Eight generations ago the Accord was Honda's
biggest car but no one foresaw it as a large car. Enter the all-new
2008 Honda Accord, a mid-size sedan that's grown enough to move into
the EPA's Large Car segment. Introduced at the same time, is an
all-new, two-door Honda Accord coupe.
The 2008 Honda Accord competes with the Toyota
Camry, Nissan Altima, Ford Fusion, Hyundai Sonata, Mazda 6, Saturn
Aura, and the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The stylish, two-door 2008
Honda Accord coupe competes directly with the Nissan Altima coupe.
Sportiest is the EX-L V6 Coupe with six-speed manual and V6, the
only Accord with that combination; it happens to be the lightest V6
model, giving it the best power to weight ratio, and it comes with
larger anti-roll bars and low-profile 18-inch tires and wheels.
The all-new, 2008 Honda Accord continues
refinement and adds more power, room, safety, and features-to-cost
value. For 2008, the Accord is available with a choice of
four-cylinder and V6 engines, two transmissions, and LX and EX trim
levels. (The hybrid model and V6 sedan with manual transmission have
been dropped.)
2008 Test Drive
The 2008 Honda Accord is an easy drive with
good manners regardless of model, engine or transmission. The Accord
LX 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine matches Nissan's 2.5-liter with a
bit less fuss or raucousness, and a good deal more ponies than the
Camry's four-cylinder. Every Accord compares well against
competitors in terms of mileage and emissions, and runs on regular
unleaded.
That lets a 177-hp 2.4 manual keep up with a
190-hp 2.4 automatic. In terms of fuel economy, all Accord sedans
with four-cylinder engines are EPA-rated 22/31 mpg City/Highway with
the manual, 21/30 mpg with the automatic. Four-cylinder coupes are
rated 22/31 mpg with the manual, 21/30 mpg with the automatic. V6
coupes are rated 19/28 mpg with automatic, 17/25 mpg with the
six-speed manual.
On EX V6 models, a new 3.5-liter engine brings
268 hp with a five-speed automatic, matching the Camry V6 and just a
shade behind the Altima's Z-car-based engine and continuously
variable transmission. Like GM and Chrysler systems designed to save
gas on big V8s, VCM changes the number of engine cylinders working
at any given time and load to save fuel. Coupes with the 190-hp
four-cylinder manual or automatic or the VCM V6 automatic use the
same powertrain setups as the sedans.
2008 Accord Trims and Style
The 2008 Honda Accord is offered in coupe and
sedan forms, with three engine choices.
Accord LX sedans are equipped with a 177-hp 2.4-liter
four-cylinder engine. The LX Sedan comes standard with cloth
upholstery, air conditioning, power mirrors and door locks, variable
intermittent wipers, tilt-and-telescoping steering column and
illuminated wheel-mounted controls, folding rear seats, and an
MP3/WMA/auxiliary input 160-watt sound system. The LX-P Sedan is an
LX with a premium package that adds alloy wheels, a power driver's
seat, power windows, security system, and chrome tailpipe. LX models
come with a choice of five-speed manual or five-speed automatic
transmission.
The Accord EX Sedan, EX Coupe, and LX-S Coupe get a higher-revving, 190-hp
version of the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. They come with
five-speed manual or automatic transmission. The EX Sedan is
also available with the V6 and automatic. The EX-L Coupe is available with the V6 and a choice of five-speed
automatic or six-speed manual transmission.
EX models add active noise cancellation and an
in-dash CD changer, power moonroof, heated mirrors, an interface
dial with scrolling, illuminated switch power windows, premium
interior accents, driver power lumbar adjust, and 17-inch alloy
wheels with P225/50 Michelin tires.
EX-L stands for leather on the seats and steering wheel, but the
EX-L Sedan, EX-L Coupe also get dual-zone automatic climate control,
a 270-watt sound system with subwoofer, heated front seats,
auto-dimming rearview mirror, compass and outside temperature
display. The EX-L V6 Sedan and EX-L V6 Coupe add four-way power
adjust for the front passenger seat. Honda's navigation system is
packaged with voice-activation and steering wheel controls,
Bluetooth, and XM satellite radio on the EX-L Sedan, EX-L V6 Sedan,
and EX-L V6 Coupe.
Safety equipment is standard, with six airbags,
including two-stage front airbags, dual-chamber front side airbags,
side curtain airbags; active front head restraints, electronic
stability control, antilock brakes, and tire pressure monitors.
This latest-generation Honda Accord stays true
to its roots with contemporary yet conservative design highlighted
by a strong character line that slopes down and forward like that of
the Acura TL. The coupe has grown similarly from the last Accord
coupe but you won't confuse it with a large car. The coupe is
sleeker yet still fits the Accord mold. All coupes use projector
headlights, body-color rocker panels and add a passenger side
easy-entry feature for rear seat access.
2008 Conclusions
All-new, the 2008 Honda Accord impresses with
what you don't see, don't feel, and don't hear. There's no gee-whiz
gadget, two-tone animal-on-animal upholstery, or 400-hp engine to
get worked up about. "For now, the Accord reigns as the best of the
best, the benchmark." says
Motor Trend. In our opinion, the new Honda Accord is a great
midsize sedan. It's also available as a stylish, trouble-free coupe