2008 Honda Accord Coupe

Honda's new Accord comes to market with newer styling that takes things to another level. Honda's previous generation of coupe was a great selling car, sporty yet knew when to keep it conservative. I previously tootled around in the sedan version and was further impressed with its creative construction, a crucial take no prisoners mission. To further add to an impressive sedan, the new Accord coupe would have to take a couple extra measures to win me over. And I tell you, it doesn't disappoint. I give you the lowdown on this under the radar ride.

I was fortunate to review an EX model with all the cake and cookies, it was the one trim I was gunning for. If I were to describe the exterior, it would be one of sleek, over the top, and trend setting, of course all in a good way. I just could not help but put the new Infiniti G37 and BMW 3 series coupe in the discussion. For up to $10k less, one could have a stunningly beautiful coupe in the Accord, and perform fantastically with some of the best. But don't get me wrong, the Infiniti and BMW are built and designed at the top of their class. Moreover, I would not feel bad about taking the Accord coupe over the higher priced guys. The body and windshield are more raked, the front end is more stealthier than it's sedan sibling. All in all, it was more sports car than the regular Joe Schmoe passenger car, which the last generation clearly was.

Boy is this car quick, the V6 powertrain is phenomenal and quick to respond to all of my pedal intervention. One important thing is that the car did not feel as heavy as the sedan, and this made drivability and stability out on the roadways more taught and interactive. I wasn't worried about having to accelerate further on the turns, the car handles like a dream. Interior quality is above par yet again, and has no significant issues. Everything was easy to reach and the seating is comfortable if not more supportive, it all fits into the sports coupe niche. The only negative would have to be getting into the back seat, while seating comfort is not the main attraction for any coupe, it did fit a little bit tighter than I liked it to.

Consequently, I knew the new Accord coupe would be on my best of expectations, but I came out of the testing with more of a fondness. It was truly a great alternative to some of the comparably priced cars in the market today, and will win over many buyers with it's head turning facade and Honda's tru-blue engineering and quality. I truly recommended this 2008 Honda Accord Coupe to many aspiring sedan aficionados. A break from the common sedan..

2008 Honda Accord Coupe

2008 Honda Accord Coupe

2008 Honda Accord Coupe

2008 Honda Accord Coupe

2008 Honda Accord Coupe

2008 Honda Accord Coupe

2008 Honda Accord Coupe

2008 Honda Accord Coupe

2008 Honda Accord Coupe

2008 Honda Accord Coupe

Honda Accord

The Honda Accord & the Accord Hubcaps are part of a series that has mid-size cars that have been produced by Honda ever since 1976.

In 1982, the Honda Accord & the Accord Wheel Covers were considered to be the first Japanese car that was manufactured in the United States. Not only was it made here, but it was even made in countries like New Zealand, England, China, & even Thailand! If you'd assume, I guess you can say that this car is what people prefer worldwide; since it's manufactured in so many other parts of the world. You know?

The Accord, as well as the Accord Wheel Covers that came on it, has been pretty successful throughout its different generations. From the years of 1982-1997, it was known as the best selling Japanese automobile; in 1991 & 2001, there was about 10 Million of these cars sold! If you were to compare the tests that it went through back then and the tests that it goes through now, you'd see that even up to this day, the Honda Accord is considered to be one of the most reliable cars on the market as of this point.

Ever since it first came out, there has been a lot of different body styles & different versions of the Honda Accord. When it first came out in 1976, it was made as a compact hatchback - this style was used until about 1981. The lineup was eventually expanded to include a sedan, wagon, and even a coupe model with the "oh so very nice" OEM Accord Hub Caps on them. By the time it reached the sixth generation (around the 1990s), the Accord turned into something called an intermediate vehicle; it just had one basic platform - but with different bodies & different proportions so it can increase its competitiveness within the international markets.

The current Honda Accord that was originally released in 2008 is a little bigger compared to the other models. The reason why is because they wanted to move the car further upscale in the market. After this was done, the EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) considered the Accord to be a full-size car, but the coupe to be a mid-size one.

Honda basically chose the name "Accord" because it reflects the want Honda has for people to basically just get along and keep the harmony & peace between one another. I guess you can say that it was a job well done, because a lot of people buy the Accord, & they're happy with it; and they're even happy with the great looking Accord Hub Caps that come on it.. but that's just my opinion. The most original & initial design of the Honda Accord was changed to a fuel efficient & low emission car since it was introduced to the market during the horrible fuel crisis of the 1970s. In both the United States and Japan, there was a version that was created and used Honda's "CVCC Technology". This met the emission standards of the 1970s and even the early 1980s without a catalytic converter that most cars have today.

Honda Accord

The Honda Accord & the Accord Hubcaps are part of a series that has mid-size cars that have been produced by Honda ever since 1976.

In 1982, the Honda Accord & the Accord Wheel Covers were considered to be the first Japanese car that was manufactured in the United States. Not only was it made here, but it was even made in countries like New Zealand, England, China, & even Thailand! If you'd assume, I guess you can say that this car is what people prefer worldwide; since it's manufactured in so many other parts of the world. You know?

The Accord, as well as the Accord Wheel Covers that came on it, has been pretty successful throughout its different generations. From the years of 1982-1997, it was known as the best selling Japanese automobile; in 1991 & 2001, there was about 10 Million of these cars sold! If you were to compare the tests that it went through back then and the tests that it goes through now, you'd see that even up to this day, the Honda Accord is considered to be one of the most reliable cars on the market as of this point.

Ever since it first came out, there has been a lot of different body styles & different versions of the Honda Accord. When it first came out in 1976, it was made as a compact hatchback - this style was used until about 1981. The lineup was eventually expanded to include a sedan, wagon, and even a coupe model with the "oh so very nice" OEM Accord Hub Caps on them. By the time it reached the sixth generation (around the 1990s), the Accord turned into something called an intermediate vehicle; it just had one basic platform - but with different bodies & different proportions so it can increase its competitiveness within the international markets.

The current Honda Accord that was originally released in 2008 is a little bigger compared to the other models. The reason why is because they wanted to move the car further upscale in the market. After this was done, the EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) considered the Accord to be a full-size car, but the coupe to be a mid-size one.

Honda Accord Coupe

Not since the long-missed Acura NSX sports car has a Honda product prompted people to ask, "What is THAT?" The 2009 Honda Accord Coupe inspires the same curiosity by those who have never seen one-and even a little amazement to learn it's a Honda, and an Accord. It has an authoritative, road-serious look, and with the available 271-horsepower V6 and sport-tuned suspension, it has the power to match.

Say "Honda Accord" and most will think: boring but reliable and economical transportation. The 2009 Honda Accord Coupe requires new word associations: "attractive and fast." The Accord Coupe is far more than an Accord with the rear doors welded shut. The most obvious feature is its styling. For us, it's like a cross between a BMW 3 Series and an Aston-Martin DB9. It enjoys Honda's tradition of durable attractiveness-styling that doesn't go quickly out of style. Compared to the Accord Sedan, the Coupe is narrower and shorter. It has more aggressive suspension tuning and a lower final drive ratio for better acceleration.

Inside, the upscale feel continues. A multi-curved black dash is accented with a polished aluminum-colored band across the bottom. The top-of-the-line tester that Honda provided boasted supportive leather seats. Access to the back seat is as easy as it gets with a coupe. Once seated, there's adequate room for two average-sized adults. The Coupe has two fewer inches of headroom than the sedan, so basketball players and those with a larger than average behind will bump their heads on the ceiling. The center rear seat is for urgent situations only.

Two engines are available: A 190-horse, DOHC, four-cylinder, and the potent 271-horse SOHC 3.5-liter V-6. The six, which features four valves per cylinder and variable valve timing, makes a strong 254 pound-feet of torque at a relatively high 5000 rpm. Transmission choices are a six-speed manual or a five-speed automatic. The automatic suffered from a bit of lag between when we asked for full throttle and the transmission downshifted to the needed gear. That gave the BMW too much of a head start. The four-cylinder with the five-speed manual gets 22 miles per gallon in the government's city driving cycle and 31 on the highway. The V-6 automatic gets 19 in the city and 28 on the highway.

A limiting factor in the Accord Coupe's ability to keep up with a 230-horse BMW 328 or a 300-horse 335 on winding roads are its less-than-sticky Michelin Pilot HX MXM4 all-season tires. Drive too deep into a tight corner before getting on the brakes and the anti-lock braking system will flutter like a frightened dove and the car will slide wide of your intended path. The Coupe's handling seemed nicely balanced but we kept radically overestimating the level of grip. The Accord Coupe will require a switch to ultra-high-performance summer tires to keep up with a well-driven BMW. Since Michelin doesn't make ultra-high performance tires in the Coupe's P235/45R18 original equipment size, options include the Bridgestone Potenza RE050A or the low-cost Kumho Ecsta SPT. Fitted with either, the Honda-BMW match-up will be determined mainly by the drivers' skills and determination. With sticky tires on the Honda, even 335i drivers will have to keep an eye on the rearview.

The Accord Coupe comes in three trim levels: The base LX-S, the mid-level EX and the top of the line EX-L. Only the EX-L is available with a V-6. Pricing begins at around $23,000 and explodes past $32,000 for the EX-L V-6. This eighth version of the Accord Coupe was first introduced in 2008 and was changed little for 2009.

Standard in the V-6 Coupe is a 270-watt AM/FM/6-disc in-dash audio system with seven speakers. Standards include MP3/auxiliary audio input jack and XM satellite radio. We found the speed-sensitive volume control a very nice feature, especially when slowing after a mountain-road charge. A continually annoying trait of Hondas is reflections cast into the windshield and backlight at night and even under certain daylight conditions.

The Accord Coupe is a classically beautiful, strong performing two-door, four-seater. A dozen years ago it would have been among the top-performing sports coupes on the market. Add a set of sticky tires and a skilled driver and it is today, too.

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