Honda Accord 4DR EXL V6

Base Price:  N/A

As Tested:  N/A

Engine:  268hp 3.5L V6

Transmission:  5spd auto w/grade logic control

Suspension:  Front dbl wishbone, Rear multi-link

Brakes:  ABS All Disc w/EBD, Brake Assist

Mileage:  19city / 29hwy

Let me get this out of the way right off, the styling of this vehicle, for me and others I surveyed, is way out of date. It’s an old man’s style with no pizzazz. If you’re a 35 year old man or woman that wants to project that you’re a conservative, stay at home couch potato, that’s content with a hum drum lifestyle, in other words…BORING, AND you want people to think that your 15years older than your really are…this is the style vehicle for you. The styling of the Accord has to change soon or it will fall prey to its Japanese competition.

Now, after all that being said, I can not find fault one INSIDE the vehicle, or with its handling, performance, and reliability.  The Accord, within its price range, is one of the most finely tuned automobiles I’ve ever operated.

At 55mph through the MLK Hwy 24’s S-turns, it handled like a 2 door large sports car instead of the 4 door sedan it is AND, due to the smooth operation of the transmission coupled with the big V6 engine, complimented with its suspension, I could have run through those turns a lot faster, experiencing the same comfort level as was at 55mph.

Now, take that observation and move to I-25 at 115mph between two on and off ramps that are pretty much never patrolled, and you’ll experience a ride that begs for more speed and you have it to give. Drive across States and 125mph will be your cruising speed as long as you have a good radar detector.

With the windows up, and this incredible stereo of 270 watt AM/FM/6CD/MP3 Honda premium audio system w/ 7 speakers that is STANDARD equipment, and the volume low, you’ll never feel 125mph as I didn’t feel 115mph. At 75mph, it felt like a crawl.

What a vehicle!

I was also impressed with the following standard equipment and features that this Accord EXL-V6 model comes with like the variable gear ratio and assist rack and pinion pwr steering, front and rear stabilizer bars, 100K+/- miles no scheduled tune-ups, driver and front passenger dual stage airbags, w/side airbags, side curtain airbags, vehicle stability assist (vsa), tire monitoring system, side impact door beams, remote entry system w/trunk opener and pwr window control security system, immobilizer theft deterrent system, and more.

Some of the “Creature Features” are leather trimmed seats, the above stereo system, XM Satellite, interface dial and multi-line display w/compass, steering wheel audio controls, radio data system, MP3/auxiliary input jack, active nois cancellation, dual zone suto climate control w/air filtration, driver’s 8 way pwr seat w/pwr adjustable lumbar support, front pass’s 4-way pwr seat, heated front seats, pwr windows and door locks w/front auto up/down windows.

More, of course, such as the auto dimming rearview mirror, tilt / telescoping steering column, exterior temp gauge, HomeLink system, maintenance minder system, on touch pwr moonroof, fog lights, heated pwr door mirrors., and more.

All I can say is once past the old-folk exterior and settle in to the comfortable seats (ample rear leg room), and get your test drive on, you’ll be smiling like the Cheshire cat from Alice In Wonderland.