2009 Used Honda Accord Manchester

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Summary

Honda's large family car, available in coupe and sedan form, isn't just a perennial 10 Best Cars winner, it dominates the list. The last time the Accord wasn't on the list was 1997, and the car has appeared a whopping 22 times. The reason? Simple: The Accord continuously offers most everything you want in a sensible car, reliability, a comfortable and friendly interior, and good fuel economy(1), plus good engines and lively handling to keep pulse rates raised.

2009 Full Review

The 2009 Accord is available with a choice of four-cylinder and V6 engines, two transmissions, and LX and EX trim levels. A new premium package adds more convenience bits to an LX, and EX-L models add leather and luxury features. 

The Honda Accord competes with the Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima, Ford Fusion, Hyundai Sonata, Mazda 6, Saturn Aura, and Chevrolet Malibu. The Accord Coupe competes directly with the Nissan Altima coupe. The stylish, two-door Coupe is available with a six-speed manual and V6, the only Accord with that combination, and it comes with larger anti-roll bars and low-profile 18-inch tires and wheels.

Test Drive 2009 Used Honda Accord

The latest Honda Accord is an easy drive with good manners regardless of model, engine or transmission. The Accord LX 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine matches Nissan's 2.5-liter with a bit less fuss or raucousness, and a good deal more ponies than the Camry's four-cylinder. Every Accord compares well against competitors in terms of mileage and emissions, and runs on regular unleaded.

That lets a 177-horsepower 2.4 manual keep up with a 190-horsepower 2.4 automatic. Of course, the 190-horsepower 2.4-liter and five-speed manual are the most entertaining of the four-cylinder models and will appeal to that segment of the Accord audience that enjoys driving and believes shifting is done with hands and feet, not thumbs 

In terms of fuel economy, all Accord sedans with four-cylinder engines are EPA-rated 22/31 mpg City/Highway with the manual, 21/30 mpg with the automatic. Four-cylinder coupes are rated 22/31 mpg with the manual, 21/30 mpg with the automatic. V6 sedans are rated 19/29 mpg. V6 coupes are rated 19/28 mpg with automatic, 17/25 mpg with the six-speed manual.

That also means the Accord V6 now rates more horses than not only the Camry V6, but the Altima's Z-car-based engine as well (if only by a nose). It's a smooth engine and quieter than the Altima's, more than adequate for any purpose, and uses the latest version of Honda's Variable Cylinder Management (VCM).

Like GM and Chrysler systems designed to save gas on big V8s, VCM changes the number of engine cylinders working at any given time and load to save fuel. Coupes with the 190-horsepower four-cylinder manual or automatic or the VCM V6 automatic use the same powertrain setups as the sedans. The softest-riding Accord is the LX by virtue of 16-inch tires with a larger sidewall, and the mildest suspension calibration. It's also the lightest and best balanced model. Accord EX models receive very slightly firmer suspension calibrations but most of what you'll notice comes from the lower profile tires on 17-inch wheels: lane divider dots, expansion joints, bridge seams, manhole covers and so on. Apart from slightly quicker response to steering and braking, the EX is essentially the same easy-going Accord. Enthusiasts could live happily with an Accord sedan serving as a spouse's daily commuter, or they could opt for a V6 manual coupe.

Most of the change comes from larger anti-roll bars and lower weight since tire choices mirror sedans.

The closest successor to Acura's defunct CL Type-S coupe, the Accord Coupe with a V6 and manual gearbox has a character all its own. The latest Honda Accord is easy to operate, well-engineered and well-mannered.

Exterior Styling and Engine

The 2009 Honda Accord is offered in coupe and sedan forms, with three engine choices.

Accord LX sedans are equipped with a 177-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. The LX Sedan ($20,905) comes standard with cloth upholstery, air conditioning, power mirrors and door locks, variable intermittent wipers, tilt-and-telescoping steering column and illuminated wheel-mounted controls, folding rear seats, and an MP3/WMA/auxiliary input 160-watt sound system. The LX-P Sedan ($21,905) is an LX with a premium package that adds alloy wheels, a power driver's seat, power windows with illuminated switches, security system, and a chrome tailpipe. LX models come with a choice of five-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission ($800).

The Accord EX Sedan ($23,605), EX Coupe ($23,705) and LX-S Coupe ($22,455) get a higher-revving, 190-horsepower version of the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. All three add an in-dash CD changer, an information screen controlled by a selector knob, and 17-inch alloy wheels with P225/50 all-season tires; while the two EX models also benefit from a power moonroof, heated mirrors, driver power lumbar adjustment, and premium interior accents. The EX Sedan is available with a 271 horsepower 3.5-liter V6 and five-speed automatic ($26,605). Along with the V6 engine, you get fog lights, chrome door handles, and dual exhausts.

EX-L stands for leather on the seats and steering wheel. The four-cylinder EX-L Sedan ($25,605), EX-L Coupe ($25,705) also come with dual-zone automatic climate control, the 270-watt sound system, XM Satellite Radio, heated front seats and, for the sedan, an auto-dimming rearview mirror. The EX-L V6 Sedan ($28,705) adds a four-way power adjustment for the front passenger seat and Homelink universal remote. The EX-L V6 Coupe ($28,955) offers a choice of six-speed manual or five speed automatic transmission for the same price. The navigation system is packaged with Bluetooth, voice-activation and steering wheel controls. Accords with this package are priced as separate models of the EX-L Sedan ($27,805), EX-L Coupe ($27,905), EX-L V6 Sedan ($30,905), and EX-L V6 Coupe ($31,155).

Safety equipment is standard, with six airbags, including two-stage front airbags, dual-chamber front side airbags, side curtain airbags; active front head restraints, electronic stability control, antilock brakes with electronic brake distribution, and tire pressure monitors.

The coupe has grown similarly from the last Accord Coupe but you won't confuse it with a large car. The Coupe is sleeker yet still fits the Accord mold. All Coupes use projector headlights, body-color rocker panels and add a passenger side easy-entry feature for rear seat access.

Interior Comfort and Features

Stepping up to an EX-L with leather adds features, but the basics like seat design and driver ergonomics are shared by all Accords. 

EX-L models come with leather on the seats, steering wheel, manual shifter and door panels. The extra width of the newest Accord translates directly into a wider cabin, especially in front. Rear-seat passengers will have few complaints as few do in large cars. There are no rear reading lamps.

Three interior colors are offered on the sedans, black, gray, and ivory, while the coupe goes black or ivory only. Coupe models make use of the larger door panels by adding a return sweep and pull handle to the armrest trim.

Controls for lights and wipers are on stalks. Bottom line: The Accord is smooth and quiet with or without noise cancellation technology.

2009 Conclusions

The latest Honda Accord is easy to operate, well-engineered and well-mannered. Edmunds.com praises the Accord for "Ample passenger space, high-quality interior, above-average steering feel, high resale value and it's available coupe body style". Overall it's a great midsize sedan and it is also available as a stylish, trouble-free coupe. Do yourself a favor and test drive one today!

[1]  Based on 2009  EPA mileage estimates, reflecting new EPA fuel economy methods beginning with 2008 models. Use for comparison purposes only. Do not compare to models before 2008. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.

Some information for this review was obtained from NewCarTestDrive.com.