- sedan
- Jerome, ID
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- autoshopper.com
2003 honda accord review this car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale. All-new, the seventh generation of this best-seller is dazzling. introductionwe recently attended the introduction of the 2003 accord in hollywood, test driving all the models over the great roads of the malibu hills. We have seen the future, and it is impressive. But with the new accord, the champ has not only remade itself, it has re-invented a new self, without un-inventing the old self. The lx v6 comes with its own automatic. The ex coupe v6, a full-tilt sports sedan, comes with the automatic or a new six-speed manual transmission. anti-lock brakes are standard on all models. Upscale options, depending on the model, may include leather power seats, a moonroof, alloy wheels, steering-wheel audio controls, side airbags, side curtain airbags, and a new voice-activated dvd navigation system programmed with some eight million destinations. This isn't easy to repeat without raised eyebrows; however its truth may be mostly a measure of what it means to be a mid-size sedan nowadays. The sedan and coupe share no sheetmetal whatsoever, although their faces do look alike. They feature a sharpened nose and angular headlamps, reminiscent of an acura rsx. The corners and sides of both bodies are carefully sculpted with a combination of concave and convex angles, in this attempt to achieve a muscular and agile look, with subtle and unique three-dimensional window glass, also intended to reduce wind noise. there's been a vast and impressive amount of attention to detail in this redesign, with more new parts than in any of the previous five redesigns. For example, the aerodynamically efficient sideview mirrors are one of the results of the wind tunnel testing. the drag coefficient is 0. 30, a big jump compared to 0. 33 in 2002. The length of 189. 5 inches is only 0. 1 inch longer than the '02 accord, but the wheelbase has been increased by one inch and width by 1. 2 inches. The bottom of the rear bumper has been lowered by one inch, and the sculpted wheelwells have a smaller gap around the tires. The roof has been raised by 0. 4 inch, but the car looks lower, thanks in part to a sleeker a pillar. The new roof allows more headroom: 0. 4 inch more in the front, 0. 8 inch in the rear. cheetahs aside, the coupe is a completely different beast. Its flanks and rear deck are much more shapely, flowing naturally and gracefully from the roofline. Its dimensions are virtually identical to the '02 coupe, but the high beltline, sweeping door lines, sleek roofline and smooth rear fenders give it striking good looks, especially in red. It yields a very aerodynamic 0. 29 drag coefficient (0. 32 last year) and makes even the upscale acura cl look dated (a problem to be solved by a new cl, in the works). under the skin, the new unibody is 27 percent stiffer in torsional rigidity, which honda boasts makes it stiffer than the bmw 3 series, audi a4 and a6, and even the mercedes s-class. The doors are built using a new and unique method, invented for the accord that makes them lighter and much stronger than before. And feel it in the extremely light touch to open the trunk. a new front subframe, with hydroformed elements (a state-of-the-art method to create complex shapes from high-strength steel), is designed to reduce noise and vibration from the engine and front suspension. It's also designed to slide back a few inches under the passenger compartment in a head-on crash, which better dissipates forces. there's also a sophisticated new engine mounting system, designed not only reduce vibration and tighten handling, but to complement the subframe's crash behavior. Honda engineers are particularly proud of the fact that the 2003 accord with side airbags is expected to achieve the industry's five-star crash rating in front, rear and side collisions, along with only the more expensive volvo s60 and lexus is300. . interiorthe mission was an interior designer's dream. The sedan and coupe seats are different, with the coupe's bolstering providing a more secure fit at the torso, and a lower seating position. The cushion, springs and new urethane padding are all intended to reduce vibration. The vertical travel in the manual lx seat, with lever operation, has been increased by 1. 5 inches, a nice touch for women. The steering wheel has been angled more toward the driver and raised almost an inch. It tilts as before, and now telescopes as well, by 1. 5 inches. the space below the steering wheel and instrument panel was enlarged, and the foot room increased. But in the rear, the new front seats seem to have a mixed effect; there's slightly more knee clearance, but overall leg room has been reduced by 1. 1 inches to 36. 8 inches. That's 1 inch less than the 2002 toyota camry, but 0. 4 more than the nissan altima and 1. 5 inches more than the volkswagen passat. compared to these cars, the accord sedan trunk comes up small, with a volume of 14 cubic feet, although the flat floor will make it very easy to load things. The camry has 17 cubic feet, altima 16 and passat 15. The coupe looks more like a cheetah. Its trunk holds 13 cubic feet. the excellent, clear analog instrumentation is also all new, with large faces and led illumination, another feature previously found only in higher-priced cars. There's dual-zone climate control on some ex models. The switchgear, primarily three big dials located in the center of the dash, is simple, if not particularly attractive. However the faux carbon fiber trim on one of the models we drove looked nice, while the brushed aluminum on other models wasn't bad either. the simple big switchgear is a result of the successful search for efficient use of space, with the audio, climate and optional navigation systems integrated into a single unit. The freed space leads to exceptional cabin storage, including a good glovebox, big center console, bin under the audio system that will hold 12 cds, and door pockets deep and wide enough for a purse. all three sound systems are upgraded, featuring stuff like two-band compression and five-point parametric equalization, which sounds nice, pun intended. But here's the real-world test: we took the v6 coupe six-speed on a flat-out blast through the malibu hills, engine revving to redline, windows wide open, cd celebrating bob marley, and even with the exterior noise, max volume on the sound system wasn't necessary for the full effect. the attention to detail shows in every corner: coinholders, cellphone cord hooks, grab handles over every door, console lights, power outlets, sunglass holders, sliding armrests for different-sized arms, convenient and versatile access to. Power Seats✔ Anti-lock Brakes✔ Climate Control✔ CD Changer✔ Navigation System✔ Sunroof/Moonroof✔ Alloy Wheels
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