Overview
The 2008 Honda Accord is completely redesigned, boasting more power and passenger space. The car comes with all new styling and even better quality interiors. It has been launched in 3 variants - Accord 2.4, Accord 2.4 Elegance and Accord 2.4 Inspire with prices of Rs. 16.49 Lakhs & 16.79 Lakhs Rs. 18.14 Lakhs (Ex-Showroom Delhi) respectively. The car comes with an uprated version of the 2.4 litre i-Vtech engine which now delivers 180 PS of power alongwith an 8% increase in fuel efficiency. The engine also meets the EURO IV emission norms.
The new Accord is more spacious than the outgoing car and the length and width of the car has seen an increase of 80mm and 25mm respectively. Eight generations later, the 2008 Accord continues that upward path, but now it is a spacious four-door sedan whose size makes it technically a “large car” according to the Environmental Protection Agency’s measurements.
Interiors & Comfort
Though redesigned, Accord's interior will feel familiar to repeat buyers, and that's a good thing. Big dials and gauges are easy to read. Most major controls are logically placed and have a substantial, quality feel, though a few climate functions are just out of easy reach for the driver. The navigation screen is large, and generally easy to read. The seats are deeper and wider, and provide excellent support.
The base model has no adjustable lumbar support. Honda improved rear-seat legroom by expanding the wheelbase to 110 inches. The trunk is big, but the rear-seat pass-through is fairly narrow. The rear seat can be folded by using release levers in the trunk. The new 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. Backseat passengers enjoy roomy accommodations with good legroom. Like the front ones, the leather rear seats have soft cushioning, and the backrest offers a generous amount of recline.
Ride & Handling
The new Accord's 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. The Accord's four-wheel independent suspension features a double-wishbone design in front and a new multilink setup in back. On the road, the Accord is taut without being punishing, and the sedan recovers quickly without any extra bobbing after hitting a bump or dip in the road. Even though there's noticeable body roll on twisty roads, it's by no means excessive and is counteracted by a sense of stability when driving the car aggressively.
All Accords feel refined and solid. Large bumps bring out some unexpected harshness in most models, but it's never bothersome. V6 coupes have larger wheels and tires. The result for coupes is a firmer ride and notably more impact feel. Accords remain on the sporty side of the midsize class, with light but direct steering and well-controlled lean in corners.
Safety & Features
Safety levels too have been improved, says Honda. The Accord has six airbags, including side-impact airbags for the front seats and side curtain airbags. Honda's Vehicle Stability Assist electronic stability system and active front head restraints are standard. The Accord also features Honda's Advanced Compatibility Engineering body technology that's designed to maximize crash-energy dissipation in a front collision with either taller or shorter vehicles. Additional standard features include air conditioning, cruise control, a CD stereo with an auxiliary input jack for connecting portable music players, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel with audio buttons, and lighted vanity mirrors. Optional electronics include Bluetooth-based cell phone connectivity, XM Satellite Radio and a premium audio system that includes a subwoofer.
Overall
Honda Accord has waged an American revolution of its own since its inception in 1976. As the second-best-selling car in the U.S., Honda's Accord promises to be one of the most significant introductions of the 2008 model year. Honda's best-selling model gets an extensive redesign that includes all-new styling inside and out, a spacious rear seat for the sedan, more standard safety features and more-powerful engines, including an optional V-6 with advanced fuel-saving technology.
Video of Honda Accord: