Press Release
The all-new, completely redesigned 2008 Honda Accord is set to debut at dealerships nationwide on September 12 (sedan) and September 20 (coupe), with Manufacturer Suggested Retail Prices1 (MSRP) ranging from $20,360 for the well-equipped Accord LX Sedan to $30,510 for the sporty and luxurious Accord EX-L V-6 Coupe equipped with the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation2 System™, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today. "The 2008 Honda Accord adds popular features and enhancements while maintaining competitive, value-oriented pricing on every model," said Dick Colliver, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "A new, innovative design with improved packaging and even more refined performance adds to the Accord's strong foundation of historically high residual values, renowned manufacturing quality and legendary reliability." Compared to the outgoing 2007 Accord, the 2008 Accord pricing reflects a sales-weighted increase of approximately $600 (2.5 percent) across the entire lineup while adding approximately $1,400 in relative value through new standard features and enhanced equipment. All 4-cylinder models add Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®), 11 horsepower (24 horsepower on Accord EX and EX-L Sedans and all Accord Coupes), rear disc brakes (LX), larger wheels and tires and audio system enhancements. The audio system enhancements include an MP3/auxiliary input jack, steering wheel audio controls (LX), MP3/Windows Media® Audio3 (WMA) playback capability and Radio Data System (RDS). New standard features and enhancements on V-6 models include Variable Cylinder Management™ (VCM®) on automatic transmission models, a 24-horsepower increase, audio system enhancements, fog lights and more. The Accord is available in sedan and coupe body styles with 2.4-liter 4-cylinder and 3.5-liter V-6 engine choices. Available transmissions include a 5-speed manual (standard with all 4-cylinder engines), a 5-speed automatic (standard on V-6 sedan models, available on all 4-cylinder engines and V-6-powered Accord Coupes), and a 6-speed manual transmission (available exclusively on the Accord EX-L V-6 Coupe). The available 3.5-liter i-VTEC V-6 engine produces 268 horsepower - the most ever for any Accord - while introducing a new generation of fuel-saving VCM technology and achieving a Partial Zero-Emissions Vehicle (PZEV4) rating. The VCM system, standard on all automatic transmission-equipped V-6 models, operates in 6-cylinder mode for power and 4- and 3-cylinder modes for efficiency, resulting in an EPA city/highway fuel economy rating of 19/295 miles per gallon (Accord V-6 Sedan). New for Accord, the Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure enhances frontal collision compatibility with vehicles of different sizes and bumper heights. Additional safety equipment standard to all Accord models includes VSA, also known as Electronic Stability Control; side-curtain airbags; dual-chamber front side airbags with passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS), active front seat head restraints, anti-lock brakes with electronic brake distribution, brake assist and more. Sedan trim levels range from the well-equipped Accord LX Sedan and plus-featured LX-P (177-horsepower 4-cylinder engine), to the nicely-equipped Accord EX Sedan (190-horsepower 4-cylinder engine or 268-horsepower V-6 engine), to the premium and upscale Accord EX-L Sedan (190-horsepower 4-cylinder engine or 268-horsepower V-6 engine). Coupe trim levels range from the well-equipped Accord LX-S Coupe (190 horsepower 4-cylinder engine), to the nicely-equipped Accord EX Coupe (190-horsepower 4-cylinder engine) to the premium and upscale Accord EX-L Coupe (190-horsepower 4-cylinder engine or 268-horsepower V-6 engine). Dimensionally, the Accord Sedan's overall length of 194.1 inches (4-cylinder models, V-6 models add 0.2 inches for front spoiler lip) is 3.0 inches longer than the 2007 model. The width of 72.7 inches is 1.1 inches wider, and the height of 58.1 inches is 0.9 inches taller. Premium quality with a simple, modern and spacious design describes the philosophy behind the Accord's interior. The larger Accord LX Sedan total interior volume of 120.0 cubic feet (+3.3 cubic feet compared to 2007) moves the EPA classification from the midsize sedan class to the large sedan class. The additional space is intended to provide "equal" seating comfort for front and rear passengers. Rear legroom of 37.2 inches (+0.4 inches) approaches the impressive second row legroom of the Honda Pilot SUV (37.4 inches). The wider interior (+1.5 inches) allows the front seats to be positioned farther apart to allow for a wide center console more commonly associated with the finest luxury vehicles. Three impressive audio systems are available - all with MP3/WMA playback capability and an auxiliary input jack. The standard system features 160 watts, a single-disc CD player and six speakers. The RDS displays information broadcast by participating radio stations that often includes call letters, station type and programming information. The Accord EX Sedan and all Accord Coupes add a 6-disc in-dash changer. The premium audio system, which comes standard on Accord EX Coupe and EX-L Sedan models, has a six-disc CD changer, 270 watts of total amplification and seven speakers, including an 8-inch subwoofer. XM® Satellite Radio6 is standard equipment on all Accord EX-L models. The latest-generation of the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System with voice recognition (available on EX-L) uses an 8-inch screen and an interface dial for user input. Features include the Zagat7 Survey® guide for restaurants, nightlife, hotels and attractions. Navigation-equipped models also include Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink®8. A performance-inspired, double-wishbone front suspension and a multi-link rear suspension are designed to provide world-class chassis dynamics. The Accord Sedan wheelbase of 110.2 inches is 2.3 inches longer than the 2007 model, while the 62.2-inch front/rear track is 1.1 and 1.0 inches wider, respectively. The Accord Coupe wheelbase of 107.9 inches is 2.8 inches longer than the 2007 model (track is identical to sedan). Ultimately, the suspension design with wider tire sizes, standard ABS and standard VSA is intended to enhance driver confidence and handling performance. The 2008 Accord Sedan also comes standard with 16-inch steel wheels with wheel covers, or 16- or 17-inch alloy wheels, depending on model. (The Accord Coupe has 17-inch alloy wheels standard, with 18-inch alloys available on the V-6 Coupe). The 17-inch wheels are the first for a four-cylinder Accord and the Coupe's available 18-inch wheels are the largest ever for a Honda car. The Honda Accord was first Japanese-nameplate car assembled in the United States and calendar year 2007 represents the 25th anniversary of its manufacture here. The first Japanese-built Accord was introduced as a 1976 model, and by 1982 it was being manufactured both in Japan and in a brand-new automobile assembly plant in Marysville, Ohio. The success of the Accord set a path for Honda, and conclusively proved that assembling cars in America was a viable proposition. Seven more Accord generations followed, leading to the eighth-generation 2008 Accord.