2009 Honda Accord Coupe - Review

The Basics:

Criticizing a car with decent looks, good fuel economy, impressive performance, and a great reputation for satisfaction is difficult, and the 2009 Honda Accord Coupe meets all those criteria. Considering that the 2009 Honda Accord Coupe is one of the most satisfying vehicles you can own, TheCarConnection.com's editors struggled to find some dislikes.

The Accord Coupe received a brand-new look last year and completely different body panels from the four-door. The coupe looks to be in a constant state of motion because of the bold character line sweeping from front wheels to rear lamps and the sexy curve of its roof, which also imbue the Accord Coupe with a sleek, modern profile. The new Accord's cockpit is definitely among the best, too; the dashboard is laid out in a sort of dual-cockpit mode, and gauges and controls are particularly well placed.

The base 2009 Honda Accord Coupe comes standard with a 190-hp inline four and a choice of five-speed manual or automatic. The upgraded engine is a beefy, 3.5-liter V-6. It hits a solid 268 horsepower and comes with either a five-speed automatic or a six-speed manual. Honda's powertrains are gems, and the V-6 Coupe is a particularly happy performer, with acceleration times of about eight seconds to 60 mph and 19/28 mpg fuel economy (the four-cylinder gets 22/31 mpg).

Honda engineers have lowered the Accord Coupe's center of gravity. And not leaving well enough alone, engineers also modified the double-wishbone front suspension geometry, while choosing a multilink setup for the rear. Combined with standard 18-inch wheels, the result is a very supple suspension package that seems to soak up bumps almost imperceptibly, without numbing its road feel. The variable gear ratio steering is precise and supple, with a clear, on-center feel.

The 2009 Accord Coupe has seats that are both sporty and comfortable over long distances, and they feature an expanded range of motion. The larger cabin doesn't mean backseats are more easily accessible, but there is more space between front-seat occupants and a larger center armrest. The 2009 Honda Accord Coupe is available with XM Satellite Radio, a navigation system, and Bluetooth.

The 2009 Honda Accord Coupe is an IIHS Top Safety Pick, and NHTSA rates it at five stars for crash protection, save for a four-star rating for passenger side impacts. Anti-lock brakes, six airbags, and active head restraints are standard.