The Honda Accord satisfies the principal needs for family-car shoppers, but Honda's dropped the ball in a few areas, and competitors are more than catching up.
The second-best-selling sedan in America, the Accord is still worth your consideration, particularly given the 2011 model's improved gas mileage. Just make sure you shop its major competitors — in particular the new Kia Optima (yes, really) and its Hyundai Sonata cousin.
I drove a four-cylinder Accord SE sedan. The SE trim level is new, slotting between the lower-end LX and LX-P and the higher-end EX and EX-L. A V-6 engine is available on both EX versions. There's also an Accord coupe and an Accord Crosstour wagon; the Crosstour is covered separately on Cars.com.
Styling Tweaks
Typical of a car that's four years into its current generation, the Accord received a few visual updates for 2011: a new grille and narrower front air dam, a couple more creases across the front bumper and new taillight reflectors that span the center of the trunk. I've never been bullish on the current Accord's face — it seems emotionless, even a bit robotic. The changes don't improve that, and the trunk reflectors add clutter to what was once a clean design. Still, Honda says the car is now a bit more aerodynamic, which helps contribute to a modest increase in its gas mileage.
Sixteen-inch steel wheels and plastic covers come with the LX sedan, with 16- or 17-inch alloy wheels on all other trims. Six-cylinder models add dual exhaust pipes and fog lights — the latter to good effect, as the front bumpers on four-cylinder models have an oddly sculpted blank space where the lights would otherwise go. The Accord coupe loses about four inches' length versus the sedan; with slimmer headlights and a reworked tail, it looks somewhat different from the sedan. It's also the only Accord to offer factory 18s, which go on V-6 EX-L models.
Enough Oomph, Better Efficiency
The Accord's four-cylinder makes 177 horsepower in LX, LX-P and SE models. It's tuned for 190 hp in EX and EX-L sedans, and in all four-cylinder Accord coupes. The difference in tuning becomes apparent only when merging onto the highway or pushing the car hard on hilly terrain. Stop-and-go oomph is similar. Both engines are quick enough, although neither is as sprightly as the four-cylinders in the Nissan Altima or the Suzuki Kizashi.
A five-speed manual is standard. The optional five-speed automatic upshifts smoothly and doles out quick downshifts when you need them. I'll take that over an indecisive transmission, regardless of how many gears it has.
A 271-hp V-6 engine is optional. It musters smooth, confident passing power, but when compared with other V-6 family cars, it feels on the weaker side. The V-6 Altima and Camry, in particular, pack more power.
At least Honda's drivetrain is efficient: With a fuel-saving cylinder deactivation system, the V-6 Accord sedan gets an EPA-estimated 24 mpg in combined city/highway gas mileage. That's up 1 mpg over last year's V-6 Accord, and it's better than most six-cylinder family cars. (It bears mentioning that the Sonata and Optima both offer turbocharged four-cylinders with V-6-like acceleration and an impressive 26 mpg.)
Loading...
Comments