THE Accord 2008 is an updated and remarkably improved vehicle of the Honda family. A perfect combination of power, style and elegance, it is certainly one of the best, if not the best, car in the mid-size sedan segment.
The new Accord competes with the Toyota Camry, the Nissan Altima, the Ford Fusion, the Hyundai Sonata, the Mazda 6, the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, the Nissan Maxima and the VW Passat.
Developed under the tag line “Change the Power, Change the Style, Change the Rules,” the new Accord is the embodiment of the Honda spirit — never bound by convention, always reaching towards the future.
It has everything you want in a sedan. It is longer, wider and handles much better than the previous version. But it is about 32 kg heavier than earlier model.
Driving is much more comfortable, safe and pleasant with clear all-round visibility, exotic interior, spacious leg space, airbags and lots more you would like to have in your favorite car. But due to reduced height of the ceiling, it is a bit small for taller people. On the highway it cruises easily at speed with four adults on-board and excellent maneuverability. It is relatively economical with petrol and easy to drive, but costly to buy.
The driver’s seat is a treat. The seat is almost infinitely adjustable. Sitting behind the wheel, almost anyone of almost any proportions can see everything — forward, backward and sideward.
With easy-to-view instruments, the handbrake and the shifter have been conveniently positioned on the dash. Forward vision over the front seat headrests is excellent. The rear seats are roomy with sufficient knee room.
Honda Motor Co. launched this 21st century car with a longer list of standard equipment, plus improvements in safety and appearance, in the GCC market on Nov. 4 at the Grand Hyatt in Dubai.
Managing Director of Abdullah Hashim Company Ltd., Honda dealer in Saudi Arabia, Mohamad Abdullah Hashim, attended the ceremony.
The new Accord was launched in Saudi Arabia by Abdullah Hashim Company Ltd. In Jeddah, on Nov. 6. Speaking about the car, the company’s General Manger (Honda) Syed Shakibuddin Haider said, “The new Accord is very different. It combines high technology and high quality with every day economy of operation and keen attention to detail. It is sporty as well as dignified.”
Earlier, speaking at the launch ceremony in Dubai, Shigeru Takagi, managing director of Honda Motor Co., said, “The Accord — with its generous proportions and more spacious cabin combined with outstanding dynamic performance, comfort, safety, and environmental performance — meets the needs of the GCC market.”
The man behind this powerful car, Chitoshi Yokota, chief engineer at Honda R&D responsible for developing the Accord 2008, said, “The eighth generation Accord has inherited the character of the previous model, and has further revolutionized its safety, environment, dynamic performance, and styling. We have developed this new Accord to be a true benchmark for the next generation sedan.”
Yokota added, “More than half of all Honda vehicles sold in the GCC market are Accords. That’s why members of the development team made a point of visiting this region among others, making sure they had fully understood the needs of their customers.”
He added, “The new Accord is powerful and advanced. Powerful is a combined character of luxury added to the vehicle’s sportiness. Furthermore, we have added advanced technology to elevate the fundamental dynamic performance of the vehicle.”
Eight generations ago the Accord was Honda’s biggest car but no one foresaw it as a large car. Enter the all-new 2008 Honda Accord, a mid-size sedan that has grown enough to move into the large car segment.
I drove fully loaded 3.5 liter Accord and realized that what has not changed is Accord’s fundamental character: It is still one car that does everything well. The interior is roomy and comfortable, the chassis is responsive and well damped, the brakes are excellent, and both of its VTEC engines — a 3.5-liter V6 and a 2.4-liter — are incredibly smooth. It is a remarkably easy car to drive and every aspect of it is user friendly.
The shifting of gears is unbelievably smooth and soundless. But at over 140 km/h speed it wobbles and if the brakes are applied at higher speed then the car skids.
When checked with Honda’s chief engineer, he said that possibly there was something wrong with the car I drove, while assuring that this was not a problem at all.
For 2008, the Accord is available with a choice of four-cylinder and V6 engines, two transmissions, and LX and EX trim levels. Further subsets include a new premium package that adds more convenience bits to an LX, and EX-L models that add leather and luxury features.
The Accord is big on efficiency, be it in getting the most power and range from a gallon of gas with the least emissions, making the largest interior available given the exterior space it takes up, or providing the smoothest, quietest ride possible in the lightest weight. Whether moving four people comfortably or enjoying the long way home, the Accord is up to the task.
The Accord is a performance car but not an off-road vehicle. It is fit for all — executives, businessmen and youngsters, who need style combined with elegance. Anyone interested in a four-door sedan should consider the Accord. It is not the perfect car, however, one cannot talk about family sedans without mentioning it. And if the past is any indicator, there is implicit reliability here.
