Several years ago, a friend loaned us a front-porch bench. It's iron and wood, heavy and awkward to carry. On a recent weekend, it was time to return the bench. Its owner, once a neighbor, now lives nearly 100 miles away.

With remarkable ease, my wife reconfigured the back seat arrangement of the new-look and more spacious 2005 Honda CR-V, and the cargo area opened into a flat and cavernous compartment. The bench is five- feet long, but with a little twist here and a turn there it fit l ...
Author: James Raia
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Considering the conservative, best-selling Accord, Honda stretched its manufacturing boundaries substantially with the Element.

Since its debut in 2003, the vehicle has frequently been described with two succinct comments: "It's ugly" and "It's a box with four wheels."

There's no disputing the Element has among the most conspicuous appearances on the road. But good looks (or lack of good looks) are subjective. More important, Honda doesn't make a car without a plan.

The Elem ...
Author: James Raia
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At last count, Honda offers nearly 40 varieties of the 2005 Honda Civic. It's a perennial best-buy, and with the Ford Focus and Toyota Corolla, the Civic is one of the most visible vehicles on the road today.

And there's little argument Civic's popularity isn't warranted. Honda has capitalized on the compact car's success by presenting three body styles and the notable options of a gas/electric hybrid and two-door hatchback. But does Honda really need another option in the Civic line? Author: James Raia
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