Like the model it replaces, the SE distinguishes itself from the rest of the Accord family by one very special feature: a standard manual transmission. In fact, this is the only Accord sedan to be equipped with a 5-speed manual gearbox. Honda admittedly delivers a lot more Accord SEs equipped with the optional 5-speed autobox, though. The manual version is probably just there so the automaker can tout a base price under $25,000…
An interesting buy
The Accord SE’s entry-level status doesn’t play against it, though. Passengers benefit from a slew of features common to all Accord sedans. I’m thinking of the spacious cabin that can very comfortably accommodate four adults, five if need be. I’m also thinking of the huge trunk with its deep, wide opening. You can even increase trunk space by lowering the one-piece rear bench (the other Accords have a 60/40 split bench).
This Accord has an air conditioner, power windows and a tilt and telescopic steering wheel. The bucket seats are comfortable too, and offer decent side support for a family car.
The variable assist power steering is precise and the brakes are easy to measure out. The only major bummer is the layout of the centre console, which is overrun with controls that are hard to tell apart.
Civic EX-L or Accord SE?
You can compare this mid-size sedan to other mid-size models, but you can also compare it to a high-end compact car with a very similar price tag. This is the kind of question some Honda reps present us with sometimes – without actually asking it, of course! Take the 2011 Honda Civic EX-L, for instance. The very well-endowed compact sedan starts at around $24,000, while the 2011 Honda Accord SE we tested has a base price of almost 26 000 $.
Naturally, the smaller sedan has the advantage of better fuel economy. Using the manufacturer’s numbers, we calculated a 7% difference in favour of the Civic. However, the power-to-weight ratio is pretty much the same for both.
So if you were to choose the Accord in this instance, it would be for its larger cabin and trunk (20 and 17% bigger than the Civic’s, respectively). As for the rest, both models feature much the same equipment – other than the heated seats that the Civic EX-L has inherited. A strange irony, wouldn’t you say?
An interesting buy
The Accord SE’s entry-level status doesn’t play against it, though. Passengers benefit from a slew of features common to all Accord sedans. I’m thinking of the spacious cabin that can very comfortably accommodate four adults, five if need be. I’m also thinking of the huge trunk with its deep, wide opening. You can even increase trunk space by lowering the one-piece rear bench (the other Accords have a 60/40 split bench).
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| The dash looks as massive as all the other Accords’, and the centre console is almost as crowded. (Photo: Luc Gagné/Auto123.com) |
This Accord has an air conditioner, power windows and a tilt and telescopic steering wheel. The bucket seats are comfortable too, and offer decent side support for a family car.
The variable assist power steering is precise and the brakes are easy to measure out. The only major bummer is the layout of the centre console, which is overrun with controls that are hard to tell apart.
Civic EX-L or Accord SE?
You can compare this mid-size sedan to other mid-size models, but you can also compare it to a high-end compact car with a very similar price tag. This is the kind of question some Honda reps present us with sometimes – without actually asking it, of course! Take the 2011 Honda Civic EX-L, for instance. The very well-endowed compact sedan starts at around $24,000, while the 2011 Honda Accord SE we tested has a base price of almost 26 000 $.
Naturally, the smaller sedan has the advantage of better fuel economy. Using the manufacturer’s numbers, we calculated a 7% difference in favour of the Civic. However, the power-to-weight ratio is pretty much the same for both.
So if you were to choose the Accord in this instance, it would be for its larger cabin and trunk (20 and 17% bigger than the Civic’s, respectively). As for the rest, both models feature much the same equipment – other than the heated seats that the Civic EX-L has inherited. A strange irony, wouldn’t you say?
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