reminder feature but wish that the super-cool overhead camera Cabin Watch feature that is in the 2023 Honda Odyssey, will find its way too to other options in the Honda family!

Passive Safety features also are a focus with blind spot information system, rear cross traffic monitor system, lane keeping assist system, low-speed braking control, front and rear parking sensors. Traffic Jam Assist is super-mindful, helping you go to a complete stop in lower speeds. Have you ever driven in Toronto? It feels like endless traffic no matter where you are in the City.

While I find childproof rear door locks a bit frustrating, it being a chore to ‘un-trap’ grown adults in the back row, I totally get their purpose for the greater good. The Touring Hybrid CR-V is fully armed with lower anchors and tethers for children, next-generation advanced compatibility engineering body structure. Let’s not forget a litany of cushioning: an i-SRS airbag system (front), SmartVent side airbags and side curtain airbags with rollover sensor system too.

So grateful for the Hybrid Touring CR-V being there every step of the way. With all its power, versatility and utility, it is ready for anything that life throws yoru way.

A reel of highlights from our Test Drive:

The 2023 Honda Touring Hybrid CR-V starts at $51,023.50 CAN. More here.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

#PRODUCTWATCH: 2023 HONDA ACCORD HYBRID TOURING

I’m biased, I admit it! The Accord still to this day remains my favourite in the Honda family and I’ll tell you why. It possesses a sleek sophistication and is literally the perfect size – not too big, not too small, nor too low to the ground. Just enough power. Time and again over the years it’s been the one I’m always most excited to test drive as it continues to evolve.

I had the joy of test driving a 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid Touring in a flashy radiant red, which helped me navigate an extremely busy period. True to form, it is a winner like its predecessors. From Blue Carpets to Restaurant Launches to family celebrations and set visits, we made sure this Honda Accord Hybrid Touring got exactly as its name suggests – a real tour-de-force!

The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid Touring exudes a quiet confidence. Quite literally, you’ll find yourself asking, “Is this thing even on?” it’s engine is so silent and emits this sonically-pleasing hum when turned-on. The engine is 2.0-litre, 16-valve, Direct Injection, DOHC 4-cylinder and the Hybrid Touring operates at 146 @ 6100 horsepower and 181 @ 5000-8000 electric horsepower, for a combined total of 204 horsepower.

The Accord has always prided itself not only on performance and smart style, but also value. Fuel Economy is impeccable 5.0/5.7/5.3 L/100 km (city/highway/combined). No word of a lie, a week of driving came out to less than $93 and we were what we’d consider great distances in and around the GTA. This is refreshing in this climate. Love you, ECON mode.

We are all about pleasant, ambient daily driving experiences and the Accord Hybrid Touring is exactly that. Privlege is a beautiful one-touch moonroof, connecting playlists on our phone to its 12.3-inch touchscreen Display Audio BOSE^® Premium Sound System with 12 speakers and heated/cooling seats with an 8-way adjustable perforated leather-trimmed driver’s seat. We are also impressed by Honda‘s updated menu and navigation system with added insights and clock interfaces. To be honest, we’ve been so used to using Google Maps on our phone on our drives that this latest version makes it so super-simple to just use Maps on the aforementioned display. It also displays our most recent and common destinations, making it easy to stay informed on our commutes. And did we mention the menu now has the capability of doing searches on Spotify, letting you also navigate your playlists on the app itself? We’ve waited so long for this!

We also are so appreciative of Driver Assist Technology. Honda is obsessed with safety and we can vouch that their Blind Spot Information has continued to keep us safe all these years. This car also has a feature called Traffic Jam Assist, which provides light steering assist all the way to a complete stop if needed. Operating at speeds below 80 km/hr, it helps the driver maintain lane position when traveling at slower speeds, such as might be experienced in congested traffic conditions. Toronto traffic is outright horrible, let’s admit it. Our commutes are longer than they were pre-Covid so this is actually quite helpful. Add to the list things like Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Warnings, a 4-Wheel Anti-lock Braking System, Road Departure Mitigation , which are helpful all the seasons we experience in this City. Also, Traffic Sign Recognition is such a genius thing to have on our windshield and the Accord Hybrid Touring has added signs in addition to just speed limits, including Stop signs to be aware of now.

Honda is on a mission to save the lives. Always drive assured knowing that you are protected as much as possible with an abundance of Passive Safety features: i–SRS airbag system, Front knee airbags, Rear side airbags, Side curtain airbags with rollover sensor system, SmartVent™ side airbags, 3-point front seat belts with automatic tensioning system and Honda‘s state of the art Next-Generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ body structure which enable the Accord Hybrid Touring to absorb and deflect the energy from a frontal collision should that ever happen.

We are very pleased with the car’s spaciousness, seating five comfortably and plenty of room in the trunk for stocking-up. Multi-angle rearview camera with dynamic guidelines have us fooling our friends that we’re actually amazing at parallel parking and we love that front and rear parking sensors are body-coloured for the perfect aesthetic too!

It is so interesting that the recent generation of Honda vehicle’s we’ve driven, now have a rear-seat reminder in the event we don’t forget things (or loved ones) in the back! This and also maintenance reminders are intuitive and thoughtful.

Car theft is definitely on our minds more so than normal of late. The Accord Hybrid Touring is armed with an Immobilizer theft-deterrent system, including a Stolen Vehicle Locator and Remote Immobilizer. This gives us a lot piece of mind. Doors also lock when you walk away and the back doors are protected by childproof locks.

A reel of highlights from our Test Drive in the 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid Touring. This one in particular hit us in the feels and we hope you too.

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The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid Touring starts $46,464 CAN. More here.

#PRODUCTWATCH: 2023 HONDA ODYSSEY TOURING

Who said Mini-Vans can’t be fun? Honda is here with the 2023 Odyssey Touring to change everything you think about them. We had quite a Test Drive with plenty of excitement including the 2023 Canadian Screen Awards, celebrating excellence in Canadian Television, Film and Digital realms, plus a luxurious and sustainable staycation at 1 Hotel in Toronto. This and some pretty big stars in the City and we were there, thanks to the Honda Odyssey Touring. Plus, the long-awaited racing season is back at Woodbine Racetrack! This is the first year the King’s Plate will run since 1951!

Empowered with a 3.5-litre, 24-valve, Direct Injection, SOHC, i-VTEC® V6 engine and 280 @ 6000 horsepower, this isn’t just any Mini-Van. This eight-seater is equipped to handle any circumstance life throws at you – whether it be a daily commute for you and your loved ones, family travels or heavy hauls.

Despite utility being first, the 2023 Honda Odyssey Touring is incredibly sleek and sophisticated. It defies preconceived notions about the Mini-Van as you know it. For one, it gives you and your passengers a unwavering sense of security and comfort. Right away, we love a ride with Proximity Entry, making those heavy hauls a little easier to navigate before you even step into the driver’s seat. Know your little ones are protected with childproof locks at the back.

The Driver’s seat with 12-way power adjustment including 4-way power lumbar support and that level of care goes to the front passenger also who gets a seat with 8-way power adjustment including 4-way power lumbar support. Seats are ventilated with heating and cooling options. This is one of those features you could only appreciate in these extreme temperatures we get. Case in point, how about that July in April we had last week?

That being said, the Odyssey Touring being more spacious, does exert a bit of effort in cooling the space and our recommendation is to let it do its thing on “AUTO”. You do have the flexibility being in control of front and rear temperatures.

We admit it, we’re actually a little obsessed with those sliding passenger doors (with tinted windows and sunshades) and immense amount of cargo space in the back. It is everything and our passengers thought it was the coolest thing too!

The Odyssey Touring‘s entertainment system is stadium-quality. Navigated through a display audio system, you get 550-watt AM/FM audio system with MP3/Windows Media^® Audio playback capability and 11 speakers including subwoofer, with an Advanced Rear Entertainment System with 10.2-inch, high-resolution WSVGA (1024×600) screen, Blu-ray™ player and embedded streaming media apps. Wireless charging and an array of USB charging options in front, second and get this, third row as well! It is also Bluetooth-ready for all your mobile device needs, and SiriusXM-ready too! We can’t remember life and drives without Hits 1!

Did you know Row Two passengers have their own screen to watch Blu-rays? You can basically live in the Odyssey Touring. There, I said it! All this, plus a scenic panoramic moonroof make for these picture perfect drives.

The Odyssey Touring runs on Regular fuel which we can all appreciate. While larger rides like this can consume more gas, its Fuel Economy of 12.2/8.5/10.6 (city/highway/combined) is very reasonable, enhanced further byhaving an ECON mode.

Let’s talk about Safety. The Odyssey Touring‘s rear-view Camera and sensors of oncoming traffic and obstacles – hyper-aware and you need it when you are driving something larger. In fact, if you are parked too closely to another care behind you – which happens, this is Toronto after all – the trunk won’t open altogether as a protective measure. Immobilizer theft-deterrent system is important at a time when car theft is on driver’s mind of late.

The Odyssey Touring is guided by intuitiveness, helping elimiate those things that can be out of sight, like its Blind Spot Information (BSI) system, Rear Cross Traffic Monitor system and Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS).

Active Safety Measures include Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS^®), Forward Collision Warning (FCW) system, Lane Departure Warning (LDW) system (HS*), Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) system (HS*), Hill Start Assist, Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) with tire fill assist, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA^®) with Traction Control. Having experience a flat earlier this year, I can tell you the value of having all this at your ready.

Can we talk about Rear-Seat Reminder with Cabin-Watch? How cool was it see on our display overhead footage to ensure nothing gets left behind in row two? Iconic. I distinctly recall turning the engine off and on over and again just to see this work. Guilty.

Passive Safety features include Next-Generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure, HondaLink™ Assist Automatic Emergency Response System, i-SRS airbag system (front), SmartVent™ side airbags, Front knee airbags, Side curtain airbags with rollover sensor system and Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH).

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Though we don’t have kids of the human variety, we still can vouch for and appreciate its thoughtful design, immense value and the great comfort it brings our loved ones. And yes, it IS fun!

The 2023 Honda Odyssey Touring starts at $58,921 CAN. More here.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

#PRODUCTWATCH: 2023 HONDA CIVIC 4D TOURING & 2023 HONDA PASSPORT TOURING

New year, new steers! Such a pleasure getting to preview both the 2023 Honda Civic 4D Touring and also the 2023 Honda Passport Touring, both amazing in their own respective ways. But what was unique about one of the Test Drives is that it led me to experience the world-class care that Honda Roadside Assistance offers. More about our unforgettable experiences…

2023 HONDA CIVIC 4D TOURING

This incredibly versatile topseller once again proves its value, deliver sleek style and performance. A pleasure driving it in Platinum White Pearl. Powered by a 1.5-litre, 16-valve, Direct Injection, DOHC, turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, this Sedan has 180 @ 6000 rpm horsepower. Running on Regular fuel, its ECON mode and Idle Stop help you get the most for your money, delivering an economical A-game. Its fuel economy tallies-in at 7.6/6.1/6.9 (city/highway/combined). There aren’t many other cars out there than can top that!

We’re loving Honda‘s Dual-Zone Climate Controls here, which give Driver and Passengers the ability to customize, because I know I prefer it a little cooler, while often my passengers prefer it warmer. Heated seating is available for those in the front and the back and the car sits five comfortably despite being compact. This is how Honda continues to win over new fans even when they’re not the Driver!

The Touring edition provides an elevated entertainment experience coming with a BOSE^® Premium Sound System with 12 speakers including subwoofer and a 9″ colour touchscreen to navigate. Connecting wirelessly and with wires are options to stay charged, and you also get a wireless charging plate as well.

We were bombarded with a lot of snow during our Test Drive so safety features like 4-wheel Anti-lock Braking System, Brake Assist, Forward Collision Warning system, Collision Mitigation Braking System, Lane Departure Warning system, Vehicle Stability Assist with Traction Control, A Road Departure Mitigation system, plus Auto High-Beam gave us added stability and security through it all.

In the event of an accident, you also are protected with Next-Generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering body structure, Airbag system (front), Side curtain airbags with rollover sensor system, side airbags, Rear side airbags, Knee airbags and more. Honda’s concern for its Drivers and Passengers are unparalleled.

Though the car comes with a Maintenance Minder system, it wasn’t able to detect its tire blowing after being impacted by a pothole and we encounted the misfortune of losing our tire. But even admist a snowstorm, Honda Roadside Assistance not only was fast (took 30 minutes only to arrive), they were attentive, checked-in regularly to keep me updated on our Towing Service’s arrival and we were out of harm’s way. This isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity and we can’t recommend it enough. If we were able to be taken care of this swiftly and efficiently, don’t you think you deserve the same level of care?

With the 2023 Honda Civic 4D Touring riding low by design, something like a pothole does present a greater risk, hence this is something to be mindful of.

In all, this test drive still enabled us to create some great memories still. And in this highlight reel, we also recount how awesome Honda Roadside Assistance truly is.

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The 2023 Honda Civic 4D Touring starts at $35,261. More here.

2023 HONDA PASSPORT TOURING

We’ll be honest. The Honda Passport quickly has shot to the top in our books after preferring smaller-sized offerings from Honda for years. We have such fond memories of test driving last year’s model, that we were pumped to preview the 2023 Honda Passport Touring in Platinum White Pearl. With its distinctive honeycomb grille and 20″ aluminum-alloy wheels, the Passport has a style all its own, doing it bigger and better.

Operating with a 3.5-litre, 24-valve, Direct Injection, SOHC, i-VTEC V6 engine with 280 horsepower and 262 lb.-ft. of torque, the 2023 Honda Passport Touring is pure power. This mid-size SUV is for all seasons, perfect for Summer roadtrips, but also chaotic snow which we know so well in Toronto.

We adore the ECON mode option which continues to help us save on fuel, and Honda always is looking out for us on the fuel economy front. This SUV‘s fuel economy rating is 12.5/9.8/11.3 (L/100 km) City/Hwy/Combined. Yes, you’ll consume a signficant quantity more fuel with an SUV, but having the confidence and security of navigating unpredictable terrains in Toronto weather is invaluable and I saw that this past week.

Though we had many a destination – it seemed like an endless sequences of celebrations – to go to during our Test Drive, we were perfectly happy just chilling under the moonroof. Its 550-watt AM/FM Premium audio system with MP3/Windows Media Audio playback capability and 10 speakers including subwoofer are supreme, allowing us to enjoy SiriusXM and our Spotify playlists. Cozy, comfortable leather-trimmed seating were a pleasure and its Driver’s seat comes with 10-way power adjustment including power lumbar support. We were always comfortable, and we appreciate the ambience that large moonroof adds to our daily drives.

You get what you pay for with the 2023 Honda Passport Touring and it’s packed full of intuitive features like a Multi-angle rearview camera with dynamic guidelines making parallel parking and reversing so easy. I’ll never forget my friend trying to tell me I was parked crooked and when she opened the door, she saw right away that it wasn’t me – it was the car beside me parked crooked. In all, parking well is a cinch in the Passport Touring! Memory-linked side mirrors with reverse gear tilt-down also are super helpful.

Dual Zone Climate Control is so powerful here – maybe even too powerful at times, making it the warmest 19°C I’ve ever felt in my life, so adjust accordingly to your preferences. Driver and Passengers get seat warmers and seat coolers, and there are several charging ports and a wireless charging plate in the front.

Safety continues to be a major selling-point for the Honda family of vehicles. The Passport Touring comes with Blind Spot Information system, Rear Cross Traffic Monitor system, Forward Collision Warning system, Lane Departure Warning system, Road Departure Mitigation system, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist System, Vehicle Stability Assist with Traction Control, Advanced front airbag system, Auto high beam and more. You also get a front wiper De-Icer and also rear-window wipers too!

A reel of highlights from our Test Drive in the 2023 Honda Passport Touring:

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Just another stellar experience in this phenomenal ride. The 2023 Honda Passport Touring starts at $55,873.50. More here.

A little sunshine to kick-off your week! If you haven’t checked-out THE OFFICE EXPERIENCE Toronto at Yorkdale, you must!

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#PRODUCTWATCH: 2022 HONDA ACCORD HYBRID TOURING

The Honda Accord remains a personal favourite so for our Birthday Celebrations this year, we could think of no better companion in our travels and adventures! The 2022 Accord Hybrid Touring is near-perfection.

Powered by its 2.0-litre, 16-valve, Atkinson cycle DOHC, i-VTEC® 4-cylinder engine and a combined total horse power of 212 @ 6200 rpm. We never cease to be amazed how silent the engine is upon its push-button start and that beautiful hum is nothing short of hypnotic!

We’re all about Fuel Economy always, and the 2022 Honda Accord Hybrid Touring tallies-in at 5.0/5.0/5.0 L/100 km (City/Hwy/Combined), continuing to place Honda heads and shoulders above the competition for value. I drove it, I saw it for myself. Three days of driving around and we barely saw the fuel meter drop.

Many of the amazing driver-conscious sensibilities continue in this latest rendition of our favourite. Proximity Entry for one is something we can’t live without and it continues to be a stress reliever. Intuition and detail are also given to the Passenger and we can’t say how much the Accord Hybrid Touring‘s Dual-zone automatic climate control with air-filtration system means to our guests. We all have different levels of comfort. I for one on these chilly autumn days will be using that seat warmer but know for a fact I live for that seat cooler in the Summer. The Accord Hybrid Touring has both!

It also comes with 19″ aluminum-alloy wheels and a tire repair kit! The Adaptive Damper System is something of a newer feature and for those who aren’t familiar, it can adjust suspension stiffness changes in a split second, to both smooth the ride and sharpen handling according to driving conditions. Exterior details are subtle and sophisticated, like a chrome grille, upper shutter grille, rain-sensing wipers, folding door mirrors (for those tight parking spots downtown especially), LED headlights, foglights, brake lights and tail lights.

And we love ourselves a gorgeous one-touch moonroof. Another bonus point for the 2022 Honda Accord Hybrid Touring!

A huge part of our driving experience is the audio component. Our entertainment on those drives is such an integral part of our daily drives. The car comes with a 452-watt AM/FM Premium audio system with MP3/Windows Media® Audio playback capability, plus 10 speakers including subwoofer. It’s got all the options: SiriusXM™, Wireless Apple CarPlay™, Android Auto™ and Bluetooth Streaming Audio for all our playlists and podcasts. And it’s so easy to stay charged and connected with a wireless charging plate near the Driver’s seat, plus many outlets for our guests.

The Honda Accord Hybrid Touring does sit a little low, which is where its Driver’s seat with 12-way power adjustment including 4-way power lumbar support and position memory help give us not only a comfortable drive, but also that perfect vantage point when driving.

Safety will always be a deal-breaker for us. Once again, Honda is giving us their i-SRS airbag system (front), side curtain airbags, front knee airbags and SmartVent™ side airbags. The vehicle also boasts Honda‘s exclusive Next-Generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure. This body design uses a network of front frame structures to absorb and deflect the energy from a frontal collision. 

Don’t forget its Lane Keeping Assist System, Blind Spot Information (BSI) system and Rear Cross Traffic Monitor system too! Its Multi-angle rearview camera with dynamic guidelines ensures we park well and reverse safely. And we can’t stress how reassuring it is that the Honda Accord Hybrid Touring is guarded with a Walk-away door lock to eliminate those doubts. Theft is very much on our minds of late and this gets rid of one more worry. The childproof locks when you dont have a kid, however can be a bit much when you just want proximity entry when you left something in the back seat.

The 2022 Honda Accord Hybrid Touring starts at $44,090 CAN. More here.

Let’s take a walk down memory lane. So appreciate the 2022 Honda Accord Hybrid Touring being there to celebrate with us!

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#PRODUCTWATCH: 2022 HONDA PASSPORT TOURING: SARATOGA EDITION

So it’s noticably bigger than the CRV, but not quite as sizey as a Pilot. But nonetheless, we loved test driving the 2022 Honda Passport Touring. This stunner of a mid-size SUV oozes style and utility and we will never forget the memories we made in it. And we were ecstatic we got to drive one in Honda‘s signature Sonic Gray Pearl, the most beautiful colour of all-time!

This has been a bit of a rough Summer. Between what’s felt like work, work and more work, we really haven’t had time to de-compress and have a little fun really! Above this, my parents both fell ill with Covid a few weeks back and that was an ordeal being their Caretaker, and still balancing all the things life was throwing my way. I was not going to let that define my Summer ’22. Now that they’re both better, I felt it was time we went on a little adventure to help forget some of the tougher times we went through. The 2022 Honda Passport Touring was totally there for us and we will never forget our time in it.

The 2022 Honda Passport Touring is perfect for trips with your families and friends. Long drives require comfort and that the Passport Touring is. Seating five more than comfortably, it is the product of thoughtfulness and innovation that is geared not only to Driver, but also Passenger. We could store several bags and luggage within its roomy 77.7 cu.ft. Cargo Capacity.

Closing the door on what was an amazing extended long weekend in the 2022 @HondaCanada Passport Touring! pic.twitter.com/EbjnDvnjlk

— MR. WILL WONG 📸 (@mrwillw) August 22, 2022

The Passport Touring is powered by a 3.5-litre, 24-valve, Direct Injection, SOHC, i-VTEC^® V6 engine, operating at 280 @ 6000 rpm horsepower. As is our worry sometimes with SUVs, Fuel Economy at times is sacrificed for power and convenience, but we were impressed by its 12.5/9.8/11.3 litres/100 km fuel ecnomy. Features like ECON mode, Eco-Assist and Idle Stop also ensure we’re getting the most value for our money. It also runs on Regular fuel.

It’s all about the elevated experience with the Passport Touring. One-touch power moonroof with tilt feature and ambient lighting in its cupholder, footwell and doors are beautiful added touches. And when driving on long road trips, it’s important to have an audio system that matches just how great this SUV is. The Touring edition is a cut above all others with a 550-watt AM/FM Premium audio system with MP3/Windows Media^® Audio playback capability and 10 speakers including subwoofer. You know we love our Spotify playlists and SiriusXM and we can’t drive any other way, navigating from a beautiful Display Audio System. Oh, and the rims were gold! GOLD.

In addition to Dual Climate Control for Driver and Front Passenger, second row Passengers also get seat warmers and coolers, plus their own vents, ensuring everyone’s comfortable. Did we mention there’s four USB charging ports here? Plus a Wireless Charging plate driverside? We love that. This, and also tinted windows in the back for privacy, especially when we have our Princess beanie back there. The Driver gets 10-way power adjustment seating including power lumbar support. We couldn’t have been more comfy!

All this means little if the Vehicle isn’t just as obsessed with our well-being as it is making us look good. Among the key safety features to highlight here are: 4-wheel Anti-lock Braking System; Brake Assist; Collision Mitigation Braking System; Forward Collision Warning; Lane Departure Warning; Road Departure Mitigation; SmartVent™ side airbags and Side Curtain Airbags. The Passport Touring is unique in that it features Next-Generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering which serves to enhance occupant protection in the event of collision.

While we cannot live without things like Walk-Away Door Lock and Proximity Entry, we worry the moment we walk away from our Car sometimes. The Passport Touring protects you with its Immobilizer theft-deterrent system. And we appreciate that when we leave something on the rear seats, it actually tells us! This is so intuitive and if your car manufacturer isn’t doing all this for you, then we suggest looking this way.

Our one and only wish here was that we would’ve hoped the Hatchback Door could have been activated via remote which was a bit cumbersome, but easily forgivable.

And because we’re super-busy, its Maintenance Minders and Tire Pressure Monitoring System ensure we minimize those “blind spots” that are out of site, out of mind sometimes. And speaking of blind spots, Its Multi-Angle Rearview Camera with dynamic guidelines is a lifesaver especially considering that the Passport Touring a bit wide. This is super-helpful when parking in the City or in underground parking.

All this and Rear-Window Wipers too? The Passport Touring is after our heart and has got it!

In all, we couldn’t have had this Summer adventure complete without the 2022 Honda Passport Touring. The Passport Touring starts at $52,170 CAN. More here.

Just some of the memories we made in the 2022 Honda Passport Touring on our trip to Saratoga Springs, the most charming city in Upstate New York with an old school charm, yet many modern amenities and everything we need! The shopping and dining is outstanding. This City is obsessed with Horse Racing with so much of its economy centered on Saratoga Racetrack which hosts upwards of 100k people in its opening weekend alone. The top Racehorses, Jockeys and Owners all migrate to Saratoga every Summer for the meet and it is literally a dream for any fan. It’s always been a hope to bring my Mom and Dad here at least once in their lifetime and I’m so thrilled they got to witness the magic! Unforgettable memories.

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And to cap it all off, we always attend the Queen’s Plate, which is North America’s most historic Horse Race and so wonderful that it takes place right here in Toronto at Woodbine Racetrack!

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…and an appearance on America’s Best Racing Live where we talk about the Queen’s Plate and our Saratoga visit.

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Somehow we always have time for a star-sighting! So amazing meeting this star of HBO‘s Game of Thrones Prequel, HOUSE OF THE DRAGON.

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And quality time with the Princess.

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#PRODUCTWATCH: 2022 HONDA CIVIC 4D TOURING

It’s little wonder why the Honda Civic continues to be Canada’s bestselling car and has been for 24 straight years! Its value, style and impeccable safety standards put it heads and shoulders above the rest. Honda‘s laser-focus philosophy of offering modern, sleek and human-centered vehicles have kept them at the top of their game.

We had the joy of driving a real fan favourite in the 2022 Honda Civic 4D Touring, in a stunning Sonic Grey Pearl. Seeing it for the first time literally elicited a squeal from me as I got ready to embark on some Canada Day adventures. I’ve been waiting for what seems like forever to be paired with a car this colour. I’m obsessed. And others are too! While ordering Chicken Biryani, a gentleman walked by professing his love of the grey! It takes a special car to elicit a reaction like that from a stranger.

I did encounter a serious family matter over the weekend and am so grateful for this amazing ride being there for me and my family. More below. We couldn’t have done it without the Civic 4D Touring!

Let’s talk technical stuff first. The 2022 Honda Civic 4D Touring is powered by a 1.5-litre, 16-valve, Direct Injection, DOHC, turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, at 180 @ 6000 horsepower. We get in times where fuel prices are just astronomical, Honda has its focus set on consciousness – ecological and economical. This Civic runs on Regular fuel, with Eco-Assist and Honda‘s game-changing ECON MODE, with Idle Stop included. Its Fuel Economy tallies-in at 7.6/6.1/6.9 litres/100 km. While Honda can’t do much about gas prices, they do ensure you get the best bang for your buck.

Now let’s talk elegance and sophistication. This Civic is elevated with a luxurious variety of colour options:

• Rallye Red
• Aegean Blue Metallic
• Crystal Black Pearl
• Lunar Silver Metallic
• Meteorite Gray Metallic
• Morning Mist Metallic
• Platinum White Pearl
• Sonic Gray Pearl

While most other editions of the Civic come with a 6-way Driver’s Seat Power Adjustment, the 4D Touring comes with 8-way power adjustment. Front and back passengers also get heated seating, because we love and care about the people we drive around.

We’re super-picky about the Audio experience when driving and we get the best here. The 4D Touring comes with a BOSE® Premium Sound System with 12 speakers including Subwoofer. We were able to enjoy sound at its best in AM/FM/Sirius XM and our Spotify playlists on our phone. Connecting the Bluetooth was a breeze, as was keeping our phone charged with Wireless Charging!

One enhancement we’ve seen in recent models from Honda, this one included, is a 9″ colour touchscreen (versus 7″ on other models) and also a 10.2″ colour TFT full digital driver meter display (versus 7″ on others). We love the clean new Honda font and size of display. This is even better when reversing and parking where we depend on the colour display and now we can see traffic oncoming even clearer.

Other intuitive things we can’t get enough of are the Civic 4D Touring‘s Dual Climate Zone. This is actually a huge dealm which my friend was so fascinated by as she’d never seen that in a car before. In the Summer I prefer being chilly, whereas sometimes my passengers have a different tolerance to A/C. Honda once again proves that it understands not only its customer base, but their customer’s “customers”. Also a huge fan of the visually-pleasing Honeycomb Air Vents in the car.

From a Safety lens, the Civic 4D Touring boasts a stocked cupboard. Traffic Sign Recognition is so super-handy when you’re driving a long stretch (especially on rural roads) and have forgotten the Speed Limit. And when driving at night not all areas are well-lit, which is why we appreciate Auto High-Beam. We love having Proximity Entry when our hands are full, but even better is that it has Walk-away Door Lock for those who get anxiety about whether or not they’ve locked their doors. Its Blind Spot Information (BSI) System, Rear Cross Traffic Monitor System, Traffic Jam Assist, 4-wheel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Forward Collision Warning (FCW) System, Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS^®) and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) System serve the sole purpose of saving lives and they continue to do so.

The Civic 4D Touring also has Next-Generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure. This is a design that uses a network of front frame structures to absorb and deflect the energy from a frontal collision. Let’s not forget all the Airbags as well. It comes wth a Front Airbag System, Side Curtain Airbags with Rollover Sensor System, Side Airbags, Rear Side Airbags and even Knee Airbags. Basically all the Airbags. Honda‘s got you.

Not much to critique here other than super-minor things. The Driver’s Seat has small perforations which you have to be super careful about, especially if you’re a coffee drinker like me, as this can be tricky to clean if the liquid seaps through the holes. Another thing, while super-sleek, the Car does sit quite low, so be super-careful when exiting to avoid slips.

The 2022 Honda Civic 4D Touring starts at $31,000 CAN.

Learn more here.

Some Canada Day memories we created in the 2022 Honda Civic 4D Touring. It was there for us in our celebrations, star sightings and even a worrying family emergency.

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Scares aside, there was time for celebrations and sightings otherwise this Canada Day weekend, thanks to the 2022 Honda Civic 4D Touring. We met a Top Gun star, a Grammy winner and a member of Bob Marley dynasty! And even had a lot of quality time with beanie.

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A major highlight of our Summer is the Queen’s Plate, North America’s most historic Horse Race and party! The season is gearing-up for the big day August 21, 2022 and we got a clearer reading of Tea Leaves this past weekend as well.

It’s a party! Lady Speightspeare and shipper Crystal Cliffs dead-heat in the Nassau Stakes. The win marks Hall of Famer Roger Attfield’s 2000th career win! pic.twitter.com/WWLU6NePAb

— MR. WILL WONG 📸 (@mrwillw) July 2, 2022

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

#PRODUCTWATCH: 2022 HONDA CR-V BLACK EDITION

April and May have been absolutely bonkers. Not sure if yours was the same? The Pandemic brought us a bit of downtime, but since this province’s reopening, it’s been literally everything all at once these past couple months in catch-ups. With multiple Red Carpet events back-to-back like the Juno Awards and the David Foster Foundation A Night on Broadway Gala, plus Premieres for Box Office smashes like Top Gun: Maverick and Downton Abbey: A New Era this past bit, plus family gatherings and a wedding even, we’re delighted to be in the thick of all the action again. But more so look forward to a slower pace in June!

We couldn’t have made it through Victoria Day weekend and all our commitments without the help of the gorgeous 2022 HONDA CR-V BLACK EDITION. While we’ve driven many CR-Vs in the past, none match the sophistication and style of the Black Edition with its perforated black leather seats, black woodgrain interior trim, and black-painted 19″ wheels which set it apart from the others.

Let’s get superficial for a moment, because looks matter and the SUV does not disappoint. Once glance it its Ambient Lighting front door handles and rear-tinted windows, you’ll see this is all in the details and the Black Edition possesses a sleek sense of mystery, and we’re all about it. We love also that its Panoramic Moonroof, can be adjusted to allow more or less light in, which can be crucial in these hot Summer months ahead.

This CR-V is powered with a 1.5 litre, 16-valve, Direct Injection, DOHC, turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with 190 horsepower and 179 -lb.ft. of torque. While acceleration can be a click behind to start, once you’re rolling, its sheer power is undeniable.

Gas prices are on all our minds of late with Ontario seeing $2 litres of gas for the first time in history. You’ll be relieved to know that the CR-V is economy-minded at a Fuel Economy of 8.7/7.4/8.1 L/100 KM (City/Hwy/Combined). Above this, the SUV benefits from having an ECON Mode and Idle Stop features.

Honda is known for its Driver and Passenger Intuitiveness and nails the mark yet again here. The Driver’s Seat goes 12-ways with power adjustment with added Lumbar Support here, and the Driver’s Position can be saved and set via Seat Position Memory. Front and Passener Seats come with warmers, as does the Leather Steering Wheel. We love that Climate Control once again here is customizable and sync-able for Driver and Passenger, really showing that Honda gets individual needs of Driver and Passenger. This, and also the many, many charging ports on the front and back sides, plus Wireless Charging plate. We love Proximity Entry and Remote Starter options, the latter which makes this a car for all the seasons we experience here in Ontario. How many cold mornings have you wished you could have had that car warmed and ready for you?

We cannot stress how important the Audio and Entertainment experience is on our drives. The CR-V Black Edition comes with a 331-watt AM/FM Premium audio system with MP3/Windows Media® Audio playback capability and 9 speakers including subwoofer. This is an unparalleled sound experience and no matter whether we’re listening to SiriusXM™, or connecting to Spotify on our phone via Bluetooth, we’re hearing our Music exactly the way the Artist intended – full, crisp and full of detail.

Safety is always first and foremost with Honda and they round-up the troops again here to ensure you are as safe as can be with the 2022 Honda CR-V Black Edition. We appreciate always having an extra pair of eyes and that Multi-angle Rearview Camera with dynamic guidelines makes reversing and parking so simple. Smart features like Auto High-Beam, Rain-Sensing Windshield Wipers (and Rear-Windshield Wipers too!) are things we appreciate. We know how bad our weather can get – case in point – a destructive thunder shower Southwestern Ontario witnessed. Every added bit of visibility matters.

The CR-V benefits on the daily from features like its Blindpsot Information, Rear Cross Traffic Monitor system, Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS®), Forward Collision Warning (FCW) system, Lane Departure Warning (LDW) system, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low Speed Follow (LSF), Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) system and Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA®) with Traction Control, ensuring you’re alert and driving well even when you are just doing your best to make it through these exhausting times.

If you’ve ever had a flat tire (and we have a few times!), you’d know how important it is to have a Tire Pressure Monitoring System* (TPMS). The CR-V comes with this.

In addition to Collision Warnings, the SUV comes with a plethora of airbag protection: i-SRS airbag system (front), Side curtain airbags with rollover sensor system and SmartVent™ side airbags. These are the features that continue to save lives on the daily.

…and did we mention the incredible storage space here?

The 2022 HONDA CR-V BLACK EDITION starts at $45,370 CAN. More here.

Some highlights from our week. Some incredible taste-filled adventures, celebrations and sightings!

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#PRODUCTWATCH: 2022 HONDA ACCORD HYBRID

It’s been a minute since we’ve driven a Hybrid, but what better way to do Easter Weekend than with the 2022 HONDA ACCORD HYBRID? It’s in times like this when gas prices have skyrocketed that we really appreciate having a car that one, is so conscious of the environment, and two is mindful of your wallet. Possessing that gorgeous elegance and style that the Accord has come to be known for, there is everything to love about the Accord Hybrid!

The 2022 Honda Accord Hybrid is powered by a Lithium Ion Battery and 2.0-litre, 16-valve, Atkinson cycle DOHC, i-VTEC^® 4-cylinder engine and the car drives as beautifully as it looks. Turning on the ignition with its push-button, you hear an ethereal hum which one of my friends describes as sounding “like a spaceship”. Yes, this car is out of this world! And the engine is so silent that you wonder at times if this thing is even on! Don’t ask me how Honda did it, but they did!

Operating at 212 @ 6200 combined (gasoline + electric) horsepower, the car is pure strength. Running on just Regular fuel with a Fuel Economy of 5.0/5.0/5.0 City/Hwy/Combined, we were relieved that our drives from the burbs to the city and the country and back, were pleasingly affordable. While we can’t control fuel prices, the Accord ensures we get the most out of our dollar. This is a car we would stick with for the long haul. The Accord can do no wrong.

The Audio Entertainment piece is always important in our daily drives. Its 452-watt AM/FM Premium audio system with MP3/Windows Media^® Audio playback capability and 10 speakers including subwoofer provide an elevated audio experience, and of course it is Sirius XM-ready. The only one small thing we could nitpick about is that with various phones synced to this car prior via Bluetooth, the system didn’t have the intuition to know to sync first to my phone, the most recently-added. The Car does benefit from several USB ports front and back and of course, a wireless charging plate in the front – though we wish it were tilted a bit more towards the Driver for easier glancing at our phone’s Google Maps, which is our preferred way of navigation.

The comfort level here is mastered to an art. We’d be pressed to think of any other car that seats as comfortable as the Accord. The Driver’s Seat comes with 12-way power adjustment (Front Passenger gets 4-way), including 4-way power lumbar support. Seats come with warming and cooling buttons, and air-filtrated Climate Control is customizable for Driver and Front Passenger. Back Passengers also get Rear-Ventilation Ducts. We also love how smart it is to tell you that you’ve left something in the back seat just as you’re about to leave the car!

Safety features are unparalleled with the Accord Hybrid. Active Safety features include: Collision Mitigation Braking System™, 4-wheel Anti-lock Braking System, Electronic Brake-force Distribution, Forward Collision Warning system, Tire Pressure Monitoring System, Lane Departure Warning system and Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) system.

There also is a feature called Driver Attention Monitor, which uses an angle sensor to measure the degree of steering-wheel corrections by the driver to maintain a proper lane position. If it senses too much correction activity, it will notify the driver to take a break. This could save lives, or in the least encourage you to get that much-needed coffee, and we can never use enough reminders for that!

Passive Safety features include Traffic Sign Recognition which ensures you know the speed limit where you are driving (helpful in more rural roads). This an a list of different airbags: i-SRS airbag system (front), Side curtain airbags with rollover sensor system, Front knee airbags and SmartVent™ side airbags. For those of us with kids, Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) have been added, in addition to Child Safety Locks.

Above this, that almost-mandatory Multi-Angle Rearview Camera with dynamic guidelines makes us a pro at parking, especially downtown in those Green P lots!

The 2022 Honda Accord Hybrid is everything and it starts at $37,370 CAN. Learn more here.

A look back at our star-studded, award-winning Easter Weekend, thanks to the 2022 Honda Accord Hybrid. So happy to be out again!

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A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong)

Also, did you catch new Showtime Series THE FIRST LADY starring Viola Davis and Michelle Pfeiffer? We spotted star O-T Fagbenle in town as well. He stars in the new Series as President Obama! Series streams now on Crave!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)