08.07.08
2009 Honda Accord Sets the Pace with Style, Power and Efficiency
A tale of power and economy: available 271 hp V-6 with cylinder deactivation EPA-rated for up to 29 miles-per-gallon highway
The 2009 Honda Accord lineup is designed to impress with premium features, accommodating technology and efficient performance geared for both the finish line and the bottom line.
Available as a sedan or a coupe and powered by advanced 4-cylinder or V-6 engines, the Accord embodies a sophisticated design and provides an accommodating, spacious interior. An emphasis on safety includes such highlights as standard electronic stability control, standard side curtain airbags and the Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE®) body structure. Premium technologies available on certain models include the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation1 System™ with Voice Activation, Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink® and XM® Satellite Radio2.
The Accord exterior design is intended to communicate a prestigious and substantial presence. The Accord’s muscular stance is further heightened on the coupe by a longer hood with sharp character lines and a tapered C-pillar with wedge-shaped rear side windows for a fast, aerodynamic look. Interior styling on all models provides world-class ergonomics and intuitive vehicle controls. Sporty, yet comfortable seats are equipped with leather-trimmed surfaces on the Accord EX-L. The double wishbone front suspension and multi-link rear suspension, a premium arrangement for the mid-size segment, inspires spirited handling performance while also providing a comfortable ride.
“As one of the best-selling cars in America, the popularity of the Accord can be traced to its combination of refinement, quality, sporty feel, safety equipment, fuel efficiency and long-term value,” said Dick Colliver, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “Other cars can claim some of those traits, too, but only the Accord reaches consistently higher in more of the areas that matter most.”
The Accord is available with 2.4-liter 4-cylinder and 3.5-liter V-6 engine choices. Available transmissions include a 5-speed manual (standard with all 4-cylinder engines), a 5-speed automatic (standard on V-6-powered sedan models, available with all 4-cylinder engines and V-6-powered Accord Coupes,) and a 6-speed manual transmission (available on the Accord Coupe EX-L V-6).
The available 3.5-liter i-VTEC V-6 engine produces 271-horsepower3 - the most ever for any Accord - while implementing the latest generation of fuel-saving Variable Cylinder Management™ (VCM®) technology from Honda and achieving a Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (PZEV4) rating from the California Air Resources Board (CARB). The VCM system operates in 6-cylinder mode for power and 4- and 3-cylinder modes for efficiency, resulting in an EPA city/highway fuel economy rating of 19/295 miles per gallon in the Accord Sedan V-6. The additional power of the V-6 engine has minimal impact on the fuel economy rating when compared to the 4-cylinder engine, which achieves 21/305 miles per gallon city/highway in the Accord Sedan with a 5-speed automatic transmission.
The ACE body structure enhances frontal collision compatibility with vehicles of different sizes and bumper heights. Additional safety equipment standard to all Accord models includes Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®), also known as electronic stability control; side-curtain airbags; dual-chamber front side airbags with passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS), active front seat head restraints, anti-lock brakes and more.
Sedan trim levels range from the well-equipped Accord Sedan LX and plus-featured LX-P (177-horsepower 4-cylinder engine), to the nicely-equipped Accord Sedan EX (190-horsepower 4-cylinder engine or 271-horsepower V-6 engine), to the premium and upscale Accord Sedan EX-L (190-horsepower 4-cylinder engine or 271-horsepower V-6 engine). Coupe trim levels range from the well-equipped Accord Coupe LX-S (190 horsepower 4-cylinder engine), to the nicely-equipped Accord Coupe EX (190-horsepower 4-cylinder engine) to the premium and upscale Accord Coupe EX-L (190-horsepower 4-cylinder engine or 271-horsepower V-6 engine).
The Accord interior is designed for a dynamic, intuitive and upscale presence. A zone styling approach separates operation-related instruments (top) and information-related instruments (lower). At night, the controls are further separated by color to distinguish between climate controls (aqua green) and audio controls (white).
Front bucket seats provide generous lateral support and complement the Accord’s sporting side. The fold-down, lockable rear seatback increases cargo-carrying versatility. The sedan rear seat includes a lockable pass-through for long items like skis.
Three audio systems are available - all with MP3/Windows Media® Audio (WMA) playback capability and an auxiliary input jack. The standard system provides a single-disc CD player, six speakers and 160 watts of power. A Radio Data System (RDS) displays information broadcast by participating radio stations that often includes call letters, station type (searchable by genre) and programming information. Steering wheel audio controls come standard on every Accord. The Accord Sedan EX and Coupe LX-S add a 6-disc in-dash changer.
A premium 270-watt audio system comes standard on Accord EX Coupe and Sedan EX-L models, and includes a six-disc CD changer and seven speakers including an 8-inch subwoofer. XM Satellite Radio is standard equipment on all Accord EX-L models6.
The latest-generation of the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System with voice activation (available on EX-L) uses an 8-inch screen and an interface dial for user input. Features include the Zagat Survey™ guide for restaurants, nightlife, hotels and attractions. Navigation-equipped models also include Bluetooth HandsFreeLink.
The Accord Sedan embraces a traditional three-box shape that emphasizes both a dynamic and athletic feel with the sophistication of a timeless sedan form. Dimensionally, the Accord Sedan’s overall length measures 194.1 inches (4-cylinder models, V-6 models add 0.2 inches for front spoiler lip). The width totals 72.7 inches and the height equals 58.1 inches. The Accord Sedan wheelbase measures 110.2 inches with a front and rear track width of 62.2-inches at each axle (62.6 inches LX and LX-P).
The Accord Coupe styling radically breaks from the sedan with a uniquely aggressive image. Its long hood, sleek roofline and muscular lines suggest power and a heightened agility compared to the sedan. Dimensionally, the Accord Coupe’s overall length measures 190.9 inches, width measures 72.8 inches and height totals 56.4 inches. Compared to the Accord Sedan, the Accord Coupe is 3.2 inches shorter in length, 1.7 inches shorter in height and 0.1-inch wider. The Accord Coupe wheelbase measures 107.9 inches (track is identical to sedan).
The 2008 Accord Sedan comes standard with 16-inch steel wheels with wheel covers, or 16- to 17-inch aluminum wheels depending on the model. (The Accord Coupe has 17-inch aluminum wheels standard, with 18-inch aluminum wheels available on the Coupe V-6). Four-wheel disc brakes with ABS are standard equipment.
Accord engines are designed to deliver powerful performance with high fuel efficiency and low emissions. All engines only require regular unleaded fuel. Powertrain highlights include:
2.4-liter, DOHC, i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine (Sedan LX, LX-P)
- 177 horsepower at 6500 rpm, 161 lb-ft. of torque at 4300 rpm
- 5-speed automatic transmission or 5-speed manual transmission
- Estimated EPA fuel economy5 of 21/30 mpg City/Highway (Sedan, Automatic)
- PZEViv or ULEV-2 emissions
Accord Sedan EX, EX-L; Coupe LX-S, EX, EX-L includes:
- High-flow exhaust system with variable-valve muffler
- 190 horsepower at 7000 rpm, 162 lb-ft. of torque at 4400 rpm
3.5-liter, SOHC, i-VTEC V-6 engine (Sedan EX V-6, EX-L V-6; Coupe EX-L V-6: 5AT)
- 271 horsepower at 6200 rpm, 254 lb-ft. of torque at 5000 rpm
- VCM for improved fuel efficiency
- 5-speed automatic transmission
- Estimated EPA economy5 of 19/29 mpg City/Highway (Sedan)
- Estimated EPA economy5 of 19/28 mpg City/Highway (Coupe)
- PZEViv emissions
3.5-liter, SOHC, VTEC V-6 engine (Coupe EX-L V-6: 6MT)
- 271 horsepower at 6200 rpm, 251 lb-ft. of torque at 5000 rpm
- 6-speed manual transmission
- VTEC provides two intake cam profiles for increased low- and mid-range torque
- Estimated EPA mileage of 17/25 mpg City/Highway
- ULEV-2 emissions
Approximately 80 percent of the Accords sold in the United States are produced at Honda of America Manufacturing Inc.’s Marysville Auto Plant in Marysville, Ohio. The Marysville plant is the sole global source of the Accord Coupe.
The Accord Coupe serves as the official pace car for the 2009 Indy Racing League IndyCar Series.
Third-party trademarks: The Bluetooth word mark and logos are owned by the Bluetooth SIG, Inc., and any use of such marks by Honda Motor Co., Ltd., is under license. Zagat Survey® is a registered trademark of Zagat Survey, LLC.
1 Certain functions that rely on a satellite signal will not work correctly in Hawaii and Alaska. These functions include but are not limited to automatic clock updates and time zone adjustments.
2 Required XM® Radio monthly subscription sold separately after 90 day trial period. Installation costs and other fees and taxes may apply after initial trial period, including a one-time activation fee. Subscription fee is consumer only. All fees and programming subject to change. Subscriptions subject to Customer Agreement available at xmradio.com. XM service only available in the 48 contiguous United States. The XM name is a registered trademark of XM Satellite Radio Inc.
3Testing of production engines for horsepower and torque output of the 2008 Accord V-6 has revealed that the average horsepower and torque produced by these engines is higher than originally estimated prior to the start of mass production. Though there have been no design changes to the engines to create more power, the horsepower and torque ratings for the 2009 models have been increased to reflect the actual output of the engines. For 2009, 271 hp replaces 268 hp on all V-6 models, 254 lb-ft. replaces 248 lb-ft. on automatic transmission models and 251 lb-ft. replaces 248 lb-ft. on manual transmission models.
4PZEV models are automatic transmission only, as certified by California Air Resources Board (CARB), are available in California and certain states that adopted the CARB certification standards (CA, CT, MA, ME, NJ, NY, OR, RI, VT).
5 Based on 2009 EPA mileage estimates, reflecting new EPA fuel economy methods beginning with 2008 models. Use for comparison purposes only. Do not compare to models before 2008. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.
6Honda products are produced using domestic and globally-sourced parts.
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On April 1st, 2008 significant modifications to road safety regulations in the Canadian provinces of Québec and Nova Scotia went into effect. CTV.ca reports that handheld cellular phones are now verboten while at the wheel, though hands free devices are still tolerated. Nova Scotia will begin ticketing the offense immediately, while Québec has allowed for a three-month grace periods in which offenders will only receive stern warnings and moralizing sermons. The first offense in Nova Scotia will cost $165, while costing $80-$110 and three demerit points in Québec. Still not satisfied, road safety advocate Jean-Marie de Koeninck argues that “[h]ands-free is just as dangerous. (But) by forbidding the hand-held it does send a signal that there is a problem with the cellphone, there’s a problem with concentration”. Meanwhile, the same traffic safety bill in Québec also doubled all speeding fines , with new suspension of license provisions for those caught traveling at 40 km/h over the limit in under-60 zones, 50 km/h in 60-90 over zones, and 60 km/h over in 100+ zones. All in the name of safety, presumably.
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