2008 Honda Accord Euro Road Test Review

PA290484

More to the point, when you keep it singing in the sweet spot between 4500rpm and 5500rpm, it emits a brattish rising rasp from under the bonnet.

And because of the way it goes about things, it encourages free use of the huge rev band and the lightning sharp shift. For overtaking, slot it back two, and fire. The gearshift, the precise action and the near-perfect spread of ratios, invites… no, begs to be whipped back and forth through the superbly weighted 'gate'. And you thought only Porsche drivers couldn't keep their hands off their stick.

Sure to add to the appeal for young families is the fuel economy. Despite being bigger and heavier than the model it replaces, the 2008 Euro now averages an abstemious 8.9 l/100km, down from 9.1 l/100km manual transmission and 9.4 l/100km for the auto.

So, that's the Accord Euro. It has come a long way in the three decades since it arrived and is now an entirely satisfying car. Is it a tad large? Yup, possibly: I think I preferred the size of the older model.

That said, for those who really like to drive, but need room for the sprogs, it is probably the best buy in its class at the moment.

The Insider’s Big Statement

 

Honda, like Volkswagen, is showing the way. With sales slumping everywhere, Honda will no doubt also lose a little showroom traffic. But its strong model line-up of dynamically capable and planet-friendly family cars will ensure that it holds the line better than most, and emerges from the downturn stronger than most. Honda will become a real powerhouse in Australia over the next four to five years. Other car makers, take note.

 

insider-likes

  • The eager, free-revving four-pot mill
  • Super-slick six-speed box
  • Superb chassis, double wishbones front and rear
  • Involving ‘feel’ at the wheel
  • Generous interior space (and boot)
  • Value for money

insider-dislikes

  • Heavy-handed styling
  • It’s grown, it’s a tad large and a tad heavy
  • Unusual concoction of interior curves
  • ‘Unreadable’ digital display (in some light)

Gallery

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Specifications

Engine: 2.4 litre in-line four Displacement: 2354 cc Valve system: DOHC i-VTEC Power: 148kW @ 7000rpm Torque: 234Nm @ 4400rpm (Auto: 230Nm @ 4200rpm) Bore x Stroke: 87mm x 99mm Performance: 0-100km/h: low 9.0s (best we could do) Transmission: Six-speed manual (five-speed auto, paddle shift and logic control) Front suspension: Independent double wishbone (front stabiliser bar) Rear suspension: Independent double wishbone (rear stabiliser bar) Wheels: 17inch alloy (18inch Euro Luxury) Tyre sizes: 225/50R17 98V (235/45R18 98W) Brakes: Discs, front and rear, ABS, EBD, Emergency Brake Assist (EBA) Kerb Weight: 1525kg (to 1605kg) Prices: Euro: $32,990 ($34,990 auto)

Euro Luxury: $39,990 ($41,990 auto)

GALLERY: honda-accord-euro_roadtest

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Comments

  • Lee [reply]
    1 year ago 0 points
    Um, why is this thing called the Euro, when it is basically an Acura TL which is only sold in the US?
    • mookers [reply]
      1 year ago 0 points
      It's not a TL. It's a TSX.
      • mookers [reply]
        1 year ago 0 points
        Oh, and it's called a Euro because in Europe (and Japan) it's the only Accord they get. The bigger one is called Inspire in Japan.

        It's confusing. Blame the marketers.
    • Andy [reply]
      1 year ago 0 points
      Lee Please take your ugly picture off
      • Godspeed [reply]
        1 year ago 0 points
        I reckon it's quite cool actually - he looks a bit like Darren Lockyer with glasses...
  • mookers [reply]
    1 year ago 0 points
    Here's one for the TMR folks - how does the new Euro compare to the new Mazda6? They have become something like arch-rivals in my mind (my wife and I chose the last-generation 6 over the last-generation Euro, but it was a close call). And both are excellent.
  • Godspeed [reply]
    1 year ago 0 points
    I was going to ask how the automatic rates - you tested the manual? (though the interior shots show the automatic, no doubt from the press kit collection).

    After driving the previous Euro in auto form and finding it a slug (with only four ratios which exacerbated the torque deficit), and the figures for the new motor aren't a quantum leap forward, I've got doubts over the new model's performance as an Auto..?
  • bruzzer [reply]
    1 year ago 0 points
    im amazed that you were able to achieve those fuel consumption figures, i mean how can a car with 200 kilos more than the old model achieve better fuel consumption. We have the older model and i have been in the new model i can tell you one thing size inside is small and the extra kgs dont help either.

    apart from looks and quality i would choose the new mazda6 anytime...
  • 57 [reply]
    1 year ago 0 points
    dont think they sell it in japan, are they made in Thailand?
    • mookers [reply]
      1 year ago 0 points
      http://www.honda.co.jp/INSPIRE/
      • mookers [reply]
        1 year ago 0 points
        Interesting though, the honda japan site only has the previous-gen Euro listed.
  • Tim [reply]
    9 months ago 0 points
    Well I took the challenge and have an auto 09 Euro. It's very nice and I think is better than the previous model. I was a fan since 2003 of the Euro so when I could afford to buy I did. I have left the previous model behind at the lights on the occassion the other driver was trying to flex there muscle and it can beat the Mazda 6 if driven correctly (Must keep high revs, in sports mode using the paddles), like all Honda engines it loves the higher rev range for performance. Though it is close with the Mazda 6 and I don't know if the 6 was auto or not. I have the standard model as it's lighter than the other models and has the same engine, gear box setup. I would think though that the manual version would perform even better. I would say that the new version does look like an evolution of the previous and from what I have read on many of the forums about the car, the most criticism comes from owners of the previous model (which may lean towards that fact that their car is outdated) and of course the arch rival Mazda 6. When it comes down to it the new and old Euro are great cars and so is the Mazda 6. Except that the new Mazda 6 has the enormous mufflers that stick out like the proverbial.

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