Vehicles: Honda Accord 2.4 LX-G and V6 EX with 5-speed automatic
Performance: The 4-cylinder Accord has the same 2.4 i-VTEC DOHC found in CR-V and Element. It bumps out 160 hp and 161 lb/ft of torque. Honda has put a lot of efforts on improving the 4 banger NVH issue on previous Accords. All the buzzy and noisy feel of the outgoing 2.3 VTEC is gone with the new 2.4 i-VTEC. The throttle response is responsive. 5-speed auto tranny has excellent downshifts and upshifts. This tranny works exceptionally well with the i-VTEC unit. Thanks to the torque delivery of the i-VTEC unit, there’s no need to upgrade to 6 banger until you need the V6 refinement.
On the other hand, the V6 is more of an evolutionary than revolutionary engine improvement. The hp has increased to 240 and torque has increased to 212 lb/ft. Once again, the throttle response is decently quick. 5-speed auto has improved the engine flexability and given it a more torquery nature of the powerplant.
The 5-speed tranny is the biggest improvement, other than the 4 banger unit. You won’t find any of the previous Honda’s auto tranny lags or jerky feel when pushing for an aggressive upshifts. Its a smooth unit that has the ability to take anything best in its class.
Handling: The Accord handles decently. Both versions have decent steering feel. The on and off-center feel are appropriate, also very nicely weighted. The suspension absorbs bumps exceptionally well. This has given the car a very comfortable ride without sacificing its handling. However, the driving experience is not the “sports sedan” Honda would like to think of. There is plenty of understeer and body rolls. The 4 banger version feels more balanced and agile thanks to the less front-heavy set-up than the 6, it also has less understeer. Push through corners and Accord’s family car nature shows through. Its more sporting than previous car, still its driving characteristics can’t generate emotional like its target benchmarks. The V6 version has a certain amount of torque steer during full throttle off-the-line. However, given the stiff chassis and nice suspension set-up. The torque steer is pretty easy to control even for Accord’s target audience. There’s another drawback. The Michelin MXV4 tires tend to scream when I press through the corners. If Honda can give us a better tires, the whole dynamic package would work with the suspension a whole lot better.
Brakes: Both LX-G and EX are standard with 4-wheel discs and ABS. The pedal feel is short and well-controlled. The pedal is easily modulated with good efforts to modulate the threshold. Overall, a decent system.
Interior: Accord’s interior is nothing more than a mix reviews. On the one hand, the ergonomics and gauges are very well laid-out. The knobs for stereo and climate control on the EX version are marvel ergonomics engineering. The aluminum trim in the EX looks tastefully done. Automatic climate control is effective and efficient. On the other hand, there are plenty of cheap and hard plastic abound on the dash and center console. The grey velour on the LX-G tester with cheap plastic don’t give the driver a pleasant feel. The other drawback is the very bland interior design. The black leather EX with aluminum trim already looked more classy, the grey velour LX-G has a cheap and bland feel.
The seats are very comfortable, with excellent back and thigh support. The driving position is easily find with both manual adjusting on LX-G and power on EX. Despite my criticism on the color, velour has a high-quality feel. On the other hand, the leather feels more like plastic than a lot of German’s leatherettes. The back seat has plenty of head and legroom.
The trunk is large with low liftover. However, the instrusive trunk hinges will crash into anything underneath.
Conclusion: Here is the truth and myth. The myth is Honda would like you to think Accord as a sports sedan, the truth is Accord is still a family sedan but has injected some sporting feel.
OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2003 ACCORD LX-G and EX-V6 SEDANS
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Performance: (2.4 i-VTEC) 3.75/5 (V6) 3.75/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive (2.4 i-VTEC) 3.75/5 (V6) 3.25/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: (LX-G) 4.5/5 (EX) 4.5/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: (LX-G) 2.5/5 (EX) 3/5
Cargo space/layout/accessibility: 4/5
Value-for-money: (LX-G) 4/5 (EX) 3.75/5
Overall ratings: (2.4 i-VTEC LX-G) 3.75/5 (V6 EX) 3.5/5
New Accord EX V6 vs Altima SE V6 vs Camry XLE V6
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Since I have never driven a 2.4 Camry, this comparision will not include any 4 banger.
In terms of V6, Altima remains the leader of the bunch thanks to its wonderful VQ35DE unit despite the lack of a 5-speed auto. Camry’s 3.0 V6 is more of a laid-back type rather than the aggressive approach found in the Altima. Accord’s V6 is something is between. Its either sporting or laid-back thanks to the balance between the new 5-speed auto and better torque.
Altima has the sportiest feel despite it has the most torque steer of 3. Nissan has really learned a lot of lessons on how VW tuned the Passat. The sporty feel has generated through the firm suspension tuning, a very good chassis and a steering feel that reminds you more of a Maxima. Accord is getting close through its sporting setting, still the serious understeer really hurts. Camry is the most laid-back of the 3. Its isolated and its DSC stability control really limits on what a driver can do.
Given this is a V6 comparison, Altima is the biggest loser in terms of interior department. The interior feels cheap and plasticky even after the slight improvement for 2003. Camry, on the other hand, feels best in XLE trim. Altima has the sportiest driving position, which is also the easiest to adjust. However, Camry is the most comfortable back seat and trunk is also the easiest to access. Altima’s trunk has a weird “center” springs across that is really weird.
If you want something sporty with world’s best V6 engine, take Altima. If you want a comfortable cruiser, take Camry. Accord is well-balanced but certainly lacks the sporty feel that Accord wants you to believe. If you want truly European driving feel with beautiful interior, pay the premium and take the Passat. Want the closet European feel in Japanese family sedan, Galant V6 is one to beat. Want an AWD family sedan but doesn’t care about performance, take Legacy GT.