Used Vehicle Review: Honda Accord, 2008-2012

2009 Honda Accord EX-L. Click image to enlarge

More Honda Accord reviews at Autos.ca Manufacturer’s web site Honda Canada Owner Reviews on autoTRADER.ca Honda Accord Reviews

Review and photos by Chris Chase

At its introduction in 1977, the original Honda Accord sedan was actually smaller than the current (2012) Civic, a fact that tells us just how much both of these cars have grown since their 1970s debuts in the Canadian marketplace.

By 2008 and the arrival of the eighth generation, the Accord had grown into a full-size sedan, a step up from the mid-size classification of its predecessor.

Like Accords before it, the 2008 model was offered with four- and six-cylinder engines, but in a twist, there were two four-cylinders this time. Basic LX models got a 177-hp version of the 2.4L engine, and EX and EX-L models used one tuned to 190 hp. The V6 was a 3.5L that made 268 hp.

Four-cylinder cars came standard with a five-speed manual transmission that could be optioned to a five-speed automatic. In V6 Accords, the automatic was the only gearbox available, save for the V6-powered coupe, which could be had with a six-speed manual.

2009 Honda Accord EX-L. Click image to enlarge

Six-cylinder models with the automatic transmission had a system called Variable Cylinder Management (VCM), which deactivated three cylinders in light throttle situations. Its operation was (and is, in other Honda models) barely detectable by the driver, and only when he or she paid very close attention.

The bottom-rung LX sedan model came with 16-inch steel wheels, air conditioning, stereo system with auxiliary input and steering wheel–mounted controls, cruise control, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, heated and power-adjustable mirrors, speed-sensing intermittent wipers, power locks and keyless entry, power windows, tilt and telescopic steering, six-way manual driver’s seat, and a fold-down rear seat.

The EX added 17-inch alloy wheels, security system, sunroof, ambient console lighting, rear-seat heater ducts, eight-way power driver’s seat, and a six-CD stereo. EX-V6 models included chrome door handles and dual exhaust finishers

Top-trim EX-L models got heated leather seats, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, automatic headlights, premium stereo with satellite radio, dual-zone automatic climate control, and outside temperature gauge. The V6 version of this trim came with a garage door opener, four-way power passenger seat, fog lights, chrome door handles, and dual exhaust finishers.

2009 Honda Accord EX-L. Click image to enlarge

Accord coupe models were equipped similarly to the sedan, but started at the EX trim level. V6-powered coupes could only had in EX-L trim, and got an exclusive six-speed manual transmission, 18-inch wheels and rear spoiler.

There were no changes for 2009, but for 2010, the EX and EX-V6 got standard dual-zone climate control and an exterior temperature gauge.

In 2011, the Accord got revised exterior styling, a new instrument panel layout, and a number of content changes. Alloy wheels, eight-way power driver’s seat, Bluetooth, automatic headlights, and security became standard across the line, and the six-CD stereo with USB interface was included on EX models and above. An SE trim was added as the new entry-level model, replacing the LX, and could be had with leather. Four-cylinder EX-L Accords got a power passenger seat, and cars with navigation got two-position memory for the driver’s seat. EX-L V6 coupes got paddle shifters, and all V6 coupes were trimmed as EX-L with navigation; sedans optioned with navigation added a rear-view camera.

There was just a single change for 2012, that being the addition of a USB connector in the SE model, making that feature standard across the range.

2009 Honda Accord EX-L. Click image to enlarge

In 2008, the most fuel-efficient Accord model, according to Natural Resources Canada estimates, was a four-cylinder with manual transmission, with ratings of 9.4/6.4 L/100 km (city/highway). A four-cylinder with automatic was rated 9.9/6.5, and the V6’s numbers were 11.0/6.7 L/100 km. Fuel economy improved notably in 2011, to 8.8/5.8 L/100 km with four-cylinder engine and manual transmission, or 9.0/5.8 with the automatic, and the V6 model was rated at 10.3/6.5 L/100 km. A V6/stick-shift coupe was rated 12.2/7.8 L/100 km from 2008 through 2010, and the 2011 and 2012 versions were rated 11.9/7.6.

Consumer Reports gives 2008 and 2009 Accords an average used vehicle reliability rating, but boosts that to above average for 2010 and 2011 models. CR lists the Accord as a used vehicle “good bet.” It knocks points off mostly for the brake wear and interior rattle problems, both of which are well documented and, more than anything, frustrating for owners of these cars. TrueDelta.com shows the Accord to be one of the most reliable cars in its class, right up there with the Toyota Camry.

Honda issued a technical service bulletin to address a rattling sound from the engine at cold starts, caused by a faulty VTC actuator (a component of the iVTEC variable valve timing system). Here’s a discussion on the topic at DriveAccord.net.

Honda issued a different service bulletin to deal with excessive oil consumption in V6 engines with the VCM system.

Honda settled a class-action lawsuit over excessive rear brake wear in the eighth-generation Accord, reputedly caused by the calibration of the car’s electronic brake force distribution system.

Here’s a discussion at Honda-Tech.com about excessive oil consumption in four-cylinder Accords. There’s no empirical evidence to show this is the result of a serious design flaw, so take it with a grain of salt.

2009 Honda Accord EX-L. Click image to enlarge

Unsurprisingly, the Accord is one of priciest used family sedans available; Canadian Black Book sets the value for a 2010 Accord LX slightly higher than that of a 2010 Toyota Camry LE (mostly because the Accord’s MSRP was a bit higher). A Hyundai Sonata GL, Mazda6 GS, and Chevrolet Malibu LT are each less expensive by more than $3,000, and a Dodge Avenger SXT is nearly $6,000 cheaper.

Consumer Reports reliability data shows that interior squeaks and rattles are common in the eighth-generation Accord; TrueDelta.com gets a little more specific, suggesting that most of the complaints are related to rattles from the rear parcel shelf.

Honda’s had a rough go of things lately, what with lukewarm critical opinions of new models, production disruptions caused by the 2011 tsunami, and a few sales duds. And even though the Accord went through its own tough luck a number of years ago thanks to automatic transmission problems, it seems like this benchmark-setting sedan is back on its game. Still, shop carefully for a car that has had all applicable technical service bulletin work taken care of by a previous owner.