2002 Honda Accord

Driving a Honda Accord makes me feel like I’m in one of those futuristic science fiction movies. Not the one where we’re all riding along in fantastic high-tech transportation modules. The one where everyone wears jumpsuits and drives identical cars. On more than one occasion during my week test drive of a 2002 Accord four-door, I found myself at stoplights surrounded by Accords. When you’re the best-selling car in America, this happens. But there were some not-so-ordinary things about this time around with the venerable Accord. For the first time ever, I sensed a chink in the armor, an impression undoubtedly brought on by recent improvements in its competition.

The class is getting much tougher. Even the top of the heap has some work to do.

The Good News
Dollar for dollar, the Accord still represents tremendous value. The SE I tested stands for “Special Edition,” which takes the LX 4-cylinder model with automatic and adds a host of goodies for a reduced price. The package includes power moonroof, 15-inch alloys, power adjustment for driver’s seat, CD player, remote keyless entry, security and a few other things. Figure in the normally standard air conditioning, cruise control, power windows, automatic transmission etc., yet the price still tallies up to only $21,100. That represents more than $1,000 savings and a substantial bang for the buck by today’s standards.

That price doesn’t buy V-6 power, of course, but it does give you an intelligent, functional, comfortable, tight, nifty midsize sedan for well under today’s average going rate. No wonder they’re everywhere.

The Accord’s 2.3 liter 16-valve four-cylinder cranks 150 horses and 152 pounds-feet of torque. It chirps along pleasantly enough, if without much bravado. What it lacks in V-6 confidence, however, it makes up for in fuel economy. EPA ratings of 23 mpg city/30 highway are good news, indeed.

The Bad News
2002 marks the fifth model year for this particular Accord, and it shows. Compared to hot new updates from Nissan and Toyota, this Honda comes off tired and dull, dull, dull. Not that it was ever particularly sexy to begin with.

It’s not just a matter of styling, either. I find this Accord’s ride inordinately rough, the engine and transmission noisy and the overall driving experience lackluster.

I am not expecting the 4 cylinder to have the poise and punch of the 6; I do, however, expect a smooth relationship between engine and transmission. In this case, the transmission sometimes seems to rein in the power when it should let it go.

And why can’t Honda get its transmission lever to drop into the appropriate drive position the first time? I frequently found myself in D3 because that’s where it lands, not in D4 where it should be. What’s up with that?

All in all, whereas the Accord normally exceeds my expectations in every way for its price, this one came off as unpolished and underwhelming. Blame – or congratulate – its competition.

Is it worth it?
I am by no means saying the Honda Accord is an unworthy car. It is still a proven value leader that deserves its fine reputation and satisfies the multitudes in search of good transportation.

What I am saying is the Accord is desperate for a significant makeover, which is due in a little over a year I understand. Other sedans are blowing it away where eye appeal, luxury and driving excitement count. It has become a schoolmarm in a class full of cheerleaders.

Honda always comes back with a stunning punch in these circumstances. You can bet they’ll do it again with the new Accord.

In the meantime, you have to put up with reliable, reasonable, affordable and dull.

Beth Stein is a life-long car buff and free-lance journalist living in Nashville. She has reviewed new vehicles in print for 12 years as a weekly columnist for Nashville’s daily newspapers and on television for Road Test Magazine and Motor Trend Television. Currently, her reviews appear nationally on Car And Driver Television.