A sure bet.
The Accord is a major contender in one of the hottest, most competitive car segments. In the past, with opponents such as the Ford Taurus and the unavoidable Toyota Camry, Honda has had to contend with larger and more powerful foes. Honda has always been able to hold its own though with its style, quality and reliability. The present-day Accord is no exception; Honda has come up with yet another winning recipe. In 2003, the latest version of the Accord came our way. Bigger and mightier than ever, the new Accord has more flair and panache than the Camry and Taurus with engines that boast more horsepower. Honda is evermore closing in on Toyota, DaimlerChrysler and Ford in total sales in Canada. The Civic obviously plays a huge role but the Accord is the next step after consumers outgrow their Civics.
The following text serves as an evaluation of only the regular Accords. As much as possible, I like to add comments about previous test drives of the same car, but seeing as I have yet to test the Accord Hybrid, I will omit all information on that specific model.
The base Accord DX retails for $24,300. The range is topped price-wise by the EX-V6 Coupe with the 6-speed manual gearbox. Its sticker price is $34,300. The tested Accord is an EX-L with an automatic transmission that retails for $31,100.
Exterior styling
For 2005, the Accord receives very minor exterior upgrades. Not everyone
appreciates the Honda's styling, although it at least manages to stand out a little. Compared to the Camry, its front and rear end treatment are more angular and dare I say it, racy. The front fenders that bulge out a little from the flat hood and the oddly shaped trunk lid are the Accord's most distinctive features. Perhaps though, Honda should launch a sporty variety of the Accord to rival the Altima SE-R and the upcoming Mazda Mazdaspeed 6. A little dose of energy of the sort could only help to distinguish the car further from its less vigorous rivals.
The Coupe's styling is more inspiring. Its lines flow easily from front to back thanks to a neater more rounded trunk lid and steeply raked rear window.
The application of the paint is evenly done and the body panels are quite well aligned. Gaps are kept to a minimum and overall assembly is very good.
Interior styling
This is another Honda that has a calm and sober interior. The three types of plastics that make up the dash blend into each other to create a uniform look. The quality of the materials is excellent and the assembly is perfectly executed. The centre mounted LCD display is easy enough to read but some of the buttons located around it can be a little difficult to decipher. The large gauges are minimal but very straightforward and easy to read. The steering wheel mounted audio and cruise controls light up and are also very easy to use and consult.
The high-quality leather covered front seats offer very good support, both lumbar and lateral. Rear seats are also very accommodating. The heated seats are limited to a high and low position; something I always find disappointing given the fact that some manufacturers can offer five or more levels of heat.
Interior volume is quite generous. The trunk follows suit, as it is large and deep. Outward visibility in all directions is quite good.
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The following text serves as an evaluation of only the regular Accords. As much as possible, I like to add comments about previous test drives of the same car, but seeing as I have yet to test the Accord Hybrid, I will omit all information on that specific model.
The base Accord DX retails for $24,300. The range is topped price-wise by the EX-V6 Coupe with the 6-speed manual gearbox. Its sticker price is $34,300. The tested Accord is an EX-L with an automatic transmission that retails for $31,100.
Exterior styling
For 2005, the Accord receives very minor exterior upgrades. Not everyone
 |
The Coupe's styling is more inspiring. Its lines flow easily from front to back thanks to a neater more rounded trunk lid and steeply raked rear window.
The application of the paint is evenly done and the body panels are quite well aligned. Gaps are kept to a minimum and overall assembly is very good.
Interior styling
 |
The high-quality leather covered front seats offer very good support, both lumbar and lateral. Rear seats are also very accommodating. The heated seats are limited to a high and low position; something I always find disappointing given the fact that some manufacturers can offer five or more levels of heat.
Interior volume is quite generous. The trunk follows suit, as it is large and deep. Outward visibility in all directions is quite good.