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The Accord is not as
nice of a car as the Azera. If you’re looking for the best car in this price
range regardless of price, go back to the second-place finisher. But the
Accord is over $2,500 less, offers general excellence, and is more fun to
drive than the Azera. It still isn’t inexpensive, but at this price point,
it’s reasonable compared to comparably-equipped competitors, and offers a
sufficient premium feel.
The Accord has a very
comfortable ride, well-controlled and firm, though a bit less absorbent than
other class leaders. As a result, it also handles very well. It is less agile
than the lighter Acura TSX, but it has well-controlled body roll, a nimble
feel, and responsive, accurate steering, making it more fun-to-drive than most
competitors. The 3.0-liter V6 is more than capably quick, but cannot match
several newer competitors. The engine remains smooth and quiet even under
acceleration, but wind noise is audible. Fuel economy is good, but not
outstanding by this class’s standards, but better than the Azera’s.
Inside, the Accord’s
firm, comfortable front seats are mounted high enough, and are quite roomy and
well-shaped. The rear isn’t as high or as spacious as some competitors’, but
it is well-shaped to make the best of that, and is still quite comfortable
overall. The interior is solidly constructed from high-quality materials, but
isn’t as luxurious as the
Azera or the 2007 Camry. The gauges are large and clear, and the large,
well-placed instruments are very easy to use. Entry/exit would be easier with
wider door openings, but the well-shaped roofline facilitates getting in and
out. Drivers sit very comfortable, and have good visibility. The trunk is
quite small, and the Accord oddly lacks a split-folding rear seat.
The Accord did very well
in crash testing. It earned five stars for both the driver and for the front
passenger in the NHTSA frontal crash test, and four stars for both the driver
and for the rear passenger in the NHTSA side crash test. It was rated Best
Pick in the IIHS offset crash test, and Good in the IIHS side crash test. Its
head restraints were rated Poor, however.
The Accord reviewed here
came in at $25,117. That’s not so impressive compared to the sub-$23,000
Sonata, but surprisingly it makes the Accord one of the group’s value leaders.
At that price, it’s missing a power passenger’s seat, but is still
well-equipped overall.
Overall,
the Accord is a very impressive car. And unlike in lower price ranges, where
the Accord is expensive while coming with only basic equipment, it stacks up
very well on the value front against the strongest contenders for this
first-place position (Hyundai Azera and 2007 Toyota Camry). With more luxury
than the Hyundai Sonata, a lower price than those other two, and more driving
enjoyment than either, it’s a winner.
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