Just In: 2008 Honda Accord

You can almost set your clock by it. Every five model years, the Honda Accord gets a redesign. True, this is up from the four-year-cycles we saw in the 1980s and 1990s, but the car isn't exactly suffering for it: The past Accord EX V6 went out on top of our family sedan Ratings.

Here is an interesting factoid: depending on the source, Honda Accord sales were up around 30 percent in September this year compared to last year. It's hard to tell if that's because of clearance deals on the excellent last-generation model, or from first-on-the-block buyers of the redesigned car. Either way, that increase is a big deal given that the Accord has been the perennial second-highest-selling car (behind the Toyota Camry) in the United States. (So far this year, the Accord is ahead.)

Comparing the Accord to the Camry, the Accord is an easy answer for an enthusiast to suggest when faced with the inevitable "What car should I buy?" question at parties. The Camry has been quieter and softer riding, but the Accord achieves the same level of practicality, has long been reliable, and as a plus, is more entertaining to drive.

So far, based on the two Accords that Consumer Reports bought to test, we don't see Honda deviating far from this very successful formula. As I frequently write in "Just In" blogs, this car is bigger than the one it replaces: it seems that most of the extra four inches in length went into rear seat room. At least the just over 100 pound weight increase (for our EX-L V6) is nominal, given the big jumps we've seen in other cars.

Another jump is in horsepower; the four-cylinder LX-P sedan we're testing has 177 hp, up 11 from the old four-cylinder. (The EX four-cylinder has 190 hp.) Our EX-L V6 sedan has moved up in displacement from a 3.0 to 3.5 liters, gained a deactivation system that shuts off two or three cylinders under light load, and added 24 horsepower. Honda stuck with a five-speed automatic; while many manufacturers are going to six-speeds, Honda so far has been able to eke out strong fuel economy and responsive performance with five forward gears. As Jim Travers wrote in his recent "Fuel for Thought" blog, Honda is claiming improved fuel economy despite more power.

First impressions are that the new Accords are impressive to drive. Stability control is standard on all trim levels--a welcome addition of this valuable safety technology. We'll have more on the Accords when we post our First Look.

--Tom Mutchler

Discuss Honda in the Consumer Reports Forums.

Comments

[Steve S.]

Can you tell we've been sitting by our keyboards waiting for a peep on this one? I am _itching_ to compare the 2008 Accord w/ a 2008 Camry Hybrid -- and living in MA means we can buy PZEV Accords - does CR print any kind of green rating for these vehicles? If not, you should! Thanks for the update.

[Don]

In past years, CU seems always to note excessive road noise for the Honda Accord and other Honda models, especially compared to Camry which is never I believe cited for this "problem". Has the road noise been reduced to Camry-like levels in 2008 Honda Accord?

[Ginny]

When will you have ratings out for the 2008 Camry 4 cyl? I am anxious to see if the electrical and minor engine trouble spots, which you reported as poor for the 2007 model, have been improved. I love the car but won't buy it unless these problems are rectified. I subscribe to your New Car Buying Guide but have not seen anything for 2008 yet on the Camry. Thank you.

[Tom Mutchler]

Don, first impressions are that the Camry remains quieter inside.

Ginny, we'll have new reliability survey data available for 2007 vehicles (and thus predictions for 2008 vehicles) later this month.

[James beck]

I hope that you will comment on the legendary vibration and noise of the new 4 cyl engines. I know I drive one.

[Chris K]

My 2004 Accord is NOT fun to drive, the 4 cylinder engine has no pep.

I've owned many cars and by far my 2003 Nissan Altima and 2007 Nissan Armada are much more pleasurable to drive.

I bought it originally because I got a really good price and my brother recommended the Accord. The only difference is he got a 6 cylinder, which I should have choose.

[iQuack]

I have a 2004 Honda Accord EX-L (top of the line) 4 cylinder, and I think it has more than adequate power. Acceleration is fast enough and it'll cruise all day at 80 MPH.
I suppose a V6 would be better if I carried heavy loads, but I don't, so the 4 is fast enough. Gas mileage is very good, too--between 24 and 25 MPH in overall driving, and up to 33.2 on the highway.
I'd recommend the 4 cylinder Accord to anybody.

[Dennis]

I bought a 2008 Honda Accord LX-P on 10/20/2007. It has been in the dealer service department for warranty (heater) repair for 10 days (since 10/30/2007). The heater and blower don't work or stop intermittently when it is cold outside. I don't know when they will finish the repair. I was given a loaner car (2007 Accord with cracked windshield) to drive while my brand new 08 Accord is in the service department. I opened a case with American Honda Customer Relation. They have not been very helpful at all other than listening to my complaint politely.
I had been buying Toyota and Lexus for the last 20 years. This is my first Honda and I am very disappointed in the initial quality. I am now questioning my decision (switching from Toyota to Honda).
Does anyone else has bad luck with their brand new 08 Accord?

[Romie]

My wife and I purchased an 08' Accord Ex sedan on Sept. 20, 2007 for $24,865. It was in for service the following Monday for a noise/vibration through the steering wheel. The steering cable was replaced. The n/v continued. The following week the right front strut was replaced. The n/v continued. We returned it to the dealership we purchased it from to have it serviced. They replaced a "felt tape" in the console. It continued to have the n/v. Also, the stability control light and ABS light came on. I just picked it up from them. This last time they replaces a module and speed sensor and claim that the n/v is standard from the turn signal cam. I have contacted a lawyer under the "lemon law". I also contacted American Honda Customer Service and have a case number. They contacted the dealer and state that "the car is fixed". Between the 2 of us, we've bought 4 Honda's new with absolutely no problems. One of which we bought from the dealership we got the 08' from. The dealership refuses to communicate with us any further due to us contacting a lawyer. Since purchased, it's been in the shop 6 times, 2 times overnight for a total of 5 days. We are NOT satisfied. The irony is we still get recorded calls from the dealership to "continue our relationship".

[RJ]

As i was driving home from the dealer, i felt a vibration in the steering wheel. They have duplicated the problem but cannot find the cause. This is the second day in the shop. My car is a 2008 EX-L V6 sedan.

[Todd]

I purchased a 2008 Accord EXL V6 w/Nav. and have had it for two weeks. I have had zero problems with it and we love the car. I found the LX & EX (4cyl.) and the EX V6 to be quite boring sedans. It felt like I was driving my In-Laws Buick! However, the EXL-V6 w/Nav. is a real blast to drive and doesn't feel boring at all. It is pretty peppy and the interior is fun. It doesn't handle like the BMW, but it is quite a bit less cash. It feels like my Parents Lexus ES360, although the ES360 is a bit more quiet and a little smoother over rough roads. All in all, we are very pleased with this vehicle. We are averaging 21 - 22 MPG of 70%Highway/30%City, though wife is a heavy foot driver.

[chris]

I just test drove the Accord today. 2007 EX model, manual transmission but with all the extras. The ride is real smooth, although I would agree that the Toyota Camry does offer a slightly smoother ride (my folks have one). The Accord had good handling, acceleration, and has a great reputation. After negotiating a price, I actually bought it. This is my first brand new car and after reading the reviews above, I'm glad I chose last year's model.

[don]

Hey Tom. I was really planning to buy a 2008 Accord EX, in part because I really dislike the lumpy aero styling and non-existent trimless look of the newest Camry and the so-so unclassy chunky look of the Altima compared to the Maxima. Now the early consumer feedback to date on the much-heralded 2008 Accord above is sounding very discouraging, as Chris on 11/24 who bought the 2007 Accord instead points out. When can we please expect the full CR/CU assessment? I need/want a new car and I do subscribe to CR mag for solid unbiased information. Thanks so much.

[Don]

I bought a 2008 Accod EX-L with the 190 HP 4 Cyl. From the day I got the car the problems started. First rattles and sqeaks in the dash, plus the front drivers seat started to creek around corners. Then a front end vibration at highway speed, which tire balancing wouldn't fix. At idle the engine is very rough, sometimes shaking. When you acelerate the engine vibrates until about 15 KMH. I had the vehicle into the dealer(s), yes I went to more than one, numerous times but the problems continued. I opened a case with HONDA Canada but found them to not very helpful. This is my 6th and last Honda. I am very disappointed in the Honda's products and the way they treated me as a long term customer (first Honda bought in 1990). Finally I had enough and traded the car last week for a 2008 Nissan Altima, which is a much nicer car to drive, very quiet, smooth and well contructed. I took a hit trading the car but thought it was best to cut my losses. I wan't prepared to spend the next year on the service merry go-round, and have this car let me down. So buyer beware.

[joeblo]

I bought a 2008 Honda Accord three weeks ago, overall I am very happy with it. The only complaint I have is the knee space, if I get accident the first thing will break is my knees and Im short 5'3 tall. The speakers kinda suck too, I may need to install additonal speakers. I love the apearance, I notice alot of on-lookers when I drive the car, which Im not use too. I drive total two hours to & from work and only have to fill the tank once a week. My cheverlet impala, I had to fill it up three times a week, so I save approx. 80$ a week.

[Justin]

just wanted to say bought a 2007 accord manual trans and i have been back tot he service department 5 times now... they had to cut the roaters on a brand new car for breaking vibrations...never heard of that on a new car... re-aligned the tires..then shaking again ... and then the motors in the windows were replaced and the back seat had to be re-seated so the door didnt' close against it...and now again when the car is at 72 mph i have shaking in the steering wheel.. i have to take it back to be looked at again on Mon. I am done with spending all my time at the service dep. Opening a case with Honda America that morning...so it seems there are problems with 07's too

[Matt]

I also am having problems with my 08 Honda Accord Coupe EX. It broke down last weekend and has been in the shop ever since. They have no idea what's wrong with it and keep telling me that they are ordering more parts and replacing things but none of it seems to work. It originally wouldn't start....then when it did it didn't have any acceleration and it would buck. I also made a complaint with corporate and they really have nothing to say. I went even further and made a complaint with the consumer affairs dept.

[Jon]

I have a 2008 Honda Accord LX-P and the seats are horrible, there is no lumbar support leaving me worn out after a long drive - buyer beware

[Matt]

Justin-

Just an FYI - If your car has less than 18k miles and it's been in the shop for 3 times or more and the problems aren't fixed you may qualify for the lemon law depending where you live

[Paul]

I bought a 2008 Honda Accord Coupe EX I-4.
There is vibration in the front of the car and the stearing wheel at highway speeds 60-70 mph. I have had the wheels balanced twice. This does not eliminate the vibration.

The car is fine at lower speeds 20-40 mph.

Is anyone else having these vibration problems with there 2008
Accords?

[Harris]

Hello guys,

How much did you pay out of the door price on 08 Honda Accord LX?

Thanks

[almir]

I think the worst experience in the Honda dealer would be the your salesman who "broke in" a honda accord by driving it really fast through NYC blocks..The vehicle had just about 2 miles on it, and he drove it like a bat out of hell....so much for the "do not step on gas abruptly". When I bought my 08, my wife warned him as they picked up the vehicle. It seems the sales people these days do not put the effort into knowing the product they are selling... Over all my EX L is a great drive. I love the gas milage and the comfort it provides. Almost all the options a expensive german gas guzzler would provide with a hefty price.

[Matt]

RE: Posted by: Matt | Dec 5, 2007 11:17:30 AM

I also am having problems with my 08 Honda Accord Coupe EX. It broke down last weekend and has been in the shop ever since. They have no idea what's wrong with it and keep telling me that they are ordering more parts and replacing things but none of it seems to work. It originally wouldn't start....then when it did it didn't have any acceleration and it would buck. I also made a complaint with corporate and they really have nothing to say. I went even further and made a complaint with the consumer affairs dept.

Update:
10 days later after replacing the fuel injection system and overhead cams and all kinds of parts that they wouldn't even elaborate on they call me yesterday to come pick up the car. Once there they refuse to give me an itemized bill with what done. They said it will be mailed to me. Corporate cannot believe what this dealership is doing. Want to know the reason they wouldn't give me a bill? I get a call today that they believe that the problem was "bad gas" and they want to contact my insurance company and cant issue a bill until that is done. They have no proof of bad gas as far as I'm concerned. The gas company has had no complaints and for all i know they have this sample of gas that isn't even from my car. They already returned my car so how do I know that it's from my car? I did call my insurance company and asked them to do an investigation and not to pay the claim.

[Daniel Kane]

I am a little long on the keyboard, so please forgive me.
Well, since the very first day that I bought the car, in September 2007, the whole car “vibrates”, starting at 45 MPH, and is VERY noticeable (worse) at 50MPH. The problem seems to be amplified when the car is cold, and has been parked for a period of time—overnight for example. The vibration literally feels like the car has four flat tires. While driving, the vibration comes through the floorboard up into the cabin and makes the steering wheel shake up and down enough to cause rattling noises within the steering column. Also, at the same time, the dashboard, rearview and side mirrors shake as well. I talked to the Dealership service manager (SM) about this problem over the phone, and he said "there was nothing they could do and that I should take the car to a Michelin Tire Store and have them check out the tires". I did, and after several calls to Michelin Tire Company PR, they agreed to change out the tires under a 30-day ride guarantee. But, even after the tires were changed, the car still vibrates. So I asked the Michelin Tire Dealer to install a set of Yokohama tires, (which he did), and the car still vibrates. I then called the Yokohama Tire Company PR—still believing that it was a “tire issue”, and they said to go to a Yokohama Tire Dealer, and have the tires inspected. I did and they changed out all 4 tires—again—with same model tires (he said they were out of round), and guess what (?) It still vibrates.
During this entire time, I have been talking to Honda Motor Company PR and they said from the very beginning that “this is not a problem”, (no sir, this is "normal" for the 2007 Honda Accord). I told him this is my 5th Honda Accord, and none of the previous models have ever had a problem like this—including the 2003 Accord, which is almost exactly like the 2007 model. I told the Honda Rep that I wanted Honda to buy this car back for what I paid for it (minus the miles I used—all 1,700 of them—after all fair is fair). He told me "that was not going to happen ha ha", but agreed to have a Honda Rep, a District Service Manager-DSM, meet me at the Dealership "so they could drive my car and explain to me in person that this vibration I was experiencing was quite normal on this vehicle". After the test drive, both the technician and the DSM agreed that they did in fact feel "something", along with a low-level thumping noise, especially noticeable at 50 MPH.
The test drive was on Thursday, November 29, 2007. They tried to adjust the engine mounts, problem still exists. I complained some more, so they reluctantly replaced the rear engine mount, problem still there. Honda is claiming this is "normal" because no one else has been complaining about this issue.
Are there any 2007 V6 Accord owners who have a very very noticeable vibration, especially when the car is cold, and sat for a short period, overnight? If so, please speak up. I am getting ready to pursue the Lemon Law avenue, because Honda has left me with no choice. As far as owning another...let me get back to you on that one. The car has all of 1,800 miles on it.
For the record, I have owned 5 Accord, 2 CRV's, a Prelude, an Acura Integra, bought my kids a CRX and a Accord, and my neice a Civic all in the past 16 years. I almost qualify for a fleet sales discount! Come on Honda, smell the coffee, and don't take the same road as GM did. I bought my last GM vehicle in 1990 for similar types of customer treatment. Consumers beware!

[Christopher]

I'm a little suspicious about some of these posts...... Could it be from Toyota Camry, Altima, or Chevrolet Malibu sales people?? Could they be jealous of the new Accord?? Don't always believe what you read in the comment section of blogs!!! It could be the same person posting crap. Some of the sentence structure and wording looks the same in some of the postings.