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2011 Honda Accord Review


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2011 Honda Accord

RANK: Family Sedans By 100 Criteria
USE: Honda Buyers Guide

THE AUTO PAGE
By JOHN HEILIG

SPECIFICATIONS: 2011 Honda Accord

Model: 2011 Honda Accord SE
Engine: 2.4-liter I4
Horsepower/Torque: 177 hp @ 6,500 rpm/ 161 lb.-ft. @ 4,300 rpm
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
Wheelbase: 110.2 in.
Length/Width/Height: 194.9 x 72.7 x 56.1 in.
Tires: P215/60R16
Cargo volume: 14.7 cu. ft.
Fuel economy: 23 mpg city/34 mpg highway/23.2 mpg test
Fuel capacity: 18.5 gal.
Curb weight: 3,279 lbs.
Sticker: $24,480 (includes $750 delivery and handling charge plus $1,600 in options less $750 Special Edition discount)

My Bottom Line: Today in North America there are at least fourteen mid-sized family type sedans competing for your favor, all similar in features, quality, content, performance and price. The Honda Accord at one time was the top-seller, and still has a lot to offer.

Shoppers for mid-sized sedans have a difficult choice to make. In the end it will may come down to brand loyalty or how a vehicle feels and makes you feel.

Take for example, the Honda Accord and the Toyota Camry. They are nearly identical and both, incidentally, are built - not just assembled - in the United States. The Accord is five inches longer n a one-inch longer wheelbase. Its engine offers eight more horses and the economy is almost identical. Styling of both is significantly enhanced over a few years ago. But, in my opinion, if the Camry is like meat loaf - comfort food - then the Accord is steak. From the same animal, but a different cut of meat.

Behind the wheel the engine is quiet. I have always felt that Honda made nice engines. there's enough power form the inline four, and the power gets to the front wheels through a slick 5-speed automatic transmission. The Camry had a 6-speed.

For 2011, the Accord has enhanced styling. Outside there's some aerodynamic changes and side sculpting. Inside, the most frequently used climate controls have been moved to the left side of the HVAC panel for easier access.

Handling is excellent. Honda has used a double wishbone front suspension (as opposed to MacPherson struts) for a long time, and the rid equality shows it. In the rear, there's a multi-link structure to keep the wheels flat on the road.

We took the Accord into the boonies to cover a basketball game. The ride was comfortable on the Interstate, and equally as good on the back roads to the school. The headlights are excellent, both on low and high beam. They enabled us to find street signs easily on what were some pretty dark roads.

The front seats are comfortable and offer good side support. They’re heated, which was an asset on some pretty cold days. the rear seats have some side support and offer good knee room. The rear seat backs fold to increase cargo capacity, with the release handles located in the trunk.

I tend to judge a car to a degree by the number of cubbies. Well, there are lots of cubbies in the Accord. There's one on the left, for example, that's great for a cell phone. there's a sunglass holder in the top center console, and there are two cubbies at the base of the center stack. In addition, there are two good-sized cup holders for the front passengers.

The center console/arm rest has an AUX input right next to a 12-volt outlet. This arrangement makes it convenient to use one of those thingies to insert the USB wire into if you're concerned about power loss to your iPod.

The HVAC did a great job in some wicked cold weather. In fact, we had to turn it down after a while. The combination's of HVAC and audio controls on the dash are somewhat confusing at first, but once you learn them they make sense.

Additional features include a lockable glove box and assist handles at all doors.

Obviously, the intelligent buyers will compare the 2011 Honda Accord with the Toyota Camry, Ford Fusion, as well as the Mazda6 and Nissan Altima, Suzuki Kizashi, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, Volkswagen Jetta, Buick Regal, Chevrolet Cruze, Chevrolet Malibu, Chrysler 200, Mitsubishi Galant, Subaru Legacy and whatever else any of the other manufacturers may come up with in this category.

So test drive, test drive, test drive, so you can really compare how each vehicle feels, and makes you feel. With so many good choices, don’t neglect to use the free and exclusive My Test Drives Tool, to help you keep all of your test drive results straight so you can make an intelligent considered decision about your next car, and not regret your final choice every day for the next 10 years.

Essentially you pays your money and you makes your choice (actually, it's the reverse of that).

On the Honda Accord's asset side is the fact that you can ride in it all day and not complain about minor aches and pains.

© 2011 The Auto Page