2008 Honda Accord review

By Karl Peskett | July 13th, 2008

2008 Honda Accord review & road test

Model Tested:

2008 Honda Accord Luxury V6 – $46,990 (RRP)

Options fitted: None

Engine, Comfort, Economy, Space, Quality

Unusual suspension, complex interior

CarAdvice Rating:

Review and photography by - Karl Peskett

We all know the story about the ugly duckling. Have you ever stopped to think whether it applies in all fields of life? Certainly in the world of motoring, it happens forwards and backwards.

I mean, just take a look at the latest version of the Subaru Impreza. That’s the Ugly Duckling story in reverse if ever there was one.

But with Honda’s latest Accord, all is back to normal. In comparison to the previous generation Accord (distinct from the Accord Euro – that was a good looking car), the new model is certainly a beautiful swan.

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The previous iteration looked a little bloated and dowdy, with sad headlights and a droopy design which appealed to cheeseburger munching Septic Tanks. Although the interior was nice, it was the exterior which let the whole thing down. Not so the 2008 model.

It’s a classy design, which is a little rear-heavy, but still looks the goods. Particularly nice is the front end, which combines a modern angular sleekness, with classic inoffensive lines.

The swage line which runs from the front wheelarch to the boot lines up the chrome door handles, and on our test car in black, the whole package looks and feels expensive. So the exterior is as it should be.

But has the interior upgraded, or degraded? Well, an all-new design awaits, and at first glance, all seems well.

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However, you are confronted with a centre stack which makes a Cray Supercomputer look like it was designed by Fisher & Price. Simply put, there’s an overabundance of buttons. It takes a little getting used to, and some forethought might have combined several of the functions into one group of buttons.

Even a touch-screen might be good – although the screen’s positioning might prevent that. Not everyone has go-go-gadget arms.

Still, once you work out where everything lies, it’s easy enough to use. And the satellite navigation is probably one of the most comprehensive units you’ll find on the market today.

Where else do you get a scale which counts down the metres until your next turn-off? You can also have listed your next two or three turns so you can plan ahead. Dialling in the street names is par for the course, and the system even speaks your menu options to you.

So the electronic gizmos are there for anyone who wants to have a play. But for others who just want to travel, the story is good.

First of all, the room is up on the previous version. This Accord is now a full-size car. It may be classed in the medium category, but make no mistake, there’s nothing tiny about the 2008 Accord.

Rear seat passengers will have little complaint (apart from the centre seat which is a little high), with foot, head, and legroom all being acceptable. The front seats, too, are supportive, roomy and comfortable.

Boot space is okay, but what does eat it up is the full-size spare wheel – a rarity these days.

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The driving position is quite good, although one CarAdvice tester did make mention that the steering wheel was a little offset. The wheel itself is almost sporty, with a smaller diameter than most competitors, and a plump (ever so slightly slippery) leather-bound rim.

The steering is on-centre is responsive and accurate, but lightens up off centre. It also tends to fall away in feel as more lock is used. Which almost describes the dynamics, too.
Being that the suspension is firm, you initially drive with more enthusiasm.

Yet the vertical stiffness hides the Accord’s real characteristic – a fair bit of body roll. Once it rolls, it stops at a certain level and just grips. Initially alarming, you learn to trust it.

The handling, therefore is very good, but slalom work would tend to make you sick. Why is it then that over bumps it feels stiff? At least the brakes are good, and the electronic stability control (VSA) works well.

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But it’s the engine which amazes. The 3.5-litre V6 produces 202kW which is more than of the local offerings. And it feels it, too. Okay, it doesn’t have have bucketloads of torque, but what it lacks down low, it more than makes up for at the top end.

From about 3500rpm it’s piling on steam, and once it reaches 5000rpm it’s well and truly in its stride and hauling along. But, the funny thing is, it doesn’t sound like a Honda engine. We were expecting a very refined unit, and what we got had a metallic bark to it, with a hint of harshness. Still, it sounds tuneful, and purposeful, all at the same time.

And it’s also economical. With a cylinder-shutdown function, the V6 will run on three cylinders under light throttle and low load conditions.

The changing from six cylinders to three and back again is completely imperceptible, too. The only way you’ll realise is with the small green Eco light coming up on the dash. Make it your goal to see how long you can keep it on for. And it runs on standard 91RON fuel, too.

The five-speed auto which the engine bolts to does a reasonable job, but can be a little sharp in changes. It’s also a little slow in responding to the paddle-shift inputs. However the throttle response is a nice, if a little sudden in stop-start traffic.

On the whole, the car is an all-round contender in our market. It’s let down a little in areas, but so are all the cars in this price-range. As a competitor to local luxury offerings, the Accord acquits itself well.

With six airbags as standard, plus ABS, traction and stability control, you know it’s going to be safe. Add good fuel economy, good space, good quality and good looks, and you’ve got a good deal.

Accord-ingly, this is a very good car.

2008 Honda Accord

CarAdvice Overall Rating:
How does it Drive:
How does it Look:
How does it Go:

Specifications:

Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Power: 202kW @ 6200rpm
Torque: 339Nm @ 5000rpm
Transmission: Five Speed Automatic
0-100km/h: Not tested
Fuel Consumption: 10.0 litres / 100km (Combined)
Fuel Tank Capacity: 70 litres
Fuel Type: 91RON Unleaded Petrol
Airbags: Front, Side, & Curtain
Safety: ABS, VSA, EBA, EBD,
Tyres: 225/50R17 94V
Weight: 1,650kg
Wheels: 17-inch

http://deleted Alex

Certainly looks better than the new one theyve sent over here. Your “Euro”.
No Name

Don’t agree Alex – that could easily be a Hyundai badge on it. Dull Dull Dull but i’m sure it works reliably.

Where in the UK are you alex – me i’m in Devon.
Paulo

I personally prefer the look of the previous generation.

I agree with No Name with the Hyundai badge and I even see a little of the Mazda 6 (rear) in some of the photos. There is nothing that is going to separate this car from the rest. It’s plain and simple and seems as if little or no design efforts were used at all when building/designing the new accord.
Kenneth

It looks like a copy of Hyundai,a Hondai!!!
o

it looks good overall but i dont like the cheap looking headlamps.wherer are the projectors or xenons even camry has those nice bulb type lights these are jsut old fashion halogen
Myke

In the flesh, it is a very good looking car, especially in black. It would look even better if it received 18′ alloys like the Accord Euro Luxury.
realcars

I knew the AU was ahead of it’s time!!!

Agree silhouette similar to previous Gen Sonata and AU IMO.

Interesting comments about the suspension seems body roll to a point with out the compliance. In the past many Hondas have had suspension without sufficient travel for rough roads also very noisy over course bitumen.

Interesting to see how the Cylinder deactivation tech goes over time. Are the idle pistons disengaged physically some how or are the valves just opened and fuel stopped?
aw

I had a test drive in one of these yesterday, an amazing car. Felt well put together, comfy, great features. Hoping to order one in the next few weeks to replace my current car. Let me tell you, this is a better offering than Holden or Ford can offer. If you don’t believe me, drive one!
realcars

I was stuck behind an old bloke driving a black one last week. He was looking for a street so had time to have a look.
Looked classy and very good panel/paint finish of course.
Baji

There was a silver one driving infront of me today. It had a full body kit with spoiler on it and trust me, it looked awesome. It definitely does look a lot bette in real life than in pictures. I hated it when i saw the first pictures of it, but now its definitely grown on me.
AC COBRA

Honda might be rebadging Hyundia, Sonata carbon copy, I agree No Name, a pretty dull effort from Honda, they are starting to gain styling ideas from that bland boring fridge company called Toyoda..

I would never buy a Honda mainly because the drive is not inspired just like many other Japan manufactured cars at the moment, give me European or Australian made anyday, thanks Honda for giving us another boring product..
TP

Not great looking…. but far better then previous model. Dont know about Honda pricing, maybe Im wrong but the V6 and Accord Euro wit ha 4cylinder seemed to priced against each other.
realcars

Think there is about 8-10k in it?
Drew

I thought the previous model Accord was pretty good looking, but to be honest this new one looks too overdone. The swage line running through the doors and the bangle butt rear, simply just hasn’t worked for me. I was looking at the car at the Honda dealer last week, and wasn’t really impressed. But to each his own I guess…
riceboy

I was a real fan of the previous Accord Euro, but the new Euro went supersized! Now you can barely tell the difference between Accord and Euro… I gave up and bought a fully spec’d up VW Golf GTI instead…
Joober

Agree, pictures don’t do any justice, looks much more better in real life. Although its not something to go whoa at, it looks solid.

I agree with AW, family friend has one, sat in it for a test drive, whilst checking out the interior and was great, superb interior build as I would expect from Honda. Nothing Holden/Ford/Toyota could match.

Realcars, I wouldnt assume they would stop the pistons… It may be more problematic if they did with more variable mechanical parts.
http://deleted Alex

No Name I’m in London and Oxford. I saw one on the road today (im in oz right now) and actually, people are right. It does look like the next gen sonata. Quite cheap looking really. Although I’d still prefer one over one of your commodores or falcons. They are sooooo boring looking. Its funny how people complain about space saver spare wheels but then complain about boot space with a full size. Oh well. Guess I just dont like any of the new Accords. I wish that cylinder deactivation thing would make it into more cars because ive got a friend in London with an Audi R8 and he drives it to work every day but he probably only need like 2 of the 8 cylinders to crawl through central London. And my Range Rover is HORRIBLE in London. Cant wait for the Smart Diesels to come next year.
http://www.geardiary.com Mitchell Oke

Agree with everyone above who mentioned Hyundai, that was my first thought when I saw it.

And was the septic tank remark really necessary?
Reckless1

A V6 which develops maximum torque at a heady 5000rpm is going to slurp fuel dramatically if you ever use those revs, at which time the cyl de-activation would not be deployed.

Power and torque figures are no better than a respectable 2.0l turbo engine, which develops max torque from 1800-5000rpm and max power at 5000rpm.

The reason a car such as this is firm over speed humps and wallows around corners would most likely be down to thin anti-roll bars.

Generally the car has little overall appeal.
oneill3

When I first saw one I thought it was a C Class and after having a better look, it looks like a cross between a 3 series and C Class.
laurie

What’s the cost of service make sure you are sitting down when you do find out

laurie

AW

Let’s see:

First (1000km) Service/Check: Free
Second (10000km) Service: $120
Third (20000km) Service: $140
Fourth (30000km) Service done 2 weeks ago: $140 again.

My last car, (VZ Berlina) cost more at each service. How’s that for Honda’s being really expensive to service. Get your facts straight.

Duck

It’s not ugly but the rear is what let’s it down.

But I agree the interior is to complex, even to look at it!

I read in one of the Wheels Mags Honda want to compete with the Holden Commodore and Falcon due to it’s bigger size. (With the V6).
Adam

The grill is far to ‘strong’ or ‘tough’ looking. It would be better suited on a pick-up. Why do Honda have to make there cars ugly now? they were doing so well.
Fenno

On page two the close-up of the ‘crease’ shows a mis-alignment in the panels. This must be the Thai build quality at it’s best.
Sorry, but its a Sonata.
Seems like Honda might be going through what Mazda did in the 90′s and “plain-up” the styling on their vehicles just to maintain sales.
Buy the Euro. Better car by a long way.
No Name

Whilst I understand cylinder deactivation all it really means is you’ve bought a car with too bigga engine and you don;t really need all the power there is. Most of the time cars are used for commuting in cities where most of the time they won’t, like their owners, be firing on all cylinders. Ha Ha. yes I know the nobbers will be saying “on occasions I need all that power”, bollox I say.
Peter

I have to say… the current model looks really nice. It seems like the Euro became uglier, yet the Accord became rather well proportioned and handsome.

Actually, a lot of the new designs from most manufacturers since the mid 2000s have been looking really good. The early 2000′s spawned a lot of bland and boring looking designs.
AW

I have just ordered one of these. In polished metal (name of colour, aka grey) with black leather. Should be here in a couple of weeks. Can’t wait!
John

I test drove the new Accord and was really impressed with the quiteness and response. The leather interior and controls are more reflective of a BMW or Merc. I ordered one in black with a sports grille and ductail spoiler. The only option missing are 18″ rims.
Great value for money!
AW

Mine just arrived on Friday. What a car. It is superb. I will never buy another Holden or Ford again. This car is amazing, so much so in fact, that I doubt I will want to sell it. I enjoy it more than more relatives BMW’s and Merc’s.

AW

So, almost 2 years into ownership, all is good.

Only complaints have been squeaky brakes, and a rattle in the rear parcel shelf (fixed by Honda at service).

It was certainly the right decision to get this car. It has been trouble free, inexpensive, economical and very comfortable.

Best fuel consumption I’ve seen so far was just over 6l/100km on a run from Sydney to Melbourne.

Neo Utopia

I’d have the Euro over this!

Shak

Sit in the back of the euro and get back to me. The point of a sedan is to have room for the family and luggage, and it seemed to me as if the Euro actually got smaller in the back, whereas my parents Accord is superb in all ways but one. The weird suspension.