3-day long-term test drive: 2007 Honda Accord SE sedan with automatic transmission
Price as tested: CDN$27700
Total mileage through the test: 460km

The Honda Accord has always been regarded as the gold standard for mid-size family sedan. Due to the fact that the current generation of Accord will due for a major makeover this fall, we decided to put the outgoing model through the long-term test to see whether its still good enough to hang out with some of its newer competitions.

Our SE tester comes standard with every possible features you can imagine. Front and side curtain airbags, 4-wheel discs/ABS + EBD, high-quality velour seats and 16″ alloy wheels. All come in less than 28 grand which is lots of money.

Its 2.4L i-VTEC DOHC 4-cylinder engine with 160hp and 166 lb/ft of torque have always been the hallmark of refinement and efficiency. It provides plenty of torque for stop-and-go-traffic, as with all Honda motors, its as entertaining on the top end of the rev range as in the bottom end. The 5-speed automatic matched flawlessly with this motor. Not only does the gear ratios are designed for cruising, its work ethics are buttery smooth and responsive. Given how this segment of cars have received manumatic, we expect the 2008 Accord will upgraded to such system to increase its competitiveness. The fuel economy, in the other work, is simply astounising. Given Accord weights nearly 3200 lb, we got an average of 6.5L/100km which is nothing short of amazing. Its fuel economy is able to challenge many of those diesel-powered machineries and beaten any hybrids on the road today!

We have an equally good times with Accord’s handling. Yes, it still have family sedan’s typical safe understeer. But suffice to say, it has got to be one of the most balanced front-wheel drive family sedans I have ever driven. In terms of dynamic qualities, it just rates little behind of the class-leading Mazda6. The steering provides great feedback with excellent precision. We are really impressed with how Honda engineers tuned their chassis these days. Everything else from the control tactics to rebound damping are all very European. As someone who currently own some fine European sports sedans, I feel very much at home with this Accord.

Interior wise, the Accord is logically layout without feeling dated even at the end of the lifecycle. Let’s begin with those superb seats, they don’t feel out of place in a Volvo, which is known for building the world’s most comfortable seats. All the knobs for HVAC and stereo are perfectly layout with even have to consult the owner’s manual.

After spending 3 days with the Accord, one has to wonder what have some of its new peers have done in the last 4 years. The Accord still got them beaten in many core aspects. Powertrain refinement, drivability, ride comfort, fuel economy and even fit-and-finish. Suffice to say, Honda Accord remains the benchmark in this very tough family sedan class.