Driving this Honda Accord, the on-road experience evokes a sense of bland familiarity. The transmission exhibits sluggish responsiveness, and the torque converter introduces noticeable slippage. However, the engine’s eagerness to rev somewhat compensates for these shortcomings. Performance is adequate for most everyday driving scenarios, though opting for the V-6 engine seems unnecessary. Historically, Accords have been best represented by their four-cylinder iterations, much like the quintessential American full-size cars are defined by the rumble of a V-8 engine. The steering is precise and direct, and the brakes proved sufficient for the undemanding task of highway cruising encountered during this test drive.
Having recently driven a Lincoln Town Car, the contrast in refinement was immediately apparent. The Honda felt considerably louder and less refined. What was particularly striking was the disparity in refinement compared to the contemporary Honda Accord models. Wind noise intruded significantly into the cabin, road noise was pervasive, and the engine note was distinctly coarse, even at higher RPMs. Achieving a light weight in a vehicle of this size inevitably involves compromises, and it appears that thinner glass and reduced insulation contribute to the cacophony of mechanical sounds that surpasses a gentle murmur.
In hindsight, it becomes clear why General Motors felt confident about the Chevrolet Malibu during this period. They were offering a vehicle that appeared superior in many respects to its Japanese competitors – more spacious, quieter, sleeker, and arguably more stylish. The subsequent generation of the Accord, however, evolved into a “Japanese Malibu” of sorts, growing in size to the point where the Chevrolet began to appear somewhat compact and conservatively styled in comparison.
Some reviews of this Accord generation have improbably labeled it a “Japanese BMW killer.” This perspective seems overstated. While the test vehicle may have shown signs of age, it reflects a period where Honda itself seemed to be undergoing a transitional phase. This Accord appears uncertain of its identity, straddling the line between a compact and a large car. It offers a larger engine option and an automatic transmission, yet neither fully delivers the performance expected by buyers in this segment. Its dimensions are long but somewhat narrow, offering space where needed but lacking a sense of substantiality. Furthermore, despite its price point, the cabin is surprisingly noisy. This model would likely be best appreciated as a four-cylinder with a manual transmission, forgoing the dated LCD center display and opting for practical cloth upholstery instead of imitation leather.
Consider this Accord as a tentative step in a new direction for Honda. Following this model, Honda began to move away from many of the characteristics that had defined the brand. The low cowl and responsive road feel gradually disappeared. The V-6 engine became the preferred choice, dashboards grew larger, and the design language shifted from approachable to more aggressively styled. However, in this particular iteration, the quintessential Honda charm is not sufficiently present. While some may have found this Accord to be a revelation, a more apt analogy might be found in Revelation 3:15:
“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!”
For those familiar with this passage, the subsequent verse resonates deeply in this context.
