2008 Honda Accord Review
All-new sedan and coupe are bigger and better.
(Continued)
Summary
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. 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
NewCarTestDrive.com correspondent G.R. Whale filed this report from Santa Monica, California.
Model Line Overview
| Model Lineup: | Honda Accord LX Sedan ($20,360); LX-P Sedan ($21,360); LX-S Coupe ($21,860); EX Sedan ($23,060); EX Coupe ($23,160); EX-L Sedan ($25,060); EX-L Coupe ($25,160); EX V6 Sedan ($25,960); EX-L V6 Sedan ($28,060); EX-L V6 Coupe ($28,310) |
| Engines: | 2.4-liter dohc 16-valve inline-4 |
| Transmissions: | 5-speed manual |
| Safety Equipment (standard): | two-stage front airbags, dual-chamber front side airbags, side curtain airbags, active front head restraints; electronic stability control, antilock brakes, tire pressure monitors, daytime running lights |
| Safety Equipment (optional): | none |
| Basic Warranty: | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Assembled In: | Marysville, Ohio; Sayama, Japan |
Specifications As Tested
| Model Tested (MSRP): | Honda Accord EX-L Sedan ($25,060) |
| Standard Equipment: | leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, power steering, power disc brakes, power windows/locks/heated mirrors, moonroof, tilt-and-telescope steering wheel w/illuminated controls, heated front seats, power driver's seat, sliding-top console, cruise control, floor shift, active noise cancellation, 17-inch alloy wheels, 270-watt sound system/CD changer, auto-dimming rearview mirror, six airbags, electronic stability control |
| Options As Tested (MSRP): | voice-activated navigation |
| Destination Charge: | 635 |
| Gas Guzzler Tax: | |
| Price as tested (MSRP) | 27895 |
| Layout: | front-wheel drive |
| Horsepower (hp @ rpm): | 190 @ 7000 |
| Torque (lb.-ft. @ rpm): | 162 @ 4400 |
| Transmission: | 5-speed manual |
| EPA fuel economy, city/hwy: | 21/31 |
| Wheelbase: | 110.2 |
| Length/width/height: | 194.1/72.7/58.1 |
| Track, f/r: | 62.2/62.2 |
| Turning circle: | 37.7 |
| Seating capacity: | 5 |
| Head/hip/leg room, f: | 39.0/56.6/42.5 |
| Head/hip/leg room, m: | |
| Head/hip/leg room, r: | 37.2/54.3/37.2 |
| Cargo volume: | 14.0 |
| Payload: | |
| Towing capacity: | |
| Suspension, f: | independent, coil springs |
| Suspension, r: | independent, coil springs |
| Ground clearance: | 3386 |
| Curb weight: | |
| Tires: | P225/50VR17 |
| Brakes, f/r: | vented disc/disc with ABS, EBD, Brake Assist |
| Fuel capacity: | 18.5 |
• For more information such as specs, prices, and photos of the 2008 Honda Accord, click here: 2008 Honda Accord.
