2009 Honda Accord
- 2008 Honda Accord
- Used Honda Accord
Based on analysis of 40 Accord reviews and test drives.
Honda Accord - What the Auto Press Says
The 2009 Honda Accord ranks 6 out of 23 Affordable Midsize Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 40 published reviews and test drives of the Honda Accord, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.
The Honda Accord has been one of the best-selling and most well-reviewed midsize cars in America for many years, and the latest Accord does nothing to change that status. Redesigned just last year, the 2009 Accord offers one of the roomiest interiors in its class, excellent safety scores, and a relatively engaging driving experience for a family car. It doesn't leave its competition behind in any one category, but offers an all-around package that is hard to beat.
In fact, the 2008 Accord -- largely the same as this year's model -- won a bevy of awards from the automotive press. 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. It 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.
The car also comes in two body styles - and unlike competitors that simply offer a choice of two- our four-door versions of the same body, Honda offers a sharp-looking Coupe that shares not one body panel with its Sedan cousin.
Notably, they Accord can now reasonably be compared to the Chevy Malibu and Ford Fusion -- and with American automakers struggling in a difficult economy, it might be easier to negotiate a good deal on those two cars. A new Fusion Hybrid raises the bar even further with its upscale interior at 41 mpg rating.
The 2009 Accord is identical to the 2008 model, but Honda now publishes higher horsepower figures for the V6 model. The engine hasn't changed at all, the automaker says, but further testing revealed more power than originally stated.
Honda has announced that a diesel-powered Accord will appear later in 2009, but reviewers haven't gotten their hands on that version yet.
Be sure to check for current Honda Deals that may be available on a new Accord.
- "Though Accord is no longer leaps and bounds ahead of competitors, its rewarding balance of price, performance, and passenger accommodations make it a Best Buy for shoppers in this class." -- Consumer Guide
- "The 2009 Honda Accord offers an appealing combination of spaciousness, a relatively upscale feel and a reputation for reliability. However, its ride quality and overall performance are merely adequate for this segment. For one thing, the Accord has grown bigger and softer with its latest redesign; for another, the competition has caught up." -- Edmunds
- " The last time the Accord wasn't on [Car and Driver's 10Best] list was 1997, and the car has appeared a whopping 22 times. The reason? Simple: The Accord has everything you want in a sensible car -- reliability, a comfortable and friendly interior, and good fuel economy -- plus good engines and lively handling to keep pulse rates raised." -- Car and Driver
- "The benchmark by which other midsize sedans are judged in the 32 years since it debuted in the United States." -- Detroit Free Press
- "The combination of pleasant driving, practicality and refinement probably is unmatched among mainstream sedans." -- USA Today
- In a comparison test with the new 2010 Ford Fusion, "By a margin as thin as its paint, the Honda's lower ownership cost and slightly comfier seating eke out a win." -- Motor Trend
Accord Performance - 8.2 (Very Good)
The 2009 Honda Accord is available with three different engines and two different transmissions, making for some variation in the car's performance. The biggest of its engines, a V6 offering 272 horsepower, wins a lot of reviewer praise. (You may have read other sources claiming the V6 offers just 265 horsepower. Honda originally gave that figure to the press, but adjusted the rating recently, claiming their calculations had been off, and the V6 Accord had been more powerful than that all along.) The smallest, a four-cylinder making 177-horsepower, is not as well-liked. Between the two is the sweet spot: a larger four-cylinder that still manages good fuel economy ratings for this class. Reviewers agree that, no matter which engine you choose, you'll find fairly sporty handling and responsive braking in the Accord. continue
Accord Exterior - 7.7 (Good)
Redesigned just last year, the 2009 Accord features an exterior that is more aggressive and masculine than previous generations of the car. It has divided reviewers, with some preferring the new look and others rejecting it entirely. "The latest model's new looks and gargantuan proportions may be a turn-off for those used to previous Accords," says Car and Driver, "but to those folks we say not to worry: this is one darn good car." continue
Accord Interior - 8.7 (Very Good)
The 2009 Honda Accord's passenger cabin is one of its most impressive attributes. It's more spacious than many midsize cars, and features the fit and finish that has earned Honda one of the industry's best reputations. The Detroit News calls it "comfortable, elegant and loaded with technology." That technology, however, divides the automotive press -- many dislike Honda's newest navigation system. continue
Accord Safety - 9.9 (Excellent)
The 2009 Accord has earned excellent crash test scores from the federal government, and while the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety hasn't tested a 2009 Accord, the new car is largely the same as the 2008 model that earned the Institute's "Top Safety Pick" award. continue
Accord Reliability - 7.0 (Good)
The 2009 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 warranty on the car. The warranty may not be needed, however -- Honda has an industry-wide reputation for building solid, high-quality cars. continue
