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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2008 Honda Accord

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Overview

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2008 Honda Accord Review

By KBB.com Editorial Staff

While the Honda Accord-versus-Toyota Camry debate hasn't sparked nearly as many family feuds or bar-room brawls as Ford vs. Chevy, Coke vs. Pepsi or Mac vs. PC, it is nevertheless one of consumerism's biggest rivalries. Their continuous run as the two best-selling cars in America (the Ford F-150 pickup is the best-selling vehicle) extends back to the second millennium, and they combine to account for roughly 40 percent of sales in a segment that numbers about 20 nameplates. As American, Korean and other Japanese manufacturers continue to roll out worthier and worthier competitors, however, choosing the right midsize sedan is no longer as straightforward as flipping a coin.

You'll Like This Car If...

With styling and performance that splits the difference between the sportier Nissan Altima and softer Toyota Camry, the Honda Accord embodies the very balance that attracts so many buyers to the midsize sedan segment in the first place. In terms of all-around quality and refinement, the Accord registers off the chart.

You May Not Like This Car If...

In a category that offers sportier, softer and lower-priced options, the same well-rounded nature that makes the Accord so appealing to many can make it less attractive to some.

What's New for 2008

The all-new, eighth-generation Honda Accord is roomier, more powerful and more refined than ever, but the proven formula remains unchanged (save for decidedly bolder exterior styling). The coupe variant is the sportiest ever.

Driving the Accord

Driving Impressions The refinement with which the 2008 Honda Accord Sedan delivers its distinctive brand of relaxed enthusiasm is almost uncanny. In pulling away from a stop, plodding along in traffic and...

passing on the highway, the throttle responds to your right foot as if reading your mind, seamlessly delivering exactly as much or as little power as you want. Steering, likewise, is perfectly weighted and the car tracks straight down the highway requiring very little driver input, thanks in part to variable-ratio steering that improves both high-speed cruising and parking-lot maneuverability. Rounding out a theme, braking feel, response and feedback are also top-notch. Topped off by a familiar blend of comfortable cruising and eager handling, the 2008 Honda Accord continues to do the same 'ol thing better than ever.

Favorite Features

Excellent Throttle Response
Even though throttle response isn't exactly a feature, the Accord responds so naturally to the driver's gas pedal inputs that we're compelled to note it here.

Voice-Controlled Navigation System
The Accord's intuitive DVD-based navigation system---featuring an 8-inch screen and Zagat restaurant ratings---is further enhanced by an accurate and easy-to-use voice-recognition system.

2008 Honda Accord Details

Interior

That the inside of the all-new 2008 Honda Accord feels so familiar is a tribute to the outgoing model. An interior volume increase big enough to move the Accord into the EPA's Large Sedan category helps provide room for wider seats and a big, two-arm center console. Every Accord features steering wheel-mounted audio controls and a dial-controlled eight-inch LCD display, while EX models and above offer blue ambient console lighting and highway-hushing active noise control. There are plenty of bins and cubbies throughout and the backseat and trunk qualify as roomy in every dimension.

Exterior

A bolder front end, deeper side sculpting and more pronounced fender flares give the all-new 2008 Honda Accord Sedan a crisper, more substantial look. It's also three inches longer than its predecessor and five inches longer than the Toyota Camry. The base models come well-dressed, and climbing the trim ladder nets different wheels, chrome door handles, chrome exhaust finishers, fog lights and a rear spoiler (coupe only). Beneath it all is Honda's Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure that improves collision compatibility with SUVs, among other advantages. The 2008 Accord Coupe shares the same design elements but to a much sportier effect.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

The standard equipment list for a 2008 Accord LX sedan includes air conditioning, power windows, locks and mirrors, AM/FM/CD/MP3/WMA sound system, auxiliary audio input and steering wheel-mounted audio controls (illuminated). Standard safety equipment includes front, front-side and two-row side-curtain airbags, as well as stability and traction controls and a sophisticated braking system.

Optional Equipment

Features not included in the Accord's base sticker price include a moonroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, navigation system with voice recognition, leather seats, heated front seats, Bluetooth hands-free cell phone compatibility, a 270-watt premium audio system, six-CD changer and XM Satellite Radio.

Under the Hood

The jewel of the Accord Sedan's three-engine lineup is a new 3.5-liter V6 featuring an updated version of Honda's Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) technology that saves fuel by allowing the engine to run on six, four or three cylinders, according to demand. On manual transmission-equipped V6 Accord Coupes, the engine loses VCM and gains increased low- and mid-range power, making it the most powerful engine ever offered in a Honda sold in this country. A freer-breathing exhaust system is the biggest difference between the two four-cylinder engines. A five-speed automatic transmission is available on four-cylinder models and is standard on V6 models. Four-cylinder models sold in California, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont qualify as Partial Zero Emissions Vehicles.

2.4-liter in-line 4
177 horsepower @ 6500 rpm
161 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4300 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/31 (manual), 21/31 (automatic)

2.4-liter in-line 4
190 horsepower @ 7000 rpm
162 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/31 (manual), 21/31 (automatic)

3.5-liter V6
268 horsepower @ 6200 rpm
248 lb.-ft. of torque @ 5000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/29

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2008 Honda Accord Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

8.0

Out of 10

Based on 869 Ratings for the 2008 - 2012 models.

Review this car

Value

8.4/10

Quality

8.2/10
Reliability

8.6/10

Performance

8.3/10
Comfort

8.0/10

Styling

8.6/10

Top 3 in its class and beyond

By Sid (IL) on Tuesday, February 26, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 32,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 8/10
Performance: 7/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 8/10

Pros: "Price, Roomy, Fun to Drive, Mileage, Pretty Cabin"

Cons: "Road Noise, Not Sporty like previous Accord"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"I've had the Accord since January 2011 and I must say that there has not been a single moment when I've regretted this purchase. The car is magnificent, both for short runs as well as long runs and doesn't incur maintenance costs also for a long time. The car is very reliable and grips the road like glue while providing a magnificent comfortable drive. The mileage is very reasonable too and can easily compete against any other car in its segment. Even the basic model (LX) has all the standard features that a person craves for (including Traction Control & ABS.) I only wish that Honda would have curbed the road noise and made the cabin and driving a little sportier- something along the lines of the previous generation of Accord or Civic. Please note though that the Accord (every Honda) takes a while (~10,000 miles or 3 months) to open up- you'll see a drastic improvement in pick-up and mileage when the engine opens up. Until then (and hopefully always,) make sure you don't abuse the car while driving."

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Hondas bad effort at the Luxury market

By shadetree (PA) on Saturday, February 23, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 12,700

10 5.0

overall rating 5 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 5/10
Value: 4/10
Reliability: 6/10
Quality: 6/10
Performance: 2/10
Styling: 3/10
Comfort: 2/10

Pros: "None"

Cons: "Road noise and dash layout"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 2

"This car is fairly reliable. There were some electrical issues at 5000 miles. The interior road noise is worse than my 2011 Chevy Silverado LT with All Terrain tires. The MPG rating is not even close. The best I have done is 23 MPG Hwy. Had a 2006 MB C280 4matic before this and the MB got 27 MPG HWY. The dash layout is horrible. The more I drive it the more I hate it. I'm not impressed with the car from all the hype I got from C&D, Consumer Digest, etc. Very disappointing for a car costing $32K."

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