About this Vehicle
Trim: 2011 Honda Accord EX
MSRP: $24,105
Engine: 2.4L I4
Transmission: Manual, Automatic
| Drivetrain: FWD
Fuel Type: Gas
Curb Weight: 3,312 lbs.
|
Review
The 2011 Honda Accord is the eighth generation of the vehicle and is now selling in dealerships. An exciting styling refresh is expected, with plans to make the Accord look more like a four-door coupe than a family sedan. Honda will most likely accompany the outer styling changes with revisions to the interior as well. Read on for a preliminary car review of the 2011 Honda Accord.
Specifications
With the 2011 Accord, Honda is upping the ante yet again. The latest incarnation of the popular sedan - or coupe - boasts a starting price tag that ranges between $22K and $32K. With two different 4-cylinder engines available, and one souped-up V6, the 2011 Honda Accord should please those with a need for speed. Five-speed automatic and manual transmissions are available, and all Accords feature front wheel drive. With enhanced fuel economy, it’s safe to say that the 2011 Accord is a definite winner. Here are several of the specs on the 2011 Accord:
- Pricing: prices of the new Accord range from $21,180 to $31,730 MSRP; no invoice data available
- Fuel economy:23 mpg in the city, 34 mpg on the highway, 27 mpg combined
- Engine: two four-cylinder engine options, one offering 180 horsepower, the other 195 horsepower. The V6 engine option should produce about 275 horsepower.
- Drivetrain: four-cylinder engines can be paired with a five-speed automatic or five-speed manual transmission; V6 Accord coupes are available with a six-speed manual
- Acceleration: V6 2011 Accord completes 0-60 mph in about 7.5 seconds
- Model lineup: no changes are expected to the current lineup of Accords despite rumors of a resurrected gas-electric hybrid Accord.
- Car safety features: buyers can expect standard safety equipment like stability and traction control, anti-lock brakes, and side-curtain airbags. The brakes in the 2010 Honda Accord were sub-par, so Honda may tweak them for the new model year.
- Suspension: double-wishbone front suspension, independent multi-link rear suspension
- Warranty: three-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty, and five years of corrosion protection
On the Road
While the 2010 Accord wasn’t quite sporty enough for some drivers, tweaks to the designs of the 2011 model’s engine and transmission make up for it. Drivers and passengers alike will appreciate the roominess of the car; even when every seat is filled, it never feels truly cramped. Handling is quite good, especially in coupe models. Although it performs admirably on the freeway, the 2011 Honda Accord does suffer from slightly elevated road noise that may bother some drivers.
The light, assured handling of the Honda Accord, combined with its fuel efficiency and punchy horsepower, makes it a true pleasure to drive. Unlike heavier sedans which feel clunky or awkward when being maneuvered around turns, the 2011 Honda Accord feels as if it is floating above the highway, touching the ground in the most minimal way. In fact, the floating feeling can cause the judicious owner to check his or her tire pressure to make sure it is indeed at the appropriate 30 PSI. Although the Accord is not a sports car, it has enough power to make it an excellent choice for long forays across the open road, and enough dexterity to handle the abrupt stops and jumps of city driving. The brakes are clean and responsive, and make navigating exceptionally curvy pathways at relatively high speed effortless.
Under the Hood
Despite its low price tag, the 2011 Honda Accord is packed to its gills with power. Topnotch engineering gives all three engines plenty of oomph. The 2.3-liter 4-cylinder engine, for instance, gets 177 horsepower; the more finely-tuned 4-cylinder that comes with EX and EX-L sedans - and all coupes - gets 190 horsepower. The 3.5-liter V6 engine produces a whopping 271 horsepower. Five-speed manual (or six-speed manual in the case of the V6) and automatic transmissions get the job done, and reduced engine frictions through new gear ratios produces much better fuel economy.
Exterior Features
Almost every auto review of the 2010 Honda Accord agreed that the car was in desperate need of a styling refresh, and Honda is expected to deliver on that in 2011. In initial photos of the 2011 Honda Accord, you’ll see an extremely futuristic-looking car with high body lines and pulled-back headlights. The new Accord has very short overhangs and pronounced wheel arches. Overall, the new style gives the Accord a sporty, aggressive, coupe-like look that is very attractive.
Interior Features
The seats are roomy and designed to maximize comfort. Honda has always had an excellent sensibility when it comes to providing enough room for its passengers without wasting space. Perhaps the most cheering development is the addition of more ergonomic control panels, which make it much easier not only to read the displays and equipment, but to adjust them without taking any attention away from driving. With a full selection of audio/accessory perks, including a navigation system, adaptive cruise control, and Bluetooth phone connectivity, this vehicle is truly equipped for the 21st century. When combined with climate control, riding inside of a Honda Accord is an immersive, pleasurable experience.
Drivers have come to expect quality from Honda vehicles; the 2011 Accord does not disappoint. Technology lovers will appreciate the new USB iPod interfaces that are now included; rearranged climate controls enhance the experience of getting around town in comfort. Roomy, comfortable seats make for a very pleasant ride, while an abundance of high quality materials make the car feel much more sophisticated than others in its class. The enhanced navigation screen and new backup camera all round out the high quality of the interior of the Honda Accord to a considerable degree.
Performance
Although we won’t have any firm information on handling and performance until the 2011 Honda Accord completes an official road test, what’s under the hood is likely to remain the same for the upcoming model year. The Accord doesn’t need to improve fuel economy or add horsepower in order to remain competitive in the midsize sedan class, so changes are improbable. One change critics would like to see in the 2011 Accord, however, is improved braking ability. The 2010 model took an unnecessarily long time to come to a stop—an issue that Honda will ideally correct next time around.
Pros
There are plenty of perks involved with the 2011 Honda Accord. The price tag will attract initial interest, while exceptional fuel economy - sedans equipped with automatic transmissions get 23 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway - will reel many drivers in. The graceful design and ample technology that comes along with even base models of the 2011 Accord are all positive attributes, too. Honda has comprehensive warranty policies that give drivers significant peace of mind. Each component is engineered to deliver maximum quality; therefore, breakdowns due to purely mechanical failures are rare. Although regular maintenance is required, simple functions like changing the oil, rotating the tires, and otherwise performing routine, relatively inexpensive checks will keep the vehicle performing at a high rate for years. Developing a good relationship with a certified Honda mechanic will enable him or her to create a history of when each repair has been performed, allowing him or her to anticipate the need for additional maintenance. Anyone who is looking for an affordable sedan or coupe should consider the class-leading Accord.
Cons
In order to get at the cons of the 2011 Honda Accord, one has to get a little nit-picky. Road noise is one glaring issue, especially since many drivers don’t appreciate having to turn up the volume in order to hear their music. Some of the buttons continue to look rather similar, producing a bit of confusion. After growing accustomed to the Accord, though, it should cease being an issue for most drivers. The sedan is not as trim as other vehicles, and therefore uses slightly more gas than a two-door couple. For those individuals with families, the Honda Accord is the best choice in terms of maximizing comfort for multiple passengers.
