Car Review - Honda Accord 2005
Honda Accord 2005: The Weekly Driver Review
by James Raia
The Honda Accord is arguably the most reliable, well-respected
vehicle on the road today. It's not the most luxurious
or the fastest car. It doesn't have luxury car status
or solicit overt double-takes from passersby.
But what it does is have is plenty of high marks in nearly
every ranked category – comfort to acceleration,
instrument control efficiency to ride quality. And what
it will likely earn via the public is its overwhelming
best-buy status in many consumer guides.
The 240-horsepower, automatic V6 EX sedan was my weekly
test vehicle. The 350 miles I drove the car included a
200-mile trip to San Francisco. The outbound ride was
smooth, particularly considering Honda's surprisingly
easy-to-use navigation system.
The return trip, unfortunately, began at the peak of rush-hour
traffic. It took nearly an hour to drive only a few miles
out of the middle of the financial district and onto the
freeway.
Gridlock is never a good thing, with perhaps only one
exception - fodder for a car review. During my hour in
bumper-to-bumper traffic, a few drivers lost their temper.
A few bicyclists maneuvered through the slow-moving maze
a little too close to my car. A few pedestrians' patience
levels were tested in hustle-bustle of a big city at 4:30
p.m. And a guy even got out of his car, walked across
two lanes of standstill traffic, tapped on my window and
asked if I could move back slightly so he could enter
a parking lot.
As a testament to the new Accord's comfort, with the windows
rolled up, the stereo on and no place to go, all was fine.
Even a stranger knocking on the window – a potential
road rage scenario – wasn't a problem. The guy asked
nicely and I cordially obliged.
Since the Accord was introduced in 1976, Honda has refined
the model nearly every year, with this year's offering
no different.
The 2005 Honda has all of the same qualities of the top-rated
2004 model, plus more. The V6 models now have the added
standard safety features of traction control as well as
front torso and side curtain air bags. Dual-zone automatic
climate controls, leather upholstery, leather-wrapped
steering wheel, heated front seats, satellite race, outside-temperature
indicator, 6-disc CD changer, power sunroof and navigation
system with voice control are also standard features that
place the Accord close to a luxury classification, yet
still under the $30,000 price point.
The aforementioned navigation system is one of the easiest
and most efficient systems I've tried. The directions
are simple, including destination address data entry.
The system has straightforward, nicely illuminated maps
and a pleasant, clear direction-giver's voice.
Through its nearly 30 years, the Accord's appeal has been
its overall presentation, not just the strength of some
of its individual features. The 2005 Accord takes the
vehicle's well-respected total package to a new standard.
Acceleration, quietness, ride quality, steering and handling
and instrumentation – the Accord gets high marks
in all categories. All gauges are keenly styled and legible
and positioned well on the dash and console. The car maneuvers
moves well in and out of traffic. While not a sports car,
its testing rating of 0-60 mph in 7.0 seconds is hardly
pedestrian for the midsize car category.
The only less-than-sterling marks for the new Accord are
its fuel economy and rear seat room. The EX model has
a rating of 21 and 30 mph averages in city and highway
driving, respectively. Those numbers could be higher,
particularly in the age of higher fuel costs.
The Accord has plenty of headroom in the front and back
seats. But the rear seat is snug for three adults, despite
its five-passenger designation.
Regardless, reasons are aplenty why the Accord is so popular.
And if all is still well even when you're stuck in rush-hour
traffic on a late weekday afternoon, is there any higher
praise?
2005 Honda Accord
Safety features -- Driver and front passenger and side
curtain airbags, anti-lock brakes; Traction control system.
Fuel Mileage (estimates) -- 21 mpg (city), 30 mpg (highway).
Warranty -- Bumper to bumper, 3 years/36,000 miles; Power
train, 3 years/36,000 miles; Corrosion, 5 years/unlimited
miles.
Base price -- $28,700.
About the Author
James Raia is a Sacramento, Calif., journalist who writes
about sports, fitness, travel and lifestyle topics as
well as the car review colum, The Weekly Driver.
To read more car reviews, visit: The Weekly Driver .
To subscribe to his free electronic newsletters, visit:
www.ByJamesRaia.com |
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