Honda’s Accord Sedan is known for comfort, luxury and advanced technology for more than twenty years now and has come to be regarded as an icon of reliability and safety. A strong, sensible choice for family sedan shoppers, the 2009 Honda Accord offers a satisfying driving experience and utility. It may not be as sporty as Nissan Altima or the Mazda 6, but it certainly scores in terms of build quality and materials used in the cabin. This quality, coupled with Honda’s solid reputation for reliability, makes the Accord a better choice in the midsize sedan category.

Though the EPA has termed the 2009 Honda Accord LX-P Sedan as a large vehicle, it retains its midsize handling dynamics and remains a strong competitor in the volume-selling family sedan segment. The “P” in LX-P stands for premium. A $1,000 upgrade over the standard Accord LX, the LX-P adds 16-inch wheels, an eight-way power driver seat, a security system, auto up/down driver and passenger windows with illuminated switches, and a chrome exhaust finisher. It is a practical alternative for the tidier EX and to save a few dollars.

Design/Fit and Finish

The 2009 Honda Accord is 5 inches longer and an inch wider than a Camry. It is well-built with high quality materials. The styling is simple though the clean design cues do not stand out much. The trapezoidal-styled taillights and slightly rounded deck lid are noticeable. Inside, the instrument cluster’s layout is clean and the brushed aluminum on the gauges lends the car an upscale look. The buttons on the center stack have a nice, solid feel to them, regardless of how you feel about their placement.

Comfort

The 2009 Honda Accord LX-P’s spacious interior makes it easy to get in and out, and finding a comfortable position for driving is also very easy thanks to a tilt-telescoping steering wheel. Though not awfully flashy, the interior is roomy, and has a well-designed and functional layout. An eight-way power-adjustable driver seat is comfortable. Rear passengers have sufficient leg- and headroom. There is also plenty of room to install child safety seats on either side, both forward- and rear-facing. All seats are firm and well-bolstered, and the cloth upholstery is soft and comfortable. The Accord’s ride quality is firm. However, one can hear and feel every change in the pavement or bump on the road. Overall, it’s quite satisfying from the driver’s perspective.

Power and Performance

The 2009 Honda Accord LX-P‘s 2.4-liter engine pumps out 177 horsepower and 161 pound-feet of torque and is best suited for everyday use. It delivers 21 mpg in city and 30 on mpg highway. To put it generally, one can be sure of 22 mpg in varied conditions. The feel of the brake pedals is consistent under heavy braking, but yields an underwhelming 60-0 stopping distance of 137 feet. Actually this is about 12 feet longer than it takes to stop the Mazda 6. A high level of body roll can also be noticed during hard cornering.

Around the town, the 2.4-liter engine accelerates stylishly, with enough power to pass slower vehicles. The steering is taut and accurate, and when pushed, the Accord reveals a capable chassis lurking beneath the body roll. Look out for a slightly larger space to park this sedan.

Function

The Accord LX-P’s functional layout is clear-cut. Each horizontal row of buttons has a different-size arrangement, and they are easy to read and large. The climate control, stereo volume and tuning knobs are uniquely shaped and can be easily identified by touch. The steering wheel also features cruise control and basic stereo functions. However, one tends to use the large volume knob on the dash more than the small steering wheel mounted controls. Plugging in a phone charger to the power outlet in the center stack takes a bit more dexterity than it should.

The trunk has a large opening, but the usable space in the back of the trunk is narrow. The maximum cargo capacity is only 14 cubic feet, which is actually less.

In all, 2009 Honda Accord is a good choice for people looking for a roomy, well-equipped and fuel-efficient sedan and the LX-P trim level adds value to the base-model Accord with some significant additions.