The Honda Accord is an automobile manufactured by Honda. Since its 1976 debut as a compact hatchback, it has evolved into an intermediate vehicle. The Honda Accord has been sold in most automotive markets throughout the world. It has achieved considerable success, especially in the USA, where it was the best-selling Japanese car for 15 years (1982-97), and became the first Japanese-brand vehicle to be manufactured the U.S. in 1982. Over the years, Honda has offered many different body styles and versions of the Accord. Often vehicles marketed under the Accord nameplate concurrently in different markets differ quite substantially.
With the advent of the most recent Accord for 2008, Honda again has chosen to move its premier model further upscale and with the sedan, a further increase in its size. This increase in size pushed Accord from upper limit of a mid-size car by EPA standard to just above the lower limit of a full-size car, although the coupe is still rated as a compact car.
The seventh generation of the Accord was launched in 2002 (2003 model year in North America), and essentially consists of two separate models. The European and JDM Accords were integrated on the previous Accord's chassis, but with a new body. No longer made in Swindon, these Accords are all made in Japan, and come in both saloon and estate form. Although retaining the old chassis and wheelbase, the Accord grew in outside dimensions slightly, falling out of the size 5 tax band, and the Torneo version was discontinued. This model is also exported to North America, where it is sold as the Acura TSX.
The USDM Accord was given a new level of refinement with chrome interior accents and use of higher grade materials. The lineup still included the seemingly de-facto DX, LX, EX, LX-V6 and EX-V6. Mechanically, the 4-cylinder engine was the new K-series, and the 6-cylinder was the same J-series V6 as the sixth generation's, but revisions to the intake and exhaust contributed to a 40 hp (30 kW) increase. One of these revisions was that the exhaust manifolds became part of the cylinder head casting. A 5-speed automatic transmission was also new for 2003. Now a vastly different car to the worldwide Accord, the North American model grew larger still, gaining more interior room and weight than its international counterpart. Honda sold the North American Accord in a few other markets including Asian (now made in Thailand), Middle Eastern, Caribbean, Australian and New Zealand markets with mixed results. For the first time, Honda offered an "enthusiast" version of the Accord in the US, by adding a sports suspension and mating the 6-speed manual transmission from the Acura CL to the V6 Honda Accord Coupe. A specific 4-cylinder model is the first production car in the world to meet California's Super Ultra Low Emission standards. The 2003 model year also debuted Honda's GPS assisted Navigation system as an option. Prior to 2003, it was only available on the higher end Acura line as well as the Honda Odyssey. The first 2003 Honda Accord rolled off the Marysville, OH assembly line on September 26, 2002.
In 2004 Honda announced that they would release a hybrid version of the USDM Accord called the Honda Accord Hybrid featuring Honda's IMA technology. In 2004, Honda also offered XM Satellite Radio as a factory installed option.
For 2005, the Accord received minor updates such as revised taillights (all red) and new wheel designs. The Accord became Canada's top-selling mid-size car, and this was the first model year of the Accord Hybrid.
For its 2006 model year, the Accord received several new improvements. This was motivated by the Accord's 30th anniversary. The exterior was revised with new rear end styling (most noticeably for the sedan), LED taillights, daytime running lights (DRLs) and heated side mirrors for US EX models. Heated mirrors and DRLs were previously available only on Accords that were sold in Canada. The 2006 model year also featured new wheel designs. Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), also known as Electronic Stability Control, and Brake assist became available on the V6 models for the first time. 17" wheels also became standard on the V6 models. The interior was also slightly redesigned with changes such as a new steering wheel cover, differently colored gauges and a differently styled shift knob for automatic transmission models. The GPS Navigation system was updated (4th generation) with a faster processor, more memory, and several new features, such as restaurant information from Zagat. A revised maintenance minder system was also added which gave owners reminders for scheduled maintenance such as oil changes, based on operating conditions.
The 2006 model year is also the first year in which the V6 sedan was offered with a 6-speed manual transmission as an option. The 2006 Accord Hybrid got the same revisions as the other Accords except for a 3.0 L V6 now making 253 hp and an addition of a larger battery pack. Features that differentiate the Hybrid from other Accords are the different rear light clusters, the antenna, the wheels, the mirror turn signals and the lack of a folding rear seat. In addition, the Hybrid version does not have the 4-way passenger seat.
The trim levels were also revised, with the DX trim being eliminated, instead being replaced by the VP (Value Package) trim which included air conditioning, keyless entry, power locks, and cruise control as standard features.
Body Styles:
4-Door Sedan
2-Door Coupe
Options, Features, & Specifications
Year Range: 2003-2007
Passengers: 5
Fuel Mileage: 21-37 MPG
Horsepower: 160-255 BHP
Torque: 161-232 LB-FT
List of some of the standard features:
Power Steering, Power Windows, AM/FM Audio, Tilt Wheel, Single CD, ABS, & Dual Front Airbags
List of some of the optional features:
A/C, Power Locks, Cruise Control, Front Side Airbags, Leather, Power Seats, Rear Spoiler, and Alloy Wheels