The 2008 honda accord has been fully redesigned for 2008. My, how the little Honda Accord has grown. Still available in sedan and coupe body styles, the all-new 2008 Honda Accord is most obviously highlighted by its slick new styling. Available on EX sedans and all coupes, the midlevel inline-four-cylinder produces a best-in-class 190 horsepower -- by comparison, the 1998 all-new Accord featured an optional V6 that produced 200 hp.
All that power comes at no fuel economy expense, as it matches the fuel economy estimates of the previous model's four-cylinder. As a matter of fact, all 2008 honda accord engines get better highway fuel economy than the 125-hp 1990 Accord and even come close to the tiny 68-hp 1977 edition. The outgoing Honda Accord managed to hold its own against the recently redesigned Altima and Camry sedans, and the all-new Accord should make Toyota and Nissan sweat even more.
Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options The 2008 Honda Accord is available in sedan and coupe body styles. The sedan comes in LX, LX-P, EX and EX-L trim levels, while the coupe comes in LX-S, EX and EX-L trims. The sedan's LX-P adds 16-inch alloy wheels, auto up-down front windows and a power driver seat. The EX adds 17-inch wheels and a sunroof to each body style's upgraded LX trim level. The EX sedan gains the in-dash six-CD changer, while the EX coupe gets a premium stereo system with subwoofer. The EX-L trim level adds leather upholstery, auto-on headlights, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated front seats and satellite radio. The EX-L sedan gains the premium stereo system, while the EX-L coupe gains the power driver seat.
The 2008 Honda Accord comes with a choice of powerful and fuel-efficient engines. The LX and LX-P sedans come with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder that produces 177 hp and 161 pound-feet of torque. An upgraded version of that 2.4-liter engine that makes a class-leading 190 hp is standard on the EX sedans and all coupes. A five-speed manual is standard with the four-cylinder engines, with a five-speed automatic optional. The Accord's fuel economy is very impressive. Both four-cylinder engines with automatic transmissions achieve 21 mpg city and 31 mpg highway, while the six-cylinder with the automatic gets 19 mpg city and 29 mpg highway. All Accords come standard with antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, front side airbags and full-length curtain airbags.
Driving Impressions The 2008 Honda Accord maintains the car's traditional mix of both sporty handling and comfort.
The Audi convertible features active roll bars behind the seats, front airbags, knee airbags, seat-mounted side head/chest airbags, and ESP stability control. Additionally, the A5 Cabriolet offers a head-level heating system extending the top-down season by circulating heat at neck level through the vents located at the top of the front seats.
For more performance-oriented handling characteristics, the 19-inch Sport Package includes a specially tuned, firmer suspension with an assertive stance and sport seats that offer greater lateral support. Inside, elements include Brushed Aluminum doorsills with S line badging and elegant Brushed Aluminum decorative inlays extending across the center console, doors and dashboard.
The S line designation extends to the three-spoke, leather-wrapped steering wheel featuring special perforated leather and S line badge. Also included are S line sport seats with leather and perforated Alcantara seat inserts.
The MMI Navigation plus Package features a 7-inch full-color LCD screen and MMI control logic. The S line designation also extends to the three-spoke, leather-wrapped steering wheel featuring special perforated leather and S line badge. Also included are S line sport seats with leather and perforated Alcantara seat inserts.
For 2011, the BMW Z4 gets a range-topping, higher-performance model known as the sDrive35is. Many of that trim's enhanced handling features are available on the lower trims in a new M Sport package.
Trust us; it's a lot cooler than its clunky name sounds, boasting 35 additional horsepower from the 35i's twin-turbo inline-6, enhanced steering and an M Sport package that adds adaptive suspension dampers, 18-inch wheels, an aerodynamic exterior kit and sport seats.
Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options
The 2011 BMW Z4 is a two-seat retractable-hardtop luxury roadster available in three trim levels that correspond with engine choice: sDrive30i, sDrive35i and sDrive35is.
Standard equipment on the sDrive30i includes 17-inch wheels, adjustable sport driving settings (steering, throttle and automatic transmission if applicable), automatic adaptive xenon headlights, automatic wipers, a fully powered retractable hardtop, cruise control, leatherette premium vinyl upholstery, six-way manually adjustable seats and a sound system that includes a single-CD player, auxiliary audio jack and HD radio. This package includes 18-inch wheels, adaptive suspension dampers, an aerodynamic body kit, increased top speed, a thicker M steering wheel and 10-way manually adjustable sport seats with power bolster adjustment.
The Cold Weather package adds to all models heated seats, a heated steering wheel, retractable headlight washers and a trunk pass-through. The Premium package adds auto-dimming mirrors, power-adjustable seats, 2011 BMW Z4 Assist telematics, Bluetooth and on the 30i, leather upholstery and automatic climate control. A six-speed manual transmission is standard and a traditional six-speed automatic is optional. EPA-estimated fuel economy with both transmissions is 18 mpg city/28 mpg highway and 22 mpg combined.
A six-speed manual transmission is standard and a dual-clutch seven-speed automated manual is optional. The dual-clutch automated manual is standard. 2011 BMW Z4 estimates a 0-60 time of 4.7 seconds. Estimated fuel economy is 17/24/19.
Side impact airbags, antilock brakes with brake assist and stability control are all standard on the 2011 BMW Z4. BMW Assist emergency telematics is optional.
The 2011 BMW Z4's cabin is sleek and upscale.
The 2008 honda accord has been fully redesigned for 2008. My, how the little Honda Accord has grown. Still available in sedan and coupe body styles, the all-new 2008 Honda Accord is most obviously highlighted by its slick new styling. Available on EX sedans and all coupes, the midlevel inline-four-cylinder produces a best-in-class 190 horsepower -- by comparison, the 1998 all-new Accord featured an optional V6 that produced 200 hp.
