Happiness is reuniting with an old friend and it’s been great seeing some of our favourite businesses re-open, meaning we can see some of our pals again. The 2021 Honda Accord Touring 2.0 in Sonic Gray Pearl gave us exactly that feeling when we got to Test Drive it this past weekend. We have very openly professed our love for the Accord, it is just everything we’d want in a car. My friends had to do a double-take thinking it was a Mercedes… and we see the resemblance.

We had plenty to celebrate as being double vaccinated now, we feel safe to go out and do things, still being cautious in our mask wearing, social distancing and frequent sanitizing. While there’s only a couple weeks left of Summer 2021, it has felt great enjoying what’s left of it and we’re so glad the Accord Touring 2.0 was there for us.

Powered by a 2.0-litre, 16-valve, Direct Injection, DOHC, i-VTEC^® turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and operating at 252 @ 6500 rpm horsepower, the vehicle is nothing short on pure power. Featuring unparalleled Fuel Economy at 10.4/7.4/9.1 liters per 100 km (city/highway/combined), on Regular fuel, even with gas prices being higher than normal, you still get exceptional value here.

Seating is extremely cozy. The Driver’s seat comes with 12-way power adjustment including 4-way power lumbar support, seating complete with perforated leather-trimmed seating surfaces. Above this, the Driver gets seat position memory for that perfect positioning every time!

The 2021 Honda Accord Touring 2.0 comes with a 452-watt AM/FM Premium audio system with MP3/Windows Media^® Audio playback capability and 10 speakers including subwoofer. Sound is glorious, allowing us to fully enjoy our long drives this past weekend on the highway, under the car’s atmospheric moonroof. Bluetooth connections to our phone were simple allowing us to field text messages and calls while on the road, and also navigate our playlists. Driver and passenger have no shortage of charging ports and we are a huge fan of the wireless charging plate!

Another feature we love in the Accord is its powerful dual-zone Climate Control, which is customizable for Driver and Passenger. I love the A/C cranked but sometimes my passengers don’t and we love that Honda has the intuition to be a people pleaser. Did we mention there are Seat Coolers? Totally used these unapologetically. It was so hot this past weekend!

What makes the driving experience in the Accord Touring 2.0 so special is the little details. Illuminated vanity mirrors, steering wheel audio controls, ambient lighting on the door handles. It’s small things like this that elevate your experience.

And if that weren’t enough, the car picks-up where we might forget sometimes with features like Maintenance Minder™ system, Walk-away door lock and Proximity Entry.

Safety goes without saying when it comes to Honda. All the potentially life-saving bells and whistles make a return here once again: 4-wheel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS); Auto high beam (very handy in rural areas at night); Collision Mitigation Braking System™; Forward Collision Warning (FCW) system; Lane Departure Warning (LDW) system; Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) system; Vehicle stability assist; and the Accord Touring 2.0 comes with an amazing hologram Traffic sign recognition that lets you know how fast you’re going against the speed limit where you’re driving. Super-handy!

Next-Generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering is a unique feature to Honda cars – including the Accord Touring 2.0 – in that it claims to distribute collision energy evenly and redirect it away from the passenger compartment, while at the same time, minimizing damage to other impacted vehicles.

It also comes armed with i-SRS airbag system, SmartVent™ side airbags; side curtain airbags and front knee airbags, so you can drive reassured.

Oh, and one thing. In case you’re trying to figure out how to open the trunk from within the car, hold this down for a count of three! Took me a bit to figure out but life is better since figuring it out! LOL

The 2021 Honda Accord Touring 2.0 starts at $41,770 CAN. More here.

Come re-live our action-packed End of Summer celebrations including some sightings and the Queen’s Plate this past weekend:

We last got paired with the Honda CRV series back in November 2020, an experience one-upped only by our Test Drive in the 2021 Honda CRV Black Edition in a a classic Platinum White Pearl. As our province has just entered Phase III of our re-opening, it has been reassuring seeing businesses and restaurants welcome us back. Having had the reassurance of being double-vaccinated, I felt comfortable enough finally to be able to go out and visit our old stomping grounds downtown again, reuniting with missed friends including Team Mr. Will, and attending some in-person events again at long last. We couldn’t have been paired with a more powerful and elegant partner in the 2021 Honda CRV Black Edition!

What is a Black Edition you ask? It is a tier available in Honda’s offerings where the vehicle has black aluminum-alloy wheels, a black grille, among other aesthetic options.

The 2021 Honda CRV Black Edition is powered by a 1.5 litre, 16-valve, Direct Injection, DOHC, turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with 190 horsepower and 179 -lb.ft. of torque. As it physically is more imposing than some of our favourite Honda Sedans and Hatchbacks, it is a bit slower on the accelerate, but once it’s in motion, the CRV is sheer power.

Fuel Economy comes first and foremost for us and the 8.7/7.4/8.1 litres per 100 km of regular fuel (City/Hwy/Combined). This is aided further by is game-changing ECON mode and Idle Stop. The latter which we got plenty of use from dealing with Toronto traffic! Over five days, we drove from the east-end of the City to Hamilton, Etobicoke, Mississauga and Downtown multiple times on approximately $60 of fuel which is tremendous, considering that gas prices are on the higher side of late.

The Black Edition of the 2021 Honda CRV is a statement of style and luxury. Its perforated leather-trimmed seating surfaces and woodgrain panel finish exude pure class. Did we mention the Driver’s Seat is adjustable 12 ways?Appearing here is Honda’s beloved 7-inch Display Audio System with Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System, plus its Panoramic Moonroof is a real treat, bringing ambience to both front and back passengers, not to mention interior ambient lighting.

A litany of passenger-catering considerations show Honda‘s commitment not only to the driver’s experience, but also their passengers’. Powerful Climate Control and vents, charging ports (our favourite wireless charging plate is back!) and gracious, spacious roominess sets the vehicle aside from others. Not to mention the generous storage space in the hatchback which activates and closes with a push or a lift.

The audio experience during our drives were phenomenal, as it boasts a 331-watt AM/FM Premium audio system with MP3/Windows Media Audio playback capability and 9 speakers including subwoofer. The SUV is SiriusXM-ready and syncs easily to Bluetooth, Apple or Android enabling Playlist-curated drives.

All the bells and whistles mean nothing without safety and Honda continually has asserted itself as being best in class in this regard. How do you go for any other make when you know the 2021 Honda CRV is jampacked with a laundry list of safety and cautionary features?

A Rear Cross Traffic Monitor system; Collision Mitigation Braking System; 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; Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA ) with Traction Control; Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).  These all are working for you, in-motion while you are focused on our drive. Think of this as rolling with an entourage and a security team everywhere you go.

In the event of collision, the 2021 Honda CRV Black Edition comes armed with an i-SRS airbag system (front); Side curtain airbags with rollover sensor system; SmartVent side airbags; HondaLink Assist; and Automatic Emergency Response System, among others.

Let’s not forget that super-resourceful multi-angle rearview camera with dynamic guidelines.  You can reverse, parallel park and more with confidence knowing that you can’t get it wrong with this! And who doesn’t love a car with rear windshield wipers?  It’s as if the CRV read our minds!

Some trips down memory land this past weekend in the 2021 Honda CRV Black Edition.

Summer’s here and we couldn’t think of a better way to relish the sun than with the sporty and flashy red 2021 HONDA CIVIC 5D SPORT TOURING! We had the thrill of test driving this eye-catching Rallye Red ride for the weekend and true to form, it packs in value and excitement into a sleek package!

With our province in Phase One of our reopening, it is important to support our local economy as safely as possible and even if it’s just picking-up some necessities or seeing some friendly faces again, we’re just so thrilled the 2021 Honda Civic 5D Sport Touring was there for us.

I’m so proud of Ontarians for pitching-in to get our vaccination rates up and our case rates down as we edge ever so close to a semblance of normality. We hope your Father’s Day weekend was wonderful, and hope you got to spend time with your families.

This car is powered by a 1.5-litre, 16-valve, Direct Injection, DOHC, turbocharged 4-cylinder, running on 180 @ 5500 (MT) horsepower. It is great for highway and city driving, but would be strong enough to handle rural roads. Our travels take us allover the City and into the country and its versatility makes it an ideal match for us.

Fuel prices since our last test drive have skyrocketed so Fuel Economy definitely is on our minds of late. The 2021 Honda Civic 5D Sport Touring operates best on Premium fuel. While we found ourselves re-filling our thank more frequently, its 8.0 / 6.6 / 7.4 L/100 km (City/Highway/Combined) Fuel Economy still is heads and shoulders above other cars in its class. We love ECON mode as it maximizes efficiency, reducing the amount of fuel injected inside the engine, helping us get the most of our drive.

While we get that many of you love heat and humidity, we’re on the exact opposite end of the spectrum, loving cool, icy drinks in our abundance of cupholders and A/C in the Summer. The car has a powerful Climate Control system, allowing Driver and Passenger to customize temperature on each side. In no time, we were enjoying that cool breeze in that unforgiving weekend heat. While there aren’t Seat Coolers for these gorgeous leather seats (Driver’s Seat adjustable eight ways), we appreciate Seat Warmers in cooler months and those would come in handy in the blink of an eye as the seasons change so suddenly in Ontario.

The Audio System here is actually quite gratuitous as this is an important piece of our daily drives. Its 542-watt AM/FM Premium Audio System comes with MP3/Windows Media® Audio playback capability and 12 speakers including Subwoofer. Bluetooth was reliable and easy to our phone and for some of those long drives, SiriusXM is such a joy to have. Two USB Connectors are more than generous, considering we also get an awesome Wireless Charging plate as well meaning we can listen to our Spotify Playlists and get help navigating while not being worried our phone will run out of battery.

Honda honestly has market won with its Display Audio System, so easy to navigate and just looks gorgeous. You get its Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ with bilingual Voice Recognition. The display shows its Multi-angle rearview camera with dynamic guidelines and also assists when you’re changing lines to ensure you’re in the clear before moving over. We no longer struggle with backing-out or Parallel Parking with this feature saving our life.

In terms of safety, there is no detail spared by Honda. No matter which model you purchase, you can be at peace knowing that you are getting the best protection and prevention. Honda has calculated all the risks and worst case scenarios for you to ensure you are prepared. Features include: 4-wheel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Brake Assist, Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS®) (HS*), Forward Collision Warning (FCW) system (HS*), Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) system (HS*), Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA®) with Traction Control, Honda LaneWatch™ blind spot display, Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS) (HS*), i-SRS airbag system (front), Side Curtain Airbags with rollover sensor system, HondaLink™ Assist Automatic Emergency Response System. While they can be clumsy for our adult passengers, Child Locks do what they are supposed to do in the back seats.

The car seats five people comfortably with plenty of room in its hatchback for cargo. We adore Proximity Entry, making it super-easy for us when our hands are full, which actually is often! (See above)

While the Start Engine button is a bit clumsy requiring a few tries sometimes to start things up, I have no real glitches to report with this ride. Would gladly do it all again!

The 2021 Honda Civic 5D Sport Touring starts at $33,900 CAN. More here.

A review of our Father’s Day weekend:

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Like reuniting with a best friend. We got up close and personal – a flagrant violation of social distancing protocols – but we hope you’ll understand. While Ontario is under some really uncertain and unprecedented times, we safely navigated in our test drive and ultimately we are thrilled that the 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid was there for us when we got our first vaccine. We are incredibly relieved and can’t wait to get our second vaccine. While we don’t live in a hotspot, we’re grateful our turn came as we were just about ready to give up hope!

We were able to travel safely to see my expectant niece, whose Baby Shower sadly had to be cancelled due to stay-at-home orders province-wide and partake in the beauty of Cherry Blossoms in the City as they begin to reach peak bloom! Being able to have the Accord Hybrid there for us to run errands and pick-up essentials is a privilege which we are grateful for.

It all starts the moment the engine turns out. In fact, the 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid is so quiet we had to double-check the engine was actually on. Above that, there is a hypnotic hum which actually is quite calming.

It is powered by 2.0-litre, 16-valve, Atkinson cycle DOHC, i-VTEC^® 4-cylinder engine and operates at up to 212 @ 6200 total combined horsepower. Drives were incredibly-smooth and our family and friends commented how sleek and elegant this update of the Accord looks. We fully embrace Proximity Entry and its pushbutton start and gears. In fact, we don’t remember what driving was like anymore before them. Thanks, Honda!

Fuel Economy is a huge selling point for me and the Accord Hybrid gives you fabulous value at 5.0/5.0/5.0 L/100 km city/highway combined. It comes with an ECON mode button but also EV and Sport Drive options. We were able to make it twice downtown, to Niagara and out and about locally for about $45 in Regular fuel, just under a week. That is almost unheard of.

The Accord Hybrid is crammed with little luxuries. Dual-zone automatic climate control with air-filtration system, speed-sensing, variable intermittent windshield wipers, one-touch power moonroof with tilt feature, body-coloured heated power door mirrors with integrated LED turn signal indicators, LED foglights, LED brakelights, LED taillights, front wiper de-icer. Not only does it come with seat warmers, it comes with seat coolers knowing the vast array of conditions Honda’s Canadian customer base endures. These are little things that continually define the Honda driving experience as one that is sophisticated and just much more special. This is the car Canadians deserve.

We’re huge on the audio experience while driving. Its Display Audio System with Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™, HandsFreeLink™, wireless charging plate and arrange of USB ports (two in the front and two in the back), jumbo arm rest with a sizey compartment for storage – masks, gloves, sanitizer, you name it. The Accord Hybrid boasts a 452-watt AM/FM Premium audio system with MP3/Windows Media^® Audio playback capability and 10 speakers including subwoofer. And it sounds every bit the part. The Display system is enabled for SMS text messages and e-mail function. Connecting via Bluetooth was easy – we love our Spotify and can’t imagine not being able to listen to our favourite albums and playlists on the fly.

More importantly, safety is tops for Honda. Parking and reversing are so easy with its multi-angle rearview camera with dynamic guidelines, plus a driver attention monitor. If that’s not enough, check-out the endless list of safety features that ensure you are as well-protected as can be in the Accord Hybrid: 4-wheel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS); auto high beam; brake assist; Forward Collision Warning (FCW) system; Lane Departure Warning (LDW) system; Lane Keeping Assist System; Blind Spot Information (BSI) System;Rear Cross Traffic Monitor System; Traffic Sign Recognition via holographic display on the driver’s side of the windshield; Vehicle Stability Assist with Traction Control; Next-Generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering; i-SRS airbag system; Front Knee Airbags; Side curtain airbags with rollover sensor system; SmartVent™ side airbags. The list goes on.

As was the case with other new Accords I’ve test-driven in the past there are sometimes glitches like the Tire Pressure Monitoring System telling me I have low tire pressure when it’s cold out. Often this goes away on its own. We also saw its Maintenance Minder™ system telling us we had an Emissions System problem (see below), but that also went away on its own after a restart.

My week in review:

Getting my vaccine finally!

Seeing my expectant Niece in Niagara

Winning a Sovereign Award for my Photography

Cherry Blossoms with beanie

Supporting local businesses, as they need us!

One tip I’ve learned that is your furry friend is keen on chewing things in your car, a great preventative measure is spraying those parts (i.e. seatbelt buckles, etc.) with Bitter Apple Spray!

A neat new thing I noticed with the Accord Hybrid is that it is smart enough to remind you that you have something in the back. In my case, that was beanie! How cute.

More on the 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid here, which starts at $35,805 CAN.

Thank you 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid for helping get me through the week and to my first vaccination safely. Grateful.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

If you love the functionality of an SUV but without all the excess bulk, the 2021 HONDA HRV TOURING is just for you. We had the pleasure of reuniting with this family of amazing vehicles just as we are coming out of shutdown out my way. While we recognize that we still have a ways to go before seeing any semblance of businesses operating at full capacity and events picking-up in the City, we appreciate the opportunity at least for the HRV in a gorgeous Aegean Blue Metallic, to have been a part of our journey through these challenging times even if it just means stocking-up on essentials (It was legit my first proper visit to a Costco!). And also seeing family and friends – human and equine – who like us have been isolating cautiously. But more importantly, it was there for us when we were successfully able to get my dad vaccinated. What a relief to know that it won’t be long before mom can get hers, and then hopefully me.

What is an HRV exactly? It is a crossover vehicle, like a Honda CRV, but more compact. This is not to say it isn’t spacious, because it nails all the marks. It more than comfortably seats five and its hatchback trunk enables you to carry plenty. 

Operating with a 1.8-litre, 16-valve, SOHC, i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine and 141 horsepower @6500 rpm and 127 lb.-ft of torque @ 4300 rpm, this is perfect for everyday driving. A selling point, as is the case with many in the Honda family, is Fuel Economy. It is equipped with an ECON mode, which can get you 9.1/7.7/8.5 L/100 km (City/Highway/Combined). With fuel prices having gone up of late, paying a bit more for gas was expected, but our tank of gas lasted us about a week and our drives took us far!

The 2021 Honda HRV Touring possesses craftmanship, style and luxury. Many will appreciate its tinted windows for privacy and having beanie aboard in the backseat and belongings, this gave a sense of added security. Seating was cozy with leather-trimmed seating surfaces (heated driver and passenger), plus 60/40 Split 2nd-Row Magic Seats. An atmospheric moonroof made for serene driving and its 180-watt AM/FM Audio System with six speakers synced hassle-free via Bluetooth to my phone for a personalized experience. We admit we’ve been spoiled prior by the Honda Accord‘s 12 speakers and 452-watt system, but this does the job if you aren’t an Audiophile like us. While we wished there was a wireless phone charging plate in the HRV Touring, it isn’t a standard like the Touring editions of others in the Honda family.

The first thing I noticed when boarding was the attention to detail placed in the Dual-Zone Climate Control and Display Audio System panels. Their enhanced design looked phenomenal and above this, super-easy to navigate. We value a system that is so sophisticated it looks easy, and it is!

Aesthetically, the 2021 HONDA HRV TOURING possesses an effortless sportiness that is sleek. Front grille, dark chrome, lower body garnish, body-coloured rear roofline spoiler, project-beam LED headlights, LED foglights – the small details say it all and this is not your average SUV. It also has rain-sensing windshield wipers which are a selling point considering how much precipitation we get in the months ahead. And I am a huge fan of rear-window wipers, they are a lifesaver when visibility is an issue.

Most passengers haven’t a clue where the door handles are for the door rear doors on the HRV, but once they do, it all makes sense!

The SUV also has several of the makings which make Honda best-in-class for safety. Honda LaneWatch blind spot display, Forward Collision Warning, Collision Mitigation Breaking System, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keeping Assist, Road Departure Mitigation, Hill Start Assist, Brake Assist, Advanced front airbags, SmartVent side airbags. Above this, we look like a pro at reversing and parallel parking thanks to that essential Multi-angle rearview camera with dyamic guidelines. Honda has thought of all these things so we don’t have to and can just focus on driving smart and safe.

The 2021 HONDA HRV TOURING starts at $35,671 CAN and is worth every penny. More here.

Some memories from our Test Drive:

So grateful for the 2021 Honda HRV to have been a part of our journey!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Happy Holidays! So honoured to be the first Canadian Media Outlet to review the 2021 Honda Insight Touring. This is the star of Honda‘s electric lineup, it is unique enough on its own, but possesses some of the sleak sportiness of their Civic and also the sophistication of the Accord.

With the province being on lockdown, sadly our opportunities to be together with our family and friends was limited. We’re just like you and have had to get creative to ensure that some “Holiday Hellos” be done as safely as possible, or delayed till we’re in a better place. We’re all in this together and well overcome this together.

That being said we owe it all to the 2021 Honda Insight Touring, guiding my sidekick beanie and I safely through the Holidays, whether it be running errands, picking-up essentials and gifts and what we called The beanie Wong Driveway Tour, where we dropped by quickly on our friends’ driveways and homes to deliver socially-distanced and safe holiday cheer!

Operating on a 1.5-litre, 16-valve, Atkinson cycle DOHC, i-VTEC^® 4-cylinder engine and up to 151 @ 6000 rpm combined horsepower, the Insight Touring is as much about performance as it is about fuel economy and environmental consciousness with versatile SPORT and ECON modes for whatever your needs might be. With a Fuel Economy of 4.6/5.3/4.9 (city/highway/combined), we couldn’t believe how far a full tank of gas got us as our beanie Tour took us on Regular fuel from the GTA to Halton and Durham.

In addition, we live for thoughtful features like Proximity key entry and pushbutton start. Fumbling for keys is a thing of the past for us!

We were impressed thoroughly by the Insight Touring‘s clean aesthetics. Seats have perforated leather-trimmed surfaces with heated options in the front and back, because we love our passengers (beanie approves!). The driver’s seat is adjustable eight ways as well. Gears are navigated by push button versus a gearstick. Lighting is ambient and we adore its moonroof. Upon turning on the push-button ignition, the car comes alive with this glorious hum which at times is hypnotic.

Honda has a mastered perfect, user-friendly interface on their Display Audio System with Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ and bilingual Voice Recognition. HandsFreeLink™-bilingual Bluetooth^® wireless mobile phone interface with steering wheel-mounted controls made it super-easy to navigate communication and entertainment safely. In addition, listening to audio with the Insight Touring‘s 452-watt AM/FM Premium audio system and 10 speakers including subwoofer, is a thing of bliss. Spotify, MP3s, SiriusXM, AM/FM. The Insight Touring can play it all! While there isn’t a wireless charging plate for your phone, there are more than enough USB charging ports to alleviate your battery anxieties.

The user-friendly Climate Control is another example of the level of customization and thoughtfulness your passengers get. You get a SYNC option which is great if you want uniform temperatures throughout, but if your friends and family are like mine, they have different thresholds and tolerances, and the Insight Touring lets them control their own temperature.

Bells and whistles mean little if safety isn’t first and this is where Honda continually brings it home. The Insight Touring is a car for any conditions and over the Holidays we witnessed it all, despite this being a somewhat mild winter. It is packed with active and passive safety features including: i-SRS airbag system; Side curtain airbags with rollover sensor system; SmartVent™ side airbags; Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children; rear childproof locks; Lane Keeping Assist System; Blind Spot Information system; Rear Cross Traffic Monitor system; 4-wheel Anti-lock Braking System; Collision Mitigation Braking System; Electronic Brake-force Distribution; Forward Collision Warning system; Road Departure Mitigation; Vehicle Stability Assist; Traffic sign recognition and Auto high beam. The latter two are particularly handy in rural conditions, which aren’t always well-lit and sometimes we need especially where a speed limit can go from 80 km/hr to 50 km/hr rather quickly.

One thing about the Insight Touring is that it sits rather low to the ground, hence a bit of extra caution is needed if your passengers are challenged in terms of mobility or when making this left-hand turns and your line of sight is blocked by an SUV or a truck on the opposite side of the intersection. Carefulness however is something we all should be exercising regardless.

Some fantastic holiday memories beanie and I created in a less-than-ideal year:

More on the 2021 Honda Insight Touring here.

We’re thankful for Honda Canada‘s support, craftsmanship and intuition. We wish you a happy and safe new year and can’t wait to see what exciting offerings are in store from Honda in 2021!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Let’s just say the weather’s been a little bit unpredictable. That extra week of Summer we saw a couple weeks back certainly came at a cost as we got a major snowstorm this weekend. And for all that unpredictability, we couldn’t have been in better hands than in Honda’s star SUV, the 2020 CR-V Sport!

We brought our beanie home a few weeks back and that first car ride home gave her major anxiety, but this time around she seemed to have adjusted well, napping away in the front passenger’s seat on a blanket. Dare I say, she actually enjoys car rides now.

As the City is entering lockdown, having access to the CR-V was of great value as we were able to tie-up loose ends and errands in preparation for the next few weeks.

The 2020 Honda CR-V Sport is non short on power – 190 horsepower @ 5600 rpm to be exact. It operates on a 1.5-litre, 16-valve, Direct Injection, DOHC, turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and is conscious with its Eco Assist™ system and features like Idle stop and ECON mode. Running on regular fuel, the CR-V is all about value delivering a City/Highway/Combined Fuel Economy of 8.7/7.4/8.1 km per litre.

The CR-V in addition to being about spaciousness (its trunk is incredible!), is all about comfort. The Driver’s seat comes with 12-way power adjustment, including 4-way power lumbar support. For those frigid mornings ahead. that heated leather-wrapped steering wheel and heated front seats are a life saver. beanie can attest to that!

While the CR-V Sport doesn’t have a wireless charging plate, it still does contain a variety of charging options including two on the front side. We were thoroughly impressed how quickly our phone charged! Audio entertainment is extremely important in our drives and the SUV comes with a 180-watt AM/FM audio system with MP3/Windows Media® Audio playback capability and 6 speakers. We love our Sirius XM and our customized Spotify Playlists, both which work easily with the SUV. Navigation on its 7-inch Display Audio System is easy and controlling climate, customizable for Drive and Passenger is simple as it should be as our attentions should always be on our drive.

Visibility is so important in these winter months ahead. The CR-V‘s auto-high beam and multi-angle rearview camera with dynamic guidelines are essentials. I don’t remember driving before having these. It also comes with a front wiper de-icer, intermittent and variable rear window wiper/washers, plus front and rear splash guards. The car is also sizey, hence folding door mirrors are handy when navigate tight spots.

Safety and security should be a dealbreaker for all and Honda once again pulls-out all the stops. The CR-V Sport comes with a 4-wheel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Brake Assist, Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS®), Forward Collision Warning (FCW) system, Honda LaneWatch™, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Departure Warning (LDW) system, Tire Pressure Monitoring System4 (TPMS), Vehicle Stability Assist3 (VSA®) with Traction Control and also Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) system. All this, plus a theft-deterrent system and security system, plus SmartVent™ side airbags, i-SRS airbags and side curtain airbags with rollover sensor system.

Starts at $31,776. More here.

Some of the amazing adventures we were able to experience in our Test Drive, courtesy of the 2020 Honda CR-V Sport:

Until our next adventure!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

One thing about living through this Pandemic is that while largely challenging, it has really allowed me a chance to reconnect with family. With going out being less of an option more than ever, bonding with family has made me wonder why this isn’t something I did more often in my pre-COVID life.

We had the chance to visit a new version of an old friend in the 2020 Honda Civic 4D Touring 1.5 Turbo in our Test Drive this past week and of course spent time with family members, old and new!

Powered by a 1.5-litre, 16-valve, Direct Injection, DOHC, turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and 174 horsepower, the 2020 Honda Civic 4D Touring 1.5 Turbo is nothing short of a thrill. But in addition to excitement, it is balanced out by economy and consciousness with Eco-Assist and ECON Mode. I’ve test-driven many cars in my life but once again, nobody can outdo Honda‘s outstanding Fuel Economy at 7.8/6.2/7.1 litres (city/highway/combined) per 100 km. They continue to be in a league of their own for value, not only at point of purchase, but also the long haul.

As the temperatures drop, we begin to appreciate the value of the Civic 4D Touring 1.5 Turbo’s heated front and rear seats. Also, its state of the art and user-friendly Climate Control are sensitive to the fact that passengers and drivers have individual needs with customizable temperatures for driver and passenger. All seats possess a polished look with leather-trimmed seat surfaces and above this, the driver’s seat comes with 8-way power adjustment. Even without a hatchback, plenty can be stored in the trunk, making it a car of many purposes.

Your drive in the Civic 4D Touring 1.5 Turbo is elevated by a 452-watt AM/FM Premium audio system with MP3/Windows Media Audio playback capability and 10 speakers including subwoofer. Options for curating your drives are endless with SiriusXM, Android Auto, Apple Car Play and hassle-free Bluetooth connection to your devices. All this at your fingertips on its Display Audio System with Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System. Two USB ports, plus a wireless charging plate are there to back you and your passengers up.

Safety features are abundant once again in this version of the Civic. With what’s seemed like an endless bout of rain in the City the past week, features like Auto High Beam take the thinking and work out of dealing with visibility. Its Honda LaneWatch, Blind Spot Display and Lane Keeping Assist have been and continue to be life-savers. Slick conditions call for a 4-wheel Anti-lock Braking System in addition to its Vehicle Stability Assist. The car’s safety measures are padded further by an i-SRS airbag system (front), Side-Curtain Airbags and SmartVent side airbags. And let’s not forget that trusty rear-view camera which we can’t function without! In addition should anything be off, its Maintenance Reminder is a handy thing to have.

The Civic never ceases to amaze and it is little wonder why it continues to be the choice of Canadians. More here.

As many of you know, I welcomed a new family member this past weekend, beanie. Grateful to have had the 2020 Honda Civic 4D Touring 1.5 Turbo there to be a part of this unforgettable day. While her drive home gave her anxiety at first, some blankets and the passenger seat warmer had her calm and nappy to get us through our smooth travel home along the 407. She’s adjusted really well and has impressed me so much how smart she is! You can follow her adventures on Instagram: @beaniewong.

I also celebrated my birthday last week with family. So nostalgic visiting Oshawa where I was born. And amazing calling-up my recently-widowed Aunt up to hang-out with us. So grateful that the City’s most-famous restaurant was open for dine-in. A long-time wish to dine at Teddy’s! That pie!

Halloween’s just around the corner and what better way to get into the spirit with some socially-distanced fun at the Toronto Haunted Drive-Thru?

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

We know we’re in good hands any time we get to test drive a Honda Accord which already is perfection. The 2020 HONDA ACCORD TOURING 2.0 somehow seems to build upon that.

This edition of the Accord Touring is powered with a 2.0 litre, 16-valve, Direct Injection, DOHC, i-VTEC turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. It also operates at 252 horsepower @ 6500 rpm and 273 lb.- ft of torque @ 1500-4000 rpm. Its Adaptive Damper System both smooths the ride and sharpens handling according to driving conditions which we will need in months. Let’s face it, summer’s over!

We love that we get both SPORT and ECON mode options here. The former gives you quicker transmission shifting and more agile handling assist in corners. The latter gives you more fuel economy. It is this type of versatility and a deep understanding of its drivers’ needs that continue to make Honda stand out.

Part of this customer-focused intuitiveness spreads also to its care not only for its Driver, but also its Passengers. Drivers and Passengers in the 2020 Honda Accord Touring 2.0 get their own Climate Control and Heated Seating, plus a litany of charging options including a charging plate, multiple USB ports and a lighter auxiliary outlet. And I am a huge fan of the Seat Cooler option. This literally is a car of all seasons, which you need here in Canada.

Safety always is #1 with Honda and once again they come through with the features. We never have to worry about visibility as the car comes with LED daytime running lights and also Auto High Beam, which is super-helpful when driving in rural conditions. Lane Departure and Front Collision Warning are lifesavers, in addition to its Blind Spot Information System with Rear Cross Traffic Monitoring System. If parking gives you anxiety, its Rear-View Camera is a god-send. The holographic Traffic Sign Recognition on the Driver’s side of the windshield is super-helpful and also ensures we know we’re in-adherence of speed limits. Its i-SRS Airbag System and Front-Knee Airbags are state-of-the-art in terms of safety measures.

In terms of aesthetics, the car is pure sophisticated elegance. Our test ride was a gorgeous Obsidian Blue Pearl with refined accents like a chrome grille and door handles and a dual exhaust with chrome finisher. Seats also are comfortable with perforated leather-trimmed surfaces. The Driver’s seat was power-adjustable, 12 ways. The trend amidst this Pandemic is Drive-In Entertainment and you will see below just how handy it came.

Its 452-watt AM/FM Premium Audio System controlled by its sublime Digital Audio System and 10 speakers with subwoofer also give the Accord Touring 2.0 that added lift in experience. And this also made a huge difference not only at the Drive-In events we attended, but also in our daily driving, syncing our phone via Bluetooth to listen to our playlists and Spotify.

See some memories we created in the 2020 Honda Accord Touring 2.0:

And a little promo piece we did for Disney’s Mulan, out now on Disney+ with Premier Access:

The Honda Accord continues to make it difficult to find points to nit-pick It’s our ideal car! More here.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Life has been a bit challenging as we navigate this Pandemic and one thing we missed so much about our “old life” was the time got to spend Test Driving the Honda Canada family of cars. Now that we’ve entered Stage III of Ontario’s reopening, we couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate it than catching-up with friends old and new in the 2020 Honda Civic 5D Sport Touring.

The car in Crystal Black Pearl continues to sport the Civic‘s refined sporty and flashy aesthetic. We received several compliments from friends who were wowed by its style at first glance. But believe me, this attraction is more than just about looks.

In terms of performance, the 2020 Honda Civic 5D Sport Touring possesses a 180-hp, 1.5 litre, 16-valve, direct injection, DOHC, turbocharged 4 cylinder engine with a state-of-the-art Drive by Wire Throttle System. This means that it is able to create force of movement via an electronic throttle without any cables from the accelerator pedal to the throttle valve of the engine. The vehicle has a quick acceleration and agility and is power-assisted with ventilated front disc/solid rear disc brakes.

Above this, it nails all the marks with its ECON button mode and Econ Assist System. Our weekend travels took us from suburbs to country to city and we did with unheard of value. Its Fuel Economy tallies-in at 8.0 / 6.6 / 7.4 (City/Highway/Combined). One note, it runs on Premium fuel.

Honda never disappoints packing-in the features and the 2020 Honda Civic 5D Sport Touring is no exception. We’re surprised how other manufacturers don’t offer a wireless charging plate for your smartphones still, but the Civic always shows up with the options for helping us stay connected. Passengers also get charging ports too, so everyone’s happy. Bluetooth Sync was incredibly easy and the connection was reliable. We enjoyed our Spotify playlists through its 542-watt Premium Audio System with 12 speakers including subwoofer and navigating options on the 7″ Colour TFT meter Display Audio System has made us forget what life was like before these luxuries. We’ve finally gotten the hang of the Civic‘s advanced Climate Control system and stayed cool in our travels with it working at peak efficiency.

Drivers get 8-way driver seat power adjustment, while the front passenger gets 4-way adjustment. Seats are leather-trimmed and come with heating options, which we don’t quite yet need in this summer heat, but summer’s over in a little over a month! *womp womp* That being said, we treasure ice cold drinks and the handy beverage (or sanitizer!) holders for us and all our passengers. It’s all in the details and time and again the Civic gets it.

The 2020 Honda Civic 5D Sport Touring is all about small enhancements which bring so much value. We adore its LED Foglights and Rain-Sensing Wipers, which thankfully didn’t come into play much during our Test Drive but definitely will be a factor in other times.

All these talking points about features and performance are great, but what always should come first is safety. The Civic continues to be incredibly intuitive, knowing just when to give warnings ahead. Its Honda LaneWatch Blindspot Display, Collision Mitigation Brake System, Lane Departure System, Road Departure Mitigation, Lane Keeping Assist, Vehicle Stability Assist, SmartVent Side Airbags, i-SRS Airbag, SmartVent Side Airbags all are there not to save only your life, but the lives of those you love and others around you. Nobody’s perfect, but the Civic is here to ensure we do our best to be safe and aware always.

The Multi-Angle Rearview Camera has made reversing and parking a breeze and you don’t realize this till you drive another car which isn’t equipped with this.

While the Civic‘s Childproof Locks sometimes are a bit cumbersome especially when you don’t have kids in the back and the passenger just wants to get out, it is there for a purpose. The Civic also comes with a Theft-Deterrent System and we cannot stress how amazing it is having something like Proximity Entry. We always seem to have some bags in our hand and we don’t have energy to fumble for our keys when all we want to do is get into our car!

We’re grateful for the memories we got to make and the 2020 Honda Civic 5D Sport Touring allowed us to salvage that bit of a Summer that we’ve lacked as we make it through one of the most challenging times in our lives ever.

Take a drive with us down Memory Lane this past weekend! Lots of cuteness to behold, you’ve been warned!

The 2020 Honda Civic 5D Sport Touring starts at $30,576 CAN. More here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)