2002 Honda Accord Review

This is the last model year for the current generation Honda Accord, which edged out the Toyota Camry to become the best-selling car in America last year. Honda thus is offering bargain models to keep up interest in the car. Those models are especially important to Honda because of greater competition from the significantly redesigned Camry and Nissan Altima. The first-generation Accord was introduced in l976. The current one arrived in 1998, but doesn't seem very dated. It was given slightly revised styling for 2001, along with more standard features and refinements to reduce wind and road noise.

The 2003 Accord will be slightly larger and more powerful, but will not be substantially changed because innovative Honda essentially is a conservative outfit. The front-drive Accord comes as a coupe and sedan. The sedan accounts for about 85 percent of sales because this Accord is mainly considered a family car. The coupe has slicker styling than the sedan, which has ultraconservative styling and shares only headlights and door handles with that two-door model.

Styling aside, even the Accord sedan is fun to drive.

It almost feels more European than Japanese. It has quick steering, good braking and a race-car-style fully independent double-wishbone suspension that provides a supple ride and sharp handling. However, the base DX model would handle better if bigger wheels and tires replaced its narrow 14-inch wheels and 70-series tires. The mid-range LX and higher-line EX models have 15-inch wheels and wider 65-series tires.

There is generous space for four tall adults in the quiet, plain-looking but functional interior, which has high-grade materials. The front bucket seats are very supportive, gauges are large and the smooth controls are easily reached. Even the glove compartment is large. While visibility is excellent through the large windshield, a high rear parcel shelf makes it impossible to see the car's rear end through the back window. The trunk is big, but has old-fashioned manual hinges and a rather high opening on coupe models. The sedan's one-piece, rather cumbersome rear seatback has a lock, but should sit flatter when folded forward to increase cargo space. The coupe has a split-folding rear seat.

The bargain models that Honda is offering this year are a $20,850 SE (Special Edition) coupe and sedan based on the top-line Accord LX four-cylinder automatic-transmission model and a $17,300 VP (Value Package) model based on the entry DX sedan with an automatic transmission. Standard items for the top-selling LX include air conditioning and power windows, mirrors and door locks. Features that set the SE apart from other LX models include a tilt-and-slide moonroof with a shade, 15-inch alloy wheels instead of wheel covers, keyless entry, security system, AM/FM/cassette/CD sound system, simulated wood interior trim (or silver accents) and a power driver-seat height adjuster. The SE sedan is available in a variety of colors, including silver, black and red. The SE coupe is offered in black and white.

Here's what's standard for the VP: air conditioning, AM/FM/cassette/CD sound system with more speakers, simulated wood trim, body colored door handles and moldings, "exclusive'' wheel covers and chrome window trim. Colors are limited to silver and blue. Honda says the special items save SE buyers about $1,500 and VP buyers about $1,000. Honda base prices range from $15,500 to $25,300, with the 3-liter, 200-horsepower V-6 models being the most expensive.

Even the entry DX sedan models have a fair amount of equipment, including a tilt steering wheel, AM/FM/cassette, manual driver-seat height adjuster, tachometer, folding rear seat and rear defogger. However, the base model of the rival Ford Taurus has a 155-horsepower V-6. Asked why the Accord doesn't have a standard V-6, Honda worldwide boss Hiroyuki Yoshino smiled and told this reporter in Japan several months ago that there is "an appropriate size for everything.'' Accord sedan buyers apparently agree that four-cylinders are sufficient because most order either the car's 2.3-liter, 135- or 150-horsepower four-cylinder engines. Of course, with V-6 models starting at $22,600, price probably has a lot to do with that.

The 135-horsepower four-cylinder engine needs the standard five-speed manual gearbox for the best performance. It provides lazy acceleration outside town with the Accord's four-speed automatic transmission, which is responsive but occasionally shifts abruptly. The manual transmission is available for all four-cylinder Accords.

But it isn't offered with the V-6, which is a shame in a car with such a sporty feel. The Accord coupe comes only with the 150-horsepower four-cylinder or V-6. My test 150-horsepower SE provided good acceleration to highway speeds, but just average 65-75 mph passing times. However, it loafed at 2,700 rpm at 70 mph and delivers an estimated 23 mpg in the city and 30 on highways even with the automatic. That's 25 and 32 for the manual.

The 135-horsepower engine is the fuel-miser four-cylinder; it provides an estimated 26 and 32 with the manual gearbox and 23 and 30 with the automatic. Figures for the V-6 are 20 and 28. The highly durable Accord is among the most refined cars, regardless of price, and remains on everyone's best buy list.

HONDA ACCORD

Prices
$15,500-$25,300
Likes
Roomy. Refined. Responsive. Resale value.
Dislikes
Ultraconservative styling for sedan. Pricey V-6 models. Low-powered base sedan engine.