WR Fleet: 2008 Honda Accord EX Sedan

[Honda News Feed]

All of us agree that the Accord EX is very nicely equipped even though it lacks many high-end comforts such as leather upholstery, satellite navigation, and V-6 power. We drove the Accord through sun, rain, sleet, and snow, and find it to be a very reliable mid-size sedan.
Click through the jump to read our full impressions and click the images below to open a gallery.




Nate Luzod
Art Director

The Accord holds a special place in my heart. For the better part of the past three decades, at least two have been in my family at all times (some of which drove well into the 200,000-mile range). It’s been interesting to watch the car evolve, because no matter what has changed there has always been an underlying, somewhat metaphysical Accord-ness linking the new to the old. That said, the new Accord is better than ever. The exterior redesign gives it an almost Euro look, and the interior is not quite elegant but is very well done, with a small, thick steering wheel to top it off. The car drives perfectly well, and I don’t know that I could find a complaint if I tried. I’d take it over an Altima or Camry any day, but that could just be me.

Kim Ewing
Business/Fleet Manager

I’ve always been especially fond of the Honda Accord. This is a great vehicle that holds its own in the rapidly changing industry of automobiles. It’s always reliable—no matter what. I’ve driven manual and automatic transmissions (preferring the manual) and love them both. The inline-four that I had for the weekend was perfect. The Accord was quick on acceleration, great at fast stops, and wonderful on winding roads. The fuel economy is fine for a nice sedan. I’m anxious to drive the Camry and compare the two. I think my own personal preference will still remain with the Accord.

Steven J. Ewing
Production Assistant

Our EX sedan lacked the things that most of our fleet cars have: no navigation system, leather seating, or added external flare was found on this new-for-2008 Accord. And yet, I never once felt like this vehicle was ill-equipped. Yes, V-6 power would be a nice touch, but the four-cylinder engine worked just fine. The interior was lined in cushy cloth and well-constructed plastics. Still, the cabin of this vehicle is rather stylish. A passenger even said that the interior looked quite classy.
I drove the Accord through a snowstorm that dumped roughly six inches of snow in six hours. All the while, the Honda felt sure-footed as I carefully plowed through the slushy streets. The front wheels had a tendency to spin more than other front-drive vehicles I’ve driven, but I never felt out of control.
Our EX sedan pretty much slots right in the middle of the Accord lineup, and $24,500 is a price I’d be willing to pay. We recently tested a loaded Kia Optima with comparable power and more bells and whistles, but I’d rather stick with the Accord. Now, how about that manual transmission-equipped, V-6 coupe? Pardon me if I begin to drool.

Chris Champion
Pit Crew

I got behind the wheel of our Honda Accord EX without any real preconceived notions of liking or disliking it. A mid-size sedan with a 2.4 liter four-cylinder engine and automatic transmission doesn’t really sound like a recipe for fun, but Honda left me with a strong feeling of “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.”
Two standard features I appreciated right off the bat were the driver’s seat that has more supportive side bolstering than many of the mid-sized sedans I’ve driven and the thick steering wheel that provided a grippy feeling of control. Our test car was not equipped with any optional features, but I never felt my comfort level compromised because of it.
The 190-horsepower i-VTEC engine proved its worth in power and efficiency. If you’re shopping Accords, this middle engine choice is a commendable alternative to the pricier V-6.

2008 HONDA ACCORD EX SEDAN

Engine: Inline-4, 2.4 liters, 16v
Output: 190 hp/162 lb-ft
Transmission: Five-speed automatic
Weight: 3408 lb
Fuel economy, city/hwy: 21/31 mpg
Price as tested: $24,500 (est.)
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