Cars.com’s Kelsey Mays got his hands on the 2009 Honda Accord for a video review, but that title doesn’t really do justice to how much you’re going to know about the Accord by the time you finish watching it. Mays exercises his near-encyclopedic knowledge of everything from grille angles to interior surface quality to give viewers an in-depth experience with the Accord. In all likelihood, you’ll feel like you got in the car yourself when it’s over.
2009 Honda Accord Video Review
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to me the Accord's interior seems "normal" and doesnt really over acheive. I think the 6, Sonata and Malibu are just as nice. The other issue I have with the Accord is that you have to get the EX-L to get the good features. Honda always tells you how you car should be optioned instead of the other way around.
"Honda always tells you how you car should be optioned instead of the other way around."
Thats the beauty of Honda. Other makers make you lost in the options. sometimes you say, I want this, that and that and what do they tell you? - "We don't have such combination. But we have this." Or "They don't come in this combination" Don't be fooled. most of the times you can't get exactly what you want.
Honda has structured system of options, which basically builds up from the lowest to the highest. It makes a lot of sence.
I agree, from screenshots the interior actually doesn't look that much better than the competition, but I think one can get a four banger LX Accord that's pretty well equipped and a good price.
Tony:
Anyone who can read and use the internet can figure out how to option car online to their specifications. I have heard a lot excuses for Honda in my day, but to say they have the best system because we are too ignorant to pick our own options is a stretch. A dealer may not always have the EXACT configuration you want but they can always order such a car or find one at another dealer. With Honda you get no choices other than trim and color. They do this to lower production costs and yet the customer sees no evidence of those savings. LAst time I checked the Accord is hardly the cheapest car in the class.
I know Honda's got some very high-quality interiors in most of their cars on the road today, I just feel they try too hard to get that "modern" feel they strive for with their swoopy edgy lines on every piece of plastic.
Original sheth,
you're running in front of the train.
Dealer often absolutely CAN NOT order a car to your specification when many-many options are available. They can come close to it but it would be rare to be 100%. I personally had 3 such experiences. On the Sienna I wanted package "X", which is listed in the booklet. Well, 2 dealers said the same thing: "Its in the booklet but they never saw one and can't get one because nobody has it".
Ok. May be they can make a factory order for you? But this means months of waiting.
With Hondas... They equipped every model with stability control, traction control and this is why you see them more expensive to start then others. Camry is cheaper, sure, to start. But the controls on the Camry are not standard. What is bad about make your car safer by default?
May be Honda's packaging is not perfect. But it works for most people. How can you customize a Honda? Golden door handles? It's a Honda, not Bently.
Interiors were mentioned here before. Honda, has the best fabric out there. Fit, finish - the best. Dash is plasticky but seats, trim - all great. I remember someone said Malibu has better interior. Guys. I gave my time on Sunday to few Chevys. Fit is not terrible but Honda is still rules. In one Chevy I showed my wife the lid of the top of the dash compartment, which had 3 mm gap on one side and 6 mm on the other.
In the Ford Flex I found under the hood some body parts so rough, one can cut his finger if touches. Almost like they were not machined enough, just painted over press cut edge.
Mazda3 goes 2-seater. I have 98 Protege. I can move my seat all way back and behind me I can sit with my 6'. In the new 3 there is even less rear legroom then before. Corolla too soft? Then 3 is not people friendly. Get a Civic. A combination of nice ride and quality interior makes it favorite.
Sheth,
At least that Honda does not bundle up some options as packages like other automakers.
I've tried other makers before, like I want a moonroof, they automatically bundle up something like heated mirror, spoiler, stereo upgrade and navigation. I mean, I don't need the spoiler, but I can't get the moonroof.
C:
Nissan does that. I would never use Nissan as an example of how things should be done. My experience has been that the Big 3 Japanese firms do not believe in allowing you to mix and match options. Toyota has a system similar to that of Nissan in which they tell you which options should be grouped together so if you want one thing you end up paying for 4 things.
Tony:
I hardly find you to be objective so I'm not surprised that you think the Malibu has subpar fit and finish. My experience in the car doesnt support that nor do the reviews of the car. But if you want to keep believing the car is built to lower standards than the Almighty Accord that is your choice.
Sheth,
I can't get the sunroof on the Malibu LS. Can you help figure out why?
C,
Base model. I didnt say ANY combination is possible, I said more combinations are possible with domestic products. You also cant get leather or 18" wheels on the LS model. That doesnt mean the Malibu has as few option possibilities as the Accord. Limiting build options benefits the manufacturers, not consumers so I'm not sure why people want to pat Honda on the back for not giving us many choices. On the Accord you cant even get XM unless you get the EX-L trim with the 270W stereo. Its standard on the Malibu and Aura.
"That doesnt mean the Malibu has as few option possibilities as the Accord. Limiting build options benefits the manufacturers, not consumers so I'm not sure why people want to pat Honda on the back for not giving us many choices."
And, the sale person will say that "because Honda has specific trim levels; so our resale values are better. You know, options on other cars sometimes don't hold their values (from a Honda dealer in Summer 08).". --> Probably true though :).
"And, the sale person will say that "because Honda has specific trim levels; so our resale values are better. You know, options on other cars sometimes don't hold their values (from a Honda dealer in Summer 08).". --> Probably true though :). "
Wow, never heard that one before but Honda is good at convincing consumers they shouldnt dare ask questions about what Honda provides or how they chose to option vehicles. Whatever it is they are doing you should rest assured that Honda is smarter than you and knows whats best.
OS,
Exactly, this is also the outcome of having good sale number for years. You get more money from working for a Honda dealer. That's how they attract skillful sale persons.
Another funny thing, my friend was complaining to that guy about the interior color. She prefers a white civic, but the interior has to be tan, which she doesn't like. That guy got away by saying that the color matching came from millions of dollars in research. I'm not saying that he's a bad guy. I think that it's quite a smart answer.
I got all of these stories when I helped my friend shop for a car last summer. We cross shopped among Mazda 3, Civic, and Mini. Overall, she's still happy with her choice although we didn't have good experience at the Mini and Honda dealer at all. She also have had some reliability issues with the Mini. I'm thinking about sharing our car shopping experience and the review on the Mini through the Reader Review channel.
All 2009 accords headlights flicker. Pull up to a wall at night and just watch your headlights.
If I knew that I would never have bought the car. Very disturbing.