- Refined, free-revving four-cylinder engine
- Impressive fuel economy
- Quiet, well-insulated cabin
- High standard of interior fit and finish
- Engaging dynamics
- Firm low-speed ride
- Limited rear seat space
- Accurate steering lacks feel of Mazda GG/GY Mazda6
Honda CL9.I Accord Euro (2003-05)
Overview
Released in June 2003, the Honda CL9 Accord Euro was a mid-size sedan. Manufactured in Sayama, Japan, the front-wheel drive CL9 Accord Euro was powered by a 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that was mated to either a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission. The Accord Euro was available in unnamed, entry-level and ‘Luxury’ variants.
K24A3 engine
The 2.4-litre K24A3 four-cylinder engine had double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 10.5:1. The engine also featured Honda’s i-VTEC (intelligent Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control) system which consisted of:
- A VTEC system which changed valve lift, timing and duration of the intake valves for low- and high- rpm (i.e. above 6000 rpm) profiles; and,
- Variable Timing Control (VTC) which continuously adjusted intake camshaft phasing.
The automatic transmissions featured Grade Logic control to adapt to up- and down-hill driving and sequential shift functions.
Dimensions
Compared to the larger CM5/CM6 Accord , the CL9 Accord Euro was 165 shorter (at 4665 mm), 60 mm narrower (1760 mm), 10 mm lower (1445 mm) and had a 70 mm shorter wheelbase (2670 mm). Furthermore, the CL9 Accord Euro had a coefficient of drag of 0.27 Cd.
Suspension
The CL9 Accord Euro had double wishbone front and rear suspension.
| Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accord Euro, Accord Euro Luxury |
2.4-litre petrol I4 | 5sp auto, 6sp man. |
140 kW at 6800 rpm | 223 Nm at 4500 rpm |
Safety equipment
Standard safety equipment for the CL9 Accord Euro included dual front airbags, front side airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters; the Luxury variant was also fitted with full-length curtain airbags (i.e. for front and rear occupants).
Brakes
The Accord Euro had 300 mm ventilated front disc brakes and 260 mm solid rear discs.
Euro NCAP crash testing
In Euro NCAP crash testing , the Accord Euro received a four star adult occupant protection rating – when fitted with curtain airbags – with a score of 27.72 out of 37. In the offset crash test, hard structures in the dashboard could injure the driver’s knees and upper legs, with protection from serious chest and upper leg injury assessed as marginal for the driver. However, the Accord Euro performed well in the side impact and pole tests.
Features: Accord Euro and Luxury
Standard features for the CL9 Accord Euro included 16-inch five-spoke alloy wheels, a six speaker sound system with a six-stack CD player, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, cruise control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel (with audio and cruise controls), 60/40 split and folding rear seats, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment, a height adjustable driver’s seat, illuminated vanity mirrors, a trip computer, an alarm and immobiliser.
Beyond this, the Accord Euro Luxury added an eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat and four-way power adjustable front passenger seat, leather seats, heated front seats, front fog lights, high intensity discharge headlights with washers, a two-way power sunroof (i.e. including tilt function), rain-sensing wipers and woodgrain interior trim.
January 2005: Accord Euro update
From January 2005, a full-size spare wheel was made standard for all Accord Euros. Furthermore, the Luxury variant was fitted with 17-inch alloy wheels and stiffer suspension for improved handling.
Honda CL9.II Accord Euro (2005-08)
Overview
Released in December 2005, the CL9 Series II (CL9.II) Accord Euro introduced a subtle facelift. Visually, the CL9-II was distinguished by its new bumpers, grille and alloy wheel designs. Inside, there were new higher quality wood and metallic materials.
| Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accord Euro, Accord Euro Luxury |
2.4-litre petrol I4 | 5sp auto, 6sp man. |
140 kW at 6800 rpm | 223 Nm at 4500 rpm |
Features: Accord Euro and Luxury
Standard features for the CL9.II Accord Euro were substantially unchanged, though the sound system featured MP3-compatibility and there was a new multi-information display trip computer. The Accord Euro Luxury also gained driver’s seat memory settings; a DVD-based factory-fitted satellite navigation system was available as an extra-cost option.
2006 Accord Euro Sport
Released in March 2006, the Accord Euro Sport was based on the standard Accord Euro but further equipped with full-length curtain airbags, unique 17-inch alloy wheels, combination leather/cloth sports seats, driving lights, alloy gearshift lever, red instrument illumination, carbon look trim and body kit.
2007 Accord Euro Limited Edition
The Accord Euro Limited Edition was released in March 2007. Like the Accord Euro Sport, the Accord Euro Limited Edition was based on the standard Accord Euro but further equipped with full-length curtain airbags, unique 17-inch alloy wheels, combination leather/cloth sports seats, driving lights, alloy gearshift lever, red instrument illumination and carbon look trim. Visually, the Accord Euro Limited Edition could be identified by its sports grille, black chrome door handles and black window surrounds.
2007 Accord Euro Tourer
The limited-run Accord Euro Tourer edition was released in August 2007. Compared to the standard Accord Euro, the Tourer added satellite-navigation, fog lights and rear parking sensors.
Related links
