subject: Review Honda Accord [print this page] For over twenty years, the Honda Accord has been a constant in the automotive world. It is often the obvious choice as a mid-sized family sedan, and its unmatched reputation for reliability and dependability has made used Honda Accord models the bestselling vehicles in North America. However, we often take the car for granted for these exact reasons. That is a shame because the 2008 redesign further refined in the 2009 model deserves your attention.
The 2009 Honda Accord is available as both a sedan and a coupe. The sedan is available at four trim levels: LX, LX-P, EX, and EX-L. The coupe is available in only three: LX-S, EX, and EX-L. The standard Accord is well equipped including 16-inch wheels, full power accessories, keyless entry, cruise control, and a 6-speaker CD/MP3 audio system.
Inside, Honda lives up to its reputation for high-quality interiors. Sure, the competition has closed the gap, but this is still the segment standard. We particularly enjoy the new seating, which are distinct in design and provide a firmness that serves the driver well over long periods. Our only complaint is that the panel has a cluttered layout, but there is a lot of functionality crammed in here, and this seems to be a problem plaguing mid-size cars of late.
Honda offers the Accord with three engines. There are two version of the 2.4-liter 4-cylinder, one tuned for 177 horsepower, the other for 190 horsepower. A five-speed automatic transmission is optional. At the EX trim levels, Honda offers the 3.5-liter V6 that produces 271 hp and 254 pound feet of torque.
Over the years, Honda has developed a bit of a sporty reputation, but some of that is gone with the 2008 redesign. The Accord does not corner as well as it has in the past, and both 4-cylinder engines are unremarkable. Driving around town, the car shines, and both engines perform adequately. Most should opt for the 190-hp engine since it provides the same fuel economy as its less powerful sibling. The V6 is an impressive upgrade purely in terms of performance, but not so much in terms of price-to-performance ratio. The 190-hp engine is the sweet spot for most would-be Accord owners.
