Consumer Guide's Impressions of the 2008 Honda Accord
The 2008 Honda Accord will have edgier new styling, but don't look for Honda get too adventurous with technology – no all-wheel drive, for example – or to make its best-selling car any larger.
What We Know About the 2008 Honda Accord
Honda's got to be more aggressive with its styling to attract young buyers, and it'll do that with the next version of its Accord. The 2008 Honda Accord's basic look can be seen in the Honda Accord Coupe concept displayed at this year's auto shows.
A raked-forward stance and bold body-side forms define the coupe concept. Honda views sedan buyers as more conservative than coupe buyers, so the Accord four-door won't look quite this aggressive, but it will keep enough of this flavor to render the 2003-2007 Honda Accord stylistically out of date.
What Honda won't alter is the formula that's made Accord one of America's most popular cars. The 2008 models will retain a relatively roomy interior without growing much on the outside. This is in contrast to two main rivals, the 2007 Toyota Camry and the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, both of which are significantly larger than the models they replace.
The 2008 Honda Accord will also reprise front-wheel drive and offer four- and six-cylinder engines. The four-cylinder will stay at around 170 horsepower. The V-6 likely will grow to 3.2 liters from 3.0 and probably will add to the 2007 version's 244 horsepower, if only to stay abreast of V-6s in newer competitors such as the Nissan Altma (270 horsepower) and Toyota Camry (268). Expect fuel economy with either engine to improve slightly.
Not much is known about the interior design of the 2008 Honda Accord, but it too needs a thorough updating. We wonder if Honda will go so far as to emulate the futuristic double-tiered instrument panel introduced in the 2005 Honda Civic.
A Notable Feature of the 2008 Honda Accord
The 2008 Honda Accord V-6 engine will gain power, but shouldn't use more gas. That's because Honda will give it a cylinder-deactivation system that automatically shuts down three of the cylinders when they're not needed, in highway cruising or at stoplights, for example.
Buying Advice for the 2008 Honda Accord (US preference)
If you want a new midsize Honda sedan with a gas-electric hybrid powertrain, look to the 2007 Honda Accord Hybrid. The 2008 Honda Accord won't offer a hybrid version, and we don't expect one until the 2009 model year. The 2009 Honda Accord Hybrid will probably aim for maximum fuel economy by teaming a four-cylinder gas engine with an electric motor. The 2007 Honda Accord Hybrid favors performance by blending a V-6 engine with the electric motor.
2008 Honda Accord Prices: Honda hasn't yet talked about 2008 Accord prices, but they won't stray much from Accord's current range. The lineup will again span basic four-cylinder models starting around $19,000 and topping out at around $27,500 for loaded versions with leather upholstery, sunroof, and navigation system. V-6 models should range from about $26,000 to $31,000.
2008 Honda Accord Release Date: The 2008 Honda Accord should be in showrooms by late October, 2007.
2008 Honda Accord First Test Drive: Expect a full Consumer Guide drive report by the end of summer.
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