Review: Honda CU2 Accord Euro (2008-15)

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• Refined, fuel-efficient 2.4-litre petrol engine
• Comfortable front seats
• Excellent ride/handling balance
• High standard of fit and finish

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• Inconsistently weighted steering
• Cramped rear seat
• Poorly designed instruments
• Engine has peaky power delivery

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Honda CU2.I Accord Euro (2008-11)

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Overview

Released in June 2008, the Honda CU2 Accord Euro was a mid-size, front-wheel drive sedan. Manufactured in Sayama, Japan, the CU2 Accord Euro was powered by a 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that was mated to either a five-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission. Furthermore, the automatic transmissions featured Grade Logic control to adapt to up- and down-hill driving and sequential shift functions.

K24Z3 engine

The 2.4-litre K24Z3 four-cylinder engine had double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 11.0:1. 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 profiles; and,
• Variable Timing Control (VTC) which continuously adjusted intake camshaft phasing.

Relative to the CL9 Accord Euro’s K24A3 engine, the K24Z3 engine had an increased compression ratio (11.0:1 compared to 10.5:1), larger diameter valves, revised valve timing and reduced exhaust pressure for improved performance and fuel economy. 

Dimensions and body

Compared to its CL9 Accord Euro , the CU2 Accord Euro was 75 mm longer (at 4740 mm), had a 35 mm longer wheelbase (2705 mm), was 80 mm wider (1840 mm) and 5 mm lower (1440 mm). Furthermore, 42 per cent of the CU2 Accord Euro’s body was made from ultra high tensile steel, contributing to a 20 percent increase in torsional rigidity.

Suspension

The CU2 Accord Euro had double wishbone front suspension and double wishbone rear suspension with two diagonal links and three lateral links. In a first for Honda, the Accord Euro’s suspension featured variable dampers which used deflector plates to adjust compression damping characteristics according to vehicle speed, cornering forces and road surface.

Steering

The CU2 Accord Euro introduced a ‘Motion Adaptive Electric Power Steering’ system which was coordinated with the electronic stability control to detect instability and automatically initiate steering inputs to assist the driver to steer in the correct direction. [su_table responsive=”yes”]

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Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the CU2 Accord Euro included dual front airbags, front side airbags, full length curtain airbags, ABS, electronic brakeforce distribution, electronic stability control, traction control, active front seat head restraints and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.

Brakes

The CU2 Accord Euro had 320 mm by 32 mm vented front brake discs and 305 mm by 9 mm solid rear discs.

Euro NCAP crash testing

In Euro NCAP crash testing , the CU2 Accord Euro received a five star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 34.89 out of 37. In the offset crash test, there was a slight risk of serious lower leg injury for both front occupants and slight risk of serious chest injury for the front passenger. In the pole test, chest protection was rated as weak for the driver. Under Euro NCAP’s updated testing regime , the Accord Euro was assessed to have an 86 per cent adult occupant safety rating and a 79 per cent child occupant protection rating.

Features: Accord Euro, Luxury and Navi

Standard features for the Honda Accord Euro included 17-inch alloy wheels, a ten speaker sound system (including subwoofer) with a six-disc CD player, WMA/MP3-compatibility and auxiliary inputs, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, cruise control, a ventilated glovebox, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, 60/40 split and folding rear seats, remote central locking, power windows and heated mirrors, an automatically dipping passenger door mirror when reversing, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment, a height adjustable driver’s seat, trip computer and an immobiliser.

While the standard Accord Euro was fitted with a full size spare wheel, the Luxury and Luxury Navigation were fitted with a temporary spare wheel.

Compared to the standard Accord Euro, the Accord Euro Luxury added 18-inch alloy wheels, high intensity discharge headlights, front fog lights, leather seats, eight-way power adjustable and heated front seats, driver’s seat memory settings, front and rear parking sensors, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, an auto-dimming rear view mirror and power sunroof. The Luxury Navi was further equipped with satellite navigation and a reversing camera.

Brochures

• Brochure: Honda CU2-I Accord Euro (June 2009)
• Brochure: Honda CU2-I Accord Euro (February 2010)

Related links

• Press Kit: Honda CU2-I Accord Euro (June 2008)
• Specifications: Honda CU2-I Accord Euro (June 2008)

Honda CU2.II Accord Euro (2011-15)

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Overview

Released in July 2011, the CU2 Series II (CU2.II) Accord Euro introduced a subtle facelift and slight fuel efficiency gains. Visually, the CU2.II Accord Euro could be identified by its two-bar grille (three bars previously), clear indicator lenses, revised front bumper, foglight surrounds and air intakes, chrome bootlid strip and ‘softer’ red tail-lights. Inside, there was a new satin finish for the doorhandles, centre console, steering wheel and interior trim; the cloth trim for the entry-level variant also featured ‘anti-dust’ properties. [su_table responsive=”yes”]

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Safety equipment

Compared to its CU2.I predecessor, standard safety equipment for the CU2.II Accord Euro was improved with the introduction of trailer stability assist.

Features: Accord Euro, Luxury and Navi

Standard features were extended to include a USB input, Bluetooth connectivity with steering wheel controls, automatic headlights and rain-sensing wipers.

The Luxury variant was otherwise unchanged, though the Luxury Navi was further equipped with directional bi-xenon headlights.

Brochure

• Brochure: Honda CU2-II Accord Euro (October 2013)

Related links

• Specifications: Honda CU2-II Accord Euro (2012)
• Honda News: Honda Accord Euro Adds More Value, Style and Technology (July 2011)
• Wikipedia.org: Honda CU2 Accord Euro