MSRP: $20,360 - $30,510
Invoice: $18,473 - $27,645
MPG: 22 City / 31 Hwy
Get local dealer price quotes:

U.S.News Scores

Overall:9.2
Performance:8.1
Exterior:7.4
Interior:8.4
Safety:9.8
Reliability:7.0
Research we analyzed for this review
Pros and Cons
  • Smooth acceleration with V6 engine
  • Roomier, more expansive interior
  • More safety equipment
  • Honda's reputation for quality and value
  • Limited trunk space compared to other midsize sedans
  • No folding rear seat to accommodate storage
  • Unpolished shifting from five-speed automatic transmission

Prices

Shop around for the best deal by getting price quotes from local dealers.

Honda Accord - What the Auto Press Says

Redesigned this year, reviewers describe the 2008 Honda Accord as a better-driving, better-looking, better-functioning family sedan that should continue to please its loyal fans, and attract some new ones. Other cars might feature nicer interiors or offer better performance, but the award-winning Accord is one of the best all-around packages in this class. And if you're in need of the space a family sedan provides but afraid of the repercussions at the gas pump, the Accord is one of the strongest values in its class, with admirable fuel efficiency.

Car and Driver named the 2008 Accord one of its 10Best for 2008, an honor the sedan has received a record 22 times. Kiplinger magazine recognizes the 2008 Accord as a "Best in Class" winner for sedans priced between $25,000 and $30,000. The 2008 Accord was also honored as Motor Week's Best Family Sedan, Consumer Reports' Best Pick of 2008 in the Family Sedan category, and Road and Travel Magazine's Sedan of the Year and International Car of the Year.

For 2008, Honda has increased its mainstay's engine power, upgraded its interior and redesigned the exterior.

  • "For now…the Accord reigns as the best of the best -- the benchmark." -- Motor Trend
  • "The benchmark by which other midsize sedans are judged in the 32 years since it debuted in the United States." -- Detroit Free Press
  • "Honda folks could be forgiven if, in a moment of weakness, they took their eyes off the ball and let the all-new 2008 model slide by with minimal changes. Not a chance. … Everything about the new model is larger or better." -- AutoWeek
  • "Most will like the Accord's improved styling, additional space and better performance. I certainly did." -- Detroit News
  • "Our Best Family Sedan is a multi-time winner. … The all-new 2008 Accord offers more sophisticated styling, with a larger cabin boasting more room than rivals. The Accord also packs more power under the hood, while sacrificing little economy, and exhibits higher levels of refinement. Yet it can still be had for a price that fits the average family budget." -- Motor Week
  • "Honda did a sweet job on the overhaul. The combination of pleasant driving, practicality and refinement probably is unmatched among mainstream sedans." -- USA Today

Accord Performance - 8.1 (Very Good)

The Honda Accord upholds its reputation for polished performance with 2008 enhancements that make something that was good even better. Motor Week says the "sophistication under the hood…is pure Honda." But the Accord receives a lower performance score from us than others because of poor reviews for its base engine and automatic transmission. Read More

Accord Exterior - 7.4 (Good)

The 2008 Honda Accord is not considered as sporty-looking as the Nissan Altima, but reviewers still acknowledge the redesigned 2008 Accord is an attractive family sedan. The Detroit News says, "It's not the Mach 5, but certainly something Speed Racer and Trixie would gladly take for a Sunday drive with the kids and a monkey." Read More

Accord Interior - 8.4 (Very Good)

Reviews note the new Accord's interior is not only among the class best, but also the roomiest in the model's history. The Accord's interior and exterior dimensions were stretched so much that the EPA now classifies it as a full-size sedan. Plus Motor Trend notes the 2008 model's "interior quality is a step above the previous iteration's, and fit and finish are top notch." Read More

Accord Safety - 9.8 (Excellent)

The 2008 Honda Accord does very well in government crash tests and is one of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's "Top Safety Picks" for good performance in both frontal offset and side impact tests. But its safety score is not the best of all ranked affordable midsize sedans. Read More

Accord Reliability - 7.0 (Good)

The 2008 Honda Accord reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). Honda provides a three-year or 36,000 mile bumper-to-bumper limited warranty, as well as a five-year or 60,000 mile powertrain limited warranty. Read More

Review Last Updated: 3/10/09