2008 Accord Worth Well Over $600 More
The assignment was to drive a 2007 Honda Accord sedan and a 2008 Accord back-to-back and report whether the new one is worth the $600 price increase. Now, I did so, and though I’m not above drama and suspense, the simple answer is: of course it is. The only way the 2008 wouldn’t be worth $600 more than the 2007 is if it sucked, in which case the headline above would read “2008 Honda Accord Sucks!” According to our Kelley Blue Book values, a 2006 Accord LX is worth $1,245 more than a comparably equipped 2005 model, both with 12,000 miles. Recognize that a never-driven 2008 is worth considerably more than a never-driven 2007 — both available at dealerships now — simply because it appears to be a year newer. Then add the fact that the 2008 is a complete redesign, and $600 is nothing. (This ignores Honda’s claim that the 2008 adds $1,200 worth of newly standard features.)
Apart from the new styling, which made the 2007 look like something from the ’90s, the most noticeable improvement between the 2007 and 2008 Accord LX four-cylinders I drove was the ride quality. The main criticism I’ve had and heard about the earlier generation is that its ride is too firm. The 2008 fixes that, and it handles well, too. Though it seems to have more body lean in aggressive cornering, I’m pretty sure most Accord sedan drivers don’t notice or care … or have ever taken an aggressive corner in their lives. Conversely, everyone feels ride quality, all the time.
The engine has 11 more horsepower, but you have to rev the engine higher to get both it and the 1 pound-foot of increased torque compared to the 2007 model. It seemed to me like the 2007 was quicker off the line, but there didn’t seem to be a big difference in the overall sprint to 60 mph. The 2008 weighs about 100 pounds more, so it could be a wash.
Honestly, the interior improvements aren’t dramatic, mainly because the previous-gen Accord was already very good, with firm, European-style seats, a woven headliner instead of “mouse fur,” and generally good materials quality. The upgraded upholstery in the LX is a little nicer than the same in the 2007, thanks in part to its more textured surface.
The noise level is noticeably lower, which is a big deal for Honda as it has historically favored fuel economy over the added weight of sound damping. I like the wider front armrest, which slides forward and back and has a wide gap for passing iPod and power cords from the audio and 12-volt jacks. The dashboard design gives a more wide-open feel to the cabin, but the actual dimensional increases don’t seem dramatic. The 2008 backseat’s greater legroom seemed huge until I tried the 2007 and found it to be pretty good. More important is that the new one’s backrest angle feels more natural; the previous model seemed to tip back too far as a trick to give more headroom.
One thing Honda oughtta pay you for is the new navigation system’s change from a touch-screen to a knob controller (I know I’m losing this crusade). But that’s an option, so the upshot is that the 2008 is worth well more than an additional $600. One could argue two, three, even four times that. But the buyer will ultimately decide.
Related
Honda Prices All-New 2008 Accord (KickingTires)
2008 Honda Accord Expert Review (Cars.com)
