I have never been overly fond of the last generation 4-cylinder powered Accord Sedans, they were somewhat underpowered, unrefined, and got fuel economy comparable to the herd of larger V6 powered family sedans on the market. For the '03 model year almost all of this has changed. While the 2003 4-cylinder powered Accord Sedan is no road rocket, it feels faster than its predecessor, and is unquestionably more refined over last year's model.

The '03 Accord Sedan comes in a variety of trim levels and 2 available power plants; a 2.4 liter 4-cylinder and a 3.0 V6. My Accord Sedan DX came equipped with the 160 horse 2.4 liter 4-banger coupled with the standard 5-speed manual transmission (an all new 5-speed automatic is optional for $400). If the four banger is not your jig, the optional V6 offers significantly more giddy-up. The 5-speed fully automatic is your only option with the V6 powered Accord Sedan trim levels.

Driving Impressions:

Radical acceleration is far from the '03 Accord 4-cylinder's claim to fame, however the Accord is also far from slow. Though only boasting a mere 10 more horses over last year's 4-cylinder engine, the current generation Accord seems to scoot from the light with much more prowess than its predecessor. The i-VTEC 2.4 liter engine offers good flexibility; presenting good power at both medium and high engine revs. Equipped with a quick shifting 5-speed manual transmission helps the Accord get the most of out of this relatively small engine. My only gripes in the acceleration department would be the absence of good throttle response at freeway speeds in 5th gear. While offering better top gear power than cars like the Mazda6i, the Accord Sedan would benefit in performance from a slightly lower 5th gear.

The '03 Accord also seems to be few tones quieter than last year's model. The 2.4 i-VTEC engine loves to rev, however you could never tell it by the relaxed exhaust note. Instead of that racy engine noise at high revs (so common with VVT engines), the Accord Sedan keeps its calm even under full throttle. Some Honda loyalists may miss that buzzy sound when stabbing the gas pedal, though I suspect most buyers will appreciate the lack of extreme engine noise.

The Accord may not be the finest example of a road hugging sedan, however it still does quite well in the handling department. Even though the sedan seems to lean a bit too much in turns and feels a bit large on sharp bends in the road, the '03 Accord overall still handles very well. The '03 Accord's suspension makes for a secure feel on those demanding back roads, even with the less than impressive (P195/65/R 15s) tires. These tires were a big surprise; the Accord seemed to grip the road with almost the same level as the wider/lower profile tires equipped on the V6 powered coupe. For good braking, the DX comes standard with 4-wheel disc brakes coupled with 4-wheel ABS (as does all trim levels).

Taking the Accord over rough road surfaces is where this car really shows improvement over last year's 4-cylinder trim levels. Despite the ride not being overly soft, the '03 Accord does a superb job absorbing bumps and road imperfections in general. Like most Accord's of the past, plastics throughout the '03's cabin do not rattle over potholes; the Accord car feels solid even on some of the worst freeways/highways in California.

Cruising at high speeds is also a fine attribute offered from the '03 Accord. Wind, engine, and road noise are all kept isolated to the outside world, the cabin remains hushed. When driving the last generation's '02 model I was impressed with how quiet the Accord was during relaxed freeway cruising, this feeling continues into '03 model year.

Hills are only a slight problem for the '03 Accord DX. While not a slug in mountainous terrain, the Accord almost always needs to be down-shifted from 5th gear to 4th on steep mountain roads; 5th gear is a bit too tall to be used for steep freeway mountain climbing. Since the 5-speed manual is very smooth, shifting into 4th is not really a major gripe this go-around. Once the transmission is shifted into 4th, the Accord has full access to all power available, giving the driver the opportunity to do some serious hill climbing.

I mentioned my slight gripes about the tall 5th gear, however the pay off here is above average fuel economy. The '03 Accord DX receives an EPA stamp of 26/34 (almost 4 MPG better than last year). This relatively good EPA rating is better than all other cars in the Accord's class.

Interior Accommodation:

The Accord Sedan is set-up almost identically as the 2 door coupe. Since I adore the interior design of the coupe, the sedan did not disappoint. Like the coupe, the sedan feels up-level, not giving you a hint that you are driving a car with an MSRP of less than $18,000. Plastics throughout the cabin feel solid, as does all the gadgetry.

Despite the Accord being slightly overdosed with titanium accents around the center stack, the interior quality is not adversely affected. The dash layout is simple, yet still retains a sophisticated air to it; not many car companies can pull this off. The Accord offers excellent ergonomics; reaching for the HVAC controls is a cake walk, as is using the CD player and other gadgetry on the dash. Although I personally had no problems with the Accord's instrument cluster formatting, the large speedometer makes for a much smaller tachometer. If you need your tach in full view, this set-up might be a bit annoying.

The DX may not be loaded to the brim with interior amenities, however the DX comes equipped with enough equipment to satisfy most consumers looking for a family car under $20,000. Standard on the DX comes a decent sounding 4-speaker single CD player, 2 12 volt power outlets, 4 cup holders, telescoping steering with tilt, dual (dual stage) air bags, power windows/door locks, and much more. If you want a complete list of standard and optional equipment on the Accord DX, or Accord cars in general, visit www.Hondacars.com.

Seating in the DX trim level is available in cloth only, leather is not an option. The cloth bucket seats feel adequately supportive, though they would greatly benefit from some increased lower body bolstering. As it stands the Accord's seats are comfortable, just not the type of seats you would want to drive aggressively in. Rear seating is full split bench made of cloth that can easily sit up to 3 adults.

Room and stowage are excellent. Occupants up to 6'5" should not have a problem with head or leg room; whether they are sitting in the front or the rear of the Accord. Trunk space is average (about the size of the Taurus's), as is stowage throughout the cabin. The glove box is more than just a nook for cosmetics and the center console offers plenty of space for small items.

Exterior Innovation:

The Accord Sedan still retains a few similar styling cues as last year's model, though for the most part the entire sedan looks different. I'm still at odds with what exact country the Accord borrowed its styling. Accord's of the past have always looked blatantly Japanese, the '03 sedan looks more Italian or even German than Asian 4 door that it is.

The front fascia and side profile of the '03 Accord Sedan is very attractive, with its angled headlamps, bold lines, and "hello" 'H' Honda logo on the front grille. This attractive styling however comes to an abrupt end slightly south of the rear passenger's doors (the rear end). The Accord has a rear end that looks more like a mistake than intentional design work. The tail lamps further this unattractive rear design. The rear light treatment makes the rump of the Accord look increasingly cheap, kinda like what the taillights did for the 3rd generation Ford Tauruses.
Overall, I do like the design of the Accord Sedan. I just feel that Honda forgot that it is equally important for a car to have a good looking butt as it is
for a car to have a handsome face.

Price/Warranty:

The Accord DX starts out at around $16,000. Since my Accord had no factory options, this is about where the price landed, coming in at $16,200 before taxes. If a sunroof is on your shopping list, going with a LX or EX will up the price to around $22,000, these trim levels come with many more standard amenities as well. If anything goes haywire with your new Honda Accord DX, Honda offers a below average 3 year/36,000 mile bumper-bumper warranty.

Final Thoughts:

The 2003 Accord is by far one of the best yet. Even though I'm not exactly thrilled with some of the visuals of the '03 Accord, I enjoyed my driving experience and definitely would consider the 4-cylinder Accord DX as a future family car. If you are currently in the market for a new 4 door sedan that not only receives excellent fuel economy, but style, comfort, and a great ride, I recommend taking the '03 Accord for a test drive. For those who want more of a sporting driving experience and are willing to spend more cash, check out the V6 trim levels or the V6 Accord Coupe.

Note: Looking to upgrade to the 2008 models? Check out my review on the 2008 Honda Accord

-Happy Car Shopping!


Amount Paid (US$): 16,,000
Condition: New
Model Year: 2003
Model and Options: Accord Sedan DX, 5-speed manual