Test drove 2013 Accord.

[deznium]

Hi

I am a new member here and I own a Honda Accord 8th Gen. I went to drive the the 2013 Sport Accord. I think the quality has gone up quite a bit and I like the color screen on the dash. Overall felt solid and the steering was not bad at all and seemed well tuned. It felt smaller and more sporty (even LX).

Some things improved and some things remain OK or maybe they will be fixed in the next generation, for example:
1) The CVT was smooth but when I accelerate hard and press the pedal down, there seems to be a decent amount of delay to go from 60 to 80 MPH. Maybe someone who test drove can comment on this too. It felt a little laggy as compared to the automatic. Although, overall was decently smooth.

2) The road noise is down but you can still hear the wind whisper at high speeds about 60+ MPH.

3) Once I was able to reach 80 MPH, I felt the car was not as stable as the 8th Gen. It feels good but not as solid as the 8th gen. One of the reviews also mentions that:

You Tube

You Tube

(watch around 2:30)

4) The rear head room was a little less but not bad at all.

5) The fabric on the LX seemed from the 90s. Not sure how it is on the EX.

Maybe the new struts do effect the ride at higher speeds. At this point, can't really tell but I did feel at higher speeds the car could have been better tuned.

I also own a BMW 3 so I am very sensitive to the handling aspect when I test drive cars.

Overall, decent car... most people will be ok with it.

Thanks!

[II Kings 9:20]

Nice write up. The 2:30 mark in the video is really about steering feel and not stability of the chassis. All auto journalist are required to hate electric steering. I love it on my 13 Ex-L steering as well as the Altima and Malibu -not numb on either to me. Avalon was too boosted and light even at speed. I have driven a Porsche and S2000 at Mid-Ohio so I know about steering at high speed and no family sedan belongs on a track so I don't use that as my guide the way journalists do.

Owning a 3 is a is as you know in a different league from softer, comfortable, and roomy family sedans. I have owned 9 MB and 5 BMW to name a few and I am at the point that I want to cruise down the freeway comfortably and I'll have fun in the S curves in my Boxter.

Never drove the 8th gen but I love gen 9 (spoken as a former anti Honda person).

Oh, BTW, Altima has an OD/off button on it's CVT that increases revs to act as a downshift. I have not found that yet on the Accord for 60-80 performance, still pouroing over the owner's manual.

[mdreibelbis]

Ditto. The steering on my 13 EXL feels good to me. It's a pretty light at lower speeds but at highway speeds I think it feels natural. FWIW it feels a little lighter than the KIA Optima I drove a few weeks back.

[deznium]

Originally Posted by II Kings 9:20

Nice write up. The 2:30 mark in the video is really about steering feel and not stability of the chassis. All auto journalist are required to hate electric steering. I love it on my 13 Ex-L steering as well as the Altima and Malibu -not numb on either to me. Avalon was too boosted and light even at speed. I have driven a Porsche and S2000 at Mid-Ohio so I know about steering at high speed and no family sedan belongs on a track so I don't use that as my guide the way journalists do.

Regarding the video, he does mention that it doesn't seem planted as compared to the 8th gen. Please see the full video till the end and you'll hear him say that.

Also, I'm not saying that the steering is bad.. I like the light steering on this car, it seems well tuned. But when I do accelerate it seems a bit laggy and I do think the struts effect the ride at higher speeds. Sure, it is not meant to be a sports car but the stability factor shouldn't be compromised for any car, whether family or sports. It is stable though but not as stable as the 8th gen in my opinion. It definitely does feel lighter in the front as well. I think they added a sway bar in the front to accommodate and try to mimic the wishbone dynamics.

This car would be perfect if they went with 6 speed automatic with the wishbone. I think Honda is eying more towards family drivers who don't usually drive around the 80 MPH range most of the time (just a guess).

[deznium]

Originally Posted by II Kings 9:20

All auto journalist are required to hate electric steering.

This is not necessarily true. Journalists hate over boosted electric steerings. The new BMW 3 got electrical assist as compared to the hydraulics ones they used in the older BMWs. However, the tuning was excellent and it got very good feedback/reviews form the journalists. I think Honda has done a decent job with the tuning as well.

[II Kings 9:20]

Originally Posted by deznium

This is not necessarily true. Journalists hate over boosted electric steerings. The new BMW 3 got electrical assist as compared to the hydraulics ones they used in the older BMWs. However, the tuning was excellent and it got very good feedback/reviews form the journalists. I think Honda has done a decent job with the tuning as well.

I was being a little toungue in cheek there. Rarely do they "approve" if the steering is electric and I agree over boosted especially at speed is not good (Avalon). The13' Porsche Boxter is generlally not well liked compared to my 2000 because it lost the grainyness of the steering feel which is desirable with sports driving though I hate steering wheel kick back on bumps.

My '02 and '04 X5 had regular steering and I hated it (as have C&D and MT -"excessively heavy steering at low speed" on the '12 model was mentioned in the review). I had to muscle the X5 into a parking space arm over arm, very annoying and unnecessary.

My preference is finger light steering when parking and BMW tight at speed. While the Accord ain't quite that tight at speed, I agree that Honda has done a decent to good job with tuning-certainly better than most. My 80 Citroen CX 2500D had a similar non electric set up that was self centering and a gem to drive (never should have sold it ).

[kyler13]

Okay, first post here after lurking for the past week. Actually wandered over to my nearby dealership at lunch time today to test drive the EX-L V6 and I have a few thoughts to share. First off, I must say I liked the overall package of features and how the car drove enough so that it's at the top of my list right now for our next car. On a side note, I That being said, here are my observations in my best recollection after the test drive:

* Car drives real smooth, and the V6 punch in impressive
* During the test drive, I found myself more and more digging the lanewatch feature - honda hit a homerun here
* Wasn't sure how I'd feel about the electric steering, and while it seemed okay, it felt easily disturbed from holding center by bumps in the pavement on the highway - mind you, it wasn't a problem, just noticeable
* Seats were very comfortable
* The center console appearance just seems off to me. Something about the way the vent-flanked touch screen control bordered in a bright metal trim appears to jut out below the recessed iMID screen.
* The back seat passed the roominess test similar to the Kia Optima I test drove. I'm tall at a shade over 6' and when I sat in the back seat behind the driver seat I had adjusted for myself, there was plenty of leg room. Big thumbs up there. I had test drove a TL and felt the back seat wasn't as roomy.
* Back-up camera lines actually curve depending on the steering wheel position which is an advanced touch. My friend's 4 year old Audi A4 had this feature. In the '12 TL and Optima, the lines stay straight regardless, and I suspect other non-luxury manufacturers may not have this extra touch.
* I liked the look of the Sport model with the lip spoiler and 18" wheels. It baffles me that you can't get the 18's as an accessory option on the EX-L. They have a chrome-look sporty 17" option to the standard 17's, but the 18's look so much nicer on this car.
* While it's "cool" to have the top Touring offer advanced technology LED headlights, would be nice if the EX or V6 EX models had HID's and left the halogens to the lower trims. Couldn't help noticing the projector lenses in the headlight assembly - guessing an HID lense retrofit would be relatively straightforward without the need for cutting.
* Hate run-of-the-mill halogen DRLs so it's nice to have the LED DRLs, and they look great on this car.
* I am not clear on the comfort access features. I have yet to find anything on Honda's site or elsewhere (am I not looking hard enough?) that provides the details. The little I know about it is from pictures or this recent test drive. For example, the trunk lid has a button on the underside edge to open it, similar to the driver's handle. But what else does it offer? I was looking at the keyfob and when I turned it over, it said Driver 2 on it to which I responded to the salesperson that it was curious that it was labeled that way. He claims it's specifically keyed to the drivers seat memory preset such that when you walk up and unlock, it positions the seat for you. Are there other features? Bluetooth phone priority? I know the TL goes as far as remembering radio presets and mirror positions, but I suspect the Accord isn't that comprehensive. Would love more info on all the features of this.

[HADriver06]

Originally Posted by deznium

This car would be perfect if they went with 6 speed automatic with the wishbone. I think Honda is eying more towards family drivers who don't usually drive around the 80 MPH range most of the time (just a guess).

My thoughts exactly. I'd also think another reason that they went with CVT is that they're banking on the buyers of Altima to switch over to Honda. That group, Honda's usual loyal following plus another crowd from other various brands in the midsize segment will likely make this car a huge success.

My guess is that even in this crappy economy, they won't have any trouble selling this new Accord at all. But it is just a bit of a let down (to me at least) knowing that they would've obliterated the competition if they had paired the 6AT and double wishbone to an otherwise perfect package.

[grover432]

Originally Posted by HADriver06

My thoughts exactly. I'd also think another reason that they went with CVT is that they're banking on the buyers of Altima to switch over to Honda. That group, Honda's usual loyal following plus another crowd from other various brands in the midsize segment will likely make this car a huge success.

My guess is that even in this crappy economy, they won't have any trouble selling this new Accord at all. But it is just a bit of a let down (to me at least) knowing that they would've obliterated the competition if they had paired the 6AT and double wishbone to an otherwise perfect package.

I'm not sure why everyone is beating up on the new front suspension. The same McPherson strut setup has been used by BMW and Porsche for years and those cars handle exceptionally well. A double wishbone system is better at controlling camber change which would be more evident in bumpy curves than in straight ahead driving on the highway. I doubt the new strut setup is to blame for a less planted feel at highway speeds. Maybe it's the steering boost or maybe the aerodynamic design doesn't provide enough downforce. I thought this car steered well (on my short test drive) but I did notice torque steer off the line and the steering wheel seemed to need correction while under way.

Even if the change to struts as resulted in some loss of feel, it is made worth it to achieve an extremely quiet interior - something Honda has been criticized about for years.

[deznium]

Originally Posted by grover432

I'm not sure why everyone is beating up on the new front suspension. The same McPherson strut setup has been used by BMW and Porsche for years and those cars handle exceptionally well. A double wishbone system is better at controlling camber change which would be more evident in bumpy curves than in straight ahead driving on the highway. I doubt the new strut setup is to blame for a less planted feel at highway speeds. Maybe it's the steering boost or maybe the aerodynamic design doesn't provide enough downforce. I thought this car steered well (on my short test drive) but I did notice torque steer off the line and the steering wheel seemed to need correction while under way.

Even if the change to struts as resulted in some loss of feel, it is made worth it to achieve an extremely quiet interior - something Honda has been criticized about for years.

BMWs and Porches are not FWD cars. Having said that, any suspension can be made to work efficiently. Those German cars have tons of engineering done on their suspensions. I'm not sure if Honda has done so much using the struts at this point but maybe it will work out for them. I'm not blaming the suspension, I'm just saying what I felt. Maybe it is just the tire pressure or the car hasn't broken in properly, not sure. But I did feel that solid feel was a a little missing at high speeds.

[Offbeat Oddity]

I wasn't sure where to post this, but how would the ride/handling compare to a 7th gen Accord? It sounds like the 2013 Accord's ride is a little more compliant, but it seems the steering has gotten lighter? If it's too light, that could be a deal-breaker, but it does sound like it's tuned a little better than the '13 Altima's.

[jshaw]

Originally Posted by deznium

BMWs and Porches are not FWD cars. Having said that, any suspension can be made to work efficiently. Those German cars have tons of engineering done on their suspensions. I'm not sure if Honda has done so much using the struts at this point but maybe it will work out for them. I'm not blaming the suspension, I'm just saying what I felt. Maybe it is just the tire pressure or the car hasn't broken in properly, not sure. But I did feel that solid feel was a a little missing at high speeds.

Bingo. And not only that, Porsches are mostly rear engined, so the weight isn't even on the front. The few front engined Porsches (like the Cayenne) are mostly Double Wishbones on the front.

To finally put it to rest...


The new BMW 5 series... ditched front struts for front double wishbones.
The new BMW 7 series... ditched front struts for front double wishbones.

The BMW X5 always had front double wishbones.
The BMW X6 always had front double wishbones.

The only ones that don't in the BMW lineup? The cheaper cars, like the 3 series and 1 series.



The whole, "Porsche/BMW use front struts perfectly fine," is not exactly true. Same things applies to Subaru, which (in most markets, at least) have an all 4WD-only or RWD-only lineup along with a rather low center of gravity. At any rate, none of them have to put up with a side saddle engine that has two electric motors and a geared CVT lined up in the engine bay.