Although I see many on the road, I think the Honda Accord Coupe is underappreciated. I’ve spent time in this car more than once,

The Accord Coupe offers attractive lines on a sporty package. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

and grow fonder of it each time I get a taste. My beautiful Belize Blue Pearl tester sells for $35,890, which is no small pile of loonies. Nevertheless, I think it’s worth the asking price, even in context with what else you can buy for the same money.

Stepping within spitting distance of $35K can get you into the likes of a decently equipped Audi A3, Camaro SS with a 400hp V8, a Hyundai Genesis Coupe with its 300hp V6, a Lexus IS 250, or even a Mazda RX-8. Can the Accord Coupe stand beside these cars? I think it can. It’s not going to get the neighbourhood boys excited like a Camaro or an RX-8, but not everyone wants a car that attracts gawkers. Can it match these cars in terms of comfort? Yes. Can it match these cars in terms of performance? Mostly no.

A rakish profile makes the Accord Coupe really stand out when compared to the more conservative sedan. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

Is it as much fun to blast around in? Absolutely, aside from maybe the 400hp Camaro, which is another animal altogether.

The base engine is a 2.4L inline four-cylinder with 190hp and 162 lb-ft of torque, and starts at $28,190. Getting into a car with the engine that has me so excited will run you the $35,890 mentioned above, but you also get leather, a six-speed manual instead of a five-speed unit, dual exhaust, 18-inch wheels, fog lights, and a bunch of other stuff. That engine is a 271hp 3.5L V6 with 251 lb-ft of torque, and delivers such fluid and linear power delivery that I can’t think of an engine from any manufacturer

The V6 makes all the difference. (Photo: Canadian Auto press)

that stands out as churning with more buttery smoothness than this Honda unit.
A 5-speed automatic can be had instead of the six-speed manual for no additional cost. Just pick which flavour of sports coupe you want. There would be no question for myself, as using the quick and smooth six-speed manual as a harness for that wonderful V6 is the only way to go.

The Accord sedan starts at $25,290, but any feeling of being cheated because there are two less doors to pay for is refuted by the gorgeous lines and shapes created

More Acura than Honda, the Accord Coupe pampers with luxury and quality. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

by the unique headlights and taillights, more aggressive front end, elegantly sloped roofline and muscular, but not overly large, rear end. To my eye it resembles a budget version of the BMW 6-Series.

Its most direct competition is unquestionably the Nissan Altima Coupe, and for this example, an Altima with a 270hp 3.5L V6. Sound familiar? It’s basically the same price as the Accord, but (some will disagree with me) looks awkward and immature in comparison, and doesn’t have as nice an interior. The Altima’s engine is just as powerful, but more of a brute and rougher around the edges. All the ingredients are the same, but it is a car with a very different mood. The Accord is the more sophisticated and better dressed of the two.

I

Rear seat accommodation is good for this class. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

often work very early in the morning, in an industrial part of town. Getting up well before the sun definitely sucks, but at least I get a relatively safe and neighbour-free opportunity to squeeze an engine for all its worth, and this engine is worth a lot.
When you press the right pedal down and launch the Accord I envision in my mind a dead straight line from idle to redline on the graph that shows hp and torque. Speed is gained faster than you expect, and the engine just winds right up to redline without a rattle or buzz – just a wonderful high-pitched bark out of the tailpipes and a muted scream from under the hood. Shift to second, and with a hearty squawk of the front tires, power goes down and speed goes up as if there were no moving parts at all. Redline again, shift hard again, and third gear is welcomed with another quick squawk as 100km/h passes by, and that’s where you “theoretically”

Fun to drive for sure, but it's practical to live with too. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

either run out of road, loose your nerve, or contemplate the consequences should someone with authority be watching.

You can shift the manual transmission as hard as you want and it won’t complain. The engine is just a joy to manipulate. Throttle response is quick and accurate and smooth enough so that you can heal-toe downshift at 5,000rpm, bringing the revs to near redline before braking for a corner, and making the Accord a blue banshee with the traction control off on your way out the other side.

On average, ride and handling is a solid balance between sport and comfort. It allows a little fun when pushing the car around the curves, and that’s all that matters.

Stylish, fun to drive and totally reliable, Honda's Accord Coupe is something truly special. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

The brakes bite hard and are confidence inspiring. The steering is spot on and sharp, but could do with a little more weight.

Inside is an interior that won’t inspire, but is well built and made of materials you can be proud of. The seats are comfy and sitting in the rear is a reasonable request of your friends. What’s more, the stereo is worth mentioning as its particularly good.

While still not quite a sports car, the fast, fun and elegant Accord Coupe delivers a humble confidence you can rely on. Honda doesn’t have a V6-powered fully dedicated sports machine, which is sad because they sure do have a powerplant for it. It’s a shame the Accord lineup lacks a Type-R spec’d car like the ballistic and wonderfully driver-oriented Civic Type-R. As is, the Accord Coupe V6 is still a serious sleeper.

Interior

Exterior

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Misc

(J003) Standard Metallic Paint

(J005) Standard Gloss Paint