2009 Honda Accord Review

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2009 Overview

Honda's large family car, available in coupe and sedan form, isn't just a perennial 10 Best Cars winner, it dominates the list. The last time the Accord wasn't on the list was 1997, and the car has appeared a whopping 22 times. The reason? Simple: The Accord continuously offers most everything you want in a sensible car, reliability, a comfortable and friendly interior, and good fuel economy(1), plus good engines and lively handling to keep pulse rates raised.

Full Review 09

The 2009 Accord is available with a choice of four-cylinder and V6 engines, two transmissions, and LX and EX trim levels. A new premium package adds more convenience bits to an LX, and EX-L models add leather and luxury features. 

The Honda Accord competes in a busy sedan class. Some others in the class include the Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima, Ford Fusion, Hyundai Sonata, Mazda 6, Saturn Aura, and Chevrolet Malibu. The Accord Coupe competes directly with the Nissan Altima coupe.

Test Drive 2009 Accord

The 2009 Honda Accord is an ideal car for commuting or daily family use. Every Accord compares well against competitors in terms of mileage and emissions, and runs on regular unleaded.

In terms of fuel economy, all Accord sedans with four-cylinder engines are EPA-rated 22/31 mpg City/Highway with the manual, 21/30 mpg with the automatic. Four-cylinder coupes are rated 22/31 mpg with the manual, 21/30 mpg with the automatic. V6 sedans are rated 19/29 mpg. V6 coupes are rated 19/28 mpg with automatic, 17/25 mpg with the six-speed manual.

That also means the Accord V6 now rates more horses than not only the Camry V6, but the Altima's Z-car-based engine as well (if only by a nose). It's a smooth engine and quieter than the Altima's, more than adequate for any purpose, and uses the latest version of Honda's Variable Cylinder Management (VCM).

The Accord's VCM changes the number of engine cylinders working at any given time and load to save fuel. Coupes with the 190-horsepower four-cylinder manual or automatic or the VCM V6 automatic use the same powertrain setups as the sedans. Enthusiasts could live happily with an Accord sedan serving as a spouse's daily commuter, or they could opt for a V6 manual coupe.

Most of the change comes from larger anti-roll bars and lower weight since tire choices mirror sedans. 

The closest successor to Acura's defunct CL Type-S coupe, the Accord Coupe with a V6 and manual gearbox has a character all its own. The latest Honda Accord is easy to operate, well-engineered and well-mannered.

Exterior Styling and Engine

The 2009 Honda Accord is offered in coupe and sedan forms, with three engine choices. The LX Sedan comes standard with cloth upholstery, air conditioning, power mirrors and door locks, variable intermittent wipers, tilt-and-telescoping steering column and illuminated wheel-mounted controls, folding rear seats, and an MP3/WMA/auxiliary input 160-watt sound system. The LX-P Sedan adds alloy wheels, a power driver's seat, power windows with illuminated switches, security system, and a chrome tailpipe. The stylish, two-door Coupe is available with a six-speed manual and V6, the only Accord with that combination, and it comes with larger anti-roll bars and low-profile 18-inch tires and wheels.

The Accord EX gets an in-dash CD changer, an information screen controlled by a selector knob, and 17-inch alloy wheels with P225/50 all-season tires; while the two EX models also benefit from a power moonroof, heated mirrors, driver power lumbar adjustment, and premium interior accents.

EX-L comes with leather, XM Satellite Radio, heated front seats and, for the sedan, an auto-dimming rearview mirror. The EX-L V6 Sedan adds a four-way power adjustment for the front passenger seat and Homelink universal remote.

Interior Comfort and Features

Three interior colors are offered on the sedans, black, gray, and ivory, while the coupe goes black or ivory only. Coupe models make use of the larger door panels by adding a return sweep and pull handle to the armrest trim. Controls for lights and wipers are on stalks. The Accord offers drivers a quiet cabin and a comfortable environment for all.

Honda Accord 09 First Take

For those looking for an affordable and reliable sedan with great road manners, the 2009 Honda Accord will satisfy. Edmunds.com praises the Accord for "Ample passenger space, high-quality interior, above-average steering feel, high resale value and it's available coupe body style". Safety equipment for the '09 Accord included two-stage front airbags, dual-chamber front side airbags, side curtain airbags; active front head restraints, electronic stability control, antilock brakes with electronic brake distribution, and tire pressure monitors.

[1]  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.