2009 Honda Accord Euro Review

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By Matt Brogan | January 21st, 2009

2009 Honda Accord Euro Review & Road Test

A feeling of refinement that is very hard to rival

Model Tested:

2009 Honda Accord Euro (Base), 2.4-litre, four-cylinder, six-speed manual, sedan – $33,990 (RRP)

Options:

Metallic Paint $395

Pleasing performance & economy; excellent value; sporty look & feel
Lower rearward visibility; poor rural in-glass antenna reception

CarAdvice Rating:

The second generation Accord Euro is one of those cars that you find more to like about each and every time you drive it and, funnily enough, this is true even when stepping down from the range-topping Luxury Navi model into the base model tested this week.

There’s almost nothing I don’t enjoy about the Euro. The looks are modern, angular and fresh but not in a way that will date rapidly.

Clean lines, high shoulders and an upright rear, although common enough, come together with all the right proportions no matter the angle from which the car is viewed.

As well, a lot of thought seems to have gone in to the design, which is something I’ve come to expect from Honda in general, further proving the Euro’s worth in the value for money stakes.

Inside, the comfortable driving position of the Euro’s cockpit feels slightly sporty, which compliments the car’s on road abilities nicely, and with all functionality falling readily to hand, your involvement in the drive can be assured – and enjoyed.

The front seats are of a good size and are very supportive without being tight. Adjustment is by manual control in the base model and offers lumbar support for the driver.

While proportions are generous up front, rear leg room is a little compromised if the front seat passengers are above average height, so if you’re a taller family, taking the kids along on a test drive is strongly advised.

Accord Euro also offers a generous standard feature list, considering the base model’s standing, which includes dual-zone climate control, remote central locking, cruise control, chilled centre console, power windows (all auto up/down), power heated mirrors, height adjustable headlamps, tilt/slide steering wheel and 17-inch alloy wheels.

As well, Honda’s premium audio system with MP3 and WMA compatible six-CD tuner and auxiliary input jack is an excellent unit with great clarity of tone, ample bass (thanks to a parcel shelf mounted sub-woofer) and adequate volume. It also comes equipped with steering wheel mounted controls as standard.

Road holding is above average for the class, and although overly enthusiastic driving will see a hint of understeer creep in to the equation, normal country touring is very pleasant, generally enjoyable and surprisingly comfortable given the more sporty ride Euro offers over the larger, standard Accord.

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There is a touch of road noise evident from the tyres on coarse chip roads though I didn’t find it as bad as that of the Euro Luxury with its 18-inch low profile tyres, food for though if you’ll be travelling on such roads often.

The 148kW, four-cylinder engine boasts 234Nm of torque from 4300rpm (in manual format – 230Nm for automatic variants) which although hardly ground pounding is certainly adequate for the size and intended purpose of the vehicle.

Power delivery is smooth and the six-speed manual very refined though sharper in response once Honda’s i-VTEC (variable valve timing) kicks in meaning down shifts and more revs equals a happier response. I’d also comment at this point that the manual does indeed feel more punchy than the automatic variant already tested.

Similarly, highway or around town cruising in higher gears will afford excellent fuel economy from the 2.4-litre engine, which, although has a preference for 95RON or higher petrol, will reward you with excellent fuel economy – all up, my week returned 9.4 litres per 100km with the majority of my driving in urban areas.

Steering feel is well balanced and feedback weighting is correct for the overall intent of the car. The turning circle of 11.0 metres is exactly class leading, but still offers a decent ease of manoeuvrability when parking.

Stopping comes compliments of discs all-round and with ABS, EBA and EBD as standard, the confidence offered under brakes is impressive. The 17-inch alloy wheels come standard with sticky Yokohama tyres adding to the grippy feel underfoot, all of which manages to halt the 1525kg (tare) Euro from 80km/h in just over 26 metres.

Standard ESP with Traction Control, front, side and curtain airbags and a four-star ANCAP crash rating complete the deal for safety features that again, is above average considering the price tag.

The boot is cavernous at 467-litres and can be extended further with one-touch 60:40 split fold rear seats. If that’s not enough, you can option Euro with a 1200kg (braked) tow kit.

If there had to be a downside to the Euro – and this is being very picky – it’s that the lower rearward visibility is compromised by the car’s rake ( we suggest optioning rear parking sensors) and that the in-glass radio antenna isn’t exactly crystal clear when you’re out of town.

I’d also have preferred fewer speedometer increments to allow easier sighting as there is no purpose in having it marked to 260km/h when the car tops out at around 227km/h – but again, I’m being very picky as this car is seriously hard to fault.

Euro is a great size car that is incredibly generous in appointment for the price. It’s comfortable and generally quiet, looks fantastic both inside and out and offers a feel of refinement from its drive that is very hard to rival within the category.

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

Specifications:

Engine: 2354cc DOHC four-cylinder (16 valve)
Power: 148kW @ 7000rpm
Torque: 234Nm @ 4300rpm
Induction: Multi Point
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Driven Wheels: Front
Brakes: Disc with ABS, EBA & EBD
Top Speed: 227km/h
0-100km/h: 8.89 seconds
0-400m: 16.65 seconds
CO2 Emissions:212g/km (Combined)
Fuel Consumption: 8.9 litres / 100km (Combined ADR)
Fuel Tank Capacity: 65 litres
Fuel Type: 95-98RON petrol
ANCAP Rating: Four-star
Airbags: Dual Front, Side & Curtain
Safety: ESP with Traction Control
Spare Wheel: Full-size steel
Tow Capacity: 1200kg (Braked)
Turning Circle: 11.0 metres
Warranty: Three Year/100,000km
Weight: 1525kg (Tare)
Wheels: Alloy 17 x 7.5-inch

Road Test the Rivals:

FrugalOne

*****PRIMO!*****

I still ptefer the Mazda 6

Cheers

F-0
http://www.caradvice.com.au/20904/2009-honda-accord-euro-review/ Hans

Wheels car of the year. What can I say? Honda is one of those car companies that seldom make a dud car. The fact that Honda still sell luxury versions with a manual option is an added bonus as in my honest humble opinion too many car companies in Australia don’t offer a manual option for their luxury version. I need a medium wagon otherwise this car would be in the garage already… perhaps the next generation Subaru Liberty… but only if they offer a 6 speed manual version on the atmospheric 2.5

Love the attention to detail such as boot hinges that are hidden behind cladding, park brake offset to the right (as it ergonomically should be for ALL thoughtfully designed right hand drive vehicles), door ajar indicator that actually tells which door isn’t closed.

Requiring 95 RON premium is no disadvantage unless you can’t get access to PULP in your local area. During my working holiday in the UK, they ONLY serve 95 and 98 RON PULP. Cars run more efficiently and you get better response. Well worth the 13 cents a litre difference.

I run a Liberty sedan which also has the antenna embedded in the rear windscreen and am also finding poor radio reception in certain rural areas. Perhaps it’s an inherent design fault of that type of antenna system although I usually switch over to the CD stacker when that happens
Fasthonda

A very good review.
The car isn’t perfect but it’s one of the more “muscular”looking cars on the road.
Although you commented on the speedo having too many increments the dials,(including the tacho.) seem quite legible.
Realcars

Why would u buy a Camry?

Bonus that it looks like an Alfa.
pasthondafan

What happened to the good old days when hondas where the best japanese cars available? I do think the Euro is a very good car but it should be better than it is. A 4 star safety rating in 2008 is hardly worth car of the year. Perhaps that is an error as the Euro NCAP website lists the diesel as 5 star but after reading the disapointing ANCAP report on the Honda Civic maybe the accord is not as safe as it should be in 2008.
9.4 l/100km from a manual is ok but not great.

I think i will save myself $10 000 and go with the Mitsubishi Lancer with its strong 5 star safety rating, better ecconomy and awesome warranty, even with its plain plasticy interior it is by far a better buy
crouchy

WOW! Seeing it in red has totally changed my perception…

Im still not a BIG fan of the rear end. Looks a little over done but the front end, the interior, the dynamics, the drive… For this money you wont do better.. Unless GM fall into enough trouble that they start selling HSV clubbys for 30k haha……….dont laugh.
Tom

260kmh might be a tad optimistic.
Tom

Crouchy, brand new SS utes were going for 36 a few months ago… so they arn’t too far off. I’m pretty sure you could pick up a SS sedan for under 40.
Frenchie

Good car, however not sure too many will be sold in manual variant.
Fasthonda

@pasthondafan

Yeah,you go ahead and buy that brick on wheels I’m sure the re-sale value will suprise you down the track and I’m not saying in a good way!
I must say what a strange comparision you’ve made.I may as well say “I think the Jazz is a better buy than the Lancer”because it’s cheaper,more fuel efficient and practical and most likely,just as fast.Whoa!!I’ve just realized that the Jazz is a better car than the EURO Accord.!!!.Your reasoning sucks big time.

Oh! before I forget,a statement from the Euro NCAP result
for the Euro Accord.

“The new Honda Accord achieved the best combined safety rating in its class, in the latest Euro NCAP crash test results. The Accord was awarded the first-ever three star pedestrian rating in the large family class, along with 5 star adult protection and 4 star child protection”
I think the above statement is quite clear.
Alex

Real Cars, exactly how does it look like an Alfa Romeo? It has lots of points and creases for one thing, something the 159 doesn\’t have. I know I\’d never mistake one for an Alfa Romeo.

This is a very good all rounder. I don\’t think the space age design from the Civic converted quite as well to a big car and the front is a touch gawky but over all, I like it. I especially like the door handles. I drove a manual diesel one in the UK and I was very impressed. Very high quality interior and very refined. Australia would do well to bring the diesel here. They should also bring the wagon here. The 6 wagon seems to sell well, I think this would aswell.
I also like that the base model looks very high class, not cheap at all. Well worth the money if this is the segment you are looking in.
Sam

Nice. Hondas are such great cars eh. Good value these days too. Great value compared to that Mitsubishi Lancer VRX that was reviewed the other day. Far superior car I would suspect for a couple of grnad extra.
Alex

Pasthondafan, The Lancer and Accord are in completely different size classes. The Lancer is in the Focus and 3 class, the Accord is in the Mondeo and 6 class. You would save ten thousand only if you bought the base model which doesn’t come with many of the features in the Accord and only a four star safety rating. The Accord gets a five star Euro NCAP rating so you have nothing to worry about.

CA, where did you get the four star crash test from? According to ANCAP, they haven’t tested it. And like Fasthonda wrote, Euro NCAP gave it a glowing report so where do you get your information?
Cupid Stunt

Strange, I personally cannot stand it in Red. No-one here buys flat Red cars except Hilti reps.
Also the UK Honda website gives a towing capacity braked at 1500KG and unbrakes at a low 500Kg.
Still nice anyway and the diesels improved now with better flexibility and I think a little more power.
rocket_v6

the boot is big enough for a lpg.does anybody know any information about lpg conversions for hondas especially this model?????
James

Realcars…

People buy Camrys because its roughly $7,000 AUD less if you compare base prices. Mid spec is about 8~9 grand…

I just want to emphasize that Camry and Accord Euro is not marketed in the same category.

In the US, Honda sells this vehicle under Acura… which is competing with the Lexus, Infinity, BMW, Audi range…

Here in Oz they sell this car under Honda and looking at the price… it is a “premium” 4 cylinder sedan.

With that said, it is really only competing with Mazda 6′s mid spec to high spec models….

Also… I really love this vehicle… I think it is Honda’s best outside of the sporty lineups.
milobob

@ Realcars

I think most people who buy camrys know that it is a bland car, but it serves their purpose from going to A to B with a little comfort for much much less. We got ours for $25.5k DA and the Euro is at least $35k+ for an auto. For us, getting an A to B car for $10k less was a no brainer (not filthy rich so that money goes into the housing loans).

Uhh, just read what james wrote. I ditto that.
http://caradvice.com.au OSU811

HANS…. I do believe the next gen liberty will have a 6sp manual std aswell as upgraded engines and specs. I have also been told it will be bigger with more aggresive styling!, ie pumped out gaurds, so will definately be worth waiting for, should be here by december this year..
milobob

@ Hans

Our camry which has an inglass antenna suffers from poor reception too, but I also blame the mountain beside us and the hills and small valleys.

Also, I thought this car was a 5-star. Guess I was wrong?
HercMax

The Euro’s a great car, however I don’t know what Honda’s positioning is with this car when they’ve endowed the new V6 Accord with over 200kw. Sure it might be tad a heavier and less agile but it’s hell of lot quicker too, and cheaper. Plus it’s a pretty handsome car to boot.
Tony

I have just finished reading the latest Wheels Magazine for the Car of The Year award, which went to the Honda Accord Euro. It is a good report. The top-spec model has the disadvantage of a space saver spare wheel; and the car is very heavy. Honda should try to reduce the weight (use an aluminium bonnet, perhaps) for its mid-term upgrade.
Varster

@ Realcars

Why would you buy a KIA?
simon

Honda builds quality cars. Now if they can get the servicing and spare parts costing down, they will get more sales.
Ryan

Um, excuse me it got a 5 STAR SAFTEY RATING!!! Please correct your review!
FRUGAL—ONE

I rather the Mazda 6, it comes in hatch, sedan and wagon also DIEsel if your stupid enough.

MPS to follow?

The accord has stupid boot goose-neck, should be a strut type.
The accord back seat is useless if you have legs.
The accord needs PULP.
The accord looks like the front and rear where designed by 2 different teams, and they met in the middle.
The accord is overpriced.
The sccord like all haondas is purchased by cocks.
The accord rear door is smallish.
The dash/gauges are hard to look at and understand quickly

FAIL!

Get a Mazda 6 and enjoy the superior vehicle

Cheers

F-0
itsme

Yes i have just come from seeing one of these and compared it to falcon and commondore and lets just say that sitting inside the honda it leaves commondore for dead and falcon is not to bad either, but that interior in the holden are thay serious looks crap and feels crap so dated dont know how there going to keep offloading them
Realcars

Don’t know where u get your Camry pricing from but is only marginally cheaper than a Euro say 2 to 3k at best.

Then again Toyota prices vary wildly from dealer to dealer.

The Kia Grand serves a purpose for a price Varster.If u want to pay another 25k for a Tarago good luck to u.

Taragos are really Fugly as opposed to acceptable looks for the purpose in the KIA.

Alex 156,156!!
Realcars

IMO the Euro is excellent value for money. Actually get a desirable car at a reasonable price.

What is desirable about a Camry?

In a perfect world the Euro should cost the equivalent of two Camrys.
Realcars

A rating system in Camrys instead of stars. What a novel idea!

Honda Euro

Handling……………2 camrys

Style………………5 camrys

Interior…………….6 camrys

Performance………….3 camrys

Economy……………..1.5 camrys
Mark Greenburg

That “Milano Red” paint colour is the oldest colour offered by Honda – it’s been around since at least 1989 and was offered on the Integra at the time. Don’t get me wrong, it still looks good, for a solid (non-metallic/pearl) shade, but nearly 20 years? Time for retirement I say.

Al Juraj

Blue and dark grey are the best colours for this car.

Harry Dixon Balls

How can it get 4.5 steering wheels for a rating. It’s not AWD.

Did CA get inspiration for this after you guys read wheels?
AAA

The car looks big on the outside. But the space at the back is tiny. The standard Accord seems like 10x bigger at the back.

Al Juraj

…but also 10x uglier.

John of Perth

Hans – ” in my honest humble opinion too many car companies in Australia don’t offer a manual option for their luxury version”

This is a major gripe for me too. I don’t want the manual option only offered on base configurations. Unfortunately discussion on it will hijack the thread on the Honda.

However i do believe CA should help us understand where the problem is – if a company was going to do a ‘batch’ run for Australian compliance, do the local importers simply take the easy option and say we will have all in auto please?

Have Australian drivers completely made the change to slushboxes – the stop start traffic issue is only Sydney/Melbourne’s pain not the rest of Oz.

Interesting
Phill

Honda is a non friendly Gay employer…it does not offer partnership benefits that nearly all other automotive employers do. I’d rather look at the VW/Skoda/Audi stable…
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=674330849 lazybones

Realcars gets my vote for this months petrol voucher CA should lose the steering wheel ratings and use the Camry rating system. Maybe we could extend this to include little barinas instead of ANCAP stars?
Charlieman

Simply the best car Honda has ever made. Great styling too… wish subaru would learn a few lessons.
AAA

How about the engine knocking/pinging issue. Have they fixed it? Did they release a new engine computer firmware for it?
SteveH

I believe that some of the cars have an issue with the cam chain tensioner which has been falsely diagnosed by some people as a knocking / pinging issue. My understanding is there will be a fix within the next month.
sexythang

i think its a great buy. quality is quite a bit better than the average honda. great price for base model. wish it were cheaper.
Al Juraj

Pace is pretty much the only flaw of this car. It’s slower than the previous model due to excessive weight gain with only marginal power improvements. While there’s more useful torque now than past Hondas, the auto still struggled on a hillclimb carrying four people. A V6 or the 2.3-litre turbo in the Acura RDX would be greatly appreciated.

This is an otherwise a car well screwed together. It’s something you’d love to take home after a long hard day at work, with comfortable seats, fantastic dashboard and pleasant ride. It’s no BMW in dynamics, but offers more space, power and what-have-you than the cheapest 3-Series, which costs around 20K more. It’s not inferior in design to the Europeans and is a sight to behold parked in South Yarra.
SteveH

Have to agree Al Juraj. I have a new Euro and love it, but if they had a low pressure turbo engine like Volkswagen or Skoda, it would be perfect.
Phill

Anti spam word FORD – The Falcon should have won coty FULLSTOP
Al

The Falcon is bigger, more spacious and way quicker than the Euro, but isn’t as well built and while better hands down than that Commodore, still has some noticeable flaws. The driving position is anything but sporty, and cost-cutting measures are visible given the fact that it doesn’t have rear adjustable headrests and door pockets. The dashboard also isn’t as nice as it could have been.

It is a fine effort from Ford Oz but up until they sand the car’s rough edges, it will have to remain a runner-up.
Simon

This car looks so much better in the flesh.
Goodfa

I think the Honda Euro is a good car but there are two big negatives for me.

1) It only runs on premium fuel which is about 10% more expensive.Taking this into account its fuel running costs would be about as much as a Falcon whilst having less Power/Performance than the Falcon

2) Services are every 10,000 km/6 Months,when 15,000km/12 Months is becoming the Norm.

Taking these two things into account the running costs of the medium size Euro will be very close to a large size Falcon/Commodore.
SB

Engine pinging, cam chain tensioner, whatever. I just wish Honda would hurry up and fix it.The car has been returned 3 times for this issue in 6 months, and there have been a number of excuses, which have included blaming the type of petrol used. I read today in a Sydney newspaper that Honda has said it is caused by ‘fuel and air igniting as the piston travels down the cylinder – the ignition should occur at the top of the piston’. I cannot help but think this is just another excuse.

a_goli

Just wanted to know if the guys who had the “pinging” problem with their vehicles been rectified. I’m from South Africa and had this problem also since Dec ’08 -Jan ’09. (A friend of mine shares my woes incidently…).
Honda SA has replaced the “knock sensors” on our vehicles and the vehicles have not been the same since. Fuel consumption and power has been flactuating. The engine management systems have been re-mapped three times now with no success. Awaiting for the new year now for Honda SA to make a final decision.
They, (Honda SA), have however carried out similar procedures with other Accords with positive results.

Please forward any comments with regards to the above to me: tasria@telkomsa.net if any one of you know what the likely cause of the problem is.

Dave

I m thinking of buying euro luxury with sat nav. Anyone got a good deal lately?
ABMPSV

Why we can not get the diesel Accord Euro??? In Europe just released the new diesel. 2.2 liter engine 132kW, 380Nm, 0-100 km/h in 8.9 sec, top speed 220km/h and 5.8 liter per 100 km average fuel economy.
Anthony

I have just bought a brand new Euro after having my VW Jetta written off by hail,and I looked at every mid size car on the market.
But this one feels and looks like it is from the class above.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE it.
Steven

I have never driven a better car, I would never look at a holden or Ford ever again. I do a lot of country klms, and get to drive the car like I think it should be driven.
If you are thinking of buying a ford or holden, try the Euro first, it is as good as any 6 on the open road.
ray

I have the 2009 HOnda Accord and the climate control really lets the car down. The car should be “its a great car because” instead it is “a good car but…” Outside temp may be 13c inside set for say 23, but for some reason it starts to blow refrigerated air and there doesnt seem to be any way to contro it. Frustrating and disappointing.

Cranky Franky

@ray

Burn it and use the insurance money to buy something half decent. Good luck

larry

the other week i went out to buy myself a car, looked around came across this, realising that this thing costs an arm and a leg and what do you get a 2.4L engine? , had a few options then to chose a real proper large car, not some four cylinder front wheel drive overweighted underpowered no torque 4 cylinder car.
so i drove a fairmont ghia 5.4 2003,2004 and 2005 bf version, really nice cars for under twenty grand, then i tried a vyii calais 5.7, a little quicker than fords, but then i decided to get a VZII SS six speed manual for just under 24 grand, i picked up a car with an engine of gold and i am finally enjoying a real car. 4 cylinder cars are a disappointment. why not just get a cheap 4.0L BA/BF falcon or a VZ commodore or perhaps an Aurion V6 3.5, THEY ARE SO CHEAP NOW!
larry

and by the way Mazda six is very heavy for a FWD vehicle. Its 2.0, 2.3 and 2.5L engines are well underpowered plus are delivering that power via the front end. They are heavy, slow, non responsive, they drink too much petrol, take too much out of your wallet yet give very little in performance. A stock standard EF Falcon GLi 4.0L that costs $1000 will outperform any four cylinder powered car that is Naturally aspirated on the planet both manual and auto. Think about what you can get for your money.

A large family Australian car, a typical Ford Falcon EB-EL-AU-BA-FG have a 4.0L I6 engine, tuned for realiability, drive ability and endless amounts of torque.

These engines have 664cc per cylinder and there are 6 of them, think about it as the ultimate 4, but in a 6 form and BIG!

664cc x 6 = 3984cc or 4.0L

so tell me where on earth can you buy a cheap or the biggest in class four cylinder with 664cc per cylinder or 664 x 4 = 2656cc = 2.7L?

why not just get a BA fairmont ghia or a BF with 6 speed auto for under twenty grant and get a 664 x 6 = 3984cc BIX SIX with 383Nm of torque on RON91 petrol and 190kW on RON petrol or 402Nm on premium Vortex 98 and 198kW on Vortex 98.

so what is more reliable ???? a BA/BF Falcon that makes over 340Nm of torque and over 40kW at just 1000rpm than a crappy Mazda 6 that does not even make 220Nm of torque plus it struggles to achieve that peak at 4500rpm?

think about it.

Get a real car, get a used or a new Ford Falcon I6 or a V8, or even better a VYII Calais 5.7 , they are cheap big and are of the same size as these crappy 4 cylinder cars, they use less petrol, have the power and torque, are safer, safer at overtaking and accelerating in traffic.