The 2009 Honda S2000 is Honda’s premier sports car, every aspect of which is, according to Honda, based on their racing technology. This super sharp roadster competes with such American made vehicles as the Chevy Corvette and Ford Mustang. Foreign competitors include the Audi TT, BMW Z4 M, Infiniti G Coupe, Porsche Boxter and Nissan 350Z.

The S2000 body was last updated in the 2008 model year, so little has changed in the looks of the car. In fact, other than minor tweaks to improve handling and increase speed, there is little change of any kind.

The S2000 offers a 2.2 liter, 237 horsepower I4 engine with a six-speed “short throw” manual transmission with overdrive. There are no options on either the engine or the transmission. For a performance car, the mileage is pretty spectacular. You’ll get 18 miles per gallon in town and 25 miles per gallon on the highway.

While the S2000 is great on gas mileage, it falls a little short on power. Horsepower is far below average for class and power to weight ratio is slightly below average, except for the CR MT, which has about average power to weight ratio for class. Roominess also gets mixed reviews, with good legroom but poor headroom.

In other words, no offense to the ladies, the S2000 is pretty much what my friends and I would have called a chick sports car when I was in high school. Long on looks, and it is definitely good looking, but short where it really counts. In other words, it’s a car built to be seen in.

There are three trim lines for the S200. Basic is the MT. One step up in price and features is the CR MT (CR standing for Club Racer). The top of the line is the CR A/C MT.

The S2000 is a fairly safe car for its class. NHTSA rollover and side crash tests were both rated five-star, while front crash tests got four-stars. Standard safety features include antilock brakes with electronic braking assistance, limited slip differential, traction control and vehicle stability control system. Also standard are an anti-theft system and an inside trunk latch.

On the other hand, there are no side airbags. This is largely because of the kind of car it is, and its lack of room.

The base price of the 2009 Honda S2000 is about average for its class, at $34,995. All in all, the verdict on this car is sporty, rather than sports. If you’re looking for a sporty ride for your wife or daughter, or a son whose lead foot you want to mitigate, the Honda S2000 might be a good choice. If you are looking for a real sports car, you’ll probably want to keep looking.

The 2009 Honda Fit hatchback will roll out this year with a few new tricks up its sleeve. This newly designed model will replace the current style that has been sold in the United States since 2006. The 2009 Fit is a subcompact car that competes with the likes of the Chevy Aveo, Hyundai Elantra, Scion xD, and the Toyota Yaris. The new Fit will be priced between $14,000 and $15,000, with gas mileage expected to be between 28-34 miles per gallon. This will differ between the base model and the Fit Sport edition.

Among the changes for the 2009 Fit is the exterior design. Basically, it will be slightly larger than the previous version, with a longer sloping nose. It maintains the somewhat odd look that has made it stand out among the crowd. It appears to be taller than some of its competitors. This look is not only unique, but it also serves a purpose. The extended head room makes it quite easy to get in and out of for a car this small. Also new this year is the standard 15″ steel wheels. This is a change from the 14″ wheels of the previous models. The 2009 Fit Sport will offer 16″ aluminum wheels.

Under the hood, you’ll find a 1.5 liter 4 cylinder that is comparable to that of the previous versions. It will again be paired with five speed automatic or manual transmission. Like its competitors, the Fit will be front wheel drive. The Honda Fit was already known for its impressive ride quality, and the new version will be even better. Honda has taken steps to improve the steering and suspension to that end.

Inside this 2009 Honda, you’ll notice increased leg room and cargo space. Not much has changed this year with the already impressive quality of interior materials. This year’s version does, however, offer a few new options. Most notably are the touch screen navigation system and the USB ports for portable devices. Another nice feature inside this car is the 60/40 split folding back seats. This allows for a variety of configurations for passengers and cargo.

The unique look of this vehicle also lends itself to the safety of its occupants. The engineers have attempted to align certain areas of the 2009 Fit to the crumple zones of some larger vehicles. Other safety features are comparable to other vehicles in this class, with the exception of the electronic stability system. This type of technology is rarely found in a vehicle of this size.

The 2009 Honda CR-V offers you something new to crave - a lot in fact. Honda has a stellar reputation for manufacturing planet-loving vehicles that hold their value better than any others. The CR-V by Honda combines sophisticated technology, aerodynamic stylishness, powerful efficiency and raw driving fun to create one of the most utility-based vehicles on the planet. MSRPs start at $21,245, comparable to the Hyundai Santa Fe, and go up. There are 6 trim levels available: the 2WD/4WD LX, 2WD/4WD EX and 2WD/4WD EL-X.

Honda says that their new CR-V for 2009 “looks delicious” with its sleek curves and aerodynamic design standards. This crossover looks and feels comfortable in all settings - whether you are in the backcountry camping or dining at a 5-star restaurant in the middle of the city. Utility and convenience were also at the forefront of the design team’s minds. For instance, the liftgate is lightweight and in a singular piece. It’s made to accommodate simplistic loading - even in the elements. Another cool feature for the CR-V is the powered fold-in side-view mirrors, excellent for those tight parking spaces.

Entering into the 2009 CR-V is a snap with the low step-in height doors. Once inside, you will be rewarded with unanticipated comfort levels and high-quality materials. Spaciousness meets convenience and allows both the driver and passengers to thoroughly enjoy both short and long journeys. Steering wheel-mounted controls make various operations seem effortless and the entire cabin has a high-tech look and feel to it. The Honda Satellite-linked turn-by-turn navigation system is centrally located and features an oversized screen that requires no eye squinting.

Above, you will find a one-touch powered moonroof that is almost as large as the entire roof space. It opens big to allow all occupants to see the sky and breathe loads of fresh air. When it’s closed, the cabin is quiet and solid feeling. External noises are reduced efficiently and the drag coefficient is next to nothing. The 270-watt 7-speaker with subwoofer stereo system offers plenty of ear-thumping pleasure as well. The dual beverage holders are large enough to actually put your travel mug in with no danger of spilling and the abundantly-spacious upper and lower glove boxes ensure that you have more than adequate storage space for all of your necessities. In the rear, the dual-deck cargo shelf compliments the 60/40 split seating to accommodate camping gear, groceries, sports equipment and just about anything else you care to haul.

All trims come stock with a 2.3L 166hp 16-valve aluminum-alloy I4 engine with a standard 5-speed automatic transmission mated to it. They act in conjunction to crank out 161 lb-ft of torque at 4200 rpm. Honda has gone mad with the list of standard safety features included. The NHTSA has awarded the 2009 CR-V with a 5-star rating, again. Fuel efficiency is impressive at 20/27mpg city/highway. Overall, the 2009 Honda CR-V is another big hit. It’s fun. It’s stylish, modern, hip and cool. It’s convenient, safe and filled with utility value. It’s the CR-V and it wants you to crave it!