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Saloon · Japan · 1996-2015

Honda Accord

Honda Accord — spec data and generation history.

Honda Accord press photo
Verdict
B
Years
1996-2015
Generations
3
Segment
Saloon

Honda's mid-size saloon and Tourer estate — three UK generations spanning the 1996-2015 era before Honda pulled the Accord from Europe. Mk6 (CG/CH) was the rep-spec workhorse with bulletproof F-series petrols; Mk7 (CL) added the i-CTDi 2.2 diesel that became its defining engine; Mk8 (CL/CN/CU) sharpened it into a near-premium saloon with the Type S 2.4 flagship. JDM CL9 Type R never sold officially in the UK. Quietly excellent, taxi-grade reliable, and now seriously cheap.

What changed

Era-to-era deltas

Mk6 (CG/CH) 1996-2002 → Mk7 (CL) 2003-2008
BHP +15 bhp
Torque +40 Nm
0-60 mph -0.7 s
Top speed +8 mph
MPG +5 mpg
Mk7 (CL) 2003-2008 → Mk8 (CL/CN/CU) 2008-2015
BHP +10 bhp
Torque +30 Nm
0-60 mph -0.4 s
Top speed +5 mph
MPG +3 mpg

Generations

Click any generation for the full deep dive

Honda Accord Mk6 (CG/CH)
1996-2002

Mk6 (CG/CH)

→

2.3 VTEC Type S — 158 bhp, 0-62 in 8.7s.

Verdict
C
BHP
158
0–60
8.7 s
Top
137 mph
MPG
32.0 mpg
Used
£600-£2,500
  • + F-series petrols indestructible
  • + Comfortable saloon ride
  • − Rust prone on UK cars
  • − Soft handling
Honda Accord Mk7 (CL)
2003-2008

Mk7 (CL)

→

2.2 i-CTDi — 138 bhp, 0-62 in 9.4s.

Verdict
B
BHP
140
0–60
8.0 s
Top
142 mph
MPG
49.0 mpg
Used
£900-£3,500
  • + 2.2 i-CTDi a cracking diesel
  • + Sharper chassis than Mk6
  • − EGR and swirl flap problems
  • − DPF on later diesels
Honda Accord Mk8 (CL/CN/CU)
2008-2015

Mk8 (CL/CN/CU)

→

2.4 i-VTEC Type S — 198 bhp, 0-62 in 7.9s.

Verdict
B
BHP
198
0–60
7.9 s
Top
146 mph
MPG
50.0 mpg
Used
£2,500-£8,000
  • + Cabin a near-premium step on
  • + i-DTEC 2.2 strong torque
  • − i-DTEC injector failures
  • − Active damper costs

Known issues by generation

Common faults reported on each generation — useful when shopping the used market.

1996-2002 · Mk6 (CG/CH)
  • Front lower wishbone bush wear
  • Auto box (Type S 2.3) torque converter judder
  • Rear arch and sill rust on UK cars
2003-2008 · Mk7 (CL)
  • i-CTDi 2.2 EGR carbon and swirl flap failure
  • DPF blockage on diesel
  • Auto gearbox solenoid faults
  • Climate control display pixel loss
2008-2015 · Mk8 (CL/CN/CU)
  • i-DTEC 2.2 fuel injector failure
  • EGR cooler cracking
  • Active damper electronic faults (ADS)
  • Steering rack knock

Rivals

Toyota Avensis · Mazda 6 · Ford Mondeo · Volkswagen Passat