Background: Until the Ford Taurus started flexing its muscle, Honda's mid-size Accord was the best-selling car in the United States. Accord maintained its top-selling title in the 1989, 1990 and 1991 calendar years. The car is totally redesigned for the 1998 model year. Redesigned Accords began hitting showrooms this September. Interestingly, Accord has a decent shot at regaining its top-selling status in the 1997 calendar year. Toyota's Camry was thought to be the clear winner for this honor, but a short supply of Toyota's mid-size offering and strong Accord sales since September are making things interesting. The front-wheel drive Accord is available in both two-door coupes and four-door sedans. Camry and Taurus are built as sedans only. Accord has been around 22 years, a long time in car years. The 1998 edition marks the vehicle's sixth generation. Honda assembles Accord at its Marysville, Ohio facility.
Trim levels: Accord is available in a many, many variations. Both coupes and sedans offer four or six cylinder engines. Four-door sedans come in three four-cylinder offerings (DX, LX and EX,) and two V-6 editions (LX V-6 and EX V-6.) Coupes are sold in two four-cylinder offerings (LX and EX) and two V-6 editions (LX V-6 and EX V-6). We had the opportunity to try the EX V-6 sedan.
New for 1998: The all-new Accord sedan boasts a larger, mid-size class interior even though exterior dimensions remain largely unchanged. It's slightly wider and taller than the previous generation. With 101.7 cubic feet of passenger space, it offers a larger passenger cabin than Camry or Taurus. Trunk capacity increases while both four and six cylinder engines gain more powerful and fuel efficiency.
Safety: All Accord sedans come equipped with dual air bags, five-mile-per-hour bumpers child-proof rear door locks (sedans only), and an immobilizer anti-theft system that requires an electronic match between the driver's key and the ignition system before the car will start. Anti-lock brakes are standard in six-cylinder offerings and the EX trim level (both coupe and sedan.) Anti-lock brakes are not available in the DX sedan or LX coupe. They are available in the LX sedan with an optional automatic transmission. Traction control is not offered
Price: Since Accord is marketed in a wide variety of trim levels, manufacturer's suggested retail prices also vary. The lowest-priced Accord, a DX sedan with five-speed manual transmission, starts at $15,100. An Accord EX V-6 Coupe, the most expensive model, starts at $24,150. Our well-equipped test-drive EX sedan (leather-trimmed edition) with the V-6 engine started at $24,150. With a $395 destination charge and $79 floor mates, the bottom line totaled $24,624.
Standard equipment: The entry-level DX sedan comes with the least amount of standard features. Other trim levels come decently equipped with popular options standard. Air conditioning, cruise control and power windows with door locks are standard in every trim level except the DX (automatic climate control is standard in the EX V-6 sedan and coupe.) Five-speed manual transmissions are standard on all four-cylinder Accord sedans and V-6 coupes. Automatic transmission with four-speed direct electronic shift control for smoother gear changes is standard on all Accord V-6 sedans, and available on four-cylinder sedans. Power moonroofs are standard in all EX sedans and coupes, but not available in other trim levels. Integrated rear-window antenna, remote fuel door and trunk release lever, multi-point programmed fuel injection, rear-window defogger, tilt steering column and speed-sensitive power rack-and-pinion steering are standard in all trim levels.
Seating comfort: Sedans now boast 101.7 cubic feet of passenger space. It's a vehicle that's very easy to get in and out of. The seats are high enough so one does not dip down much when getting into the vehicle, yet head room is adequate. Seats are wider and thicker than before for improved comfort. All Accord trim levels have folding rear seats (coupes feature a 60/40 split.) Leg room is good and three average-sized adults can fit in back.
Interior: Stereo preset buttons are large and easy to reach. The automatic climate control station situates above the stereo system. The hand-held parking brake is between the front bucket seats, along with a deep, flip-top storage bin and dual inline cupholders. The instrument panel, including a second gear-shift indicator and large circular odometer, is redesigned for the 1998 model year. Power window and door lock control are found on the door. Secondary radio controls and cruise control buttons are integrated into the steering wheel. Drivers have good road visibility thanks to enhanced rearward visibility.
Engine: Three engines are available for the 1998 Accord; an entirely new 3.0-liter, 200-horsepower, two-valve V-6 and two completely re-engineered 2.3-liter four-cylinder engines. All three engines have more power, are more fuel-efficient and have lower emissions than their predecessors. All engines utilize Honda's VTEC (variable valve timing and valve lift electronic control system), which helps engines achieve low emissions and broad torque curves. Our EX trim level featured the new, transversely mounted, V-6, an engine that's more compact than previous powertrains. It's horsepower rating increases 18 percent from last year. The V-6 sedan accelerates from 0 to 60 miles per hour in around eight seconds.
Exterior: From the outside, Accord's looks remain conservative. Changes are subtle, not radical. It's style is aimed at a mature family audience. Exterior color choices in the EX V-6 sedan include taffeta white, dark emerald pearl, heather mist, black currant pearl and flamenco black pearl. Our EX sedan featured 15-inch alloy wheels, adding pizzazz.
Dimensions: EX V-6 Wheelbase: 106.9 inches Length: 188.8 inches Width: 70.3 inches Height 57.3 inches Weight: 3,241 pounds
Fuel economy: All Accord offerings require unleaded regular fuel and hold 17.1 gallons of gasoline. Mileage figures for our V-6 engine coupled with automatic transmission check in at 21 miles per gallon city and 28 miles per gallon highway. With 7,100 odometer miles, we averaged 23 in combined driving. Four-cylinder Accords coupled with manual transmissions are the economy leader, averaging 25 mpg in the city and 31 mpg highway.
Truck: Trunk capacity now reaches 14.1 cubic feet. All sedan trunks measure 47.8 inches wide at its widest point, up 4.1 inches from the last generation Accord. The distance from the edge of the rear window to the lower edge of the trunk is also increased, making it easier to load and unload items. A temporary spare tire is found in a well under a removable, carpeted trunk floor.
Target market: Most buyers are college educated and between the ages of 35 and 55 with a household income near $60,000. Many sedan purchasers tend to be women.
Final thoughts: The Accord sedan is a good choice for drivers and passengers who like a good-looking car that's easy to get in and out of. This Accord also seems quieter than the last generation's offerings. Ultimately, consumers this month will decide if Accord regains its top-selling honors.