As a neophyte 7th gen owner, I take great interest in reviews of the new Accord. I am not sure if this was posted previously (so forgive me if I am duplicating), but Car and Driver just published a Short Take Review of the 2008 Honda Accord EX Sedan (4cyl 5 sp) online.

http://www.caranddriver.com/shortroadtests/14194/tested-2008-honda-accord-ex-sedan-specs-page5.html

Historically, although I have found C & D's reviews to be the most reliable resource as far as car magazines go, I admit that bias is ulimately inevitable. Despite this, I generally look to them first when formulating an opinion on a vehicle.

In regards to the article, it is interesting to see that the '08 is actually 0.4 seconds slower to 60 than the comparable 7th 4-cyl manual sedan; however, the latter model tested was a 2003 model so the 2006-2007 years were certainly a bit quicker. In fact, the 2007 automatic model (SE) was only 0.2 seconds slower than the 8th gen EX manual! As far as I know, this is the first time the Accord has not improved acceleration times with a new generation.

All in all, this makes me extremely curious about how the V6 will perform!

Thoughts?

I think the new Accord is a clear indication that Honda is taking Accord full sized, and we should expect a midsized Civic or a new midsized sedan in the future.

If I was buying today based on what's on paper between the 7th and 8th gen's, I'd buy a 7th.

If I was buying today based on passenger friendliness, use of space, and overall driving pleasure and comfort, I'd buy an 8th gen.

I was fine with the handling and performance of the 7th gen, as well as it's comfort and convenience. I am however, more a fan of the new sheet metal, but in an Accord, that means a lot less than the car as a whole to me.

Overall, I have to argue that it's just too much car. No, it's not dramatically larger, but it's no longer what an Accord meant to me.

As a neophyte 7th gen owner, I take great interest in reviews of the new Accord. I am not sure if this was posted previously (so forgive me if I am duplicating), but Car and Driver just published a Short Take Review of the 2008 Honda Accord EX Sedan (4cyl 5 sp) online.

http://www.caranddriver.com/shortroadtests/14194/tested-2008-honda-accord-ex-sedan-specs-page5.html

Historically, although I have found C & D's reviews to be the most reliable resource as far as car magazines go, I admit that bias is ulimately inevitable. Despite this, I generally look to them first when formulating an opinion on a vehicle.

In regards to the article, it is interesting to see that the '08 is actually 0.4 seconds slower to 60 than the comparable 7th 4-cyl manual sedan; however, the latter model tested was a 2003 model so the 2006-2007 years were certainly a bit quicker. In fact, the 2007 automatic model (SE) was only 0.2 seconds slower than the 8th gen EX manual! As far as I know, this is the first time the Accord has not improved acceleration times with a new generation.

All in all, this makes me extremely curious about how the V6 will perform!

Thoughts?

C & D also said that the car was an improvement in handling, etc. and said that they saw no need for a v6 since the 190 HP was suprisingly potent for passing etc. Although it hasn't been tested by C & D the V6 AT is said to be like .4 or .5 seconds faster than the last gen V6 because the computer on the car does not let you take it to the redline until after 20 mph in order to avoid torque steer etc. If you shift it like a manual D1, D2, D3, D then the 0-60 will be faster since you can take it all the way to the redline. On vtec.net they did a dyno on the new v6 Sedan 5AT and the results show that there is an advantage if you shift the automatic like a sports shift. But who's gonna want to do that? I think that if Honda had let torque steer be there (and people would right now be complaining) then we could have seen 6.5 seconds or less in 0-60 times. Right now the engine power is limited by some sort of ECU programing. Still awaiting C & D comparison of Camry, Accord, Altima. :wave: But then again who buys a mid-sized (now fullsize) sedan to race? :lmao:

I am so glad they fixed the torque steer I hated the way the car flelt when you got on it from a dead start. You felt like you were loosing control of the car. I think it is a huge improvement over previous versions.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

I thought this new 'full sized' thing applied to LX and LX-P models only due to increased headroom without the sunroof...

<snip> No, it's not dramatically larger, but it's no longer what an Accord meant to me.

For many years the Accord has "meant to be" a family car that appeals to enough people to put Honda in contention for having the best selling car in the US. If bigger gets that job done, then bigger it will be. All the market evidence indicates that more people want their sedans to carry four or five people in comfort, and that means a larger rear seat that is relatively easy to get in and out of. In the past, the smaller Accord size package was "in" with the mass market, but no more. Camry has proved this theory, and Honda suffered sales losses because they have been too slow to react to a changing market.

If small, tight, and sleek is your ideal car, then you will have to look elsewhere, maybe even at a Civic or the Acura TSX. There is too much bellyaching here about the Accord being "huge" or some such. It is not huge. It is a little larger, and I think that is a good thing. They saved one customer, me. Our next car will be a new Accord, not the Avalon we were seriously considering.

We often have friends and family in the back seat, and our present Accord has always required us to move our seats up too far for comfort to allow them room in the rear (we are all above average height). I do appreciate the good handling Accord builds into the design, but I would have given that up (very reluctantly) for more room.

Waldo

Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

I thought this new 'full sized' thing applied to LX and LX-P models only due to increased headroom without the sunroof...

You are correct.

For many years the Accord has "meant to be" a family car that appeals to enough people to put Honda in contention for having the best selling car in the US. If bigger gets that job done, then bigger it will be. All the market evidence indicates that more people want their sedans to carry four or five people in comfort, and that means a larger rear seat that is relatively easy to get in and out of. In the past, the smaller Accord size package was "in" with the mass market, but no more. Camry has proved this theory, and Honda suffered sales losses because they have been too slow to react to a changing market.

If small, tight, and sleek is your ideal car, then you will have to look elsewhere, maybe even at a Civic or the Acura TSX. There is too much bellyaching here about the Accord being "huge" or some such. It is not huge. It is a little larger, and I think that is a good thing. They saved one customer, me. Our next car will be a new Accord, not the Avalon we were seriously considering.

We often have friends and family in the back seat, and our present Accord has always required us to move our seats up too far for comfort to allow them room in the rear (we are all above average height). I do appreciate the good handling Accord builds into the design, but I would have given that up (very reluctantly) for more room.

Waldo

Waldo,

In no way was I criticizing the fact that the Accord has grown in size. Honda knows what they're doing, and I don't doubt them one bit on their choice to increase the Accords size each generation.

More specifically, I said it's no longer what an Accord means to me.

One thing I'd like to comment on is the fact that the 7th gen Accord offers a good deal of rear leg room in my opinion. I'm 6'3, and I can fit back there with the backseat essentially all the way back just fine.

With the Accord growing in size, would this make it competition to the Toyota Avalon or has the new Camry grown to be full-size, also?

With the Accord growing in size, would this make it competition to the Toyota Avalon or has the new Camry grown to be full-size, also?

The Camry is not classified as a full size. And the Accord is not actually classified as a full size. It's only a full sized car in 2 trim levels. That hardly makes it in the same class as an Avalon IMO.