Honda Accord (North America eighth generation)

The Honda Accord Coupe concept car was unveiled at the 2007 North American International Auto Show. It previewed the production 2-door model with i-VTEC VCM V6 engine and Advanced Compatibility Engineering body structure.[7]

The production sedan and coupe were unveiled on August 21, 2007.[8] Sales of US models began on September 12, 2007 for the sedan, and on September 20, 2007 for the coupe.[9]

In Canada, sedan trims include the SE, EX, EX-L, EX-L with Navi (navigation), EX-L V6, and EX-L V6 with Navi (navigation), while coupes have the EX, EX-L, EX-L with Navi (navigation), and EX-L V6 with Navi (navigation). The SE designation was the de facto replacement for the LX, VP, and DX-G trims in the previous generation, while the EX replaced the SE. The LX includes anti-lock brakes with brake assist and electronic brake force distribution, electronic stability control, front and rear disc brakes, air conditioning, keyless entry, power windows, power locks, and cruise control as standard features, while also having body-colored door handles and mirrors. The EX includes a more powerful version of the 2.4L DOHC i-VTEC engine with 190 hp, power moonroof, 17-inch alloy wheels, 8-way adjustable driver's seat, security system, and a 6-disc CD changer. EX-L denotes Accords with leather upholstery, XM satellite radio, and an optional navigation system and hands-free Bluetooth interface. V6 models have chrome handles, dual exhaust pipes, and fog lamps. The EX-L V6 coupe has a 3.5 liter 268hp engine, 18-inch alloy rims, a rear lip spoiler, and an optional six-speed close ratio manual transmission in lieu of the standard five-speed automatic transmission. V6 coupes with the manual transmission used the non-VCM variant of the J35 engine.

In the United States, additional models offered include LX trim name instead of SE, the LX-P sedan, which adds illuminated power window switches, an 8-way driver's seat and 16-inch alloy wheels, and the LX-S coupe, which replaces the 177 hp engine with a 190 hp, 17-inch alloy wheels, and a 6-disc CD changer.[11]

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  Pre-facelift Honda Accord LX sedan (US)
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  Pre-facelift Honda Accord coupe (US)
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  Pre-facelift Honda Accord coupe (US)

Both the Accord sedan and coupe received a facelift in 2011. Both cars feature new front fascias and updated tail lamps.[12] The sedan features the reflective strips seen on the Japanese Honda Inspire. Inside, Honda has added steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters to the EX-L V6 Coupe, and USB connectivity for all coupe models and EX/EX-L sedans. A rearview camera is now standard with the available navigation system on the sedan. EX-L V6 models gain memory seats and all models get new cloths and some minor instrument panel and control modifications. A new SE model will be offered mid range. New improved aerodynamics and a reworked five-speed automatic transmission help the Accord achieve 23 mpg (city) and 34 mpg (hwy).[13]

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  Facelift Honda Accord SE sedan (US)
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  Facelift Honda Accord V6 Luxury sedan (Australia)
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  Facelift Honda Accord EX-L coupe (US)
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  Facelift Honda Accord coupe (US)

Chinese-made Guangzhou Honda Accord

The North American 4-cylinder and V-6 Accords were first produced in Honda's Marysville, Ohio, plant. With the eighth generation this plant is now the sole global source of the Accord coupe.[14] Beginning in mid-2009, the majority of the V-6 Accord sedan production was moved to the Honda auto plant in Lincoln, Alabama.[15] Honda's Anna, Ohio, Engine Plant produces the 4-cylinder engines.[16] The US plants supply the majority of Accords to both North and South America.

Global marketing

Interior

The North American Accord model is also manufactured in Thailand for sale in Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand. Variants of the North American Accord models are manufactured for the domestic markets in China and Taiwan. The Japanese-built Accord is sold in the Australian and New Zealand markets as the Accord Euro. In New Zealand, the North American Accord is badged as the Accord V6. In 2008, it powered Honda ahead of BMW, Mercedes Benz and Lexus, to become the number one import brand in Korea as sales of Honda vehicles surged 95% in the first seven months in that year.[17] A right-hand-drive variant of the North American Accord model is sold as the Honda Inspire in Japan.

Guangzhou Honda started building this version of the Accord in 2007. Since 2009, this company has operated as Guangqi Honda instead.

Honda entered a strategic collaboration with Proton of Malaysia in October 2012 as part of Japan's Abenomics plan.[18] The result of the collaboration was the Proton Perdana, a rebadged eighth generation Honda Accord which launched on 11 December 2013, for exclusive sale to the Malaysian government and civil servants.[19] It serves as the replacement to the ageing Mitsubishi Galant-based Proton Perdana V6 fleet in use since the 1990s.

All 4-cylinder models are available in PZEV configurations. V6 PZEV models include only i-VTEC VCM engines with 5-speed automatic transmissions. PZEV engines include 2 modes of exhaust valve operation. At Below 2,500 rpm, only 1 exhaust valve operates, creating a strong rotational flow in the exhaust gases that creates a "thermal reactor" effect to reduce hydrocarbon emissions. Above 2,500 rpm where exhaust flow increases, a hydraulically actuated pin locks the rockers for both exhaust valves together so they operate in unison, following a single cam profile.[22]

Due to a smaller profit margin on a PZEV for the manufacturer, Honda has forbidden sales of the Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle version of the car outside California, Florida, Vermont, Connecticut, Arizona, Maryland, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New York, Oregon, Maine, New Jersey, Rhode Island, New Mexico and Washington.[23]

The Accord comes standard with a wide range of safety features carried over from earlier model years including dual stage, dual threshold front airbags, side impact airbags, side curtain airbags, and seat belts with front pretensioners and load limiters.

The Accord standard safety updates for the 2008 model year include vehicle stability assist (VSA) and traction control, anti-lock brakes with brake assist and electronic brake force distribution, tire pressure monitoring system, active front head restraints, new dual chamber side impact airbags, and the ACE Body Structure for all models.[3] The Accord is the first mid-size car in its class to include stability and traction control as standard equipment across the lineup.

NHTSA

NHTSA 2009 Accord sedan:[28]

Frontal Driver:
Frontal Passenger:
Side Driver:
Side Passenger:
Side Rear Passenger:
Rollover:

NHTSA 2011 Accord sedan:[29]

Overall:
Frontal Driver:
Frontal Passenger:
Side Driver:
Side Passenger:
Side Pole Driver:
Rollover:

The eighth generation Accord has received mostly positive reviews, with some noting that its chiseled looks and Teutonic styling is reminiscent of the BMW 3 Series and 5 Series.[38][39][40] In its March 2008 issue, Car and Driver placed the 2008 Honda Accord EX first in a comparison test of four-cylinder mid-size sedans against the then recently redesigned/updated Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima, Chevrolet Malibu, Hyundai Sonata, and Dodge Avenger, as well as the Ford Fusion. Edmunds.com InsideLine also placed the LX-P and EX-L V6 Navi sedans first in a comparison against the Nissan Altima, Toyota Camry, and Chevrolet Malibu, praising it for its all-around performance, high build quality, responsive handling, and excellent fuel economy. However, MotorTrend magazine criticized the Accord for being too heavy, feeling not so nimble as the previous model, its polarizing appearance, and for its less-than-stellar showing against the considerably improved Chevrolet Malibu in their 2008 Car of the Year competition. Car and Driver also ranked the Accord EX-L first in a comparison against the second-generation Mazda6 and 2010 Ford Fusion,[41] and the 2011 Honda Accord EX-L V6 has fared well against the newer 2012 Volkswagen Passat 3.6 SEL and the 2012 Hyundai Sonata 2.0T Limited.[42][43] In a March 2012 comparison test by Car and Driver, the Accord came in second place out of six cars behind the first place Volkswagen Passat.[44]

Several reviewers have considered the Accord Coupe superior to its primary competition, the Nissan Altima Coupe, in all categories such as passenger space, dynamics, and overall refinement.[45][46][47][48][49]

The Accord is the top pick mid-size vehicle in the Consumer Reports rankings, due to its standard stability control despite having a slightly lower score than the Nissan Altima, while Consumer Guide has named the Accord a "Best Buy".[50] The Accord also won Car and Driver's 10Best trophy in 2008 and 2009, a total of 23 times in the nameplate's history, winning it more times than any other vehicle by far. US sales have been up 9.4%, as SUV buyers shift to the V6 Accord.[51] The 2008 - 2011 Honda Accord was awarded a best-in-class rating of 4 1/2 stars by the JB car pages.[52] The Accord was the most-searched vehicle on CarMax for the fourth consecutive year, due to its high marks in both reliability and comfort.[53]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Honda Accord.

• Honda Accord - Official US site