The All-New 2008 Honda Accord Sedan

• Competes with: Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima, Ford Fusion, Chevrolet Malibu
• Looks like: Acura, Infiniti and BMW got together and made a Honda.
• Drivetrain: 268-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 with five-speed automatic only or 190-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder and 177-hp, 2.4-liter four cylinder with five-speed automatic or five-speed manual; front-wheel drive
• Hits dealerships: Mid-September, 2007

There is no more important model in Honda’s lineup than the Accord. When the Accord gets redesigned, it is a big, big deal. Consistently one of the country’s best-selling cars, the Accord was due for an overhaul, and here it is. Gone are the subdued lines and stub-nosed look of the 2007 model, replaced with aggressive styling, angry headlights and an awkward grille.

The exterior might be somewhat polarizing, but inside the Accord gets a major upgrade with an almost Acura-like level of sophistication. There’s plenty of room inside, too, as the Accord gets bigger for 2008, moving up in class from midsize to full-size based on interior room. It’ll still compete with the Toyota Camry, though, for the hearts and wallets of car shoppers.

The V-6 engine comes with cylinder deactivation, meaning it runs on only three cylinders during slow travel and six cylinders at higher speeds. This keeps fuel mileage at 19/29 city/hwy for the V-6, which is one mpg better on the highway than the Camry. Safety goodies include standard electronic stability control and front-seat head restraints, along with side-impact airbags in the front and side curtain airbags for both rows.

Cars.com’s Mike Hanley recently reviewed the new Honda Accord; we’ll have the full review posted later in the day. For now, check out the photos below.

Comments

Wow, it isn't as nice as I thought it was going to be. The outside is boring, maybe the white color?

Nope, the gray is boring too!

The interior is great though!!

It all looks very similar to the BMW 5-Series. I think the Accord's design was based on that. They could have at least updated the engines. 5 SPEED AUTO? All the other competitors are offering a 6 Speed Auto. The 4 cylinder engines sound great but I heard that this is supposed to replace the S2000 and they need to have a V6 with at least 300 hp. Hopefully there is a good hybrid.

I hate to be negative and all, but each angle the car looks like a different car of other makes. Like the side profile looks like a BMW, the from looks like a '05 Nissan Altima...the back crooked angle view looks like an old Saturn, and at another angle, it looks like an Toyota Avalon. I haven't seen it in person, but that's just what I am getting out of the photos. It will sell simply because it says Honda on it.

"It will sell simply because it says Honda on it."

Agree! 100% true. I know these types of people. My view on thenew Accord is that, if there's duct tape on the Honda badge...wait, better yet, if the Honda badge is being replaced by the Hyundai badge, I would have sworn that this looked like a model refresh for the Hyundai Azera or sthg (exterior wise).

There is 1 bad design that I can telll - the center console. Too many darn buttons to press!!!

get ready to see 400,000 of these by the middle of 2008..i bet there gonna sell like crazy..i should of waited for the accord instead of buying the civic..

i agree, this looks like a sonata or azera on steroids

the front looks like a mix between a Avenger and a Sonata. My first thought was Avenger, but I agree that the headlights are like an angry Sonata.

i guess I've seen worse. It will sell, but the Camry is better looking. Somehow the design looks awkward. It is trying to be sporty without really succeeding. Too many sharp edges. Don't know. Something is not quite right. They got it more right on the Civic.

All I can say is I was deciding between buying a slightly used Acura TL (05) last winter, or waiting for the 08 Accord new, and I'm not regretting my decision - to not have waited. That center console definitely has too many buttons, and is that an iDrive like center dial on it? Also, agree outside tries to be different cars, thinking angry Sonata in front, (defunct) Saturn L Series in back, and a little BMW 5 series from the side. I suppose outside is improved from the last generation's frankenstein of low sporty grill-less front and fat assed rear end (fixed somewhat starting in '06 model year), but the last generation's interior had it right, and that's gone now, despite the addition of modern features that have been missing (bluetooth, etc). I love Honda (other car's a 98 Prelude (3rd one)), but my TL's the kind of car I look back at after I park it. The '08 Accord is not.

It's gonna sell... probably not in the looks department but with 4 cylinders pushing 180 & 200 hp its got more hp than any 4 cylinder competitor

I agree, looks a bit "Sonata"ish. The interior IMO looks like a bigger Civic, & what's with Hondas new funky steering wheels? I liked the '06-'07 taillights better with the LED's.

I kinda want.

It looks like they tried to make almost every other mid-sized car out there into one. I'd take the fusion over that any day, At least that is original.

Better then the old one.

It is a disappointment on the outside. It screams Chrysler Sebring with those lines up the side. The interior is busy, but I am sure it will be well put together.

I like the comment from the one that said "I know these types of people". Is he refering to the people that like well made, quality cars and not the trash from GM. I'm proud to be one of those types of people. It's nice to be able to put 200,000 miles on a car and never have it in the shop. The new Accord is SHARP and it will SELL.

It's Ok looking, I like the back, the front is not that great. I think they went overboard making it too agressive. People who buy these kind of cars aren't looking for agressive styling. I mean look at the nitro, magnum, avenger, and charger all agressive, none really sell that well.

Hope it looks better than the photos. Exterior design is boring and looks too much like a Chysler Sebring. Camrys and Hyundai Sonatas look more appealing. The 08 Accord will make GM happy especially for their upcoming Malibu...Ditto for Ford and their Fusion.

GM and Ford happy? What have you been smoking? Camry and Accord number 1 & 2 again - just like it's been for years. Doesn't matter what they look like - loyal buyers buy QUALITY.

"It's Ok looking, I like the back, the front is not that great."

PS, you've got to be kidding. You LIKE the Saturn L series Sedan rear end?

Front and side is what saves it (would prefer less of a Scion TC/Honda Ridgeline like grill, but otherwise it's an improvement over the grill-less (and cheap looking, Suzuki-like old model's front end.

"I think they went overboard making it too agressive. People who buy these kind of cars aren't looking for agressive styling."

Uh, source? On the contrary, people who must buy a mide sized family sedan probably don't want boring if they can avoid it. A little style never hurt anyone.

"I mean look at the nitro, magnum, avenger, and charger all agressive, none really sell that well."

That's not because they are aggressively styled, it's because they are POS cars overall. (and actually, the Charger is doing great, thank you very much. Nitro isn't outselling the Neon, but that's partially because it's only in wagon form. Magnum sold better before Charger came out (it's a wagon version of it), but there's only so much demand for full size wagons (given the minivan/SUV/crossover alternatives on the market), and it's holding it's own in that respect.

Avenger is also doing well, compared to it's predecessor (Stratus), and it's more aggressive than that vehicle.

Rahmingspeed,

I know that there are alot of people who like the agressive styling. But obviously the "plain" style of the previous generation sedan was fine with most people. Even though it was boring and not anything special, it outsold all of it's competitors (besides the camry). So Honda could have easily just made it not boring, and not agressive, just like what toyota did with the new camry and ford did with the fusion.

"it put out more HP than any competitor"

the passat 2.0T puts out 200 hp.

and is way safer and way nicer, and starts around the same price.

it looks like another hard-plasticmobile from honda. its a scary trend going through Toyota and Honda latley.

Well, I won't be getting an Accord. The inside looks reallllly nice. The outside reminds me of a Kia; and that lower front grill makes me think of Hannibal Lecter and his mask in "Silence of the Lamb."

Wait PS, so you're telling me you're under the impression the present ('07 and up) Camry and the Fusion are 'not' aggressive (or in the Camry's case, more aggressive) than what they replace?

If so, I fundamentally disagree. Old Camry (02-06) wasn't ugly, just boring. New one is definitely more aggressive, and sales have exploded (and this without rebates) year over year from the old one (take it from me, I know, and track this). And as much as Ford builds has built many POS cars, even I have to admit the Fusion is worlds ahead of past Ford entries in that segment, and definitely aggressive (and it sells! huh!).

Compare Fusion to Contour (it's predecessor), or even the old Taurus (00-06) and tell me it's not more aggressive. Compare both generations of Camry (02-06 vs 07 and up) and tell me the newer one's not more aggressive.

Hondas will sell because they're Hondas, and therefore well made, good ergonomics, fit and finish, reliability, resale value, handling, etc... But they have a chronic problem with making cars too conservative. Now they have a problem with mixing too many cars into one look, and if there's one thing worse than too conservative, its a mix of aggressive and conservative Frankensteined into one body, which the '08 model has done. Now it has no identity, as opposed to a definable one (either boring or aggressive).

In any case, aggressive sells (I'm going by statistics, not opinion).

PS-
You mentioned that aggressive styling doesn't sell and in the same breath mentioned the nitro, magnum, avenger, and charger. It's not the aggressive syling that keeps them from selling - they're domestic brands. Honda and toyota can get agressive and they will sell.

I must be one of the few who really likes it. I think it is conservative but classy. It is not bulbous and bloated like the Camry, and again, not quite as alluring and sexy as the Altima.
It steps up a size so it is about the same size as the old Toyota Avalon and is now the largest in it's class - a good thing in my opinion.
If Honda don't let their quality slip the way Toyota has let theirs, then Honda can count me in. I'll take a V6 EX please...

Hey Ziggy: Take heed to the forum rule #3 and avoid sarcasm: Try to be civil to your fellow blog readers. This blog is not a fan or enthusiast forum, it is meant to help people during the car-buying process and during the time between purchases, so shoppers can keep a pulse on the market.

I'm sorry but I don't think that buyers visit blogs for advice on buying cars - visiting a blog and reading the opinions of people they don't know...I don't think so. Blogs are meant to voice opinion, whether it's the opinion of the author of the article or the opinion of other bloggers - nothing more that that.

I'm sorry but I have to agree with Ziggy. Blogs or forums like this are just opinions and every opinion is open to criticism - sarcastic or not. I'm not familiar with rule number 3. Was that sarcasm. Anyway,I think the new Accord looks great and it will very likely sell another 300,000 next year. This will be done without the advice of anyone in this forum. It's nice to see Honda move away from the bland (safe) styling of previous Accords. Although this is nothing new for them. They were criticized on the design of the new civic and CRV. Those negative comments did not hurt those sales. The Camry has been criticised for it's design and it's the # 1 selling car. People by cars because of 1) brand loyalty 20 the opinion friends and relatives, 3) looks and 4) by doing the research to find one that meets their needs.

I read somewhere that Honda was thinking about putting a diesel in the Accord and that in Europe it got 60+ MPG. Are they thinking about doing this for the US? If so when? It would add to the sales. I like the interior but I am not sold on the exterior. Maybe it will look better in person as all cars look different in pictures than in real life.

They had a nice idea with the 2008 coupe, giving you black carpet with an ivory interior (no one wants to try to keep ivory carpet clean). Too bad it didn't carry over to the sedan.

I've gotta say, the tiering of the four-cylinder engines is retrograde. Remember on the 1994-97 Accords, when you had to get the EX four-cylinder model to get VTEC (and a few more horses)? This is the same thing. Honestly, they will bandy about the fact that only the Accord has a 200 horsepower four, but if you look at the figures, it only has four more pound-feet of torque than its 180 horsepower counterpart.

Russ:

The diesel Accord is definitely coming, likely to come out in 2009. I don't know if that means it'll come out in 2008 as a 2009 model, or if it will be released during calendar year 2009, but I agree it might be something worth waiting on. There's also word that there will be a diesel Ridgeline and a diesel Odyssey, which is interesting.

pj,
The Passat 2.0T
Did I see the T behind the 2.0? Does that mean a Turbo?
Comparing a N/A to a turbo, huh?

Anyway, am I the only one to think that the steeringwheel's silver part looks silly?

The front looks awful. What were they thinking when thy put in that grille and bumper !

looks like a saturn or a chevy malibu from the side, maybe an old bimmer. front and back too plain, Toyota wins exterior look. Interior looks excellent but Will buy a Bimmer 335I instead and be happy with the looks, will have to skip on this Honda. Maybe next one in 5 years will be better.

Look at the 2008 Mercedes C series-- look at the crease in the side, the headlights, grille, bumber, overall side profile, rear panel, rear view, rear bumper and tailpipes-- spitting image switch out the mercdes grille and the honda grille and you wouldn't know the difference-- like they had the same designer. Rear pillar and direct and 3/4 rear view look like a BMW.

I don't think a manfacturer can produce a sedan that doesn't look like another sedan. I guess Honda did a good job of not making the new Accord look like just one of them.

I'm beginning to like the new styling. At first I didn't, but it's growing on me. I bet that thing really rides nice and quiet. I cant wait to see how that thing zips with the 4cyl with 190hp! Now, you gotta realize thats only 54 hp less than the old 3.0 V6!

As far as a 5spd auto VS. 6spd auto Camry thing, I would rather have the 5-spd auto. If you can get the same fuel economy, and not have to deal with the shiftiness on rolling hills or long grades (with a neck-jerking 6-to-3rd shift) thats fine by me.

I have an 04 Element, and when I drove an '07 I found out why 5spd tranny's arent any better unless the engine mated to it has alot of torque.

The 2007 I drove while mine was in the shop for Tune-Up and Serpentine Belt replacement was just terrible on hills with cruise on. On a 2% grade at 72mph cruise, it would shift (and jerk the car) from 5th to 3rd. My 2004 always holds Overdrive (4) on the same hill at the same speed. And the mileage of that 5spd auto is the same at 23mpg avg. than my 2004's 4-spd auto. I still got the usual 290 miles from a tank!

Anyways, I cant wait to test-drive the new Accord my local dealer has coming in ('08 EX-L V-6 Sedan) on Sept 9th!

Way to go Honda!

Nate

I like the new Accord, it has great, sporty looking side view, a nice, attrative front and rear end, also a bit sporty looking. I just wish the white exterior came with the light gray color, not just what they call ivory--which is more like a beige. I have not test drove one yet, (just viewed them up close at the dealer), but I'm sure the ride is smooth, quiet and responsive.

I was car searching for over 6 months- and finally I put a deposit down on a Acura TSX (I drove both the TL and TSX on numerous occasions). A day before I was going to finalize the transaction, I heard the Honda '08 came out. The next day I test drove it, and the day after that I bought it. Honda has really out done itself on this model. It has more horsepower than the s2000 and as I have been explaining,it looks like Lexus, Acura RL and BMW had a "threesome" and I am driving their love child. When you view the new Honda online it gives no justice to it, but, when you see it in person and get behind the wheel it is unbelievable. The only downside is that it has factory headlights (not xenon like the acura standard feature). In response to the comments I read about buying a TL and not regretting it... that's fine, but I saved $9,000 for a car that handles just as well and looks sleek. And for the comments about it looking bland/boring... wait 'til you see it in black with crome handles and outlay. It's a hot car-- I've already had people taking pictures of my car in parking lots (and yes I'm sure they were taking them of my car because I parked in the middle of nowhere).

But about the headlights on the sedan, they could have at least put projetor type on there just like the coupe.

Just bought the new 08 Honda Accord. Haven't had it long enough to comment, but it has been love at first sight so far.

I have one of these in white, the v6. it's freakin GREAT on gas. I'm 25 so i want a more aggressive look. And the handling is great too. Awesome car.