2010 Toyota Corolla.

The 2010 Toyota Corolla lineup gains more standard safety features but is otherwise unchanged following its redesign for the 2009 model year. Corolla offers five trim levels. Base, LE, XLE, and S models have a 132-hp 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine. The sport-themed XRS model has a 158-hp 2.4-liter 4-cylinder. Manual transmission is standard. The optional automatic transmission is a 5-speed on the XRS and a 4-speed on other Corollas. The XRS includes 17-inch wheels and 4-wheel disc brakes vs other models' 15- or 16-inch wheels and rear drum brakes. Previously optional on all but the XRS, traction control and an antiskid system are now standard across the board. Other available safety features include ABS, curtain side airbags, and front side airbags. A navigation system is optional on all but the Base and LE. Leather upholstery and heated front seats are an option exclusive to S and XRS. Note that Corolla lends its basic design and powertrains to Toyota's Matrix wagon and the similar Vibe from General Motors' Pontiac division.

2010 Honda Civic.

The 2010 Honda Civic should see no major changes after a modest freshening for 2009. These compact cars should continue to come in 4-door sedan and 2-door coupe body styles. A gas/electric Hybrid sedan should also remain available, along with a sedan that runs on compressed natural gas (CNG). Sedans and coupes should continue to come in DX, LX, EX, EX-L, and sporty Si trims, along with DX-VP and LX-S sedans, which were new in 2009. DX, DX-VP, LX, LX-S, EX, and EX-L should continue to have a 140-hp 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine. Si versions should continue to have a 197-hp 2.0-liter four. The Hybrid should combine a gas engine and an electric motor for 110 hp. The Hybrid can run on one or both of its power sources. Most of the time, however, the gas engine shuts off at a stop and restarts again when the driver releases his or her foot from the brake pedal. Hybrids require no plug-in charging. Likely remaining available for sale in California and New York and to fleets is the Civic GX, which should continue to use a 113-hp 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine that runs on CNG. All 140-hp Civics should continue to come with a 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmission. GX models should remain automatic only. Si will likely only come with a 6-speed manual. Hybrids should have a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Available safety features should include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain side airbags, and front side airbags. EX-L models should have leather upholstery with heated front seats. A navigation system with voice activation should remain available on EX, EX-L, Si, and Hybrid. An available wireless cell phone link for EX, EX-L, Si, and Hybrid should continue. Leather upholstery should also be available on the Hybrid. This report is based on evaluations of the 2009 Honda Civic.

2010 Honda Accord CUV - Spied.

This mule could be Honda's answer to the Toyota Venza.

A gap exists in the Honda lineup between the mid-size Pilot and compact CR-V SUVs, and the company might be filling that hole with an Accord-based crossover. Caught here wearing no camouflage, this bash-up mule could turn into a vehicle that would do battle with the new Toyota Venza.
Possibly based on the European-only Accord Tourer wagon, this CUV prototype wears the familiar U.S.-market Accord front end grafted to a Tourer body. There are fender flares pinned to the body sides, indicating a wider track, and masking around the C-pillar hides a stretched wheelbase. From the back, a rear differential makes it evident the CUV will get power to the rear wheels as well as those in the front, likely via Honda’s VTM-4 all-wheel-drive system. Power could come from the same 2.4-liter four-cylinder and 3.5-liter V-6 engines offered on the current Accord; the dual exhaust on this mule likely means it carries the V-6.
When asked to comment on the spy photos and its possible reponse to the Ford Flex and Toyota Venza, Honda stated simply that "it is always evaluating the needs of its customers." However unconfirmed, we’d expect that a mid-size crossover is all but guaranteed from a company known for being as forward-thinking as Honda.
Prancing around with no camo and combining currently produced sheetmetal, this is likely a mule that would look markedly different in production.

2010 Honda Accord CUV - Spied.

This mule could be Honda's answer to the Toyota Venza.

A gap exists in the Honda lineup between the mid-size Pilot and compact CR-V SUVs, and the company might be filling that hole with an Accord-based crossover. Caught here wearing no camouflage, this bash-up mule could turn into a vehicle that would do battle with the new Toyota Venza.
Possibly based on the European-only Accord Tourer wagon, this CUV prototype wears the familiar U.S.-market Accord front end grafted to a Tourer body. There are fender flares pinned to the body sides, indicating a wider track, and masking around the C-pillar hides a stretched wheelbase. From the back, a rear differential makes it evident the CUV will get power to the rear wheels as well as those in the front, likely via Honda’s VTM-4 all-wheel-drive system. Power could come from the same 2.4-liter four-cylinder and 3.5-liter V-6 engines offered on the current Accord; the dual exhaust on this mule likely means it carries the V-6.
When asked to comment on the spy photos and its possible reponse to the Ford Flex and Toyota Venza, Honda stated simply that "it is always evaluating the needs of its customers." However unconfirmed, we’d expect that a mid-size crossover is all but guaranteed from a company known for being as forward-thinking as Honda.
Prancing around with no camo and combining currently produced sheetmetal, this is likely a mule that would look markedly different in production.