2008 Honda Accord Coupe 3.5L V6 VTEC 6MT (271 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Besides the sedan version, the 2008 Honda Accord was available in the U.S. in a coupe shape, thus attracting customers who wanted a sportier-looking car with a proven reliability record.

When Honda introduced the first generation of the Accord in 1976, it produced it only as a three-door hatchback. The four-door sedan came later and boosted the car’s sales. Later, the automaker focused on family-oriented versions and dropped that hatchback-styled version completely. Then, the Japanese automaker noticed that customers attracted by the Civic Coupe could also be tempted by a larger two-door vehicle based on the Accord. After all, the mid-size vehicle was available with larger powerplants, while its smaller stablemate had to deal with four-banger engines only. As a result, the eighth generation of the Accord for the North American continent was also built in a two-door configuration. That was an excellent idea. Unfortunately, due to the world financial crisis that started in 2007, the car’s sales didn’t meet the automaker’s expectations.

Honda started sales for the 2008 Accord Coupe in late September 2007, and customers were charmed by the car’s front fascia. While it resembled the same design concept as its sedan sibling, it differed. Its rectangular headlights were narrower, and the same went for its hexagonal-shaped, flattened grille where the badge took center stage. On the lower side of the bumper, the automaker placed a second rectangular air intake with available round fog lamps mounted on the sides.

From its profile, the low-slung bodywork revealed a different shape than the four-door, family-oriented sedan. The greenhouse had its windshield tilted even more than on the sedan and was followed by an arched-shaped roof and ended by a sloped rear window. The short deck that followed was adorned by a small lip spoiler for vehicles fitted with a V6 engine. Honda also considered creating sculptured doors, where two ascending lines were carved, one on the upper side and the other on the lower area. All versions were fitted with alloy wheels of 17- or 18 inches, depending on the grade. At the back, the dual exhaust was reserved for the V6 versions.

Inside, the dashboard was carried over from the sedan, with a center-mounted color display above the center stack for the infotainment system. Drivers could access it via a complicated round knob that could also be moved in four directions for selecting various menus. Unlike its four-door sibling, the coupe boasted a pair of bolstered front seats that promised better lateral support for their occupants. In the back, thanks to the long wheelbase, legroom was not an issue. However, the sloped roofline took its toll, and headroom could be a problem for taller people.

The engine lineup was identical to the one offered for the sedan. Unlike its sibling, though, the 2008 Honda Accord Coupe was also available with a V6 engine paired with a six-speed manual for a more engaging driving experience. Thanks to the double-wishbone suspension up front and the fresh multi-link suspension in the back, the Accord Coupe proved to be an adequate partner for long travels, acting like a GT vehicle with enough performance and excellent reliability.