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2008 Honda Accord Sedan Safety Review

September 2, 2008

SAFETY | 9 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Five stars, front impact protection; five stars, side impact protection--driver; three stars, side impact protection--passenger; five stars, rollover resistance
NHTSA

Good," all crash tests
IIHS

occupants are better protected
Car and Driver

Visibility is good all around in all models
ConsumerGuide

the Accord is an IIHS Top Safety Pick
Mother Proof

As is the case for most Hondas, the 2008 Honda Accord provides excellent levels of safety.

"On the bright side, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rated the Accord Good--its highest rating--all around in crash tests," reports Mother Proof, adding that the 2008 Honda Accord Sedan "is an IIHS Top Safety Pick." This is significant, because IIHS standards are particularly stringent. According to Car and Driver, the 2008 Honda's "body structure...utilizes Honda's 'Advanced Compatibility Engineering' designed to better disperse energy upon impact in a frontal collision, which essentially means occupants are better protected if encased in the eighth-generation Accord."

Cars.com reports that the 2008 Honda Accord is equipped with "six airbags, including side-impact airbags for the front seats and side curtain airbags," as well as "Honda's Vehicle Stability Assist electronic stability system, all-disc antilock brakes and active front head restraints"--all standard equipment.

Nonetheless, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the 2008 Honda Accord Sedan only three stars for rear side impacts—but awarded it five stars in all other tests.

ConsumerGuide reports that "visibility is good all around in all models" of the 2008 Honda.

Conclusion

The rear side impact rating is a concern, but occupants are safer in a 2008 Honda Accord than in many other vehicles.

SAFETY | 9 out of 10Expert Quotes:Five stars, front impact protection; five stars, side impact protection--driver; three stars, side impact protection--passenger; five stars, rollover resistanceNHTSAGood," all crash testsIIHSoccupants are better protectedCar and DriverVisibility is good all around in all modelsConsumerGuidethe Accord is an IIHS Top Safety PickMother Proof As is the case for most Hondas, the 2008 Honda Accord provides excellent levels of safety. "On the bright side, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rated the Accord Good--its highest rating--all around in crash tests," reports Mother Proof, adding that the 2008 Honda Accord Sedan "is an IIHS Top Safety Pick." This is significant, because IIHS standards are particularly stringent. According to Car and Driver, the 2008 Honda's "body structure...utilizes Honda's 'Advanced Compatibility Engineering' designed to better disperse energy upon impact in a frontal collision, which essentially means occupants are better protected if encased in the eighth-generation Accord." Cars.com reports that the 2008 Honda Accord is equipped with "six airbags, including side-impact airbags for the front seats and side curtain airbags," as well as "Honda's Vehicle Stability Assist electronic stability system, all-disc antilock brakes and active front head restraints"--all standard equipment. Nonetheless, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the 2008 Honda Accord Sedan only three stars for rear side impacts—but awarded it five stars in all other tests. ConsumerGuide reports that "visibility is good all around in all models" of the 2008 Honda. ConclusionThe rear side impact rating is a concern, but occupants are safer in a 2008 Honda Accord than in many other vehicles.  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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