2010 Honda Accord ex Sedan
Although it is hard to imagine it now, there once was a world without the Honda Accord. What a sad place it must have been in 1976 when it was first introduced to fill in as the larger model above the hot selling Civic CVCC in North America. Thankfully I was only two when the first Accord hatchbacks started to hit American streets so I have no memory of a world without this revolutionary family car.
Let’s just have a look back at America in 1976 before Honda introduced its game changing family car. A peanut farmer name Jimmy Carter was elected President of the United States, “Rocky” was the top movie in the country and the Polyester Pantsuit reigned supreme. In other words, the introduction of the Honda Accord saved this country from itself. Frankly, I fear that if it weren’t for the class, refinement and elegance of each successive Accord model Sylvester Stallone might still be considered a famous actor. That’s a scary thought.
With every successive generation of Accord Honda also managed to stay one step ahead of the rest of the industry when it came to technology, engineering, powertrains and styling. And as the years passed and the fast food industry proliferated across this great country, the Accord grew in size to deal with the ever increasing girth of most North Americans. Those guys at Honda truly think of everything and that fact was proven to me during my recent one week test of a 2010 Honda Accord EX four door sedan.
Exterior Styling
The Honda Accord has been revamped, improved and refined stylistically more times than Cher has been to the plastic surgeon. But is because of Honda’s short model cycles that they have been able to keep designs fresh and all of the mechanicals ahead of the pack. Those constant visits to her plastic surgeon are also what I think kept Cher looking the exact same age for the past 40 years.
This constant yet always logical methodology of change to the Accord turned a 3-door hatchback that debuted in 1976 with a 68-horsepower 1.6 liter 4-cylinder into what we see before us in 2010—a handsome and formal appearing four door sedan that features a 2.4 liter 4 cylinder that pumps out 190 horsepower yet emits far less pollutants than that far less powerful original 1976 engine.
The 2010 Honda Accord truly exemplifies the notion that some things get better with age and that has always been true of its outward appearance. While I have to admit that the 1994-1997 Accord was my personal favorite from an exterior design perspective, I will say that the 2010 Accord runs a close second.
The latest generation Accord four door looks clean, sculpted and the only thing I dislike about it is the chrome-effect exterior door handles that feature only on V6 powered models. I realize this is a tiny, very personal niggle but I think the sedan looks much classier with body colored door handles. And, jeez, the car had to have at least one flaw for me to report.
Interior Design and Standard Features
Never have I tested a car that had storage cubbies that were seemingly purpose built to hold my personal junk. There were hiding spots for my wallet, phone, sunglasses, CD case, iPod, gum and the essential tube of Chapstick. Yes, my lips chap easily and I truly believe Honda is the only car company that ever considered the needs of Chapstick addicts in their automotive interior designs. But mainly, Honda should be applauded for creating a sedan interior that thinks of everything for you.
The cupholders between the driver and passenger seat can hold most any size fountain drink or Starbucks coffee and the glove box is delightfully huge. The trunk, at 14 cubic feet is deep and usefully wide enough even to accommodate bulky baby strollers.
The dashboard design is the picture of efficiency with every button and knob clearly labeled so no matter how technophobic or sight challenged a person may be, they will instantly feel at home in the 2010 Accord sedan. My EX 4-cylinder sedan had a durable feeling cloth upholstery that seemed purpose built for years of abuse although a very high quality leather is standard on $26,830 EX-L models.
Frankly, however, I would probably spring for the EX-L variant since it adds leather seats, a leather wrapped steering wheel, Bluetooth, hands free telephone control, Halogen headlamps with auto-off function, an upgraded 270-watt 6-CD audio system, heated seats, dual zone climate control and gives you the option of ordering Honda’s excellent in dash navigation system.
EX models, however, are also very generously equipped with power everything, air conditioning, 17-inch alloy wheels, a power moonroof, 10-way power driver’s seat and a still very impressive 160-watt 6-disc audio system with aux-input jack. A manual transmission is standard with EX models but my tester came equipped with the optional five speed automatic. My tester’s MSRP was $24,630.
Driving Impressions
No other car company besides Honda seems to know how to make front drive cars that ride, handle and steer with this much precision at no expense to ride comfort. The 2010 Accord easily has the best steering feel in its class and there is impressively little body roll or “front end plowing” when you push this family sedan hard at high cornering speeds.
The 2.4 liter 190 horsepower 4-cylinder is a paragon of refinement and gives a nicely linear blast of power up and down the rev range. As this is a VTEC motor it gets more powerful as the revs rise which isn’t always the case with some rough and raucous 4-cylinder family sedan engines I could mention.
The message here is that no matter whether you are commuting to work or taking your 13 year old to the orthodontist you will always arrive at your destination with a grin. The 2010 Honda Accord EX sedan not only takes care of your family’s needs but it is also very rewarding to drive thereby making it a very rare breed of car. This fact is especially true given that it is also affordable to buy, reliable and economical to run.
Economy
The Accord EX 4-cylinder returns very healthy fuel economy figures of 21 city/31 highway according to the EPA when equipped with the five speed automatic. During my week with this 2010 Accord it returned a respectable 28.7 miles per gallon with a high percentage of freeway driving. Also note, all 2010 Honda Accords run on regular unleaded so there is no need to spend a fortune on premium.
This means that even the optional 3.5 liter 271 horsepower V6 runs on regular and still returns an estimated 19 city/29 highway. That’s very impressive efficiency for such a powerful V6 engine. This 6-cylinder motor is also renowned in the auto industry for anvil-like durability much like Honda’s entire range of 4-cylinder engines.
Family Friendliness
With plenty of cubbies, lockable storage spots, tons of legroom, hip room and a gigantic trunk—the 2010 Honda Accord sedan is just made for the trials and tribulations of family life. The leather, seat fabrics and even the dash/door plastics appear easy to clean so keep that in mind if you are a dog owner or parent shopping for a family car. A 2010 Honda Accord EX sedan can seriously handle familial abuses with grace and aplomb. Why else do you think there are so many 25 year old Accords still on the road?
Final Thoughts
Simply put, the 2010 Honda Accord is the best family sedan that your hard earned dollars can buy in this up and down economic climate. In that light, this may also make a 2010 Accord EX sedan purchase the smartest move you and your family ever made. Hundreds of thousands of other 2010 Accord buyers can’t be wrong.
Vehicle Tested: 2010 Honda Accord EX Sedan
Base Price: $23,830
Price as Tested: $24,630
Options on Tester: Five Speed Automatic
Engine: 190 Horsepower 2.4 liter 4-cylinder
EPA Economy: 21 city/31 highway
Trunk: 14 cubic feet
Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles Bumper to Bumper
5 years/60,000 miles Powertrain
Crash Test Ratings (Government): Front Impact—5 stars
Side Impact—5 stars (front seats): 3 stars (rear seats)
Rollover—Five stars
“Top Safety Pick” According to Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
