Last week I was driving the very popular compact Honda Civic Sedan, known for its reliability, capable drive qualities and functional, yet small size.
This week I am swapping the Civic for something bigger. It is another product from Honda that also has a long history for being reliable and competent and is now classified as a full size car.
The Honda Accord made its debut in 1976 as a compact hatchback. In the 90’s the sixth generation grew into a mid-size model. In 2008, the Accord grew just enough to push it from the top of that group, to just above the lower limit of a full size car.
It joined the ranks of cars like the Ford Taurus, Toyota Avalon, Hyundai Sonata, Dodge Charger and Nissan Maxima all the while still competing closely with Camry, Altima and Passat.
My test car, the new 2011 Honda Accord Special Edition (SE). This SE has replaced the base LX. Even though Honda is calling it a ‘Special Edition’, it remains the base model in the Accord line up.
This year, the base car gets standard 16-inch alloy wheels, 8-way power adjustable driver seat with lumbar support, automatic headlights, premium audio with subwoofer and XM satellite radio, one-touch power windows for driver and passenger as well as Bluetooth hands free telephone connectivity.
These standard features carry through to all other models in the Accord line up.
It looks like they took this handsome car and polished it up a bit. The front end has a more powerful appearance and a more noticeable front grille. Honda said the new shape makes it more aerodynamic and helps improve its fuel economy, more on that later.
The deck lid now features thin, light bars that run between the license plate recess and taillights and really just makes the overall design flow.
Honda has listened to some of the complaints about the layout of the center stack. Now, the climate control buttons are positioned on the left side, closer to the drier for ease-of use. Less frequently used buttons are now on the right.
This week I am swapping the Civic for something bigger. It is another product from Honda that also has a long history for being reliable and competent and is now classified as a full size car.
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| This 2011 Accord SE is a capable vehicle that has space for the family. (Photo: Honda) |
The Honda Accord made its debut in 1976 as a compact hatchback. In the 90’s the sixth generation grew into a mid-size model. In 2008, the Accord grew just enough to push it from the top of that group, to just above the lower limit of a full size car.
It joined the ranks of cars like the Ford Taurus, Toyota Avalon, Hyundai Sonata, Dodge Charger and Nissan Maxima all the while still competing closely with Camry, Altima and Passat.
My test car, the new 2011 Honda Accord Special Edition (SE). This SE has replaced the base LX. Even though Honda is calling it a ‘Special Edition’, it remains the base model in the Accord line up.
This year, the base car gets standard 16-inch alloy wheels, 8-way power adjustable driver seat with lumbar support, automatic headlights, premium audio with subwoofer and XM satellite radio, one-touch power windows for driver and passenger as well as Bluetooth hands free telephone connectivity.
These standard features carry through to all other models in the Accord line up.
It looks like they took this handsome car and polished it up a bit. The front end has a more powerful appearance and a more noticeable front grille. Honda said the new shape makes it more aerodynamic and helps improve its fuel economy, more on that later.
The deck lid now features thin, light bars that run between the license plate recess and taillights and really just makes the overall design flow.
Honda has listened to some of the complaints about the layout of the center stack. Now, the climate control buttons are positioned on the left side, closer to the drier for ease-of use. Less frequently used buttons are now on the right.
 |
| The Accord SE has replaced the base LX. Even though Honda is calling it a ‘Special Edition’, it remains the base model in the Accord line up. (Photo: Honda) |