 2009 Honda Accord EX-L. Click image to enlarge |
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Review and photos by Chris Chase
At its introduction in 1977, the original Honda Accord sedan was actually smaller than the current (2012) Civic, a fact that tells us just how much both of these cars have grown since their 1970s debuts in the Canadian marketplace.
By 2008 and the arrival of the eighth generation, the Accord had grown into a full-size sedan, a step up from the mid-size classification of its predecessor.
Like Accords before it, the 2008 model was offered with four- and six-cylinder engines, but in a twist, there were two four-cylinders this time. Basic LX models got a 177-hp version of the 2.4L engine, and EX and EX-L models used one tuned to 190 hp. The V6 was a 3.5L that made 268 hp.
Four-cylinder cars came standard with a five-speed manual transmission that could be optioned to a five-speed automatic. In V6 Accords, the automatic was the only gearbox available, save for the V6-powered coupe, which could be had with a six-speed manual.
 2009 Honda Accord EX-L. Click image to enlarge |
Six-cylinder models with the automatic transmission had a system called Variable Cylinder Management (VCM), which deactivated three cylinders in light throttle situations. Its operation was (and is, in other Honda models) barely detectable by the driver, and only when he or she paid very close attention.
The bottom-rung LX sedan model came with 16-inch steel wheels, air conditioning, stereo system with auxiliary input and steering wheel–mounted controls, cruise control, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, heated and power-adjustable mirrors, speed-sensing intermittent wipers, power locks and keyless entry, power windows, tilt and telescopic steering, six-way manual driver’s seat, and a fold-down rear seat.
The EX added 17-inch alloy wheels, security system, sunroof, ambient console lighting, rear-seat heater ducts, eight-way power driver’s seat, and a six-CD stereo. EX-V6 models included chrome door handles and dual exhaust finishers
Top-trim EX-L models got heated leather seats, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, automatic headlights, premium stereo with satellite radio, dual-zone automatic climate control, and outside temperature gauge. The V6 version of this trim came with a garage door opener, four-way power passenger seat, fog lights, chrome door handles, and dual exhaust finishers.
 2009 Honda Accord EX-L. Click image to enlarge |
Accord coupe models were equipped similarly to the sedan, but started at the EX trim level. V6-powered coupes could only had in EX-L trim, and got an exclusive six-speed manual transmission, 18-inch wheels and rear spoiler.
There were no changes for 2009, but for 2010, the EX and EX-V6 got standard dual-zone climate control and an exterior temperature gauge.
In 2011, the Accord got revised exterior styling, a new instrument panel layout, and a number of content changes. Alloy wheels, eight-way power driver’s seat, Bluetooth, automatic headlights, and security became standard across the line, and the six-CD stereo with USB interface was included on EX models and above. An SE trim was added as the new entry-level model, replacing the LX, and could be had with leather. Four-cylinder EX-L Accords got a power passenger seat, and cars with navigation got two-position memory for the driver’s seat. EX-L V6 coupes got paddle shifters, and all V6 coupes were trimmed as EX-L with navigation; sedans optioned with navigation added a rear-view camera.
There was just a single change for 2012, that being the addition of a USB connector in the SE model, making that feature standard across the range.
