Honda Accord 2003-2007 review

Overview

2003 Honda Accord. Click for larger photo

Honda Accord interior. Click for larger view

Honda Accord trunk

The seventh generation Honda Accord was introduced in 2002 as a 2003 model and continued with minor changes through the first half of 2007.

The 2003-2007 Accord is a roomy well-designed mid-size car with good safety ratings and one of the best in class fuel economy for the 4-cylinder models. The Accord offers good handling with precise steering and a firm ride.

The 2003-2007 Accord has a front-wheel drive and comes as a four-door sedan or a two-door coupe.
The powertrain choices include the 2.4L 4-cylinder or 3.0L V6 engine with and an automatic or 5-speed manual transmission. The 6-speed manual transmission is available in late EX V6 models.

The Accord has double-wishbone layout in the front suspension and five-link double wishbone in the back. The ABS is standard on all models; the traction control is standard on V6 models.

Honda Accord offers rich-looking roomy interior with excellent fit and finish. The distinctive high-tech dashboard design with sharp looking instrument panel stands out from the crowd. Front seats are very comfortable and supportive even on long trips. The rear seat space is generous. The trunk is spacious and the rear seat folds down to accommodate longer items.

The Accord has firm, well controlled, although not exceptionally quiet ride. The wind and road noise are noticeable at higher speeds. The Accord's suspension is firm unlike in its main rival - the soft-riding Toyota Camry. The steering is responsive and precise. Overall, the handling is excellent, with good feel of the road. The 2.4L 4-cylinder engine provides enough power for daily driving, while the V6 feels more sporty.

In the NHTSA frontal crash tests, the 2003-2007 Honda Accord received five stars for both the driver and the front passenger.
In the frontal offset crash tests performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the 2003-2007 Honda Accord received "Good" overall rating.

Engine

Honda Accord 2.4L 4-cylinder i-VTEC engine. Click for larger photo The 2003-2007 Accord comes with two engine choices: The light-weight 2.4L 4-cylinder 16-valve DOHC engine with an advanced i-VTEC valve control system. In my opinion, this is one of the best engines in its class. This is a strong, yet very economical low-maintenance workhorse. There is no timing belt to worry about; the maintenance-free silent chain is used instead. The second choice is the 3.0L, 24-valve SOHC V6 VTEC engine, which shares its design with the V6 of the previous generation Honda Accord. It's a smooth and powerful motor, but don't expect it to be cheap on gas. It has a timing belt that needs to be replaced at recommended intervals.

Pros

- One of the best in class fuel economy for 4-cylinder models
- Excellent handling
- Great safety ratings
- Rich-looking interior
- Sharp instrument panel
- Fun to drive
- Easy to maintain

Cons

- Expensive
- Road and wind noise
- Paint chips easily
- Front visibility is a bit obstructed by thick A-pillars
Problems are fairly rare and mostly minor such as various noises, vibrations and alike. Early models had some issues with an automatic transmission, most notable in V6 models, although in my understanding, this is a relatively rare issue.

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