Cars at HNL
#436
Join Date: Nov 2009
Programs: National Exec, HA Pualani Gold
Posts: 599
Very interesting to see some new vehicles in the Exec row. We’ve seen most of the Honda lineup in the fleet, so I guess it was only a matter of time for a Ridgeline to appear.
Hopefully those folks who took the Navigator L don’t have to navigate (no pun intended) some of the tighter Waikiki parking garages. I think they put those larger upgrade vehicles on the line just to keep them rotating. Back when the Town Car was in the fleet, I’d occasionally find one on the Emerald row. When I asked an agent about it, she said the larger vehicles are hit and miss. Sometimes they don’t have enough and other times they can’t give them away because people don’t want to drive something so huge.
Is your Accord Touring the 1.5 or 2.0 model? The one I had was the 1.5 with CVT. I thought it was impressive and deserving of a Premium classification, unlike the previous-gen LX model I had rented.
I’m done renting for 2018, so looking forward to 2019!
Hopefully those folks who took the Navigator L don’t have to navigate (no pun intended) some of the tighter Waikiki parking garages. I think they put those larger upgrade vehicles on the line just to keep them rotating. Back when the Town Car was in the fleet, I’d occasionally find one on the Emerald row. When I asked an agent about it, she said the larger vehicles are hit and miss. Sometimes they don’t have enough and other times they can’t give them away because people don’t want to drive something so huge.
Is your Accord Touring the 1.5 or 2.0 model? The one I had was the 1.5 with CVT. I thought it was impressive and deserving of a Premium classification, unlike the previous-gen LX model I had rented.
I’m done renting for 2018, so looking forward to 2019!
#437
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MCI
Posts: 698
Very interesting to see some new vehicles in the Exec row. We’ve seen most of the Honda lineup in the fleet, so I guess it was only a matter of time for a Ridgeline to appear.
Hopefully those folks who took the Navigator L don’t have to navigate (no pun intended) some of the tighter Waikiki parking garages. I think they put those larger upgrade vehicles on the line just to keep them rotating. Back when the Town Car was in the fleet, I’d occasionally find one on the Emerald row. When I asked an agent about it, she said the larger vehicles are hit and miss. Sometimes they don’t have enough and other times they can’t give them away because people don’t want to drive something so huge.
Is your Accord Touring the 1.5 or 2.0 model? The one I had was the 1.5 with CVT. I thought it was impressive and deserving of a Premium classification, unlike the previous-gen LX model I had rented.
I’m done renting for 2018, so looking forward to 2019!
Hopefully those folks who took the Navigator L don’t have to navigate (no pun intended) some of the tighter Waikiki parking garages. I think they put those larger upgrade vehicles on the line just to keep them rotating. Back when the Town Car was in the fleet, I’d occasionally find one on the Emerald row. When I asked an agent about it, she said the larger vehicles are hit and miss. Sometimes they don’t have enough and other times they can’t give them away because people don’t want to drive something so huge.
Is your Accord Touring the 1.5 or 2.0 model? The one I had was the 1.5 with CVT. I thought it was impressive and deserving of a Premium classification, unlike the previous-gen LX model I had rented.
I’m done renting for 2018, so looking forward to 2019!
I can see the demand AND the off-putting vibe for the large SUVs. Interestingly enough, the two Navigators were both taken by middle aged males who, presumably, were traveling by themselves as they loaded themself and 1 carry on bag into the ginormous SUVs, heh.
And indeed Waikiki and some older Hawaiian parking structures can be an issue. When I was in a Navigator I could not get into certain parking structures due to the height restriction.
My Accord Touring is the 1.5 turbo CVT. Certainly not as sporty as the 2.0T, BUT the model featured a full suite of interior amenities that I think may even be lacking in some luxury brands. Full active safety systems with blind spot and ACC and LKAS, HUD, leather interior, heated AND cooled seats, well-designed infotainment screen with physical knobs for quick volume and tuning changes, the gear shifter is easy and simple to use. Very quick reverse camera with decent quality. The little light surrounding the temp knobs that changes color depending on hot/cold setting is a nice little trick. I think the steering wheel and the partial digital dash is also very well designed and easy to use. Love the new styling and wheels as well and the new headlights (look like LEDs).
The only small gripe I've experienced so far is it seems finnicky when I try to mute the navigation guidance volume (I always mute that as it is actually distracting to me and interrupts the music/radio) and so with this Accord I've muted it (with some menu searching) but it seems that it still lowers the music/radio volume as if to give an upcoming turn guidance but with no voice as I've muted that volume....bit odd of an experience but I may have to drive more and mess with it.
#438
Join Date: Nov 2009
Programs: National Exec, HA Pualani Gold
Posts: 599
I only had my Accord Touring for less than a day, but was also impressed. The main downsides were the hard plastics in the rear (not consistent with the upscale materials on the front doors, so definite cost-cutting there) and the firm ride with the 19” low-profile tires.
Also, I really liked the 19” wheels, but all four were already scuffed with just over 1,000 miles, so can’t imagine what they must look like now!
Also, I really liked the 19” wheels, but all four were already scuffed with just over 1,000 miles, so can’t imagine what they must look like now!
#439
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MCI
Posts: 698
I only had my Accord Touring for less than a day, but was also impressed. The main downsides were the hard plastics in the rear (not consistent with the upscale materials on the front doors, so definite cost-cutting there) and the firm ride with the 19” low-profile tires.
Also, I really liked the 19” wheels, but all four were already scuffed with just over 1,000 miles, so can’t imagine what they must look like now!
Also, I really liked the 19” wheels, but all four were already scuffed with just over 1,000 miles, so can’t imagine what they must look like now!
One of the nearly new Navigators that I got back in June with only about 600 miles ALSO had bad wheel rash in 2 wheels. Given its mileage I likely was only the 2nd renter of that vehicle
#440
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,455
#441
Join Date: Nov 2009
Programs: National Exec, HA Pualani Gold
Posts: 599
Did you get a base S model with cloth seats? Just like the Accords, National stocks a variety of trim levels. I saw a top-end Maxima Platinum at OGG (Maui) once, so that means they are probably in the HNL mix as well.
#442
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,455
I have the same vehicle from MSP right now.
#444
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,455
#445
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,455
Friday 6 pm. Mediocre Executive selection (again). A bunch of Hyundai Santa Fe's. A Toyota Highlander, a Subaru Forrester, a stripped down Accord, and a Ford Edge Titanium. I took the Ford. Nice vehicle, though a bit bigger than I expected.
#446
Join Date: Nov 2009
Programs: National Exec, HA Pualani Gold
Posts: 599
The Highlander is new for HNL. Makes me wonder if we’ll see the ‘19 RAV4 in the HNL fleet too.
#447
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MCI
Posts: 698
I grabbed a 2019 Toyota Camry since I actually never drove this. (a snooze fest as is expected.....)
May go back to checkout what else they have or do another exchange/switch and see what's new out there.
Last edited by ginmqi; Jan 27, 2019 at 7:02 pm
#448
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,455
The Edge Titanium had nice features but a rode very roughly on any kind of uneven surface.
#449
Join Date: May 2006
Location: CGK & PBI
Programs: Cruise addict and AirBNB Plat :)
Posts: 3,312
#450
Join Date: Nov 2009
Programs: National Exec, HA Pualani Gold
Posts: 599
Picked up Saturday afternoon. There was a single car on the Emerald line and about a half-dozen on the Exec line.
Exec line had:
- 2018 Ford Explorer Limited
- 2019 Ford Fusion SE
- VW Beetle Convertible
- 2x 2019 Subaru Forester
- Acura TLX
I had a luxury reservation and was offered a Cadillac XTS (2019 and 2018) or a Range Rover Evoque. I wanted to take the Evoque, but was trying to determine if I could fit 3 large suitcases in the back. There was a larger Range Rover Velar parked next to the Evoque and the agent mentioned it’d be an upcharge.
I figured I’d be able to squeeze into the Evoque, but the agent came back with the key to the Velar and said go ahead and take it. My rentals are booked as Luxury and are for less than a day, so I think that factors into getting these very nice upgrades.
Exec line had:
- 2018 Ford Explorer Limited
- 2019 Ford Fusion SE
- VW Beetle Convertible
- 2x 2019 Subaru Forester
- Acura TLX
I had a luxury reservation and was offered a Cadillac XTS (2019 and 2018) or a Range Rover Evoque. I wanted to take the Evoque, but was trying to determine if I could fit 3 large suitcases in the back. There was a larger Range Rover Velar parked next to the Evoque and the agent mentioned it’d be an upcharge.
I figured I’d be able to squeeze into the Evoque, but the agent came back with the key to the Velar and said go ahead and take it. My rentals are booked as Luxury and are for less than a day, so I think that factors into getting these very nice upgrades.