xcel
10-29-2006, 12:40 AM
The Ford Fusion and Nissan Altima have sharper handling and are prettier. (http://www.texarkanagazette.com/articles/2006/10/28/local_news/features/features02.txt)
Bill Owney - Texarkana Gazette - Oct. 28, 2006
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/06_Accord_SDN_EXL_Front_Corner.jpg
2007 Honda Accord - Not the right stuff anymore …
It’s happened. American automakers have finally caught up with the Honda Accord.
You have to realize that this is coming from on of the Accord’s biggest fans. One stays parked in our carport and on the rare occasion I have to actually fix something on it, I’m amazed at the elegant simplicity of the machine’s engineering.
For two decades now the Accord and its chief competitor, the Toyota Camry, have been the benchmarks for the auto market’s biggest niche, the mid-sized sedan. The cars’ roominess, quiet stylishness, comfortable and intelligent interiors, good safety features, reliability and resale value have helped Camry and Accord knock Ford and Chevy off their pedestals.
More than any other dynamic, the success of these two cars have pushed Detroit’s big three to the brink of bankruptcy.
So it was with some anticipation that I learned that I would spend a week behind the wheel of an Accord, especially on week when I had to travel to an auto writer’s confab in Fort Worth. If you have to eat up some highway miles, a four-cylinder Accord is the perfect choice.
The car easily eclipses 30 miles per gallon (I made the round trip on $25 worth of gas), and the Accord’s dual-wishbone suspension soaks up all but the biggest bumps. Comfortable seats, a nice sound system and a competent heating/cooling system make for an easy drive.
The newest Accord delivers all that and clearly remains a solid choice.
All Accord models feature a long list of standard features including tilt and telescoping steering wheel, AM/FM stereo with CD player, power windows, LED instrumentation and advanced emissions technology.
All EX models add a 6-disc CD changer, alloy wheels, power moonroof and power driver's seat with adjustable lumbar support.
As much as I enjoyed driving the Accord, I found myself coming to the surprising conclusion that there is a flurry of more satisfying choices in the niche.
Accords run anywhere from $18,625 for a nicely equipped, four-cylinder base model all the way up to $33,090 for the luxurious hybrid with voice activated navigation system. The latter is, to my way of thinking, one of the best cars ever built.
But we’re talking a car that sells, on average, for around $26,000. I can think of a dozen that are better equipped and more fun to drive. The Ford Fusion and Nissan Altima have sharper handling and are prettier.
In terms of value and selecting a car I would enjoy living with for several years, I think I’d go American.
The Fusion, Pontiac G6, Saturn Aura and Chevrolet Malibu Maxx would be my first choices in this class now. In terms of performance, they run circles around the Accord.
With the exception of the Malibu, the American cars are much more attractive inside and out, and match the Accord’s tight build standards. Fit and finish are downright first-rate.
GM products have matched Accord and Camry in independent quality ratings the past few years and now come with transferable 100,000-mile warranties.
The Honda Accord has long been Honda's best selling vehicle, continually winning high praise and numerous awards year after year. While the current Accord is more luxurious than ever, it has stayed true to its original mission as a practical automobile that combines economy and value with sporty style and spirited performance.
In the 2006 model year, the entire Accord line-up was improved with a significant minor model change including interior and exterior improvements, as well as more powerful engines. For 2007, a new Special Edition sedan makes debuts with a long list of popular features. The Accord Special Edition V6 Sedan provides a high-value feature package with 17-inch Alloy wheels, rear disc brakes, steering wheel audio controls, 6-disc CD changer, and an anti-theft alarm system. As with previous Special Edition trim levels, these added features represent a significant value without a significantly increased price. Also, like all V6 Accords, the V6 Special Edition is equipped with Vehicle Stability Assist(TM) (VSA(R)) as standard equipment.
"The new Accord SE V6 Sedan adds an all-new, 'just right' trim level to the Accord line-up," said John Mendel, senior vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "The popular features represent a great value to Honda customers."
Honda offers a wider array of Accords than ever before. In addition to the innovative Accord Hybrid, the Accord is available in various trim levels of 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder Coupes and Sedans. All 4-cylinder models come standard with a 5-speed manual transmission and are available with a smooth shifting 5-speed automatic transmission. Accord V6 models are equipped with a standard 5-speed automatic transmission, while the Accord EX V6 Sedan and Coupe are available with a sporty, short-throw 6-speed manual transmission.
In keeping with Honda's industry-leading "Safety for Everyone" initiative, all 2007 Accords come equipped with a comprehensive list of advanced safety features including dual-stage front airbags (SRS), front side airbags with passenger's side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS), side curtain airbags, Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) and daytime running lights. The Accord earns a 5-star frontal impact rating from the federal government.
Bill Owney - Texarkana Gazette - Oct. 28, 2006
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/06_Accord_SDN_EXL_Front_Corner.jpg
2007 Honda Accord - Not the right stuff anymore …
It’s happened. American automakers have finally caught up with the Honda Accord.
You have to realize that this is coming from on of the Accord’s biggest fans. One stays parked in our carport and on the rare occasion I have to actually fix something on it, I’m amazed at the elegant simplicity of the machine’s engineering.
For two decades now the Accord and its chief competitor, the Toyota Camry, have been the benchmarks for the auto market’s biggest niche, the mid-sized sedan. The cars’ roominess, quiet stylishness, comfortable and intelligent interiors, good safety features, reliability and resale value have helped Camry and Accord knock Ford and Chevy off their pedestals.
More than any other dynamic, the success of these two cars have pushed Detroit’s big three to the brink of bankruptcy.
So it was with some anticipation that I learned that I would spend a week behind the wheel of an Accord, especially on week when I had to travel to an auto writer’s confab in Fort Worth. If you have to eat up some highway miles, a four-cylinder Accord is the perfect choice.
The car easily eclipses 30 miles per gallon (I made the round trip on $25 worth of gas), and the Accord’s dual-wishbone suspension soaks up all but the biggest bumps. Comfortable seats, a nice sound system and a competent heating/cooling system make for an easy drive.
The newest Accord delivers all that and clearly remains a solid choice.
All Accord models feature a long list of standard features including tilt and telescoping steering wheel, AM/FM stereo with CD player, power windows, LED instrumentation and advanced emissions technology.
All EX models add a 6-disc CD changer, alloy wheels, power moonroof and power driver's seat with adjustable lumbar support.
As much as I enjoyed driving the Accord, I found myself coming to the surprising conclusion that there is a flurry of more satisfying choices in the niche.
Accords run anywhere from $18,625 for a nicely equipped, four-cylinder base model all the way up to $33,090 for the luxurious hybrid with voice activated navigation system. The latter is, to my way of thinking, one of the best cars ever built.
But we’re talking a car that sells, on average, for around $26,000. I can think of a dozen that are better equipped and more fun to drive. The Ford Fusion and Nissan Altima have sharper handling and are prettier.
In terms of value and selecting a car I would enjoy living with for several years, I think I’d go American.
The Fusion, Pontiac G6, Saturn Aura and Chevrolet Malibu Maxx would be my first choices in this class now. In terms of performance, they run circles around the Accord.
With the exception of the Malibu, the American cars are much more attractive inside and out, and match the Accord’s tight build standards. Fit and finish are downright first-rate.
GM products have matched Accord and Camry in independent quality ratings the past few years and now come with transferable 100,000-mile warranties.
The Honda Accord has long been Honda's best selling vehicle, continually winning high praise and numerous awards year after year. While the current Accord is more luxurious than ever, it has stayed true to its original mission as a practical automobile that combines economy and value with sporty style and spirited performance.
In the 2006 model year, the entire Accord line-up was improved with a significant minor model change including interior and exterior improvements, as well as more powerful engines. For 2007, a new Special Edition sedan makes debuts with a long list of popular features. The Accord Special Edition V6 Sedan provides a high-value feature package with 17-inch Alloy wheels, rear disc brakes, steering wheel audio controls, 6-disc CD changer, and an anti-theft alarm system. As with previous Special Edition trim levels, these added features represent a significant value without a significantly increased price. Also, like all V6 Accords, the V6 Special Edition is equipped with Vehicle Stability Assist(TM) (VSA(R)) as standard equipment.
"The new Accord SE V6 Sedan adds an all-new, 'just right' trim level to the Accord line-up," said John Mendel, senior vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "The popular features represent a great value to Honda customers."
Honda offers a wider array of Accords than ever before. In addition to the innovative Accord Hybrid, the Accord is available in various trim levels of 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder Coupes and Sedans. All 4-cylinder models come standard with a 5-speed manual transmission and are available with a smooth shifting 5-speed automatic transmission. Accord V6 models are equipped with a standard 5-speed automatic transmission, while the Accord EX V6 Sedan and Coupe are available with a sporty, short-throw 6-speed manual transmission.
In keeping with Honda's industry-leading "Safety for Everyone" initiative, all 2007 Accords come equipped with a comprehensive list of advanced safety features including dual-stage front airbags (SRS), front side airbags with passenger's side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS), side curtain airbags, Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) and daytime running lights. The Accord earns a 5-star frontal impact rating from the federal government.