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1995 HONDA ACCORD EX V6 FOUR-DOOR SEDAN

by: BILL RUSS

SEE ALSO: Honda Buyer's Guide

The Marysville, Ohio-built Honda Accord is a perennial favorite for family transportation. It is a well-made automobile, long-lived, and economical to own and operate. The Accord has been given many accolades from the media and satisfied owners. About the only criticism the Accord has received concerned its lack of power. Now, for the 1995 model year the V6 Accord is a reality.

Built in the U. S. for the American market only, the V6 is a family sedan with an attitude. While not expressly a sport sedan, it puts many self-proclaimed sport sedans and sport cars to shame in performance while delivering a smooth, quiet and comfortable ride. At a lower price it offers many of the refinements of some highly-touted luxury cars.

Honda engineers did not just drop an Acura Legend-derived V6 into an Accord chassis. Instead they strengthened, lightened and modified it to accept the larger engine. Modifications were also necessary to the hood and front end to accommodate the V6 powerplant as well as for aerodynamic and styling purposes.

A week of driving in late winter and early spring weather left these impressions:

APPEARANCE: The V6 Accord sedan retains the basic styling of the four-cylinder model. It displays a rounded wedge shape with a prominent, high-visibility passenger cabin and a high, short rear deck. Forward of the windshield the hood has been stretched and restyled a bit to accommodate the V6 engine. All glass is trimmed in black, and the side windows are highlighted with a stainless steel trim. The plastic-coated integrated 5mph bumpers, the side mirrors and the rub strips are body colored. It's six-spoke alloy wheels are shod with Michelin black-wall MXV4 V-rated all-season tires.

COMFORT: All interior appointments, except the floor mats, are standard. The interior of the LX is trimmed in leather with a comfortable 8-way power-adjustable driver's seat. The rear bench seat is contoured for two, and can be folded down when more cargo space is needed. A commodious, flat, low-liftover, easy access trunk has a lockable remote release on the driver's side floor. A powered glass moon-roof offers additional vision or ventilation. All instruments and controls are easy to see and reach. Amenities include a compact and quiet heater/air conditioner, an AM/FM/cassette system, rear defogger, cup holders, reading lights, coin box, power windows, side mirrors and door locks. The Accord V6 LX is a practical family car with a real back seat and plenty of conveniences.

SAFETY: Safety is now among the most important concerns in the family car market. Honda knows this, and every Accord V6 is equipped with dual front air bags and four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes. Also the body structure is very strong and it uses side impact door beams and extra stiffeners. Other safety items are a collapsible, energy-absorbing steering column, an energy-absorbing instrument panel, breakaway rearview mirror, outboard three-point seat belts with a G-sensor and more.

ROADABILITY: The Accord V6 is a family sedan that has inherited a lot of Honda's suspension and steering know-how from its many years of passenger car and race car construction and testing. Its 4-wheel double wishbone suspension and its components have been specially tuned for the new V6 engine and its improved performance characteristics. The power steering is steering-effort sensitive, and the ABS braking system features larger disc brakes for quicker and safer stopping. Quieter riding is accomplished by paying close attention to noise, vibration and harshness. Sound absorbing materials are used extensively in the body and engine compartment to reduce wind, road and engine and transmission noise. The result is a supple, comfortable and quiet ride in most driving conditions

PERFORMANCE: There is no substitute for a good motor. The new aluminum alloy 2.7 liter, 24 valve V6 in the Accord is descended from the 3.2 liter unit used in the Acura Legend. However the Accord implementation is almost 95 percent all-new, and redesigned for smoother operation, lower emission and more power. It is quiet, smooth and is mounted to the chassis with a sophisticated electronically controlled mounting system. The improved computer-controlled four-speed automatic transmission utilizes fuzzy logic technology for better performance and smoother shifting. The EX V6 is capable of handling almost any driving situation with alacrity.

CONCLUSION: Honda automotive products enjoy a degree of buyer loyalty that many producers envy. The Accord has been continuously improved since its debut, and with the addition of a new V6 powerplant it has entered the arena of the highly competitive V6 family sedan.

SPECIFICATIONS:
1995 HONDA ACCORD EX V6 FOUR DOOR SEDAN

           
       Base Price             $  24,950  
       Price As Tested        $  25,417
       Engine Type            V-6, sohc - 24v, mpfi  
       Engine Size            2.7 liter/163 cid        
       Horsepower             170 @ 5600  
       Torque (ft/lbs)        165 @ 4500 
       Wheelbase/Length       107"/187"
       Transmission           four-speed ECautomatic w/overdrive
       Curb Weight            3300  
       Pounds per Horsepower  19
       Fuel Capacity          17
       Fuel Requirement       Unleaded regular (87 oct)              
       Tires                  Michelin MXV4 P205/60R15 91V m+s
       Brakes                 antilock-standard   vented disc/disc 
       Drive Train            Front engine/front drive 
       
                    
                    PERFORMANCE
       
                   
       EPA Economy - miles per gallon   
         city/highway/observed         19/25/22.3
       0 to 60 mph                     9.2 sec 
       1/4 mi (E.T.)                   17.3 sec 
       Coefficient of Drag  (Cd)      .33