2008 Honda Accord

Consumer Guide spent more than 15,000 miles behind the wheel of a 2008 Honda Accord EX.

Every year, a handful of new cars deserve a more in-depth evaluation than a short road test can provide. For this we have Consumer Guide's extended-use test fleet. The editors recently said farewell to our extended-use 2008 Honda Accord after it spent a year in our fleet. Our offices are in suburban Chicago, so extended-use cars are exposed to a full range of seasons and weather conditions and put to use in a variety of real-world situations. Our staff drove the Accord for commuting, running errands, and even for a few midwestern road trips.

For 2008, Honda's popular midsize sedan received a major makeover, and gained passenger space and power as part of the deal. Honda's bread-and-butter sedan rides on a 2.3-inch longer wheelbase and picked up 1.2 inches of width and nearly an inch of height compared to the previous-generation Accord. In spite of the growing dimensions, the sedan didn't pick up any cargo room. Coupes also got bigger; wheelbase was up by 2.8 inches, length increased 3.2 inches, and width was up by 1.2 inches.

Our extended-use Accord was an EX sedan with the 190-horsepower 4-cylinder engine and the 5-speed automatic transmission. Standard safety equipment included ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain side airbags, and front side airbags. Creature comforts included an eight-way power driver's seat, cruise control, air conditioning, power windows and locks, and a tilt and telescopic steering wheel. Additional goodies included on the EX were a power sunroof, a six-disc in-dash CD player with MP3 capability, and 17-inch alloy wheels. Our extended-use Accord EX had a sticker price of $24,530 including the $670 destination fee.

The editors agreed that the 190-horse engine had sufficient power for daily commuting and longer road trips, but some thought the engine didn't really start coming alive until 3,500 rpm. The big Honda four isn't as smooth as many competitive 4-cylinder engines though, and several testers commented about its rough idle quality and associated steering-wheel vibrations.

2008 Honda Accord
Many testers found that the 2008 Honda Accord's center stack held far too many buttons.

On the road, the ride is firm for a midsize sedan, but the editors didn't find it to be harsh or punishing. Steering feel was light, and most testers found it very direct and accurate. Several editors were disappointed by the amount of road and engine noise in the cabin, though the sound levels weren't deemed high enough to be intrusive.

Moving on to the interior, most found excellent head- and legroom upfront. The rear seat legroom is very generous for the class, but six-footers found only adequate headroom. In general, the controls are well placed and clearly marked. Opinions were nearly unanimous that the center stack has way too many buttons on it, but several editors noted that the buttons were well marked and easy to read. Materials quality was judged to be generally good, but several testers mentioned that the black cloth interior quickly became a lint magnet. More than one person was disappointed by the lack of an outside temperature readout. This seems like an odd omission--one is standard on the top-line Accord EX-L--since even most compact sedans include one.

Test-Car Specifications
Model: EX

Engine: 190-horsepower 2.4-liter 4-cylinder

Transmission: 5-speed automatic

Total Miles Driven: 15,076

CG Observed Fuel Economy: 24.02 mpg

Problems During test: None

Base Price: $23,859

Price as Tested: $24,530

Major Options: None
Interior small items storage was better than average, and the large trunk is deep and usefully shaped. But the Accord's intrusive sickle-shaped trunklid hinges, and a one-piece fold-down rear seat back are not up to par when compared to many other midsize sedans.

During its yearlong stay at Consumer Guide, the editors put 15,076 miles on the Accord. Our average fuel economy was 24.02 miles per gallon in mixed city/highway driving. The car did not require any unscheduled service, only regular maintenance.

After a year of testing, we agree that Accord remains a solid choice in its class, but several editors believe the competition is catching up in terms of quality, refinement, and overall value. Still, Accord's rewarding blend of price, performance, and passenger accommodations make it a Best Buy for shoppers in its class.

03.04.2009