2008 Honda Accord Reviews

Graham Smith reviews the 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 Honda Accord as a used buy. It's one of Honda's most reliable and classy sedans and it has plenty of fans New They carried the same Accord badge, but the cars, one simply called the Accord, the other the Euro, were quite different. The Euro was mid-sized

Two substantially different Honda Accords were sold in Australia from 2003 onwards; one mid-sized, the other large and almost in the same size class as our home grown Commodores and Falcons.  It's not only the size of these Accords that are different, their dynamics mean they attract buyers with significantly

Judy Omerod has done 90,000 km in her 2006 Accord Euro and says it has been brilliant. It has never given her any trouble; it runs smoothly, accelerates quickly and is easy to manoeuvre in tight spots, and averages 8.6 L/100 km. Robert and Helen Palmer love their 2005 Accord. It is good to drive, comfortable, great

Honda cars have long held a reputation as being a step above other Japanese marques in quality and prestige. Nowhere does this show more than in the medium-large Accord sedans.These days the Honda Accord sells in Australia in two different market segments. One, called Accord Euro, has a real emphasis on sporty handling and has gained a good reputation amongst those who enjoy driving. It gives, precise communicative steering and plenty of road grip. Handling was improved further when an upgraded Euro model arrived in Australia in June 2008.The other variant, simply called the Honda Accord, is larger, American-based and leans in the direction of passenger comfort rather than sporty dynamics.Many owners only drive gently and find the Accord’s characteristics most acceptable. Those drivers with more of a sporting makeup will find these Accords are rather soft and inclined to understeer at relatively slow speeds.Australia is the only country that takes imports of the two significantly different models, showing the high regard in which our country is held by the head office chiefs in Japan.Honda Accords in Australia are four-door sedans (though the European market also has a station wagon variant). Interior space is good, though the Euro is smaller than American Accord so for adults to get comfortable in the rear seat the front seats have to be set a few notches forward.Boot space is good, with a wide, low opening which makes it easy to load. Naturally, the boot in the larger car has greater volume, but the Euro’s luggage area is more than acceptable if only couples are using the car.The Honda tradition of designing cars with good outward visibility makes the Accord easy to drive and park, as well as making it comfortable for young children to see out of. However, crash safety regulations that made thick pillars necessary mean that there's less outwards visibility in the these post-2003 Accord. They aren’t bad, just not as good as the excellent older models. A four-cylinder engine used in the Euro model and the American Accord has a capacity of 2.4 litres. The engine in the Euro is set to a higher state of tune than the one in the American car so need high octane unleaded petrol, the Accord is happy to run on 91, though a diet of 95 does seem to make it feel good.A V6 3.0-litre unit is used in the American Accord, but not in the Euro. The 2008 model change saw an increase in the V6 engine size to 3.5 litres. The newer engine design offers plenty of relaxed torque and uses less fuel than the smaller engine it replaced.The Accord Euro is offered with a six-speed manual to suit its sporting nature, though in Australia most are fitted with a five-speed sequential automatic. The American car is imported only with a five-speed automatic transmission.The Honda dealer network usually concentrates on the major population centres. If you live in the relatively remote country area it might be wise to make inquiries to Honda’s head office, or your local regional office, if you are considering buying one of the cars. Ask about the time it takes to source parts, although this is unlikely to be more than a couple of business days.Honda has worked hard at reducing spare parts costs in recent years. However, the price drops usually apply more to the common parts than to the unusual ones.These are relatively complex cars, especially from the 1998 model, and are best left to professional mechanics. A good amateur, armed with a workshop manual, can tackle some of the routine work.Insurance is generally very reasonable as is only to be expected from a car in this ultra conservative market segment. It will be interesting to see if the new sport-oriented Accord Euro changes the premium structure.WHAT TO LOOK FORThe engine should be all but inaudible at idle, even in the four-cylinder units. Any roughness may indicate problems.Check there are no oily black stains in the exhaust pipe and the surrounding body and bumper. Make sure there isn’t a puff of oily looking smoke from the exhaust when the accelerator is floored after the engine has been idling for a minute or so.Manual gearboxes should move freely with no sticking or crunching on fast gearchanges. Automatics should go into gear promptly and their changes should only be noticeable when you're accelerating hard.During your test drive check the brakes pull the car up evenly without one wheel locking before the others. On cars with ABS, feel for a pulsing through the pedal during very hard braking.Look at the condition of the interior, paying special attention to the top of the dashboard and the rear shelf for sun damage. Fading or cracking in these areas can cause hassles.Rust is not common but may have found its way into cars that have been badly repaired after a crash. If you’re not sure, have a professional check out the car as repairs can be expensive.CAR BUYING TIPCars used by families often have more wear and tear in the boot than those used by couples. The condition of the back seat in a kid carter depends greatly on the amount of discipline the juniors have been taught... 

NEW - Going shopping for an Accord you were confronted with two quite different models bearing the same badge. There was the Accord V6 for those who wanted a more cossetted ride, and the Accord Euro for those who preferred a more spirited, engaging drive.The Euro was smaller than the V6, had sharper handling and only came with a four-cylinder engine, albeit a spirited one. The new model Euro introduced in 2008 looked much the same as its predecessor, but it was in fact all new, with a new platform and a new body to boot. The upside was that it was longer, wider, with a longer wheelbase and wider track, and it was stiffer. On the downside it was heavier.Inside, it was roomy and comfortable for both front and back seat passengers with good leg and headroom, but the boot was rather small, made worse when the full-sized spare wheel ate into the available space, and the back seat couldn't be folded if you wanted to cart long items. New double wishbone suspension appeared at the front and rear with variable rate shock absorbers and there was speed-sensitive steering.The four-cylinder engine was modified for increased power ands a modest increase in torque, with a small reduction in fuel consumption as well. There was a choice of a six-speed manual and a five-speed automatic, and for a few more bucks you could have paddle shifting on the steering wheel.All models had plenty of standard equipment. The base car came with dual-zone air-conditioning, cruise, power windows and heated mirrors, six-CD sound, leather-wrapped steering wheel, alloy wheels and a full-sized spare. Move up to the Luxury and you got leather trim, a sunroof, heated seats, powered front seats, rain-sensitive wipers, high intensity headlamps, front and rear parking sensors and fog lamps. Both were also comprehensively kitted out with safety features with eight airbags, ABS braking and ESP electronic stability control.NOWHonda is a highly respected brand and Accord is a most respected model, one sought after by used car buyers looking for a trouble free run for a number of years, and for good reason. Euro owners have few gripes about their cars, the earliest of which will now have around 75,000 km showing on their odometers.Hondas are generally well engineered and solidly built, so they generally hold up well in the long term, providing they are looked after and well serviced. They have a reputation for being expensive to service and replacement parts are generally held to be on the expensive side, but by using an independent Honda mechanic to maintain your car, particularly once the warranty has run out, those concerns can be alleviated.Make sure the car you are considering purchasing has been regularly maintained with oil and filter changes as recommended by the factory. Honda engines, like all modern engines, require a diet of fresh oil to stay healthy. Skip oil changes and you're risking a major meltdown when its vital arteries inevitably clog up and restrict the oil flow. The Euro requires Premium unleaded, so be prepared to pay a few cents extra at the pump.SMITHY SAYSWell built, with sporty handling and a zippy engine, the Accord Euro is for the driver in the family. Buy with confidence.Honda Accord Euro 2008-2011Price new: $34,990 to $44,990Engine: 2.4-litre, 4-cylinder, 148 kW/230 NmTransmission: 5-speed auto, 6-speed man, FWDEconomy: 8.9 L/100 km, PULPBody: 4-door sedanVariants: Base, Luxury, Luxury NaviSafety: 5-star ANCAP

The Accord V6 was so different to the Accord Euro that shared Honda showrooms that it could well have come from a completely different maker. The V6 was bigger and plusher than the svelte, agile Euro; it was also quieter and more comfortable. That might suggest that it was less assured on the road, but it wasn't, it actually performed well on all levels.Inside, the cabin was airy and spacious and rear seat passengers had all the room they needed to be comfortable. Under the hood it had a sophisticated V6 that delivered plenty of punch along with a good dose of torque that made it a smooth, pleasantdriver in all situations. The V6 was coupled to a smooth-shifting five-speed auto, there was no manual gearbox offered, but you wouldn't want a manual in the V6.Honda's claim of 10.6 L/100 km was reasonable for a V6 of the  Accord's size. On the road the ride was comfortable on all surfaces and the handling reassuring and quite responsive with light steering that still afforded the driver plenty of road feel. The level of standard equipment was quite good with dual-zone air-conditioning, cruise control, remote central locking with alarm, six-stack CD player, steering wheel controls, fold-down rear seat. If that wasn't enough you could step up to the Luxury and enjoy a powered sunroof, powered driver's seat and leather upholstery.In general Hondas are well built and perform well over time and but for a couple of issues that can affect it the Accord V6 is no exception. On average a 2003 V6 Accord has now done around 125,000 km, so it's reached the stage of its life that you would anticipate that problems could arise. Hondas do need to be religiously serviced, if they're not that's when problems can occur. It's also important to stick with Honda's recommendations for the oils and lubricants when having them serviced.One thing that does crop up on occasions is the automatic transmission, which is regarded to have questionable durability. One owner we heard from had the automatic transmission in his 2005 V6 quite while driving along the Hume Highway. The diagnosis was that the transmission needed to be replaced. It's a good policy to have automatic transmissions serviced regularly, and it seems that it's even more important when it's a Honda. When it is serviced it's critical that the correct Honda-recommended transmission fluid be used. Using oil other than that recommended is to court disaster.Honda paint, at least some colours, appears to fade worse than other makes and models. Avoid red, that's the worst. When checking a car for possible purchase, check its service record, if it isn't complete or up to date walk away.Well-built, good driving and comfortable sedan but be aware of potential auto issues.

When you've hit the mark with a new car, as Honda did with the Accord Euro in 2003, there's little reason to make major changes to it.So, when it came to renewing it in 2008 Honda chose an evolutionary approach rather than a radical one. The new Accord Euro was longer, wider with a wider track, and sat lower, which gave it a much more stable grasp on the road.A stiffer body and a new rear suspension helped make it more agile and responsive. Inside, it was roomy enough in the front, but lacked space for rear seat passengers who wanted to stretch out.One engine was offered, it was a 2.4-litre double overhead camshaft four-cylinder pumping out a useful 148 kW and 230 Nm, which was slightly more than was on tap in the previous model.Performance was, let's say, sufficient. It wasn't blindingly fast,but was smooth and unfussed with either the six-speed manual gearbox or five-speed automatic that were the available transmission choices. Three models were offered, the base model Euro, the Euro Luxury and the Euro Luxury Navi.All were well equipped, even the base model, which had cruise, auto air, 10-speaker CD sound, reach-and-rake steering adjustment, active head rests, power mirrors and windows, and cloth trim.Climb one step on the model ladder and you got the Luxury with sunroof, leather trim, heated seats, eight-way power seats, rain-sensing wipers, fog lights, and front and rear parking sensors. Step up further, to the Luxury Navi and you drove away with an Alpine navigation system, Bluetooth readiness and a reversing camera.IN THE SHOPThe Accord Euro is well built and to date is proving to be reliable in the field. There's a lack of complaint to Carsguide from owners confirming the car's reputation for reliability. Servicing is a must with Hondas; they don't appreciate being neglected in that area so ask to see a service record. Check also for evidence of a crash, particularly where the repairs haven't been up to scratch.IN A CRASHANCAP handed the Accord Euro four stars out of a possible five, but it was still well equipped with safety features with dual front   airbags, head airbags, side front airbags, ABS brakes and stability   control.UNDER THE PUMPThe claimed average of 8.9 L/100 km is quite good for its class and size, but the recommended 95-octane fuel requirement takes some of the gloss off.AT A GLANCEPrice new: $34,990 to $44,990Engine: 2.4-litre 4-cylinder petrol; 148 kW/230 NmTransmission: 6-speed manual; 5-speed auto, front-wheel driveEconomy: 8.9 L/100 kmBody: 4-door sedan Variants: Euro, Euro Luxury,Euro Luxury NaviSafety: 4-star ANCAP

Honda's latest Accord strikes deep into homegrown territory.It is similar in size to Commodore, Falcon and Aurion, comes loaded with equipment, a choice of four and V6 engines, and is priced to hit the locals where it hurts.And the V6 is clever enough to run on six, four or three cylinders, to save fuel.This eighth-generation Accord is aimed at buyers looking for a large car at a keen price, with what Honda claims will be low running costs and a high retained value.Prices reflect the free-trade agreement — no 10 per cent import tax — with Thailand, where the Accord is built.There are two 2.4-litre, four-cylinder models, the VTi at $29,990 and the VTi-L at $36,490, and two 3.5-litre V6 models, the V6 at $38,490 and the V6-L at $46,990.The new Accord is a larger car all round and a genuine adult five-seater.Park it alongside its local rivals and it doesn't look any bigger, but it is 51mm longer than a Commodore, 15mm longer than a Falcon and bigger all round than an Aurion.However the width is trimmer — 54mm narrower than a Commodore and 18mm narrower than a Falcon.Behind the wheel it doesn't look or feel as big as the locals, due to the chamfered corners, wraparound lights, curved bumpers, slim roof pillars and a sloping tail.Boot volume doesn't match the locals, but it does have a full-sized spare wheel.The 2.4-litre, four-cylinder version is, as expected, no fireball. But it does its job admirably.Tweaking the variable valve timing has helped lift power and improved fuel economy.Output from the 2.4-litre engine is up 8kW to 133kW, and up 4Nm to 222Nm. Its combined fuel economy (standard unleaded) has improved 8 per cent, to 8.8 litres/100km.Complementing the engine is the decisive and intuitive five-speed automatic.Acceleration and mid-range response are brisk enough once it gets into stride and it cruises easily on the open road.It is also relatively quiet and composed.The transmission has an S (sports) slot below D (drive) and steering-wheel paddle shifters.In S it operates in the first three ratios only, or by triggering the paddle shifts, allows manual selection of all five ratios.The paddle shifts can also be activated in drive. This is useful when slowing, and reverts back to full auto after five seconds.The upgraded V6 is a worthy rival to the Aurion for response and smoothness.A lift in capacity, from 3.0 to 3.5 litres, has increased power by 25kW to 202kW and torque by 52Nm to 395Nm.This just pips the Aurion as the most powerful engine in its class.Step-off response is lively and the punch continues seamlessly through to maximum revs.It also has the advantage of a three-mode cylinder deactivation system, to improve fuel economy.Under load the engine fires on all six cylinders. When cruising and at light throttle it runs on three cylinders and in between it runs on four cylinders.The transition is automatic and silent, apart from a slight exhaust growl on trailing throttle.Whenever the green `Eco' light comes on, on light or trailing throttle, the driver gets a warm fuzzy feeling.Honda says fuel economy improves 6 per cent over the previous V6 to 10 litres/100km on the combined cycle, marginally above the Aurion.Dynamically the Accord is a safe and reassuring car to drive, although enthusiastic drivers will be left looking for more.The suspension is set up to deliver a smooth and compliant ride over all surfaces and confident and secure handling.Steering is light and accurate enough and the brakes confident.The interior is attractive, with well-placed controls, high-quality trim and plenty of storage.The driving position suits all sizes, the seats are supportive and head and legroom are generous for five adults.Standard equipment includes stability control, front and side airbags, traction control, dual-zone climate control, a five-speed automatic transmission, cruise control, steering wheel paddle shifters and audio controls, a six-CD 160W audio system, steering wheel audio controls, power windows and alloy wheels, but no trip computer.The rear seat folds and has a ski-port, but no split fold.Parking sensors are an option on all models.The VTi Luxury adds heated front seats, the V6 lumbar support for the driver and side mirror indicators and the V6 Luxury adds satellite navigation, a reverse camera and a trip computer.Maximum towing weight is 1200kg, or 400kg below its rivals.

There is nothing radical about the new Honda Accord Euro. It's evolution over revolution — a philosophy Honda has made something of a catchcry — after the big breakthrough with the first Euro five years ago.Even the price will be much the same, with a small increase on the current $33,990 base when cars arrive next month.The sportier four-cylinder Accord Euro will again sell alongside the US-styled wide-bodied V6 car in a two-pronged strategy that has worked well in Australia.This time the Accord Euro changes are more subtle, the improvements more focused and the outcomes less radical. And that is just fine with Honda Australia boss Lindsay Smalley.“The original Accord Euro hit a mark for us. There have been 45,000 Accord Euros sold since mid-2003, making it out best-selling sedan,” says Smalley, speaking at the international launch in Vienna.“To make radical changes to something that successful would not have made sense.”Smalley says the two-Accord approach works well and will not be touched.“When we introduced the two-Accord strategy, there was much concern that it would lead to confusion.“However, we have been able to sell Accord and Euro Accord side-by-side to two vastly different buyer profiles,” he says.Even so, the difference between the two cars in 2008 is so great that Honda is claiming a new segment for the Euro . . . the Advanced Premium Sport Segment.“In the European markets, the car is being sold against Audi, Mercedes-Benz and BMW,” Smalley says.“That is not going to be the case in Australia where we will sell mainly against VW Passat, Subaru Liberty and Mazda6 with some shot at some of the prestige brands.”The Euro Accord will have a single 2.4-litre petrol engine linked to either a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission. And there's three specification levels: Euro, Euro Luxury and Euro Luxury Navi.The chances of the 2.2-litre diesel joining the stable within the next 12 months have been improved by the announcement that the torquey four-cylinder will gain a five-speed automatic next year.Specification levels will be high. The base car will have six airbags, electronic stability control, anti-skid brakes, cruise control, automatic airconditioning, 10-speaker six-CD stereo, 17-inch alloys with a full-size spare, reach and rake steering adjustment, power steering, active headrests and cloth trim.The Luxury model adds sunroof, leather interior, heated seats, eight-way power seat adjustment, 18-inch alloys (space-saver spare), HID headlights, rain-sensing wipers fog lights and front and rear parking sensors. The top-line Euro Luxury Navi gets an Alpine navigation system, Bluetooth preparation and reversing camera.On the roadThe best way to describe the new Euro is refined. The car feels solid yet rides the — admittedly good — Austrian roads with an aplomb many above it may envy.It is not difficult to believe that much of the engineering improvement in the car has been concentrated on the chassis.Though longer, wider and with a wider track, the new Euro sits lower. The engine and fuel tank have also been lowered within the structure. It exudes an even sportier essence than the model it replaces.Improved body rigidity, through increased use of ultra-high tensile steel and re-engineering of the front body structure — combined with an all-new front double wishbone and rear multi-link suspension — gives the Euro a noticeable improvement in stability when cornering.Refinement levels have been improved, partly by the stiffening of the chassis and with additional sound absorbing and deadening materials lining the cabin.With 147kW and 234Nm — both counts up slightly — the 2.4-litre motor is never going to outpace any of the true performance sedans, but it doesn't need to.Performance is adequate. It is unfussed and largely stress-free, either with the slick six-speed manual transmission or the slightly less engaging five-speed automatic gearbox.The diesel, as is generally the case, is the stronger of the two engines with its 110kW and 350Nm output giving it enough top end to justify getting there quickly through the hugely torquey mid-range.Steering is light yet not uncommunicative. There were times on the test drive when the front wanted to push on, but never in a nasty manner.Interior space in the Euro is generous for the class, particularly in the front, where there is no need to rub shoulders.The news is not as good for rear-seat passengers, where space is more of a premium, particularly if those in the front choose to stretch.Trim in the high series cars driven at launch is stylish, and the fit and fitment is what you would expect from a car with prestige aspirations. Price: About $34,000On sale: JuneEngine: 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol, 2.2-litre turbodieselPower: 147kW, 110kWTorque: 234Nm, 350NmTransmission: Six-speed manual (petrol and diesel), five-speed auto (petrol), front-wheel driveEconomy: 8.9 litres for 100km (petrol), 5.9 litres/100km (diesel) 

Thinking along these lines, the new Honda Accord V6 sedan is George Clooney on wheels; instant charisma and good looks galore.Well-mannered, too. Just driving around the block it feels impressive, and the farther you go, the better it seems to get.Honda stepped up the wow factor when it created the current model Civic and now has come up with a new version of its larger brother, the Accord, obviously a graduate from the same charm school.The six-cylinder model — there's a less clever, less powerful and, naturally, less costly four-cylinder variant — is such a fitting flagship, boasting a silken engine along with excellent road manners.This is the eighth generation of the Accord series in more than 30 years. Bigger than ever. Classier than ever.Accords once were medium-sized cars; this one is longer than a Holden Commodore but weighs less, and its six-cylinder engine delivers more power but drinks less.In the efficiency stakes in its class, only the smaller Toyota Aurion manages to beat the Accord on fuel economy — by a mere 0.1 litres per 100km on the official figures — while not quite matching the Honda power/torque output.The secret of the Accord V6's success is that it runs happily on only three or four cylinders when full power is not required. (The Americans have been embracing this idea for years, with the current Chrysler 300C also proof that it works.) In engineer-speak, this is “three-stage variable cylinder management.”It switches itself on and off unobtrusively. A green “eco” light on the instrument panel tells the driver when part of the engine has gone to sleep, but everything comes awake and very much alive — instantly, smoothly — at the slightest prod on the accelerator.Then it simply growls and gets going.Even when firing on all cylinders, the Accord manages to be exceptionally quiet and refined as it ambles along. You almost wonder if the engine is still running, but it is.So it's quite an achiever, combining refinement with top-class dynamics.It gives a comfortable ride while gripping well on corners and steering with real precision. And this, in theory, is the non-sporty member of the family, so it will be interesting to see what Honda has in store with the more athletic Accord Euro version — a different body that's smaller and set up for spirited European-style driving — which is coming later this year.The Accord Euro is built in Japan, the Accord in Thailand. No complaints on quality and it helps keep costs down.Previously, Accords have been about comfort and genteel touring rather than agility and on-road poise.But the newcomer, considerably bigger than its predecessor, manages to feel much livelier.