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Our Score:
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Styling & Design
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Score:
8/10
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Although it's not the wildest piece of design, there is an understated handsomeness to the 2008 Honda Accord. The robot-like chunkiness works well, while the detailing is executed with finesse and the wheels fill the arches nicely (bar the ES' 16-inch items)
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Engine Spec
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Score:
8/10
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The engine range is tiny compared to large family or the executive rivals (we think former, Honda think latter). That said, they're perfectly for Irish market - quick, frugal and cheap to run (2.0 in Band E, 2.2 diesel in C). Petrol's a bit pointless - the diesel's smooth, punchy and satisfying.
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Performance
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Score:
7/10
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The petrol hits 100km/h in 9.3 seconds while the diesel is only 0.3 behind and there's only 3km/h difference in top speeds too. While those figures are great for cooking versions, it would be nice to have a bit more oomph if one so desired.
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Ride & Handling
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Score:
8/10
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Honda has worked hard to make the 2008 Accord more enjoyable to drive and so it proves - there's weight and feel up through the rim, excellent grip levels even in the wet and a superb ride quality, although it is a little fidgety over rough surfaces. It's fun, but the Mondeo's better.
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Interior & Ergonomics
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Score:
8/10
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Compared to the haphazard Civic layout the Accord's dashboard is a model of self-restraint and sobriety. The driving position is spot on and everything is where you expect it to be but it is a bit of a button-fest with most of them looking identical to one another.
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Space & Practicality
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Score:
7/10
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Like most of the cars in the executive class the Accord isn't huge in the back but it's comfortable and roomy up front and the boot's decent. Compared to the Ford Mondeo and VW Passat, though, it's quite cramped in the back. Wagon's self-closing tailgate and built-in safety net are nice touches.
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Safety
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Score:
9/10
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The Accord has all the basics - ESC, six airbags, ISOFIX etc but it lacks a knee airbag and the fancy stuff like adaptive cruise, lane assist and collision mitigation are optional on all models.
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Value & Running Costs
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Score:
6/10
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While the diesel Accord is cheap to run and should offer bulletproof reliability, the flood of imports and its relative newness makes its used value anyone's guess. ES isn't brilliant value but EX is a bargain - 17-inch alloys, sat-nav, CD-changer, leather, parking camera all for only €6k more.
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Quality & Refinement
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Score:
8/10 |
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With more refined engines, improved insulation and further tweaks to the suspension the Accord has finally become a proper long-distance kilometre muncher. It's built to last, too, but its disappointingly hard cabin plastics and busy low-speed ride let it down.
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Equipment
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Score:
9/10
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The ES has the basics plus 16-inch alloys, cruise control and dual zone climate control. The EX adds bluetooth, sat nav, reversing camera, electric leather seats (heated & with memory) 17-inch alloys, CD changer with posh speakers and USB jack plus a sunroof (diesel) and power tailgate (wagon).
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Bad
ES not as good value
Mondeo is sharper to drive
Good
Handsome
refined
well made
high EX spec
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