2003 Honda Accord Review

The significantly revamped 2003 Honda Accord has lost most of its European feel and drives much like the smooth rival Toyota Camry. The new Accord mainstream sedan looks slicker and is marginally longer, taller, wider and heavier, with a one-inch-longer wheelbase. It's also more powerful. But the rival 2002 Toyota Camry sedan also is bigger and more powerful. So is the 2002 Nissan Altima, which is much more of a threat to the Accord and Camry. Competition in the mid-size mainstream Japanese sedan market clearly is heating up and causing Honda to become more aggressive with its bread-and-butter Accord sedan. Moreover, mid-size sedans are being challenged by sport-utility vehicles and "crossover'' vehicles with attributes of cars and trucks.

The front-drive Accord was the best-selling car in America last year and has been among the top three sales leaders for a decade. Honda has kept it right up there by continually updating and changing the car, which has a shining reputation for quality, reliability and resale value. The new, seventh-generation Accord comes in base DX and higher-line LX and EX models. It's also available as a coupe, which has a sleeker body that shares only headlights with the sedan. The coupe is a bit sportier, and an ultrasporty V-6 version with a six-speed manual transmission and bigger tires arrives early next year. Only the Accord sedan recently was available for testing. Prices for 2003 Accords haven't been released. But Honda said there's only a slight increase from 2002, which puts the new models in the $15,500 to $26,000 range. Even the DX model is pretty well equipped.

The new Accord has a 2.4-liter, 160-horsepower four-cylinder engine, which replaces a 2.3-liter four-cylinder that generated 135 or 150 horsepower. There also is a smooth new 3-liter Accord V-6, which has 240 horsepower--or 40 more than the previous V-6. Despite the higher horsepower, fuel economy has been improved and emissions are lower. The V-6 in my test EX sedan loafed at 2,100 rpm at 70 mph. Both Accord engines outpower Camry four- and six-cylinder engines. The Altima also has a 240-horsepower V-6, and its four-cylinder generates 175 ponies--making it the overall power champ. Most Accord buyers are expected to opt for the four-cylinder engine and automatic transmission--as is the case with the majority of Camry buyers.

The 2003 Accord gets a slick new five-speed manual transmission. And it offers a five-speed automatic transmission for the first time. While it upshifts smoothly, the automatic pauses noticeably before downshifting. Also new are standard side curtain air bags for the top-line EX V-6. The advanced four-wheel double-wishbone suspension has been revised, and there's reduced noise. The interior also is new, but retains Honda's no-nonsense design. The 2003 Accord sedan is quieter, faster, stronger and more refined. Honda said it has made the car sportier. But it no longer has the feel of sporty European sedans, which have sharp handling and let some road noise in the cockpit so a driver doesn't feel isolated from the outside world.

The new front-drive Accord is no sports sedan, despite such items as larger tires. The interior no longer allows road noise to enter and the car drives much like the polished Camry sedan. That should make it more appealing to comfort-oriented mainstream sedan buyers. If this is a "Euro'' car at all, it's like cushy European "boulevard'' models, not the hard-edged sports sedans. There's even a voice-controlled system for navigation, audio and climate functions. And all Accords except the DX get a remote entry key fob that both unlocks doors and opens the windows. The gauges are nicely lit, as in a Lexus, and even rear door pockets have cupholders. Outside door handles are especially easy to grip. Front seats are way above-average, and there's good room for four tall adults. But rear windows don't lower all the way.

The trunk is large and nicely shaped, with a wide opening and low liftover height. But its lid has old-fashioned manual hinges instead of smooth hydraulic struts, which are used to help raise the hood. Steering is quick and precise, and the steering wheel both tilts and telescopes. But the car dislikes quick lane changes, and moving too quickly around tight curves causes the front tires to howl. The suspension allows decent road feel, but is soft over road irregularities during highway cruising. The brake pedal has a linear action and stopping distances are short with standard anti-lock brakes for all models. As for miles per gallon, it's in the low- to mid-20s in the city and in the high 20s and low 30s on highways. The new Accord has more flair and refinement than previous models. It should have no problem remaining one of the most desirable mid-size cars.

2003 HONDA ACCORD

Prices
Approximately $15,500-$26,000
Likes
Significantly revamped. Slicker styling. Roomy. More powerful.
Dislikes
European feel mostly gone. Automatic transmission pauses noticeably before downshifting. Rear windows don't lower all the way.