Business
The new Honda Accord has grown in size and sophistication. It offers two thrifty four-cylinder engines and a 3.5-liter V-6. The V-6 shuts off cylinders to save fuel when needed.
Honda has a winner with redesigned Accord
By Tom Strongman
Saturday, November 10, 2007 9:58 AM CST
Honda's redesigned Accord is a giant step forward. It is technically superior to the car it replaces, it has sophisticated styling and it is more efficient.
When I first drove the 2008 Accord, it was a day-long drive on Cape Cod during the Accord's press launch in June. Most of my driving that day was in a four-cylinder.
I recently drove Honda's flagship sedan, a V-6-powered EX-L, for a more detailed look at the top model. With leather seats and a navigation system, the EX-L competes with entry-level luxury cars from Acura, Lexus and Infiniti. Acura is the American luxury division of Honda.
The new Accord is 3 inches longer, 1.1 inches wider and 0.9 inches taller than last year's model, and the Environmental Protection Agency technically classifies it as a "large car" even though Honda still markets it as a midsize.
Styling is the first thing you notice about the new model. The tightly drawn profile is intentionally conservative, and that makes sense for a car targeted at a wide audience. The front end isn't quite as handsome as the rest of the car, but styling opinions are like noses -- everyone has one.
The Accord coupe is stylistically bolder because it is aimed at a younger audience.
The Accord is available with one of three engines. The majority of buyers will choose one of two four-cylinders, but for those who want the maximum power and smoothness, the 268-horsepower V-6 is the way to go. This engine has 24 more horsepower than last year's. It is commendably free from vibration, and it can run on three, four or six cylinders depending on the load. The rear bank shuts down when the system is running on three cylinders.
Special engine mounts absorb the vibration inherent in this cylinder shutdown mode, and a special microphone emits an opposite frequency to cancel out the booming sound when the engine is operating in four-cylinder mode.
The new car's interior is nicely styled. The EX-L has wood-grain trim, soft leather seats and one of the industry's easiest-to-use navigation systems. The nav system can be operated with voice commands, and the system also has Bluetooth connectivity for cell phones. One thing I missed with the navigation system is a backup camera.
The seats are deeper and wider, and provide excellent support. Rear-seat legroom has been improved by expanding the wheelbase to 110 inches. The trunk is big, but the rear-seat pass-through is fairly narrow. The rear seat can be folded by using release levers in the trunk.
The steering is direct and nicely weighted. Steering-wheel controls for audio and cruise are standard on all models.
Safety items include dual-stage front airbags, side airbags in front and side-curtain airbags. Anti-lock brakes, tire pressure monitoring, vehicle stability control and traction control are also standard.
The base price of the test car was $30,620. With destination charges, the sticker price was $30,895.
The warranty is for three years or 36,000 miles, with a five-year, 60,000-mile powertrain warranty.
Specifications:
Engine: 3.5-liter, 268-horsepower V-6
Transmission: automatic
Wheelbase: 110.2 inches
Curb weight: 3,213 pounds
Base price: $30,260
Price as driven: $30,895
MPG rating: 19 city, 29 highway
Warranty: three years or 36,000 miles, with a five-year, 60,000-mile powertrain warranty