I am well aware of the facts you mention.. But.....
I don't think the comment was intended to be funny. I think it was aimed at trying to con people into believing it was true, and to promote Honda's image.. The Mag prob make a lot of money from advertising via Honda..
And.... very few US car owners are as well read-informed as the people on this Forum.. So they probably take it as read that Honda's are >>>in contention for Car of the Universe.<<< ...
