They carried the same Accord badge, but the cars, one simply called the Accord, the other the Euro, were quite different. The Euro was mid-sized and aimed at buyers who appreciated the feel of a European car; the other — the VTi or V6 — was larger and biased more towards comfort and a cruisy ride.
All Accords were four-door sedans with good cabin space, although the Euro had a little less rear legroom. The boot was a good size in each, with the Accord having a little more space than the Euro.
A 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine was available in both but the version in the Euro had a mite more power and torque for a sportier drive. The downside to that was that the Euro required premium unleaded or better fuel whereas the Accord happily motored along on regular.
The Accord could also be bought with a 3.5-litre V6 for a more relaxed and leisurely drive.
There were some differences in the transmission options . The Euro had a six-speed manual in addition to the five-speed sports-shift auto, later updated to a six-speed. The Accord came only in auto form.
On the road the Euro was praised for its performance and handling, the latter coming at the expense of a firmer ride, while the Accord had a softer, lazy on-road feel.
Sales in Australian showed local buyers clearly preferred the Euro. It seems the sportier performance was better suited to our driving tastes.
NOW
Accord owners — most having picked the Euro — are full of praise for their cars and report no reliability problems, that the build quality remains first-class and they are enjoyable to drive. Most would happily buy another; some said they would never buy anything else.
There is some disquiet about the frequent servicing Honda recommends and the cost when done by a dealer. This could be reduced by using one of the many independent Honda mechanics who specialise in the brand and charge less.
Hondas are renowned for the quality of their engineering but that means owners need to be more conscientious about servicing than do owners of some other brands.
Regular oil changes are important to keep the jewel-like engines running at their peak, which makes it important that a prospective buyer takes the time to check the service book of a car they think they might buy.
Do a thorough road test to ensure the engine and transmission work smoothly, without hesitation or hiccup.
Listen intently for noises from the suspension that might suggest something is amiss with a bush or a shock absorber.
One thing to note with the Accord is that models from 2008-11 were caught up in the recall for faulty airbag inflators. If you are considering buying an Accord that falls within that range, check with the seller to see if whether has been through the rework. Check with a Honda dealer, or Honda, if in doubt.
OWNERS SAY
Jim ErskineI bought my 2011 Accord Euro new. It has done 70,000km and has performed flawlessly except for a minor intermittent noise from the driver’s window and the rear tyre wear due to the negative camber this car is set up with for improved handling. I’m very happy with it.
Noel Carter — My 2013 Accord Euro is a very pleasant, safe and comfortable drive, particularly on smooth roads, often returning 6.2L/100km at highway speeds and 12.0L-14.0L/100km around town. It’s been totally reliable.
Wayne Mitchell — I’m happy with my 2011 Euro manual. The lights are the best I’ve ever struck in any car I’ve owned; the only things I’d like are more power and longer tyre life. I’m no boy racer and my tyres only lasted 29,000km.
Carmine Pastore — I wanted a quality, low-mileage Honda-serviced manual Accord Euro and found one with 49,000km. It’s a 2011 model and is economical, quiet and has more than enough power. Above all, I like the feel of the switchgear, the sweetness of the gear changes, the good cornering and a rattle-free and quiet cabin. It’s done 75,000km but still feels and drives like new.
Steven Swan — We’ve owned a 2008 Euro six-speed manual since new. At 90,000km, it is still a delight to drive, and has been faultless. Performance is surprisingly good and handling nimble. Honda’s six-monthly servicing can add up but general running costs are low with excellent fuel use. I can’t see us ever selling it.
Wade Turner — I have owned three Accords since 2008 and have put a total of nearly 500,000km on them as a rep travelling far and wide, city and country. All of them have been extremely reliable, and I have never had any mechanical problems with them, including the 2012 VTi 2.4-litre auto that I currently drive. I get 100,000km out of a set of Michelins and 900km to a tank in the country. I find the ride on the harsh side but the trade-off is sharp handling. The 2009 model I had was such a good car that my father now drives it to lawn bowls twice a week and it has amassed 270,000km without a problem. I wouldn’t drive anything else.
SMITHY SAYS ★★★★
For those wanting safe, rewarding and reliable long-term motoring, the Accord is a keeper.
AT A GLANCE
HONDA ACCORD 2008-13
PRICE New
$29,990-$46,990
Now
VTi $7500-$17,500
VTi Luxury $9500-$22,500
V6 Luxury $10,500-$25,000
Euro $7500-$20,500
Euro Luxury $9500-$25,500
SAFETY 4-5 stars
ENGINE 2.4-litre 4-cyl, 133kW/222Nm and 148kW/230Nm; 3.5-litre V6, 202kW/339Nm
TRANSMISSION5 and 6-speed auto, 6-speed man; FWD
THIRST 8.8L-10.0L/100km
ALSO CONSIDER
VW JETTA 2008-13 ★★★
A good car but its transmission woes make it a questionable buy.
Pay $6000-$17,000
SUBARU LIBERTY 2008-13 ★★★½
Worthy contender with its high build quality. Smooth and refined.
Pay $8000-$37,000
MAZDA6 2008-13 ★★★½
Good driving manners, comfort, and choice of petrol and diesel engines make it a solid choice.
Pay $6500-$33,500
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