2005 Honda Accord Reviews

Two substantially different Honda Accords were sold in Australia from 2003 onwards; one mid-sized, the other large and almost in the same size class as our home grown Commodores and Falcons.  It's not only the size of these Accords that are different, their dynamics mean they attract buyers with significantly

Judy Omerod has done 90,000 km in her 2006 Accord Euro and says it has been brilliant. It has never given her any trouble; it runs smoothly, accelerates quickly and is easy to manoeuvre in tight spots, and averages 8.6 L/100 km. Robert and Helen Palmer love their 2005 Accord. It is good to drive, comfortable, great

Honda cars have long held a reputation as being a step above other Japanese marques in quality and prestige. Nowhere does this show more than in the medium-large Accord sedans.These days the Honda Accord sells in Australia in two different market segments. One, called Accord Euro, has a real emphasis on sporty handling and has gained a good reputation amongst those who enjoy driving. It gives, precise communicative steering and plenty of road grip. Handling was improved further when an upgraded Euro model arrived in Australia in June 2008.The other variant, simply called the Honda Accord, is larger, American-based and leans in the direction of passenger comfort rather than sporty dynamics.Many owners only drive gently and find the Accord’s characteristics most acceptable. Those drivers with more of a sporting makeup will find these Accords are rather soft and inclined to understeer at relatively slow speeds.Australia is the only country that takes imports of the two significantly different models, showing the high regard in which our country is held by the head office chiefs in Japan.Honda Accords in Australia are four-door sedans (though the European market also has a station wagon variant). Interior space is good, though the Euro is smaller than American Accord so for adults to get comfortable in the rear seat the front seats have to be set a few notches forward.Boot space is good, with a wide, low opening which makes it easy to load. Naturally, the boot in the larger car has greater volume, but the Euro’s luggage area is more than acceptable if only couples are using the car.The Honda tradition of designing cars with good outward visibility makes the Accord easy to drive and park, as well as making it comfortable for young children to see out of. However, crash safety regulations that made thick pillars necessary mean that there's less outwards visibility in the these post-2003 Accord. They aren’t bad, just not as good as the excellent older models. A four-cylinder engine used in the Euro model and the American Accord has a capacity of 2.4 litres. The engine in the Euro is set to a higher state of tune than the one in the American car so need high octane unleaded petrol, the Accord is happy to run on 91, though a diet of 95 does seem to make it feel good.A V6 3.0-litre unit is used in the American Accord, but not in the Euro. The 2008 model change saw an increase in the V6 engine size to 3.5 litres. The newer engine design offers plenty of relaxed torque and uses less fuel than the smaller engine it replaced.The Accord Euro is offered with a six-speed manual to suit its sporting nature, though in Australia most are fitted with a five-speed sequential automatic. The American car is imported only with a five-speed automatic transmission.The Honda dealer network usually concentrates on the major population centres. If you live in the relatively remote country area it might be wise to make inquiries to Honda’s head office, or your local regional office, if you are considering buying one of the cars. Ask about the time it takes to source parts, although this is unlikely to be more than a couple of business days.Honda has worked hard at reducing spare parts costs in recent years. However, the price drops usually apply more to the common parts than to the unusual ones.These are relatively complex cars, especially from the 1998 model, and are best left to professional mechanics. A good amateur, armed with a workshop manual, can tackle some of the routine work.Insurance is generally very reasonable as is only to be expected from a car in this ultra conservative market segment. It will be interesting to see if the new sport-oriented Accord Euro changes the premium structure.WHAT TO LOOK FORThe engine should be all but inaudible at idle, even in the four-cylinder units. Any roughness may indicate problems.Check there are no oily black stains in the exhaust pipe and the surrounding body and bumper. Make sure there isn’t a puff of oily looking smoke from the exhaust when the accelerator is floored after the engine has been idling for a minute or so.Manual gearboxes should move freely with no sticking or crunching on fast gearchanges. Automatics should go into gear promptly and their changes should only be noticeable when you're accelerating hard.During your test drive check the brakes pull the car up evenly without one wheel locking before the others. On cars with ABS, feel for a pulsing through the pedal during very hard braking.Look at the condition of the interior, paying special attention to the top of the dashboard and the rear shelf for sun damage. Fading or cracking in these areas can cause hassles.Rust is not common but may have found its way into cars that have been badly repaired after a crash. If you’re not sure, have a professional check out the car as repairs can be expensive.CAR BUYING TIPCars used by families often have more wear and tear in the boot than those used by couples. The condition of the back seat in a kid carter depends greatly on the amount of discipline the juniors have been taught... 

The Accord V6 was so different to the Accord Euro that shared Honda showrooms that it could well have come from a completely different maker. The V6 was bigger and plusher than the svelte, agile Euro; it was also quieter and more comfortable. That might suggest that it was less assured on the road, but it wasn't, it actually performed well on all levels.Inside, the cabin was airy and spacious and rear seat passengers had all the room they needed to be comfortable. Under the hood it had a sophisticated V6 that delivered plenty of punch along with a good dose of torque that made it a smooth, pleasantdriver in all situations. The V6 was coupled to a smooth-shifting five-speed auto, there was no manual gearbox offered, but you wouldn't want a manual in the V6.Honda's claim of 10.6 L/100 km was reasonable for a V6 of the  Accord's size. On the road the ride was comfortable on all surfaces and the handling reassuring and quite responsive with light steering that still afforded the driver plenty of road feel. The level of standard equipment was quite good with dual-zone air-conditioning, cruise control, remote central locking with alarm, six-stack CD player, steering wheel controls, fold-down rear seat. If that wasn't enough you could step up to the Luxury and enjoy a powered sunroof, powered driver's seat and leather upholstery.In general Hondas are well built and perform well over time and but for a couple of issues that can affect it the Accord V6 is no exception. On average a 2003 V6 Accord has now done around 125,000 km, so it's reached the stage of its life that you would anticipate that problems could arise. Hondas do need to be religiously serviced, if they're not that's when problems can occur. It's also important to stick with Honda's recommendations for the oils and lubricants when having them serviced.One thing that does crop up on occasions is the automatic transmission, which is regarded to have questionable durability. One owner we heard from had the automatic transmission in his 2005 V6 quite while driving along the Hume Highway. The diagnosis was that the transmission needed to be replaced. It's a good policy to have automatic transmissions serviced regularly, and it seems that it's even more important when it's a Honda. When it is serviced it's critical that the correct Honda-recommended transmission fluid be used. Using oil other than that recommended is to court disaster.Honda paint, at least some colours, appears to fade worse than other makes and models. Avoid red, that's the worst. When checking a car for possible purchase, check its service record, if it isn't complete or up to date walk away.Well-built, good driving and comfortable sedan but be aware of potential auto issues.

For many years Honda was spoken of as the Asian BMW, but never has that description been more accurate than it is now with the Accord Euro leading the brand’s charge.It was generally held that Hondas were better engineered and better built. They were said to be a class above the other Japanese makes, and rivaled European brands like the sporty BMW.There wasn’t any doubt about the claims of engineering excellence and build quality, but Hondas still looked and felt like a Japanese car. They were generally bland to look at and the controls didn’t have a quality feel about them.But then something happened, the Japanese industry awoke, and their cars changed. They became more European in the intangible things that distinguish the good cars from the also-rans.The Honda Accord Euro – the name says it all – had the looks and the feel to go with the Japanese reliability and quality. It was as if the Japanese industry had realized it needed to appeal to western buyers if it wanted to succeed. All of a sudden exports were the key to long-term success.MODEL WATCH Japanese cars have built an enviable reputation for reliability and durability through the standard of their engineering and their build quality. The Japanese industry has set the pace in those regards and forced other manufacturers to lift their game, but its cars were manacled to mediocrity by stodgy styling and overtly plastic ‘cheap looking’ interiors.The classic example was the Honda NSX sports car. An awesome mid-engined sports coupe that had the performance to match the world’s great supercars, but its interior looked like it came from a humble Civic with acres of average plastic and controls that clearly came from the Honda small car parts bin.Previous Accords were good solid reliable cars, but the sixth generation Accord Euro launched in 2003 was different. It still felt light on the road, it didn’t have the solid road feel that most Europeans have, but there was little to moan about, and even the looks were attractive.Honda was clear in its focus with the Accord Euro, it was to be a performance oriented model. Anyone who wanted a more conservative ride could buy the plusher Accord V6, which was also available at Honda dealers alongside the Euro.The Accord Euro was well proportioned with appealing lines that gave it an athletic look without being too bold. But while it was an appealing car its styling was somewhat derivative; it could easily have come from Munich.There were two models in the range, the Accord and Accord Luxury, both powered by Honda’s renowned 2.4-litre double overhead camshaft i-VTEC LEV engine boasting peak power of 140 kW at 6800 revs and 223 Nm at 4500 revs.The engine used variable valve timing and electronic lift with variable inlet cam phasing for more efficient combustion with exhaust gas recirculation, better torque and more linear performance through the rev range. Backing up to the engine was a choice of a six-speed manual gearbox, which had a light, precise, short-throw shift, or a five-speed auto with a manual shift function.All of that was built on a rigid, stable platform that provided a sound foundation for the handling Honda wanted for the Accord Euro. Double wishbone independent suspension was a feature at both ends; it had massive disc brakes with anti-skid, brake force distribution and brake assist electronics to assist with the stopping. The electronic arsenal also extended to stability control and traction control in an impressive package of driver aids.Inside, the Accord had all the features expected of a prestige model, including air, cruise, power windows and mirrors, six-stack CD sound with steering wheel controls, remote keyless entry, alarm and immobiliser. On top of that the Luxury also had high-density headlights, power sunroof, power front seats, leather, woodgrain, rain sensor wipers, headlight washers and fog lamps.IN THE SHOPMake sure the Accord has been serviced, and by someone who knows the brand well. They are packed with technology and are built to close tolerances so regular servicing is essential. Oil changes in particular must be done on a regular basis.The Accord’s good build quality means little generally goes wrong with them, and they are still in their youth with just five years of road life under the tyre marks. Look for body damage, and listen for odd noises when driven.IN A CRASH The agility, road holding and braking prowess of the Accord Euro enables drivers to escape threatening situations they may face on the road if they’ve got the driving ability. Both the Accord and Accord Luxury boasted an impressive array of airbags including front and side airbags, while the Luxury had the added protection of curtain airbags. In another plus all occupants had three-point lap-sash seat belts.AT THE PUMP Owners report they get around 9.5 L/100 km average fuel consumption around town, but on a trip that drops to 7-8 L/100 km. Those figures compare quite well to the 9.2 L/100 km Honda quotes for the auto model on the ADR test.OWNERS SAY Jenny Foster loves driving her 2005 Accord Euro, and living in country Victoria she does plenty of it driving between her country home and Melbourne. She says it’s fantastic on the highway. It’s also been reasonably cheap to run, although it does require premium fuel, which it sips at the rate of 8 L/100 km on the highway. There have been no mechanical problems to date, but she is critical of the large turning circle, the blocked vision when turning, and the poor visibility when backing because of the low seating position.Daniel Madeira is the proud and happy owner of a 2005 Accord Euro. He loves its looks and the way it drives. Its handling is exceptional, he says, and he loves the option of changing gears manually on the auto transmission. His only problem has been a squeak where the windscreen meets the body, which was fixed under warranty.Nick Zouros has clocked up 47,000 km in his 2005 Accord Euro and reckons it’s a great car. The engine and auto transmission are brilliant, and the build quality, reliability and comfort are exceptional, he says. He’s critical of the firm ride at low speeds and he would like more room in the back seat for his growing family.William Martin reckons his Accord Euro is the best-finished car he’s had in his 50 years of owning motor vehicles. Its comfort and performance are first class, he says.LOOK FOR • Attractive styling• Brilliant handling• Zippy performance• Firm ride at low speeds• Good fuel economy• Requires premium fuelTHE BOTTOM LINE Soundly engineered and well built, the Accord Euro is a reliable and fun driver.RATING 80/100

The Accord Euro is available only with a four-cylinder engine. The rounded Accord is available with either a V6 engine or a four-cylinder.The prices of all three Accords dropped early this year as Honda passed on tariff savings. That meant the Accord Euro dropped to $33,500 and the Accord V6 to $36,990.The cheapest model is the VTi, which costs a reasonable $29,990. The four-cylinder Accord Euro has 140kW. The 2.4-litre VTi has 118kW and 218Nm. It uses a five-speed automatic transmission.The mid-sized VTi is actually larger than the Accord Euro, with a sizeable boot and cabin space.For a car that comes in at just under $30,000, it comes with a fair amount of standard equipment and safety gear. Driver and passenger front and side airbags are standard, as are anti-skid brakes.The VTi also has dual-zone climate control, cruise control, electric windows, six-CD sound and alloy wheels, including a full-size spare.The Accord VTi looks more expensive than it is. It has plenty of what car companies call jewellery: chrome lining around the windows, bumper strips, a strip across the boot.It doesn't sound like much, but these small touches give the Accord a more elegant appearance.The VTi looks less sporty than the Accord Euro, with rounded edges, large headlights and a bloated boot.Just as you would expect from Honda, the interior is a highlight. Controls are logical and well laid out, and the sound system booms with plenty of bass.The VTi's four-cylinder engine is adequate but nothing special. More encouraging is the figure for fuel economy, a promised average about 9.3 litres per 100km/h.The engine works well enough with the automatic gearbox, though it sometimes hunts for the correct gear. The test car suffered an unpleasant vibration at idle — hopefully it was just a one-off.The Accord VTi is impressive in many aspects and represents good value, but the engine and ride characteristics are disappointing.

People movers long ago replaced anything motorised and modern in this household, so the chance to show off Euro styling was not to be missed. I could pretend those admiring glances at the lights, the second look in the supermarket car park were for me ... but it's all about the car.Honda has drawn a faithful market among the over-30s with the Euro. Not surprising, really, when the car comes with an impressive range of options, easy-on-the-wallet prices and sophisticated styling. The on-the-road bells and whistles include cruise control as standard, a six-stacker CD and a list of extras that would put much more expensive models to shame.With the family on board, safety is paramount and a quick flick through the book shows the car's front and side airbags create an inbuilt cushion of safety.For the technical-minded, standard safety features include ABS brakes (with electronic brake-force distribution) and stability assist.But for a mum more used to footy boots and schoolbags piled in the back of the family wagon, the real attraction is the driving manners and the special features. The dash is easy to read, courtesy of a decent-sized display. Interior lights go on and off automatically so there's no scramble in the handbag in the dark – and as for the front seat warmers – yes, please.Living in a temperate climate doesn't mean that a warm driver's seat wasn't appreciated on a frosty Clare morning. And marriage doesn't mean sharing everything, like his passion for an almost icy travelling temperature. The Euro comes with dual temperature zones for the driver and passenger.You might think that all those little luxuries add up to a hefty hit on the family budget but the Euro has another pleasant surprise. Priced at $42,500 the Accord Euro Luxury falls within the affordable imported range.On the open road, the Euro shows the benefit of Honda's years in motorsport. You can't throw F1 cars around a track without learning something about handling and Honda has put all that knowledge into cars which love the open road.All that and still room in the back for the three juniors. We didn't try a whole weekend away, which might have strained the boot space. But it did accommodate a weekly shop and, after all, there has to be some sacrifice for something that's family friendly and has sex appeal to boot.LOVE IT LEAVE ITHonda Accord Euro Luxury five-speed automaticPrice $42,500LOVE ITSUPERB handling.Separate temperature zones for the driver and passenger – he can chill while I stay toasty warm.LEAVE ITSPACE, space, space – just a bit more in the boot would be great.