Speed bump explosion? Huge Honda Odyssey recall affects 440K minivans. May 20, 2026 3:03 PM PDT The ultimate family road trip surprise: why a heavy bump could trigger your airbag. For millions of suburban families, the Honda Odyssey is the gold standard of soccer-practice transportation - reliable, spacious, and safe. However, a major new safety notice might have parents looking at ordinary speed bumps with a little more suspicion this week. Automotive giant Honda has officially announced a massive Honda Odyssey recall, pulling approximately 440,000 of its signature minivans into dealerships due to a bizarre and potentially dangerous software glitch. According to recent documents released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), certain model years are prone to getting a little too sensitive when the road gets rough. When speed bumps mimic major car crashes. The recall specifically targets 2018 through 2022 model-year Honda Odyssey minivans - totaling exactly 440,830 vehicles. The culprit? A faulty control software system managing the second- and third-row side-curtain airbags. According to federal investigators, if an affected vehicle hits a prominent speed bump, a high curb, or deep potholes with enough force, the computer brains of the car can panic. The system misinterprets the sudden vertical jolt as a rollover or a severe side-impact collision, causing the heavy curtain airbags to deploy instantly. Needless to say, having an airbag explode in your child's face during a routine grocery run because you hit a pothole is a recipe for disaster. So far, Honda has confirmed 25 reported injuries related to this specific defect. A tech glitch hidden in plain sight since 2017. Interestingly, this isn't a brand-new discovery. The timeline of how this Honda Odyssey recall came to fruition shows a classic case of corporate hesitation: * 2017: Honda engineers first notice anomalies in the airbag deployment sensors. * 2021: Internal testing confirms that the minivan's software can misinterpret external road shocks as a real-world crash. At the time, Honda deemed it a non-critical safety issue. * October 2025: The NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) launches an independent probe after consumer complaints mount. * May 2026: Facing federal pressure, Honda resumes internal investigations and officially blinks, issuing the massive recall notice. What should Odyssey owners do next? If your daily driver falls within the 2018-2022 window, don't panic, but do look out for your mailbox. Honda will begin mailing official notification letters to registered owners starting May 25, 2026. The fix is entirely digital and, thankfully, won't require tearing your minivan apart. Owners can take their vehicles to any authorized Honda dealership, where mechanics will perform a free software update to the Airbag Electronic Control Unit (ECU). The patch will calibrate the sensors to differentiate between a nasty New York pothole and an actual side-impact collision. In the meantime, drive carefully over those neighborhood speed bumps!

2026 Hyundai Elantra vs. 2026 Honda Civic in Chatham, ontario. Blog May 20th, 2026 2026 Hyundai Elantra & 2026 Honda Civic comparison at Hyundai of Chatham. The 2026 Hyundai Elantra and the 2026 Honda Civic are both strong contenders in the compact sedan segment. They share many similarities where it counts, such as reliability, efficiency, and comfort, so it's no surprise they are often cross-shopped by drivers around Chatham, ON. But, which one comes out on top in terms of practicality, performance, and technology? The 2026 Hyundai Elantra takes the lead thanks to its wider range of engine options, greater rear-seat space, as well as more tech-forward interior. It also carries a lower starting price compared to the Honda Civic, which helps position it as a more feature-rich, value-focused compact sedan. Not convinced? Continue reading to learn more with its team at Hyundai of Chatham. Read More: 2026 Hyundai Elantra vs. 2026 Honda Civic practicality & conveniences comparison. Both the 2026 Hyundai Elantra and the 2026 Honda Civic come with standard heated front seats and an available heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel, so your hands will thank you in winter. However, the Elantra pulls ahead with its hands-free trunk release. You'll find it on most trims, not just the top-end ones. Walk up to the Elantra with the key fob in your pocket, pause for a second behind the car, and the trunk opens automatically. The Civic does offer a similar feature, but only on the Sport Touring Hybrid trim, meaning you have to step up to the highest trim level and pay extra just to get this feature. Inside, the Elantra also gives rear passengers more space to stretch out, with 947 mm of rear headroom, 964 mm of rear legroom, and 1,282 mm of rear hip room. 2026 Hyundai Elantra vs. 2026 Honda Civic Performance comparison. Engine variety. When it comes to what's under the hood, both the 2026 Hyundai Elantra and the 2026 Honda Civic offer sensible options. You get traditional gas engines and hybrid choices on both sides, and their base numbers are fairly similar. The Elantra's standard setup is a 2.0 L 4-cylinder engine putting out 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. If you're leaning toward better fuel economy, there's also a 1.6 L hybrid option with 139 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. Where Hyundai pulls ahead is by offering a third option: an available turbocharged engine that boosts performance to 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. Honda does not offer a comparable turbocharged upgrade in the lineup this time around. Fuel Economy. Fuel consumption is another area where Hyundai takes the lead. With the gas model, the Elantra comes in at around 7.5 L/100 km in the city and 5.9 L/100 km on the highway. The Civic's gas version is close, so there's no major gap there. However, if you do most of your driving on the highway, the difference becomes more noticeable with the hybrids. The Civic Hybrid is typically higher, at around 5.1 L/100 km, compared to the Elantra Hybrid's 4.5 L/100 km. | 2026 Hyundai Elantra & 2026 Honda Civic Performance Specs | | / | 2026 Hyundai Elantra | 2026 Honda Civic | | Engine Options | 2.0L Gas | 1.6L Turbo | 1.6L Hybrid | 2.0L Gas | 2.0L Hybrid | | Horsepower | 147 | 201 | 139 | 150 | 200 | | Torque (lb-ft) | 132 | 195 | 195 | 133 | 232 | | Fuel Economy (City/Hwy L/100km) | 7.5 / 5.9 | 8.4 / 6.7 | 4.8 / 4.5 | 7.5 / 6.0 | 4.7 / 5.1 | 2026 Hyundai Elantra vs. 2026 Honda Civic technology comparison. Technology-wise, the 2026 Hyundai Elantra feels more modern the moment you sit inside. The dashboard is built around a clean digital layout, highlighted by two available 10.25-inch displays that flow together in one seamless panel. One handles your gauges, while the other takes care of infotainment, and everything sits nicely in your line of sight so you are not constantly looking around the cabin. Moreover, Hyundai also adds smart safety tech into the mix, such as Driver Attention Warning. This system monitors your driving patterns and provides visual and audible alerts if it senses you may be getting tired. Some of other technology features include: * Bose Premium Sound System * Interior Ambient Lighting * Wireless Android Auto & Apple CarPlay * Bluelink Connected Vehicle System * Digital Key * Wireless Charging Pad * And More In contrast, the 2026 Honda Civic also brings a lot of solid technology, but when compared side by side, it leans more toward simplicity than the fully digital feel you get in the Elantra. It covers the essentials well, with features such as: * Standard 7-Inch Touchscreen * Android Auto & Apple CarPlay * Available Bose Sound System * Honda Sensing * Wireless Charging 2026 Hyundai Elantra vs. 2026 Honda Civic verdict. Now that you've taken a closer look at the 2026 Hyundai Elantra and 2026 Honda Civic, the differences start to become clearer. Performance-wise, the Elantra offers more variety overall, with more engine choices and even the performance-focused Elantra N trim. The Civic still delivers a great drive, but overall, it doesn't offer the same level of variety across the lineup. Beyond performance, the Elantra also takes the lead in practical amenities, including more generous rear space as well as a hands-free truck gate for easy access. Inside, the difference in tech is hard to ignore too. The Elantra tends to offer larger displays and a more advanced digital experience compared to the Civic. Price is another factor worth mentioning. The 2026 Elantra starts from $22,999 and goes up to around $32,099, while the Civic typically ranges from about $31,316 to $40,571 depending on the trim. Shop the 2026 Hyundai Elantra at Hyundai of Chatham. Hyundai of Chatham hope this comparison has given you a clearer idea of how the 2026 Hyundai Elantra stacks up against the 2026 Honda Civic. But, if you are still on the fence or need a little more information before making your decision, that is completely okay. Indeed, reading about specs and features is helpful, but nothing really compares to sitting in the driver's seat and taking a vehicle out for a test drive. Whatever you may need, its Hyundai of Chatham team is ready and waiting to assist you!

Honda MSX125 Grom 2026 gets bold new colours and keeps its playful character. May 16, 2026 Honda has completed its 2026 model range updates with the refreshed MSX125 Grom, which arrives with three bold new colour schemes and an even sportier appearance, further reinforcing the appeal of one of the world's most popular compact motorcycles. Following the styling update introduced for the 2025 model year, the new 2026 Grom focuses mainly on fresh paint options and sharper graphics that better highlight the bike's compact and aggressive design. One of the main highlights is the new HRC-inspired Tricolor livery, giving the Grom a stronger racing-inspired identity and positioning it even more clearly as the perfect fun-focused pit bike for urban riding and weekend enjoyment. The new 2026 colour options are: - Pearl Shining Black - Splendid Blue - Gayety Red Since its original launch in 2012, the Grom has become a major global success story for Honda, with more than 863,000 units sold worldwide. Thailand remains the bike's biggest market with around 618,000 units sold, while the United States accounts for more than 93,000 sales and Europe has surpassed 50,000 units. Despite the visual refresh, the core formula remains unchanged. The compact naked bike continues to focus on lightweight dimensions, accessibility and pure riding fun, making it a favourite among new riders and enthusiasts looking for an affordable and entertaining everyday machine. Power still comes from a 125 cc air-cooled SOHC single-cylinder engine with two valves, paired with a five-speed gearbox that improves comfort and flexibility on longer rides. Honda also claims exceptional fuel efficiency figures of just 1.5 l/100 km, equivalent to 65.7 km/l, reinforcing the model's reputation for low running costs. The chassis package retains its 12-inch wheels and upside-down front fork setup, helping deliver surprisingly stable and enjoyable handling despite the bike's tiny dimensions. Equipment remains generous for the category, including a digital LCD display with gear position indicator, rev counter, fuel gauge, clock and dual trip meters. The IMU-controlled braking system also adds an extra layer of rider confidence and safety.