2008 Honda Accord Newer, Larger and in Charge

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Summary

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.

Full Review 2008 Accord

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.)

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.

Trims and Styling 2008

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 ($20,360) 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 ($21,360) 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 ($800).

The Accord EX Sedan ($23,060), EX Coupe ($23,160), and LX-S Coupe ($21,860) get a higher-revving, 190-hp version of the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. They come with five-speed manual or automatic transmission ($800). The EX Sedan is also available with the V6 and automatic ($25,960). The EX-L Coupe ($28,310) 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 ($25,060), EX-L Coupe ($25,160) 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 ($28,060) and EX-L V6 Coupe ($28,310) 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 ($27,260), EX-L V6 Sedan ($30,260), and EX-L V6 Coupe ($30,510).

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.

Interior Styling

LX models provide pleasing design and materials and a variety of storage areas for modern conveniences and old-fashioned vices. Stepping up to an EX with leather adds features, but the basics like seat design and driver ergonomics are shared by all Accords.

EX-L models come with leather on the seats, steering wheel, shifter and door panels. The extra width of the 2008 Accord translates directly into a wider cabin, especially in front. Rear-seat passengers will have few complaints as few do in large cars. There are no rear reading lamps.

Three interior colors are offered on the sedans, black, gray, and ivory, while the coupe goes black or ivory only. Coupe models make use of the larger door panels by adding a return sweep and pull handle to the armrest trim.

Controls for lights and wipers are on stalks. Controls for sound, climate, and navigation are central below the navigation screen and vents.

First Drive 2008 Accord

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. Of course, the 190-hp 2.4-liter and five-speed manual are the most entertaining of the four-cylinder models and will appeal to that segment of the Accord audience that enjoys driving and believes shifting is done with hands and feet, not thumbs.

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 sedans are rated 19/29 mpg. 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. It's a smooth engine and quieter than the Altima's, more than adequate for any purpose, and uses the latest version of Honda's Variable Cylinder Management (VCM).

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.

Conclusions 2008 Honda Accord

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. There's also next to no learning curve to operate it, no weak spots in the powertrain, no unnecessary or intrusive noise, no bad manners in how it responds to driver direction, next to nothing bad for the environment, and no excuse for not asking directions since you can do that without winding down a window. The 2008 Honda Accord maintains and improves upon the aspects that have made past Accords so great says Edmunds.com.It's a case where a lack of superlative aspects (and the frequent compromises accompanying them) is a very good thing. In short, the new Honda Accord is a great midsize sedan. It's also available as a stylish, trouble-free coupe