Real Wheels Live (Aug. 12)

I have read that a new Honda Civic hatchback is coming. What do you know about it? Where is it assembled? My last Civic hatchback was assembled in Swindon, England, and was quite well made. This is something else that might be affected by Brexit.

Hi, Lou Ann and Warren: A couple of weeks ago, Lou Ann wrote that Nissan Armada production is moving to Japan because Titan sales are "so hot" that Nissan needs more production capacity in Canton, Mississippi, for its pickup. Did that info come from a PR flak? Because sales aren't exactly sizzling for the all-new Titan. According to goodcarbadcar.net, Titan sales are up a tepid 0.9% YTD and I.5% in July. Sales are only 7,242 this year --heck, Ford sells that many F-Series trucks in a few days. Overall, GM, Ford, and Ram have sold 1,188,200 full-size trucks YTD versus 78,674 for Toyota, Nissan, and Honda. That's 93.8% of the market for the Detroit Three. Try as they might, the Japanese Three cannot gain any traction in North America despite what many people say are excellent vehicles. Garey, Ottawa

Reading Warren's review, I was reminded of a question that I've had for a while. What is Nissan's target audience? Why do you buy an Altima instead of a Camry, Accord, Sonata, Malibu, Legacy, etc.? Nissan never seems to have a clear target audience.

A few years ago I test drove the Subaru Imprezia but found its ride stiff, its seats uncomfortable and it seemed too low to the ground. The newest Imprezia gets good reviews but I wonder if both of you have driven it and what you think? Can Warren get in and out of it comfortably and can his back cope with the seats in today's version of the Imprezia?

Has there been any resolve to which has the most beneficial environmental impact? (as in, causes least harm). As of now I'm in my 30s and haven't owned a car in over 10 years. I keep saying someday I'll buy one but since I live in the city and drive my partner's car (2007 Honda Accord, 50k miles) maybe once a week I just don't see the need. And yet I still like cars (but hate traffic). Anyway, I saw a study that said Hybrid or Electric actually weren't all that great depending on what source of energy was providing the charge/how the batteries are produced, but then I read that that was debunked. Funded by the oil industry, etc. Maybe one day I'll just buy a used Prius or something. Or I'll keep waiting for the next best thing? Bicycles it is.

When the car was first released, you ran a story about the things reporters did to achieve the 40mpg this car claimed for highway (under the old rules). I still have my 2005, it has 218k on the engine and I just made a 600 mile road trip (almost all interstate, but mountains included) and showed 41.6 mpg. Thoughts? I do want a newer car so it will be a blue tec. Any recommendation for model year? (E class)

Hi Warren, Recently my 25 year Jeep Cherokee Laredo had to be put out to pasture - long story and I'm very sad to let it go. Anyway, I've decided my replacement vehicle will be the new Honda Ridgeline. Dealership stock for the RTL-E is extremely limited and the selling price is above MSRP. Some dealers are taking advantage of the short supply and are selling RTL- (when they have them) at prices grotesquely above MSRP. I'm delaying buying until prices level off. Is that good strategy or do you think prices will stay inflated? What's your opinion as to why Honda pre-sale hyped the vehicle, but then manufactured so few of the RTL-E at launch? Is this typical of Honda roll-out for new vehicles. Or is RTL-E production rate low due to a shortage of Takata airbags - due to the recent recall?

Hello Warren My wife's 2001 Civic 4 door is still running well , with only 59,000 miles, but we are looking to replace it with something newer and with more safety features. (Airbags HAVE been replaced) We have owned Honda/Acura vehicles since 1975. Looking at a 2016 Civic and possibly a new Mini. Your thoughts ? Thanks I am about your size and vintage.

Why do we need a new luxury car brand like Genesis

I bought a Nissan 350Z Roadster 10 years ago when I was in my mid-50s. I loved it, found it very comfortable, and even practical in its way - could get a weeks' worth of groceries in the trunk, even. Now I've developed some aches and pains common to the mid-60s crowd, and am looking for a "grown up" convertible that maybe sits a little higher, has supportive seats, and preferably still has a top that can fold down without impinging on trunk space. What should I be looking at?

What are the disadvantages to buying to a car that is no longer in production? I am thinking of getting the Acura TSX and I believe the last year it was in production was in 2013.

How can the Genesis G90 seriously compete against cars like the Mercedes S Class and BMW 7 series?

What about Genesis vehicles below their top of the line model. When, what, how much?

Is Genesis planning any "interesting" cars in the future, e.g., sports cars, convertibles, or roadsters? It seems to me that they have power trains that might make good bases for such cars.

In 2004 I bought an Elantra hatch (in part due to Mr. Brown's review: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A58300-2004Feb20.html) and more than a dozen years and 122k miles later, it's held up like a champ and runs like a top. I'd be happy with it if it lasted forever. Sorry, Hyundai, no luxury marque for me -- your old model was just too good!

I am even older than the person who is looking to replace his/her 350Z and I am also considering a new convertible. Does the BMW 338/230 fit the requirements given, seat height, comfortable seats, luggage space, etc.? Thanks.

What do you think of it Warren? I just bought a month ago. I filled up 3 times (~ 6 gallons per fillup) so far and drove 2000 miles on it. It drives quiet and drives fast and nimble. I plugin after I get home takes about 5 seconds to do it. Is this the future of cars where cars are so much more efficient? I say this mostly because of electricity regen on slowdown and use of electric engine in stop and go traffic.

Regarding the need for another luxury car, we could say no one "needs" it, but since we have them, the competition is good for the consumer. Promotes innovation, better features, better value and for those of us without luxury cars, the features tend to trickle down. Without competition the current manufacturers have less incentive to improve their products or keep the margins down. Go for it Hyundai and Kia!

I thought I was the only person with an 80+mile daily commute. At least I am not alone. What do you think of the zip car memberships and those like it? I am looking to move into the outskirts of the city, like Downtown Silver Spring, get rid of my car and insurance altogether and rely more on the metro system and "reserve a car" for those days or weeks when I really need it.

Looking for an affordable vehicle for a 30-ish guy who prefers manual transmission, doesn't have a huge income, and needs decent mileage and reliability. I'd go for a Forester, but he's also VERY tall, and finds the Forester too hard on his legs.

Do current EVs and plug-in hybrids use standard plugs. E.g., will Teslas, BMW i3s, Volts, etc. all be able to use the same chargers. I am particularly concerned about the chargers in parking lots/garages, etc. It appears to me that a limited charging infrastructure is the main source of "range anxiety."

Since you have an exec in the house...I know that manual transmissions are anathema to the industry, but don't forget about us stick-shift lovers! Might not fit the Genesis product target, but tell your friends in the other divisions that there are a bunch of us who would prefer to occupy our hands with a real shifter, instead of playing with the latest (idiotic) touch screen reading tweets to us.

If (as many say) car ownership will be passe and transform to a ride-sharing, perhaps autonomous vehicle model (and possibly within a decade), what's the business case for starting a new brand?

Just came back from talking to a Kia owner and she said she didn't like the way the car handled puddles because it hydroplaned even with newer tires. This was about a 4 year old KIA.

I just wanted to give a huge shout out to Subaru in the wake of the Takata recall. Our 2011 Outback and 2010 Civics are both subject to the recall, leaving us with no cars to use as a family of four with the kids still in carseats (no room in the back for another adult). Subaru has been so responsive--we're in a rental car, they're keeping us up to date on replacement availability, etc. We've been waiting 3 weeks to hear from Honda, so we have really appreciated Subaru of America and our local dealer's excellent customer service as we navigate this headache.

I'll second Warren's suggestion. I'm also freakishly tall, and I found that the Germans generally offer more headroom, legroom etc. than the others. I gave up on clutching after knee problems and went to a shiftable automatic, which VW does very well. You get more or less the same control, but with much less left leg.

How much of a future does the naturally aspirated engine have at Genesis?

Looking at several of this class of SUV/crossover to replace our Jetta Diesel Sportswagon. Considering both the HRV and CRV, CX-5, Subaru Forester, and the Rav4. Am intrigued by the new Hybrid Rav4. Have either of you driven it yet?

To the poster with the hydroplaning friend. Tell her to slow down, steer around the puddles and/or really check the tires' tread depth (and replace as appropriate). That isn't the car's fault - it's driver error. Help her really learn to drive before she hurts somebody.

We recently were assigned a Ford C-Max hybrid as an intermediate size rental car. This is the first time I've been impressed by a rental. It had comfortable seating for 4, lots of up-to-date safety and infotainment features, and gave us well over 40 MPG in mountain and city/highway driving. What do you think of the car?

Just a quick thought for the writer complaining that the Impreza is too low and too uncomfortable -- we have a 2014 Subaru Crosstrek. It's essentially the Impreza, but higher off the ground and quite comfy and well-equipped. We love it.

What's the future for smaller SUVs with decent driver visibility, esp to the rear. Particularly, what will the new Equinox offer?

Thanks for the rapid online non response to my observation about older KIA hydroplaning. . At least I know you are on the ball.

I disagree! Unless the water is really deep, or the speed is really high, I'd blame the tires, not the driver!

Yes it can be the car's fault ie the tires low tread or no tread . Also some high fuel mileage tires are awful in the rain.

I bought my rav4 Hybrid XLE in the DC area for 29K. I chose the rav4 over the CRV because I wanted a hybrid. I wish Honda offered the CRV in hybrid mode. I am enjoying my SUV and am not missing driving my old Honda Odyssey.