2008 Honda Accord Sdn Review

By  Bengt Halvorson, Editor

Side view of 2008 Honda Accord Sdn 4dr I4 Auto Gold
Enlarge Photo

 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"

With few exceptions, TheCarConnection.com's experts note nothing but accolades for the 2008 Honda Accord's styling, though it suffers a bit when compared with its two-door kin.

Car and Driver laments the loss of "the distinctive greenhouse shape and some of the edgy quality" this 2008 Honda shared with the coupe: "Honda, obviously, remains convinced sedans must offer a softer and gentler profile." Cars.com describes this 2008 Honda as "a bit anonymous from certain angles," adding that it is "as assertive as the coupe when viewed head-on, but it loses some presence as you move around to the sides and rear."

On the other hand, Edmunds sings the Honda’s praises: its "eye-catching styling proves that reliable transportation doesn't have to be bland." According to Kelley Blue Book, "a bolder front end, deeper side sculpting and more pronounced fender flares give the all-new 2008 Honda Accord Sedan a crisper, more substantial look."

There are some mixed reviews on the interior, which is noted by ConsumerGuide: "cabin impressions vary widely...woodgrain accents...go a long way toward creating a warm, upscale ambiance, [but] some testers found models without woodgrain trim lacked character."

Cars.com opines that the Accord's "faux aluminum trim has a nice matte finish, but its appearance is not very convincing," while Edmunds considers the "overall design...simple, yet handsome."

Conclusion: The 2008 Honda Accord has a softer, more conservative appeal than its coupe cousin, but it’s still an attractive vehicle.

2008 HONDA ACCORD PERFORMANCE | [9 out of 10]

Automobile: "new 268-hp V-6 is the power champ by a wide margin"
ConsumerGuide: "manual Accords are faster than their automatic counterparts"
Edmunds: "strong acceleration and fuel economy"
Kelley Blue Book: "throttle responds to your right foot as if reading your mind"

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.

2008 HONDA ACCORD COMFORT AND QUALITY | [9 out of 10]

Cars.com: "cabin treads ever-closer to the domain of Honda's luxury brand"
ConsumerGuide: "seats have grown for 2008 and are more comfortable"
Edmunds: "an ample supply of front and rear passenger room"
Kelley Blue Book: "plenty of bins and cubbies throughout"

TheCarConnection.com's experts noted a great deal of positive comments concerning the fit and quality of the 2008 Honda Accord's interior—and found much to praise in firsthand driving experience, too.

ConsumerGuide says that "seats have grown for 2008 and are more comfortable as a result...sedans have good headroom, vast legroom, and comfortable seats...[while] larger door openings and a higher roof contribute to easy entry and exit." Mother Proof, on the other hand, says that the "seats are a bit hard." Nonetheless, Edmunds reports "an ample supply of front and rear passenger room" inside the 2008 Honda Accord Sedan. Kelley Blue Book says that there is "an interior volume increase big enough to move the Accord into the EPA's Large Sedan category, [providing] room for wider seats and a big, two-arm center console."

The 2008 Honda Accord Sedan is not stingy on cargo space either, at least for its class. Mother Proof reports that "the rear seats do fold down, through a lever found in the trunk," providing "14 cubic feet of trunk space, which is at least a cube less than its major competitors," as stated by Edmunds. ConsumerGuide describes this 2008 Honda trunk as "large, deep [and] usefully shaped," while noting that "a smallish opening may prevent loading of bulkier items" and "intrusive hinges force cautious loading of crushable items." Kelley Blue Book assures buyers that "there are plenty of bins and cubbies throughout and the backseat and trunk qualify as roomy in every dimension."

Materials are definitely upscale, according to Mother Proof, which says that the 2008 Honda Accord Sedan's available "leather interior has a sophisticated, tailored look and feel." Cars.com is of similar opinion, stating the "new [2008 Honda] Accord's cabin treads ever-closer to the domain of Honda's luxury brand, Acura, with its use of high-quality materials, good fit and finish."

While this 2008 Honda is "quieter thanks to additional sound-deadening materials and body-stiffening measures" according to Edmunds, ConsumerGuide reports that "road noise is fairly pronounced, with less sound isolation from traffic din than might be expected."

Conclusion: The 2008 Honda Accord provides high levels of comfort, and quality materials and assembly abound inside.

2008 HONDA ACCORD SAFETY | [10 out of 10]

NHTSA: Five stars, front impact protection; five stars, side impact protection--driver; three stars, side impact protection--passenger; five stars, rollover resistance
IIHS: "Good," all crash tests
Car and Driver: "occupants are better protected"
ConsumerGuide: "Visibility is good all around in all models"
Mother Proof: "the Accord is an IIHS Top Safety Pick"

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.

2008 HONDA ACCORD FEATURES | [10 out of 10]

Automobile: "designed to recruit younger buyers"
Cars.com: "optional electronics include Bluetooth-based cell phone connectivity"
Kelley Blue Book: "navigation is further enhanced by voice-recognition system"

TheCarConnection.com's editors note a plethora of features available for the 2008 Honda Accord.

According to Edmunds, "the [2008 Honda Accord] comes in LX, LX-P, EX and EX-L trim levels."

Automobile says that the 2008 Honda is "designed to recruit younger buyers into the Accord fold, and it's aiming at that crowd with a mix of high-tech features." Some of these, according to Edmunds, include "keyless entry, full power accessories, cruise control, a tilt-telescoping steering wheel, fold-down rear seats and a six-speaker stereo with a single CD/MP3 player and an auxiliary audio jack" for the base LX trim.

Higher-level trims for the 2008 Honda Accord Sedan include goodies such as alloy wheels, auto up-down front windows, and a power driver seat. The top-of-the-line EX-L trim "adds leather upholstery, auto-on headlights, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated front seats...satellite radio...[and a] premium stereo system," Edmunds adds.

By the time one reaches the 2008 Honda Accord Sedan's EX-L trim, nearly every option is included. "The lone option is a navigation system available on the EX-L trim level that includes voice-activated controls and Bluetooth" according to Edmunds, with Kelley Blue Book reporting that the 2008 Honda's "intuitive DVD-based navigation system--featuring an 8-inch screen and Zagat restaurant ratings--is further enhanced by an accurate and easy-to-use voice-recognition system."

Conclusion: The 2008 Honda Accord offers a wide range of features, including Bluetooth, a navigation system, and real-time traffic information via satellite radio.

Arrange a test drive, get free price quotes, or read local dealer ratings for 2008 Honda Accord Sdn: