They say the more things change, the more they stay the same. The all-new 2008 Honda Accord sedan is a case in point.
Since its introduction in 1976, the Accord has changed considerably. For one thing, Honda’s perennial best-seller has grown from “compact” to “midsize” to “large” in the federal government’s official passenger car classification system.
This eighth-generation Accord’s restyled exterior disguises these larger dimensions quite nicely. Open the doors, however, and you’ll find the attractive interior is noticeably roomier, especially in the back seat. A folding rear seatback adds practicality by allowing you to shoehorn longer items into the trunk, though its one-piece design means you can carry a full load of passengers or oversize cargo but not both.
Under the hood, the entry-level Accord gets a 177-horsepower, 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine that delivers lively performance and very good EPA fuel economy estimates. The available 268-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 is both larger and more powerful than the previous generation’s and nearly as fuel efficient as it four-cylinder sibling thanks to cylinder deactivation technology that automatically shuts down and restarts two or three of the engine’s six cylinders. The suspension is tuned to produce a smooth ride, but the car’s handling can best be described as competent.
Add it all up and we think an awful lot of family sedan buyers will be glad to find this thoroughly-remade Accord hasn’t changed all that much after all.
Strengths:
Larger interior with more rear seat legroom
Smooth, fuel-efficient engines
Classy new styling inside and out
Weaknesses:
Confusing layout of audio/climate controls
Folding rear seatback should be split 60/40
Bottom Line:
This all-new Accord is different enough to keep it fresh and familiar enough to please its large and devoted following.
