C&D Family Sedan Comparo

[ifcar]

From what I was seeing, it's available on some 07-model cars, but only ones they've already built.

[GoCougs]

If I had to do it all over again, the Accord wouldn't have made it on the short list.

My '05 Accord has loads of interior quality issues, and brake feel is lousy as is performance (as evidenced by the tester's last place braking finish).

[pommes-t]

 :confused:Isn't the Sebring a brand new car? On the last place? 

Damn, Chrysler engineers must have been smoking a lot of weed lately...

[ifcar]

Except for the Accord, they're all new.

[pommes-t]

Except for the Accord, they're all new.

Ouuups. Yeah... American market. I mixed up the Optima with our Opirus...

The Accord only got a facelift I guess?

[omicron]

Honda Accord.......oh for goodness sake.

[MX793]

Ouuups. Yeah... American market. I mixed up the Optima with our Opirus...

The Accord only got a facelift I guess?

The Accord is unchanged.  It was included because it won their last midsize sedan comparo.

[FIU Panther]

The Accord keeps coming out on top even though it's been out for years. When this new one comes out it should destroy the competition if infact Honda decides significantly improve upon what it currently has out. I hope though the sheetmetal is one of the main things they focus on.

The points on the Aura having a cheap interior I don't see. I sat in one in the Auto Show and I felt it looked amazing. Maybe I'd have to live in one for a few days to notice, or maybe I just don't feel up interiors like the editors but I thought it was more than adequate. I'm coming though from a Dodge Intrepid and it just might be my point of refrence.

[giant_mtb]

See what happens when you compare the base models?  Toyota doesn't completely dominate.

[VetteZ06]

The points on the Aura having a cheap interior I don't see. I sat in one in the Auto Show and I felt it looked amazing. Maybe I'd have to live in one for a few days to notice, or maybe I just don't feel up interiors like the editors but I thought it was more than adequate. I'm coming though from a Dodge Intrepid and it just might be my point of refrence.

Did you sit in an XE or an XR? I've generally heard positive things about the XR's interior, with a few cheap bits being mentioned here and there, but in many cases the cheaper models (like the XE) have lesser interiors.

It still boggles my mind that GM knows how to make a killer interior, but refuses to put one in a car as important as the Aura.

[MX793]

See what happens when you compare the base models?  Toyota doesn't completely dominate.

Toyota doesn't dominate with the top-end models either.  At least not in the major enthusiast mags like C&D, R&T and MotorTrend.

[ifcar]

The Accord keeps coming out on top even though it's been out for years. When this new one comes out it should destroy the competition if infact Honda decides significantly improve upon what it currently has out. I hope though the sheetmetal is one of the main things they focus on.

The Accord will no doubt continue to be one of the most expensive cars in its class, so the redesign probably won't shake up the market too much. If they soften up the ride and bloat up the interior, they'd probably take some Camry sales, but I don't think that's what they want.

[The Pirate]

I'm not optimistic about the next Accord's styling.  The Civic has gotten progressive uglier with each redesign (imho), same with the CR-V and the Ridgeline is just plain homely.

My favorite Accord was the '96-97 followed by the 80's one with the pop up headlights.  The newer Accords aren't monstrosities, but they are getting a bit more awkward with each redesign (again, my opinion).



Regardless of looks, I'm sure the new one will be a competent car.

[Raza]

I'm not optimistic about the next Accord's styling.  The Civic has gotten progressive uglier with each redesign (imho), same with the CR-V and the Ridgeline is just plain homely.

My favorite Accord was the '96-97 followed by the 80's one with the pop up headlights.  The newer Accords aren't monstrosities, but they are getting a bit more awkward with each redesign (again, my opinion).



Regardless of looks, I'm sure the new one will be a competent car.

There was one that looked really good a couple of years ago (probably circa 2000) and then after that....

[93JC]

My favorite Accord was the '96-97 followed by the 80's one with the pop up headlights.  The newer Accords aren't monstrosities, but they are getting a bit more awkward with each redesign (again, my opinion).

Best one is still this one:



Especially the wagon:

[TheIntrepid]

I think that C&D is overly biased towards Hondas. I was hoping for a comparo of these new midsize sedans. The Accord is the most dated one, the one with the most boring styling, and the one with the most 'blah' interior. Of course my latter two points are a matter of opinion. I guess I'll wait for my issue tomorrow to see what their excuse was this time.

[the Teuton]

But you can't ignore the fact that the Accord is really that good.  Other than the Passat, I still haven't found a family car out there with a truly better interior than the Accord.  Not the mixed-bag Camry, Hyundai Sonata, or any others.  While I haven't gotten to check out the Aura in person yet, it would be really hard to make a better overall car than the Accord, which is generic enough to be inoffensive and has enough character to make it stand out.

Just look at the interior of an EX-L plus navigation and tell me it's not the best in class for around 30 grand for a real mid-sized family car.

[Maxxum]

Just look at the interior of an EX-L plus navigation and tell me it's not the best in class for around 30 grand for a real mid-sized family car.

In fact it is less than that. The EX-L Navi has a MSRP of $24550+dest and real life price os $24550. The fully loaded Accord V6 with Navi has an MSRP of 29,400 plus destination (so you are right, it goes up to 29995), however carsdirect sells it for $27,324 in my zip code. I still happen to think that it looks good, though most people either find it ugly or boring. It handles well for a big family sedan, has enough power and the interior still is among the best if not the best, after almost 5 years of introduction. It is priced high because of Honda's policy of clubbing together the features. I guess it saves them money but as long as they are investing it in the car itself, it is good. I do have small complaints like the interior rattle (they replaced the radio and the rattles got worse) and occasional smell from the catalytic converter filling up the cabin.

[AKL]

If I had to do it all over again, the Accord wouldn't have made it on the short list.

My '05 Accord has loads of interior quality issues, and brake feel is lousy as is performance (as evidenced by the tester's last place braking finish).

My Accord to actually has interior issues. It has this rattle in the dash that is incredibly annoying. Since one of my friend works for Honda, I may ask if he can get it checked out for free.

Well it's been a solid sedan otherwise.

[ro51092]

My Accord to actually has issues. It has this rattle in the dash that is incredibly annoying. Since one of my friend works for Honda, I may ask if he can get it checked out for free.

Well it's been a solid sedan otherwise.

My TL had a new rattle every 2nd day. I just gave up on it, considering some pieces didn't even fit together.

[AKL]

My TL had a new rattle every 2nd day. I just gave up on it, considering some pieces didn't even fit together.

Little off topic but hows the A4? Interior quality should be flawless 

[ro51092]

Perfect. I am in love with the whole car. I like the switchgear a lot, everything fits well together, the car has an awesome sound system, and it just feels expensive. I love how VW and Audi pay attention to small details.

[AKL]

Perfect. I am in love with the whole car. I like the switchgear a lot, everything fits well together, the car has an awesome sound system, and it just feels expensive. I love how VW and Audi pay attention to small details.

That's great to hear! 

I've always loved how the A4 looks, inside and out.

[gasoline]

I have a question: Where is my issue?

[gasoline]

If I had to do it all over again, the Accord wouldn't have made it on the short list.

My '05 Accord has loads of interior quality issues, and brake feel is lousy as is performance (as evidenced by the tester's last place braking finish).

C/D loves the Accord. I was going to win. It probably deserved it too. Imagine what will happen when the new one comes out!
Why people pick the Camry over it is a big mystery.

[ifcar]

It's bigger, more comfortable, more powerful with the V6, and quieter.

[VetteZ06]

Why people pick the Camry over it is a big mystery.

There.

[GoCougs]

C/D loves the Accord. I was going to win. It probably deserved it too. Imagine what will happen when the new one comes out!
Why people pick the Camry over it is a big mystery.

Now that I own an Accord, IMO I have some context into the "mystery." The Camry is (much) quieter and smoother riding, and has at least equal if not better reliability and resale track record. The '07 adds more power, 6sp AT, and better fuel economy.

If I had to do it again, the old '06 Camry V6 SE would've been the better choice IMO, let alone the '07 V6 SE. What originally swayed me was that I liked the Accord's seats and its additional power over the '06 (albeit with just a smidge of an acceleration advantage).

[gasoline]

It's bigger, more comfortable, more powerful with the V6, and quieter.

Funny. My aunt has a 2004 Accord and when I asked her why she didn't get a Camry, she said she thought it was too loud.
I never looked to see if it was a 4 or 6 cylinder.
She did love the Mazda 6 though. She said she wanted one. She thought it looked really good--and she's a CR True Believer (TM).

[TheIntrepid]

As much as everybody hates the Camry... it's still America's bestselling sedan. Why?