Big Honda Accord With Small Engine
Posted on March 12, 2009
Filed Under Honda Accord News
The 2009 Honda Accord is one of the two most popular mid-size sedans sold in the United States, the other one being the Toyota Camry. Other worthy competitors so far to challenge the pair are the Chevy Malibu, Mazda 6, Ford Fusion and Nissan Altima.
We are testing the Accord LX four-cylinder model, a low-cost, reasonably equipped economical model. Redesigned in 2008, it is larger than its predecessor, and by some measures nearly qualifies as a “large” sedan.
The new Accord shape has lost its bland look and now offers a hint of European style.
   The 2009 Honda Accord |
Engine options are two DOHC four-cylinders and one V-6. The 2.3 liter, 177 hp four-cylinder is only offered on the LX and LX-P models while the 2.3 liter, 190 hp is offered on the EX, EX-L sedans and the LX-S, EX and EX-L Coupes. The 3.5 liter SOHC, VTEC, 271 hp V-6 engine is offered on the EX V-6 and EX-L, V-6 sedans and the EX-L V-6 coupe.
A five-speed manual transmission is standard on the LX and LX-P four-cylinder sedans, the EX and EX-P four-cylinder sedans and the LX-S, EX and EX-L four-cylinder coupe. A six-speed manual transmission is standard on the EX-L V-6 coupe.
A five-speed automatic transmission is standard on the EX and EX-L V-6 sedan and is available on the four-cylinder LX, LX-P, the four-cylinder EX, EX-L sedans and the four-cylinder LX-S, EX, and EX-L coupes.
The power available in the 177 hp test car is fine for most situations, but just adequate for starting off on a hill. As one would expect from Honda, the engine is smooth, quiet and refined, as is the five-speed automatic transmission.
This car handles very well on the side roads and twists, giving a solid, secure feeling to the driver. The ride is big-car comfortable, but on the firm side. On the freeway, tire and wind noise can become tiresome. This problem (especially tire noise) has dogged the Accord for some time now, and Honda should have it on its list for correction.
The interior is well finished in the LX, and with the leather and wood in the EX-L this is a true luxury car. The instrument panel is simple, easy to read and attractive.
Honda engineers remained aware of the importance of fuel economy during their redesign. The EPA has modified its method of determining estimated fuel consumption for 2008, so comparing the 2009 Accord fuel consumption with previous Accords is not appropriate. However, we have reason to believe the new estimates are much more accurate.
The estimated fuel consumption for our tested model is 21 mpg city/30 highway. The estimated fuel consumption for the V-6 models is 19 city/29 highway. Not much of a difference.
Honda offers little in the way of options, but has a plethora of different models to choose from, certainly more than we can cover in any detail.
Basically, the least expensive Accord is the $20,905 four-cylinder LX with manual transmission, while the model we drove (with automatic transmission) is $21,205. The LX models are fairly well equipped with such standard items as keyless remote entry, front and rear head protection air bags, cruise control, tilt and telescoping steering wheel (with “touch controls”), traction and stability control and a tire pressure monitor. The $24,405 four-cylinder EX adds a more powerful 190 hp engine, an alarm system, a moonroof, a six-disc CD changer, power driver seat and alloy wheels. The $26,405 four-cylinder EX-L adds heated seats, heated power mirrors, leather and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
The $26,605 V-6 version of the EX has similar equipment on its four-cylinder counterpart, and the $28,705, V-6 EX-L has similar equipment on the four-cylinder EX-L 4-cyl, except the V-6 gets dual power seats, fog lights and an XM radio. A navigation system adds about $2,000 in the EX-L sedans. The entry level LX-S Coupe is $22,405 and top of the line coupe with navigation comes in at $31,155.
The warranty is 36 months and 36,000 miles, with a power train warranty of six years or 60,000 miles.
This lower cost, well-equipped Accord should be very satisfactory for most buyers and drivers. It is simple, economical and comfortable, with many features usually found on higher priced sedans. For a savings of around $8,000, this car compares well with the top of the line EX models.
The Accord has a strong history of quality, reliability and longevity, which help its sales along. However, this sedan now has some tough competition from the likes of the Fusion, Malibu and of course its old rival, Camry. Honda needs to keep its eye on the ball, so to speak, to keep ahead. You can’t go wrong with this sedan. It does everything most people need in a car.
Motoring since 1952, Austin Lynas has owned 55 cars and at one time raced mini-sedans in England. An aerospace engineer, he was instrumental in developing the anti-skid systems used in British military aircraft that preceded today’s ABS systems. Lynas can be reached by e-mail at austin@sandiegometro.com.
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