Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Honda Accord (2008-2015) review

The Honda Accord is a premium alternative to mainstream saloons. It's not the largest car in its class, but it's luxurious and well equipped

Overall Auto Express Rating

3.0 out of 5

  • Upmarket looks, premium interior, smooth diesel
  • Poor efficiency, limited practicality, stiff suspension
Find your Honda Accord
Offers from our trusted partners on this car and its predecessors...
Hassle-free way to a brand new car
Or are you looking to sell your car?
9/10 sellers got the price they expected
Advertisement

Once upon a time, the Honda Accord was a viable alternative to family saloons like the Ford Mondeo, but with the same appeal to match premium brands like the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C-Class. Superb build quality, handsome styling and a great interior kept it aloft for years, but as its rivals moved on, the Honda Accord has stood still and suffered in terms of efficiency and driver appeal.

Advertisement - Article continues below

As the Accord drops back, it's now much more in tune with mainstream rivals like the Mondeo, Vauxhall Insignia and Volkswagen Passat - but it's been surpassed by them in several key areas, too. Practicality is a particular concern - the Accord isn't available as a hatchback and the boot and rear cabin space doesn't tally up with competitors.

The Honda Accord is available in four different trim levels - entry-level ES, ES GT, EX and top-of-the-range Type S. The Honda Accord isn't necessarily a high-achiever but it's definitely a decent all-rounder with tonnes of safety features and equipment. It offers lots of accessories and a strong driving experience too.

Our choice: Accord 2.2 i-DTEC ES 4dr

Engines, performance and drive

The Honda Accord gets two petrol engines and one diesel unit in its range, and they all have pretty decent performance. The entry-level 2.0-litre i-VTEC petrol comes with 154bhp and is generally quite smooth, while 198bhp 2.4-litre i-VTEC is the quickest in the line-up thanks to a 0-62mph of 8.1 seconds.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

The sole diesel unit, a 2.2-litre diesel, has 148bhp and it manages to reach 62mph in 9.4 seconds.

Honda Accord

Overall, despite its 'cockpit' inspired cabin and snug driving position, the Honda Accord isn't as exciting to drive as the Ford Mondeo, but it does offer precise steering and minimal body roll.

MPG, CO2 and Running Costs

The Honda Accord seems off the pace in terms of economy and emissions when compared to the Ford Mondeo and Volkswagen Passat, which get ECOnetic and BlueMotion technology respectively as a way of reducing running costs.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Across the Honda Accord range, stop/start technology isn't available on any model, and both petrol versions offer poor fuel consumption at 40.9 mpg and 38.7mpg on their respective combined cycles. Their emissions are also high with 159/km for the 2.0-litre engine (this increases to 168g/km when it comes with the five-speed automatic gearbox), and 199g/km for the 2.4-litre. In automatic guise, the 2.4-litre model’s emissions drop slightly to 195g/km.

The 148bhp 2.2-litre i-DTEC diesel engine is our pick of the Honda Accord range. It's impressively refined, smooth and manages 53.3mpg (46.3mpg for the automatic) on its combined cycle, plus 138g/km of CO2 (159g/km for the auto).

In short, Honda definitely has a lot of catching up to do in this department, with most rivals offering stop-start or turbo petrol engine technology to boost their efficiency numbers.

Interior, design and technology

The Honda Accord is starting to feel a bit long in the tooth when compared to some of its rivals. The design even comes off second best in comparison to other cars in the Honda range such as the latest Civic. Inside, though, the Honda Accord boasts superb build quality with lots of soft-touch plastics and solid-feeling switchgear.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

The Honda Accord's interior is definitely more upmarket than that found in the Ford Mondeo or Vauxhall Insignia, so it's a shame the Accord lacks the badge appeal of a BMW, Audi or Mercedes.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The Honda Accord comes well specced irrespective of trim level, and it gets alloy wheels and cruise control as standard. However, if you want larger wheels and features such as Active Cornering Lights and a leather interior, you'll have to opt for top-spec Type S models, which are considerably more expensive than the entry level Honda Accord ES. On the plus side, though, the Honda Accord ES does get smart touches such as a leather steering wheel and gear knob, plus USB connectivity and cruise control.

Practicality, comfort and boot space

The Honda Accord may look big, but step inside, and its size is deceptive. The saloon model gets a narrow boot and only has 497-litres of total boot space. Once again, this leaves the Honda Accord trailing most of its rivals. Those seeking more practicality might do well to consider the Honda Accord Tourer estate, which offers a maximum boot space of 1,183 litres.

All Honda Accord models come with 60:40 split/fold rear seats as standard, but passengers won't find as much rear legroom as you would in a Skoda Superb. One thing also lacking in the Honda Accord range is a hatchback alternative.

Reliability and Safety

In terms of safety, the Honda Accord is one of the safest cars in its class thanks to a top score of five-stars in the Euro NCAP crash safety tests. All models in the Honda Accord range get lots of safety equipment, including electronic stability control (ESP), six airbags and anti-whiplash front headrests all as standard. Meanwhile, optional extras include lane keep assist and adaptive cruise control.

The Honda Accord finished 31st in our 2014 Driver Power survey, which is impressive for a car that's definitely starting to feel a little outdated. Overall, owners praised the Honda Accord for its in-car tech, build quality and reliability.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

More on Accord

New Honda Accord arrives but won’t be sold in the UK
Honda Accord mk10 front
News
17 Jul 2017

New Honda Accord arrives but won’t be sold in the UK

Honda’s new mk10 Accord family car has been revealed in the US but there are no plans to sell it here.
Honda Accord to be axed in 2015, and not replaced
Honda Accord
News
22 Oct 2014

Honda Accord to be axed in 2015, and not replaced

Honda UK confirms that the European Accord saloon and Tourer estate will be axed next year, with no replacement planned.
Honda Accord Tourer (2008-2015) review
Honda Accord Tourer front tracking
In-depth reviews
19 Jun 2012

Honda Accord Tourer (2008-2015) review

Sleek looking Honda Accord Tourer estate is underpinned by the appeal of Honda's strong reputation for reliability and build quality
Skip advert
Advertisement
Honda Accord revealed
Honda Accord front three-quarters
News
10 Jan 2012

Honda Accord revealed

New US-only Honda Accord Coupe concept offers preview of new UK version, due in 2014
Honda Accord vs Alfa 159
Honda Accord vs Alfa 159 header
Car group tests
13 May 2011

Honda Accord vs Alfa 159

Honda and Alfa Romeo have added new tax-busting diesels to their sporty family saloons. Which is better?
Honda Accord 2011 review
Honda Accord front track
Road tests
11 Apr 2011

Honda Accord 2011 review

Makeover aims to give Accord a big lift
Business Class
main fr
Car group tests
21 May 2008

Business Class

Honda aims to blur the lines between family car and company transport with its all-new Accord. But can it beat the best in the business? We line it up…
Honda Accord Tourer
Accord side
Road tests
23 Apr 2008

Honda Accord Tourer

Load-lugging version of latest Accord is ready to tackle prestige rivals.
Honda Accord EX
Honda Accord
Road tests
16 Apr 2008

Honda Accord EX

Latest version of the Accord is ready to take on prestige rivals from Germany.
Skip advert
Advertisement
Honda Accord
Honda Accord i-DTEC
Road tests
5 Mar 2008

Honda Accord

All-new offering is ready to go head-to-head with prestige rivals.
Honda Accord diesel
Honda Accord
Road tests
31 Oct 2007

Honda Accord diesel

The Honda Accord scores a new i-DTEC diesel engine and an automatic transmission
Skip advert
Advertisement
Buyer’s guide: Honda Accord Tourer
Honda Accord Tourer
Used car tests
24 Oct 2007

Buyer’s guide: Honda Accord Tourer

It’s one of the most stylish estates around – so here’s all you need to know to get a great deal
Honda Accord GT 2.2 i-CTDi
Tracking
Road tests
29 Aug 2007

Honda Accord GT 2.2 i-CTDi

The customer, says Honda, is always right – and so the Japanese firm has given us the new Accord GT.
Honda Accord
Honda Accord
In-depth reviews
29 Dec 2006

Honda Accord

The Accord has unparalleled desirability, but practicality is compromised.
Honda Accord 2.4 EX ADAS
Front view of Honda Accord EX ADAS
Road tests
15 Mar 2006

Honda Accord 2.4 EX ADAS

The facelifted Honda Accord can now drive itself, so Auto Express put it to the test on a motorway during rush hour
Skip advert
Advertisement
Honda Accord Tourer 2.2 i-CDTi
Side view of Honda Accord Tourer
Long-term tests
4 Oct 2005

Honda Accord Tourer 2.2 i-CDTi

When you get to my time of life, you don't tend to get as excited about birthdays as you do when you're a kid. But with my Honda Accord notching up mo…
Honda Accord ADAS
Road tests
10 Aug 2005

Honda Accord ADAS

Not so long ago, cars that drove themselves were the stuff of Hollywood fantasy - but not any more.
Honda Accord Tourer 2.2 i-CDTi
Long-term tests
5 Jul 2005

Honda Accord Tourer 2.2 i-CDTi

It's finally come good! After all the problems I've encountered with the Honda Accord Tourer (including a malfunctioning electric tailgate, scratched …
Honda Accord Tourer 2.2 i-CDTi
Long-term tests
13 Apr 2005

Honda Accord Tourer 2.2 i-CDTi

The message in our Driver Power 2005 survey was clear: people really love their Hondas.
Honda Accord Tourer 2.2 i-CDTi
Long-term tests
30 Nov 2004

Honda Accord Tourer 2.2 i-CDTi

Those who keep a close eye on the comings and goings of our fleet will notice our Honda Accord Tourer seems to have changed colour.
Honda Accord Tourer
Long-term tests
28 Sep 2004

Honda Accord Tourer

"I'm moving house at the weekend, is there any chance I can borrow the Accord Tourer?" It's a phrase that's been heard often in the offices of Auto E…
Skip advert
Advertisement
Used Honda Accord review
Used car tests
17 Aug 2004

Used Honda Accord review

In 2002, Honda's new seventh-generation Accord intentionally moved upmarket.
Honda Accord Tourer
Long-term tests
18 May 2004

Honda Accord Tourer

There are certain things you can't escape if you live in a town - not least of which are regular trips to the local dump with bags of rubbish. It has …