Just bought 2013 Accord EX
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2
Just bought 2013 Accord EX
Ok, I am new to this forum and have been a Honda Accord owner since 1992, having owned now my 5th Accord. I just purchased the new 2013 Accord and thought I would share my thoughts on this car.
To start, I actually bought a 2013 Nissan Altima SV first and I have to say that in many ways, it tops this new Accord. The ride is much smoother, there are more gadgets, more compartments to store things, the mileage is better, but most of all the seats are wayyyyyy more comfortable!! The seats on this new Accord are very hard compared to the Nissan.
So why did I trade the 2-week old Nissan in for the Accord?? The steering and the steering wheel. On the Nissan, the wheel is very slippery. Could never get a good grip on the wheel. There was no space for putting your hand at the bottom of the wheel. When you drive on the highway everyday, and drive about 30,000 miles a year, it is quite comfortable to have your hand sit at the bottom of the wheel. And lastly, the steering itself is much "looser", if you will, than the Nissan. The Altima's steering is very tight, making it uncomfortable. It seemed like work to move the wheel.
Getting into the new Accord was like getting into my old 2008 Accord. Don't get me wrong, I like the car, but I wish they would change a few things in these new Accords. For virtually the same sticker ($26,150 for the Accord and $26,560 for the Altima), the Altima gives you more than the Accord.
Here is my rundown on what the Accord and Altima's plus/minus is:
Seats: Altima is wayyyyyyy better and more comfortable.
Space inside: Accord has more space in width for the legs and height to the roof.
Compartments: Altima is better. Gives you 4, while the Accord has only 2. The arm compartment got way smaller and there really isn't anywhere to put things like change.
Smoothness of ride: Altima's ride is more forgiving than the Accord. The Accord seems to takes bumps harder. Could possibly be the tires, but both have Michelin tires, so it is a wash.
Amenities: Altima SV gives more. It has a remote starter, automatic rear-view dimming mirror, back-up camera (Accord as well), Homelink, which allow you to connect to your garage door opener, and 60-40 fold down seats in the back (instead of the whole seat in the Accord).
I know I sound like an Altima guy. And if it wasn't for the steering wheel, I would have been for the first time. But my point here is that Honda should look at comparisons from consumers and try and make changes where the car lacks. In my opinion, the last Accord seats that were comfortable were in the 2000 Accord I had. Since they changed the seats where it has that lumbar support, they seem rock hard. Quite awful in my opinion. And I'm not saying to not buy the new Accord. I have owned 4 in a row before this one, so I know it is a well built car. I just feel that the ride could be more comfortable.
If you're in the market for a new car, try both and compare and see if you think my opinions here are valid.
I love Honda's and thought I would share my thoughts.
To start, I actually bought a 2013 Nissan Altima SV first and I have to say that in many ways, it tops this new Accord. The ride is much smoother, there are more gadgets, more compartments to store things, the mileage is better, but most of all the seats are wayyyyyy more comfortable!! The seats on this new Accord are very hard compared to the Nissan.
So why did I trade the 2-week old Nissan in for the Accord?? The steering and the steering wheel. On the Nissan, the wheel is very slippery. Could never get a good grip on the wheel. There was no space for putting your hand at the bottom of the wheel. When you drive on the highway everyday, and drive about 30,000 miles a year, it is quite comfortable to have your hand sit at the bottom of the wheel. And lastly, the steering itself is much "looser", if you will, than the Nissan. The Altima's steering is very tight, making it uncomfortable. It seemed like work to move the wheel.
Getting into the new Accord was like getting into my old 2008 Accord. Don't get me wrong, I like the car, but I wish they would change a few things in these new Accords. For virtually the same sticker ($26,150 for the Accord and $26,560 for the Altima), the Altima gives you more than the Accord.
Here is my rundown on what the Accord and Altima's plus/minus is:
Seats: Altima is wayyyyyyy better and more comfortable.
Space inside: Accord has more space in width for the legs and height to the roof.
Compartments: Altima is better. Gives you 4, while the Accord has only 2. The arm compartment got way smaller and there really isn't anywhere to put things like change.
Smoothness of ride: Altima's ride is more forgiving than the Accord. The Accord seems to takes bumps harder. Could possibly be the tires, but both have Michelin tires, so it is a wash.
Amenities: Altima SV gives more. It has a remote starter, automatic rear-view dimming mirror, back-up camera (Accord as well), Homelink, which allow you to connect to your garage door opener, and 60-40 fold down seats in the back (instead of the whole seat in the Accord).
I know I sound like an Altima guy. And if it wasn't for the steering wheel, I would have been for the first time. But my point here is that Honda should look at comparisons from consumers and try and make changes where the car lacks. In my opinion, the last Accord seats that were comfortable were in the 2000 Accord I had. Since they changed the seats where it has that lumbar support, they seem rock hard. Quite awful in my opinion. And I'm not saying to not buy the new Accord. I have owned 4 in a row before this one, so I know it is a well built car. I just feel that the ride could be more comfortable.
If you're in the market for a new car, try both and compare and see if you think my opinions here are valid.
I love Honda's and thought I would share my thoughts.
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2
Update of 2013 Accord
Since my initial post about my purchase of the new 2013 Accord - I have to further comment on how disappointed I am with this car.
Again I have been an Accord guy since 1992, so for me to post things liek this is very disappointing.
Upon getting into the passengers seat, to get something out of the glove box, I discovered how terribly short they made the passengers side, leg room. They cut that back significantly!! So at work, I took a random selection of employees, varying in height and weight. All but one of the people that sat in the passengers side of the car said two things: a) the seats are too hard and b) the there is no leg room.
Another thing I find to be confusing is the Economy button. If you're not aware, they built in this Economy button, where if it is pushed, it supposedly maximizes your gas mileage. The engine runs at levels to give you the best gas mileage. To me this is stupid. Why not just build the engine so it maximizes gas mileage to being with?? The Altima's horsepower is 182 and gives you 27/38 mileage. This Accord is 185 horsepower and is 27/36 (when the Economy button is used correctly). Why not just design it so it uses a little less horsepower like Nissan did??
Again I making these posts so you new-car buyers can have a lot of information when you go to look at the Accord. I have to say that I am extremely disappointed in this redesign. My 2008 Accord was way better than this version.
Again I have been an Accord guy since 1992, so for me to post things liek this is very disappointing.
Upon getting into the passengers seat, to get something out of the glove box, I discovered how terribly short they made the passengers side, leg room. They cut that back significantly!! So at work, I took a random selection of employees, varying in height and weight. All but one of the people that sat in the passengers side of the car said two things: a) the seats are too hard and b) the there is no leg room.
Another thing I find to be confusing is the Economy button. If you're not aware, they built in this Economy button, where if it is pushed, it supposedly maximizes your gas mileage. The engine runs at levels to give you the best gas mileage. To me this is stupid. Why not just build the engine so it maximizes gas mileage to being with?? The Altima's horsepower is 182 and gives you 27/38 mileage. This Accord is 185 horsepower and is 27/36 (when the Economy button is used correctly). Why not just design it so it uses a little less horsepower like Nissan did??
Again I making these posts so you new-car buyers can have a lot of information when you go to look at the Accord. I have to say that I am extremely disappointed in this redesign. My 2008 Accord was way better than this version.
I just got my first accord 2 months ago ('12 EX-L), the more I read this site it seems people loved their Honda's, replaced them with new Honda's and are disappointed. I would bet if I got an older model I would have been happy with the car.
Newest Of Newbies
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 20
From: Orlando, FL
Eco Button
My parents recently purchase the new 2013 Accord. They got the EX-L w/Navi and they really like it. It's the 4 cyl auto with CVT and they have like it so far. I test drove it a week ago and I thought it drove amazingly. My sister has a 2010 and I think the new model is significantly better. The ECO button throttles mutiple functions inside of your car such as your AC, I live in Florida and sometimes I want my A/C full blast and don't care about the extra gas with it so the ECO button does work pretty well. We've owned a 3rd, 6th, 7th, and 8th generation Accords before this 9th and I really like what improvements it has made personally. The Accord really needed a revival from previous models and they really added in some nifty extras to the new Accord.
Newest Of Newbies
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 12
I am finally back to a Honda product after two money hungry, problem German cars. My 2001 Acura was trouble free and I would probably still have it if an Audi TT roadster hadn't seduced me, followed by a Mexican Jetta. Just got an EXL V6 in September and love it. It takes a little time to get used to the increased size. With the ECO button on I have gotten 36 mpg on the highway. I too have noticed that the speed dial list won't stick and vice recognition doesn't like my voice on some calls. I will eventually learn the quirks of the electronics. It would be nice if Honda offered classes on this like the Lexus dealer. You need a degree in computer systems analysis to figure out some of it! Overall the car is just what I needed. I will probably only install a K&N air filter and leave the rest alone till I need tires. The floor mats are an issue they need to fix. The drivers mat will likely not last a year.
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1
Yes Please do not buy a Honda for comfort. Me and my wife just purchased a 2011 Honda Accord Se and we are going to lose money trading it back in now. The seats are so uncomfortable even after taking out the active headrest plate the built in lumbar cushion is too much. I have always had good luck with Honda but man they have some hard leather seats.
