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2008 Honda Accord Sedan Performance Review

September 2, 2008

PERFORMANCE | 9 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

new 268-hp V-6 is the power champ by a wide margin
Automobile

manual Accords are faster than their automatic counterparts
ConsumerGuide

strong acceleration and fuel economy
Edmunds

throttle responds to your right foot as if reading your mind
Kelley Blue Book

TheCarConnection.com notes few complaints about the 2008 Honda Accord's performance.

Automobile reports that the 2008 Honda Accord Sedan's "powertrain hierarchy starts with a 177-hp four-cylinder and works up to a 190-hp engine...but the new 268-hp V-6 is the power champ by a wide margin." Car and Driver says this 2008 Honda "V-6 model will be the first Honda to offer the long-awaited, all-new i-VTEC V-6."

Edmunds reports that this "wonderfully smooth and powerful 3.5-liter V6 is an excellent engine, producing strong acceleration and fuel economy," but notes that "the 190-hp four-cylinder provides more than enough motivation." ConsumerGuide, however, reports that "several 4-cylinder models tested have suffered from a rough idle and pronounced vibrations felt through the body and steering wheel."

Nonetheless, Kelley Blue Book says that "in pulling away from a stop, plodding along in traffic and passing on the highway, the throttle responds to your right foot as if reading your mind, seamlessly delivering exactly as much or as little power as you want."

Cars.com reports that with the 2008 Honda Accord, four-cylinder engines "can team with either a five-speed manual or a five-speed automatic transmission," but the "V-6 sedan is only available with a five-speed automatic." ConsumerGuide notes that "all manual-transmission Accords are faster than their automatic counterparts, with smooth clutch engagement and a precise feeling shifter."

Edmunds reports that the 2008 Honda Accord's "fuel economy is very impressive. Both four-cylinder engines with automatic transmissions achieve 21 mpg city and 31 mpg highway, while the six-cylinder with the automatic gets 19 mpg city and 29 mpg highway." According to Car and Driver, this 2008 Honda V-6 model "will offer Honda's next generation of cylinder-deactivation technology to reduce emissions below the level of today's already squeaky-clean Accord while keeping Honda's CAFE rating at its near-30-mpg level."

Steering the 2008 Honda Accord Sedan may take some getting used to, according to Automobile: "variable-ratio steering rack that offers nuanced responses just off-center but quickens the ratio near the ends of steering lock, to help you swing into parking spaces a bit quicker." This source also notes that "thanks to a standard strut-tower brace and reasonably stiff suspension, this car doesn't mind corners." Cars.com suggests that the Accord may offer the best of both worlds: "ride quality is an improvement over the outgoing model because it offers softer tuning that should appeal to more family-sedan buyers while still delivering the sporty driving feel the car is known for." Edmunds refers to this as well, saying the Accord’s suspension has a "balanced approach to handling and ride comfort...[maintaining a] traditional mix of both sporty handling and comfort." When it comes to stopping power, "braking feel, response and feedback are also top-notch," according to Kelley Blue Book.

Conclusion

The 2008 Honda Accord offers a nice combination of sporty handling and a quiet, family-oriented ride.

PERFORMANCE | 9 out of 10Expert Quotes:new 268-hp V-6 is the power champ by a wide marginAutomobilemanual Accords are faster than their automatic counterpartsConsumerGuidestrong acceleration and fuel economyEdmundsthrottle responds to your right foot as if reading your mindKelley Blue Book TheCarConnection.com notes few complaints about the 2008 Honda Accord's performance. Automobile reports that the 2008 Honda Accord Sedan's "powertrain hierarchy starts with a 177-hp four-cylinder and works up to a 190-hp engine...but the new 268-hp V-6 is the power champ by a wide margin." Car and Driver says this 2008 Honda "V-6 model will be the first Honda to offer the long-awaited, all-new i-VTEC V-6." Edmunds reports that this "wonderfully smooth and powerful 3.5-liter V6 is an excellent engine, producing strong acceleration and fuel economy," but notes that "the 190-hp four-cylinder provides more than enough motivation." ConsumerGuide, however, reports that "several 4-cylinder models tested have suffered from a rough idle and pronounced vibrations felt through the body and steering wheel." Nonetheless, Kelley Blue Book says that "in pulling away from a stop, plodding along in traffic and passing on the highway, the throttle responds to your right foot as if reading your mind, seamlessly delivering exactly as much or as little power as you want." Cars.com reports that with the 2008 Honda Accord, four-cylinder engines "can team with either a five-speed manual or a five-speed automatic transmission," but the "V-6 sedan is only available with a five-speed automatic." ConsumerGuide notes that "all manual-transmission Accords are faster than their automatic counterparts, with smooth clutch engagement and a precise feeling shifter." Edmunds reports that the 2008 Honda Accord's "fuel economy is very impressive. Both four-cylinder engines with automatic transmissions achieve 21 mpg city and 31 mpg highway, while the six-cylinder with the automatic gets 19 mpg city and 29 mpg highway." According to Car and Driver, this 2008 Honda V-6 model "will offer Honda's next generation of cylinder-deactivation technology to reduce emissions below the level of today's already squeaky-clean Accord while keeping Honda's CAFE rating at its near-30-mpg level." Steering the 2008 Honda Accord Sedan may take some getting used to, according to Automobile: "variable-ratio steering rack that offers nuanced responses just off-center but quickens the ratio near the ends of steering lock, to help you swing into parking spaces a bit quicker." This source also notes that "thanks to a standard strut-tower brace and reasonably stiff suspension, this car doesn't mind corners." Cars.com suggests that the Accord may offer the best of both worlds: "ride quality is an improvement over the outgoing model because it offers softer tuning that should appeal to more family-sedan buyers while still delivering the sporty driving feel the car is known for." Edmunds refers to this as well, saying the Accord’s suspension has a "balanced approach to handling and ride comfort...[maintaining a] traditional mix of both sporty handling and comfort." When it comes to stopping power, "braking feel, response and feedback are also top-notch," according to Kelley Blue Book. ConclusionThe 2008 Honda Accord offers a nice combination of sporty handling and a quiet, family-oriented ride.  2008 HONDA ACCORD STYLING | [8 out of 10] Automobile: "looks pretty fantastic" Car and Driver: "sedan loses some of the distinctive greenhouse shape" Cars.com: "appearance is not very convincing" Edmunds: "eye-catching styling" Kelley Blue Book: "a crisper, more substantial look" ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The 2008 Honda Accord is still one of the most well-rounded mid-size sedans, but the new 2008 Chevrolet Malibu is an especially formidable competitor, with a more distinctive style inside and out and performance to match the Accord. The best-selling Camry is competitive with the Accord in most respects, but its ride is more comfort-oriented and less sporty, and the quality of the interior materials is disappointing relative to the competition. The Fusion appeals to a different type of buyer, with its lean, more masculine design and firmer, more athletic driving feel; it's also a bit smaller. The Passat remains a good competitor, especially with its base 2.0T four-cylinder engine, but spotty reliability and somewhat higher running costs lessen the appeal. Perhaps the closest competitor to the Accord is the Altima, which provides a similar mix of sporty road manners and well-controlled ride quality, plus good styling inside and out.

Next Steps:

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See the Honda Accord Sedan in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997

Comments (8 total)

  1. By bob #1, Posted: 7/3/2008

    2008 honda accord exl-v6

    after having the accord 6 months i find the road noise to be to much for the top of the line Accord. My gas mpg has been in the 25 mpg for my combine driving over 32mpg at 65 on the highway. Styling is not its best feature but you can't buy a car with Nav. leather and a V6 for 30,825 so value is its best feature.

  2. By Tony #2, Posted: 7/7/2008

    2008 Accord

    I like the styling. It certainly has more presence than the old one. I had my EX-L V6 since Sept.2007. I appreciate the large interior (what you want in a family sedan). The steering is awkward at first, but it gets intuitive after use. Brakes are very solid. Hopefully Honda can improve on getting a 6-Speed auto + VCM for even greater fuel economy and also to make the rear suspension more stiff (sags to much with full load, same with my 06 Civic Sedan). I would recommend spending the extra grands for the V6. More power with almost the same fuel economy as the 4-cylinder plus more features. My top pick for a family sedan.

  3. By Ron #3, Posted: 7/13/2008

    Other choices

    I looked at the Accord but bought the Chrysler Sebring. Glad I did, ride, handling and drive is as good as the Accord but less money and getter MPG. The Sebring surpasses the Sticker MPG. I average 38 MPG highway with the Sebring 4 cylinder and have talked to other owners that get about the same. Accord has nothing over the Sebring.

  4. By Chris #4, Posted: 7/31/2008

    Chris

    Chrysler Sebring is a sorry excuse for a vehicle compared to the Honda Accord. Sounds to me like your feeling bad over a purchase you regret. Good luck with that.

  5. By Jim Orwig #5, Posted: 9/26/2008

    2008 HONDA ACCORD

    I just bought a 2008 Accord EXL-V6.Its a great car with the exception of the road noise.I didnt road test on highway before buying it.STUPID MISTAKE.SOUNDS LIKE YOU ARE DRIVING ON RUMBLE STRIPS.Called dealer to tellthem I dont want this noisy car.They agreed that indeed all of them are noisy.I am stuck with this car unless I lose thousands$$$$$$$.THEY WILL DO NOTHING. HOW CAN HONDA PRODUCE A CAR LIKE THIS AND NOT CORRECT NOISE PROBLEM.THIS CAR IS RATED A #2 on AOL auto reviews as a quiet family sedan

  6. By  car care family #6, Posted: 2/27/2009

    2008 Accord

    Well, i don't see anything bad with the Accord at all. My friend has one and it runs smoothly. It has been with him for a long time already and not given him any problems yet

  7. By  car care family #7, Posted: 2/27/2009

    2008 Accord

    Well, i don't see anything bad with the Accord at all. My friend has one and it runs smoothly. It has been with him for a long time already and not given him any problems yet

  8. By Mark #8, Posted: 10/4/2009

    I've had my 2008 Accord EXL for a little over a year, and it is a great car. The car has great lines, very comfortable, great on gas, not a single problem to date. I had a chrysler 300 prior to this vehicle, and the accord blows it away.

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