CD Article: 2008 Honda Accord EX sedan with four-cylinder engine

[CD_Editor]

Today's Test Drive:
Redesigned for 2008, the Honda Accord is bigger and better, says Assistant Editor Jil McIntosh, with a powerful four-cylinder engine that doesn't mean compromising performance for economy.
   

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Read the article | View the photos | All The Test Drives

[JY]

"I tend to change the level of the sound far more often than I do the treble and bass, and it would make sense for the bigger button to take care of that; if you grab for the volume knob quickly, the big function button can actually get in the way."

Hi Jill,

But isn't that what the steering wheel mounted audio controls are for?  I am like you and are always playing with the volume, but I almost never fiddle with the console volume control.

[JY]

I also like the short gear shifter on the new Accord.  I didn't like the tall, bulky shifter on the old one.  Why do a lot automakers make the shifter so long anyways?  It looks so awkward and clunky and only gets in the way..  A short shifter feels more confident even though it really makes no difference.

[articsteve]

Good job. Their 4 cylinder/5 speed is great.  Don't like the V6 because of the cylinder shut down function.  

[Greg B.]

Good job. Their 4 cylinder/5 speed is great.  Don't like the V6 because of the cylinder shut down function.  

Haven't driven those either, huh? How can it be great without a 6-speed tranny? 

Doesn't matter what this car is like -- could be a remake of a '67 Chevy Biscayne with an OHV six and 3 on the tree and the writers would still fawn over it and the lemming-like buyers would still purchases hundreds of thousands of copies.

It amazes me how many consumers will fork over close to $30K for a mainstream sedan with a 4-banger shaker under the hood..

[jcon]

Haven't driven those either, huh? How can it be great without a 6-speed tranny? 

Doesn't matter what this car is like -- could be a remake of a '67 Chevy Biscayne with an OHV six and 3 on the tree and the writers would still fawn over it and the lemming-like buyers would still purchases hundreds of thousands of copies.

It amazes me how many consumers will fork over close to $30K for a mainstream sedan with a 4-banger shaker under the hood..

What's option two? The Malibu (pre '08). That was a horrendous vehicle, very uncomfortable and cheap, cheap, cheap.
Mazda 6 - Styling is fine, but the interior was far below the Accord
Passat - More expensive and far less reliable.
Sebring - See Malibu
Fusion - Cheap interior

The Accord has a great interior (with a lot of features, the ride is smooth, great resale value and the transmission is wonderful. My wife couldn't ask for a more suitable vehicle.

[D70]

Hey Jill,

   The diesel Accord has been selling in the UK for a while and is very well reviewed, part of it quoted below;

"Few manufacturers can match Honda’s enviable reputation as an engine maker: it consistently impresses for reliability, innovation and performance. The new engine is a common-rail, 2204cc in-line four with a twin-cam, four-valve head producing 138bhp and 251lb ft of torque. The intercooled turbocharger uses a variable nozzle to even out boost. There’s no real innovation here, but Honda has been more adventurous with the engine’s construction. Unusually for a diesel, the Accord’s is an all-alloy engine. Honda has developed a new casting technique for the closed-deck construction that retains strength but gives a very light and stiff block. To reduce noise, vibration and harshness the engine features offset cylinders, balancer shafts, an acoustic dampening engine cover, under-engine tray and extra sound-deadening material.

Drive goes to the front wheels through a five-speed manual; there’s no auto. The all-round double-wishbone suspension is retained, as are the hydraulic power steering and 300mm front brakes of the higher-performance petrols."

http://www.autocar.co.uk/CarReviews/RoadTestsDesign/Honda-Accord-2.2-i-CTDi-Executive/205016/

[safristi]

.. YER "YANK"ing our chain here ..it's a MAID inna USA  easy ta IMPORT?

[Spheric]

So according to the article there is nothing wrong with the car ? No flaws, no cons ?

[Blueprint]

So according to the article there is nothing wrong with the car ? No flaws, no cons ?

No V-6 manual sedan, mandatory sunroof with EX, mandatory nav with leather, cheapo trunk hinges...my own gripes.

Car mags seem to miss the crispier handling of the previous gen.  Ody was in for service yesterday, and early in the morning you can kick tires before the sales reps come in.  They had two '07s in (EX-L stick and EX-L V-6 stick), and two '08s (EX sedan auto, EX-L coupe auto).  The new car feels much roomier, and the sedan looks stunning in black on those 17" alloys.  Pricing seems pretty good vs content and what you get.

[carcrazy]

So according to the article there is nothing wrong with the car ? No flaws, no cons ?

Hey, it's a Honda.... Hondas don't have flaws or cons... 

[jww]

So according to the article there is nothing wrong with the car ? No flaws, no cons ?

Hey, it's a Honda.... Hondas don't have flaws or cons... 

Let's not forget the snooty dealers that sell them - it may not be much, but I have yet to have a positive experience with a Honda sales rep no matter where I have looked at them. Such superior attitude that it alone has kept me from ever owning one. I hear many of their service shops are not much better than the sales reps - but of course, I understand that this is all subjective anyway. I am confident that somewhere there is a Honda dealer that treats you like you can afford one of their cars, and doesn't spout on about why you should never ever look at another car because it's all crap otherwise, etc.

[DoubleClutch]

So according to the article there is nothing wrong with the car ? No flaws, no cons ?

Here are just a few of them:

"... if you grab for the volume knob quickly, the big function button can actually get in the way."

"The seats get hard quickly, though, and the rear seat feels more cushioned than the front ones."

"The rear seat folds, but only as a single unit, which isn't nearly as useful as a split-folding seat: you can have cargo or a rear-seat passenger, but not both. It doesn't fold quite flat, either ..."

Overall, I find the article lacked information on driving impressions.

[DoubleClutch]

So according to the article there is nothing wrong with the car ? No flaws, no cons ?

Hey, it's a Honda.... Hondas don't have flaws or cons... 

Let's not forget the snooty dealers that sell them - it may not be much, but I have yet to have a positive experience with a Honda sales rep no matter where I have looked at them. Such superior attitude that it alone has kept me from ever owning one. I hear many of their service shops are not much better than the sales reps - but of course, I understand that this is all subjective anyway. I am confident that somewhere there is a Honda dealer that treats you like you can afford one of their cars, and doesn't spout on about why you should never ever look at another car because it's all crap otherwise, etc.

That's not exactly flaws or cons with the vehicles themselves. In fact I think that speaks volumes about how good Hondas are in general. With such repulsive dealers around Honda can still sell so many of them ... 

[articsteve]

Good job. Their 4 cylinder/5 speed is great.  Don't like the V6 because of the cylinder shut down function.  

Haven't driven those either, huh? How can it be great without a 6-speed tranny?  

Doesn't matter what this car is like -- could be a remake of a '67 Chevy Biscayne with an OHV six and 3 on the tree and the writers would still fawn over it and the lemming-like buyers would still purchases hundreds of thousands of copies.

It amazes me how many consumers will fork over close to $30K for a mainstream sedan with a 4-banger shaker under the hood.

Haven't driven those either, huh? How can it be great without a 6-speed tranny?

I'm guessing November is idiot month on the east coast, huh?  

I drove the exl coupe.  The Honda 2.4 always has had a more refined sound than the Camry 2.4 when you mash it.  It's the same with the 2008.

Dislikes:  the up and down transmission selector. No knee airbag.  That is a real head scratcher.    Compass is not standard on the EXL coupe nor are the fogs.    

It amazes me how many consumers will fork over close to $30K for a mainstream sedan with a 4-banger shaker under the hood.

Those consumers are the smart ones.  Nobody ever becomes a loser buying a Camry or an Accord. If you actually owned one of these Honda 2.4s/5 speed autos then you might figure it out.  It's a sweet combo.  A zillion miles ahead of the domestic stuff.




 

[Mike-NB]

I really can't imagine why Honda uses the old luggage-crusher hinges in the trunk.  That seems so... old and under-engineered.

On the other hand, this is something to hope for:

"Company representatives have also mentioned the possibility of an Accord diesel version, although oil burners have a tendency to remain in Europe and tease us from across the pond; hopefully, if they do produce one, it'll be available here."

If Honda reps ever read this site i have one message for them regarding the diesel: who do I make the cheque payable to?

[johngenx]

No split folding seat?  No Accord for me.  We often use the split folding seat in the Scoob, having to take the three of us and something long, like skis, or IKEA junk, or whatever.  $30K and no split seat?  I thought only the base Yaris had that.

[Greg B.]

I'm guessing November is idiot month on the east coast, huh?  

Unlike your location, where it's 365 days a year, 24/7... 

[mmret]

No split folding seat?  No Accord for me.  We often use the split folding seat in the Scoob, having to take the three of us and something long, like skis, or IKEA junk, or whatever.  $30K and no split seat?  I thought only the base Yaris had that.

Bit of a strange oversight.

Civic has no split fold either, but the TSX does..

[2hondas]

I am seeing more of these. I saw a black one with tint, looked very nice.

Today I saw one in a aweful greenish color.