Picture Gallery: 2008 Honda Accord Coupe V6 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Discuss
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My week with the Honda Accord Coupe V6 could not come at a better time: it has been almost one year to the day since this 2008 model was revealed in Detroit and almost exactly two years since I reviewed the seventh-generation Accord Coupe V6. The eighth-generation Accord is, once again, larger than its predecessor and the coupe more sculpted than the sedan, with the traditional flowing lines that all coupes should wear.
When launched as a concept in Detroit, I loved it; when the vehicle hit showrooms and pictures started popping up, I wasn’t feeling the design anymore. But now that it is in my driveway I think it looks fabulous — the blue on my tester especially brings out the curves and bold look of this design.
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Powered by Honda’s 3.5 litre V6, the Coupe V6 puts 268 hp and 248lb-ft of torque to the front wheels. My tester is equipped with the standard six-speed manual transmission (A 5-speed automatic is also available for no extra cost on the V6 model).
If you are familiar with Honda’s option packages, throwing out the letters EX-L NAVI will tell you pretty much all you need to know. For those who aren’t familiar, this is the top of the line Accord Coupe with power leather seats, automatic climate control, navigation system, XM satellite radio, 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels, traction control with VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist), 270-watt AM/FM/CD Premium audio system with seven speakers (including subwoofer) and much more.
I haven’t spent a lot of time behind the wheel just yet, but my first impressions are very positive. Although different both inside and out from the previous generation, this car certainly is an evolution in design and feels very familiar in many respects.
2008 Honda Accord Coupe V6
MSRP as tested inc. destination & delivery: $39,680
For more information on Honda and the Accord visit Honda Canada
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Of course, with any coupe, there is a slight lack of headroom in the rear, but the Accord seems to have more than the Altima coupe I tested a few weeks ago; according to the specifications it is a whole 8mm extra, but it feels like more. In the front, the drivers seat is positioned low for extra headroom, although it makes visibility out the front more of a challenge.
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The navigation system and HVAC controls are unbelievably easy to reach and use. The joystick for the audio system and navigation is just a finger’s movement away from the six-speed shifter where, your right hand is bound to rest. For the very lazy, the system can be controlled with one touch of a button on the steering wheel and the voice recognition system.
The only change from the previous-generation Accord that is not to my liking is the new gauge layout for the speedometer and tachometer. Actually, the layout, I believe, is identical; more precisely it’s the illumination of the display both day and night that I don’t like. I prefer the old car’s brightly-lit background. Some may prefer the new accented lighting as overall, it is pretty good.
I’m not sure what Honda will do with the interior of the next generation Accord, except make it larger. It’s darn near perfect!
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This new Accord coupe seems to ride a little firmer/sportier, although this could be almost completely attributed to the larger wheels with lower profile tires. That previous Accord that I drove sported 16-inch wheels, while this new vehicle has rather large 18-inch wheels with sport-oriented tires.
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The transmission feels similar in some ways to the previous generation’s, but is a little notchy in third gear. This seems to be a Honda quirk: I had the same complaint with the Civic Si, but it is outright annoying in the Accord, as you have to forcefully jam the shifter into third gear sometimes.
Acceleration is just as quick as before, if not quicker, and torque steer is plentiful if you pull away with authority. Unlike the old car, this Accord has a wonderful throaty exhaust sound! I found the previous generation’s exhaust too quiet to be sporty, but with this new one, Honda has added a bit of spice with some noise coming on around 3000rpm.
The Accord coupe feels to me like an ideal GT-type vehicle: quick and sporty when you ask for it, but quiet and comfortable on the highway, and with the practicality of five seats (in a pinch) and a generous trunk.
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The only changes I would make to this coupe would be to add something to make it easier to grab the seatbelt as you get in (ala the BMW 3 Series coupe), and a solution for that notchy third gear.
I averaged a very respectable 10.8 L/100km this week in the Accord. With its strong V6 engine and sporting attitude, I consider this very reasonable. I have tested smaller, less powerful cars and achieved much worse fuel economy. The use of regular fuel is a bonus, too, for a vehicle with as much get-up-and-go as the Accord has
Put this car on my list of favourites for 2008; it will take something special to bump it off.
*Rating out of 5:
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*Rating based on vehicle’s classification
2008 Honda Accord Coupe V6
MSRP as tested inc. destination & delivery: $39,680
For more information on Honda and the Accord visit Honda Canada
January 25, 2008, 07:07:18 pm The Accord Coupe should have more rear seat room than the Altima Coupe - after all, it's bigger than the Altima Sedan.
One ergonomic feature I definitely don't like is the deeply-recessed batcave in the dash to house the nav. Totally breaks the flowing lines of the dash, IMHO. And if you don't have the Nav, you're stuck with it anyway. A bit of overkill just for a radio display, no?
Jaeger
Oh - and thank HEAVENS you are testing a manual!
January 26, 2008, 07:31:05 am EZ Rock?? ??
January 26, 2008, 07:52:22 am Fuzz I think Jaeger took that picture randomly off the net -- not sure how hold he is though.
January 26, 2008, 08:13:40 am
January 26, 2008, 09:01:31 am U cheap arses ain't on SAT............
January 26, 2008, 10:58:53 am
Nope. Pic is of my Dad's '08 Accord Sedan - already posted elsewhere on this site. His musical tastes are his own.
I give him a hard time for buying a car with the GT package standard across the model range: Geriatric Transport.
Bottom line is he loves the thing. His second choice was the Toyota Avalon. This should tell you something. Here's hoping the Coupe delivers the sporting goods.
Jaeger
January 26, 2008, 12:45:59 pm Uh, that steering wheel is tres ugly!!
January 28, 2008, 01:07:09 am
January 28, 2008, 08:58:31 am Kudos to Honda for making 18" rims available on the Coupe. I wish Nissan had done the same. Surprised to hear about the notchy shifter - odd that it would only manifest in one gear.
January 28, 2008, 10:24:50 am Well, I hope Honda fixed the electrical problems that had with the 03' Honda Accord Coupe! Remember - the dash radio electrical going out! GPS, may be one more problem that enhances the nightmare from 03'
January 28, 2008, 12:52:38 pm
Doug's answer is pretty spot on, a manual test car is RARE! Besides the transmission the auto and manual are identical including price so I don't see an issue here anyways. I guess you just wish me to be bored silly driving minivans instead.
There are differences between the manual and slushboxed Accord Coupes : the automatic has the cylinder deactivation feature, while the manual does without it. Plus, the manual has different mapping at higher rpm's to enhance engine response.
Oh, and Wing, next time you're feeling bored in a minivan, just master the art of handbrake / parking brake turns with these 4000 lbs utility marvels. Wheeeee !!
January 28, 2008, 01:09:25 pm That would be sweet if they provided something other than a foot brake
January 28, 2008, 01:15:58 pm FOOD BREAK.................
January 28, 2008, 01:37:19 pm
Well, the MPV and the Freestar (!) had real handbrakes, but the footbrake doesn't stop me from sliding the Ody around
January 28, 2008, 01:39:18 pm Hand Release pleeze there are Over 40's on HERE.............
January 29, 2008, 08:33:29 am "The Accord coupe has got to be the best car I have driven this year"
On of my biggest pet peeves is the improper (is there ever a good time?) use of the word "got"..
"The Accord coupe has got to be the best car I have driven this year" sounds SO much better. I don't mean to nit-pick, but it jumped out at me.
And just so I'm keeping this on topic, the accord coupe is a beautiful car. I much prefer the angular lines of this generation to the previous one. That said, the '98-'01 Accord coupes are my favorite.
January 29, 2008, 09:55:26 am So what you are saying is. What I said sounds SO much better than what you said.
Me: "The Accord coupe has got to be the best car I have driven this year"
You:"The Accord coupe has got to be the best car I have driven this year"
Eeeeery.
January 29, 2008, 09:56:40 am HAHAHAH - DAMN!
"The Accord coupe has
gotto be the best car I have driven this year"January 29, 2008, 11:20:08 am does that qualify as a cha ? as in
GOTCHA???January 29, 2008, 11:26:38 am Third gear notchy-ness and in-engagement when cold is eliminated by replacing the MTF with Amsoil.
January 29, 2008, 11:48:04 am You're not alone in your praise of the Accord coupe. I read a head to head comparison review (Edmunds I think) with the Altima coupe and the Honda won just about every catagory hands down.
January 29, 2008, 12:32:41 pm
"The Accord coupe has
gotto be the best car I have driven this year"I like "The Accord coupe has to be the best car I haven't driven this year"
January 29, 2008, 01:31:15 pm cat a gory.................!!!! who hit tha wee pussay Kat
March 18, 2008, 02:48:10 am A 40K accord?
07 A4 Front Trak for about 25K
07 335i coupe for $40K
new A5 coupe for $40K
G35 sport sedan for $33K
Until Honda reflects the strong value of our dollar, there seems to be better alternatives.
Jim
March 19, 2008, 11:09:16 pm Nice site!