gregjhonda
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I am on my 6th consecutive Honda accord, 1985, 1992, 1993, 1995, 2001 and 2009, last two were EX-L V6. Was getting VERY tired of the excessive road noise. My Dad had his 2005 Accord double coated at Ziebart to reduce noise and it wasn't so bad after that. I put the quietest tires I could find on my 2009 dumping the Michelin MX's and it was much better. My recent test drives include the 2012 Fusion, Lexus ES350/IS250, 2012/2013 Nissan Altima, Camry, (all dead quiet cabins at all speeds) Acura TL and TSX and the 2013 Accord EX-L V6. I test drove the Altimas (3.5 SL) and the Accord on the same test route as the dealers are within a mile of each other.
The Accord looks nicer up close than it does in the pictures. The road noise is greatly diminished over my 2009 but not as quiet as the Altima. The camera image from the right side driver's mirror was crystal clear in the non Nav display. I could feel the weight of the V6 engine pulling a bit sideways on the front when cornering. I thought my 2009 handled better but neither one could be confused with a sports car and both are very stable. The car I wanted, a white exterior, does not come with black leather. The interior was beige leather with the top of the dash being black and the bottom being beige. Frankly I thought the two tone dash was UGLY and the beige leather was on the white toned side and not very attractive. The front and back of the car was very attractive and I liked the fog lights, grill, tail lights, very sharp! From the side it looked identical to my 2009. Seats are comfortable but the leather seating surfaces are not nearly as nice as the Altimas. The layout of the dash is great and not tacky at all (it looks terrible to me in the pictures). The shiny sliver rails that line it look great. Visibility out of the greenhouse is excellent. You don't feel closed in at all and you can see all around you with ease and the red light is easily in view when you stop just under it.
I spent two hours driving and looking the car over. Got a price with trade in to compare with a deal I got on a 2013 Altima 2013 3.5 SL. At this point I am leaning toward the Altima but they are both great cars. The thing I like about Honda is that V6's are easier to come by (my dealer had 10 of the 2013's on the lot) and inital quality is usually great even in the 1st model year. The Altima has nicer leather, HID headlights, is a bit quieter inside, can get factory installed ground lighting and LED threshholds and has a bit sportier handling. The Accord has a larger interior, IMHO sharper looking front and back exterior. Both have LED running lites. Two great cars and really can't bash either one. With the Altima I felt like I was driving and Infinity G25/37. With the Accord where it is now I can't see wanting an Acura. Both cars are awesome and I feel you need to drive them both to ensure which is right for you.
Greg
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Hondarulez
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I think the new Accord is slightly better equipped (though at a slightly higher price) than the Altima, especially if you move up to the Touring model.
Some examples:
Hill Start Assist
Traffic updates (optional on Altima)
Memory seats
8" screen vs 7"
Hondalink
LED headlights
Lane Change camera/guide
ACC
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EXV6
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Nice review. Thanks. I'm so glad Honda still offers a V6 with an auto transmission. I really like the new Altima V6 but it has that CVT. The Accord's interior color you described is called, I believe, ivory. My 2002 Accord has ivory leather but it's actually tan. Starting in 2003, I noticed the Accord ivory had a rather yellowish tone. The 2013 ivory appears to finally be correct. More of an off-white. In the pics and videos, anyway. Let us know which car you choose.
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Gary757
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Great review Greg!
Wife and I test drove a Touring last weekend immediately after test driving the new Lexus ES350 and found the Touring a formidable alternative at over $10K less. We just wish there were more color combinations availble for the Touring trim.
LED headlights and taillights are gorgeous. We also loved the radar cruise control, the crisper Navi, the lane drifting alert, and that much promoted LaneWatch camera. Didn't get to test out the collision warning system tho ;)
My personal gripe is the big off-center oval for the radar cruise control to the left of the front license plate. Wish they could have hid that better or at least applied some symmetry.
I think they pulled their punches just enough on the Touring that they won't step on too many Acura toes. For example, the active cruise and collision warning doesn't stop the car so it's no good in stop and go traffic compared to the Acura version. There's no cooled seats. I don't think the side mirror tilts when you throw into reverse. Just enough little things that if you want them you'll have to go upmarket (assuming you still want the Honda family)
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gregjhonda
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If they would build me a white touring with black leather, I would cancel my Altima order!
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99SI
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I would like a black touring with beige leather... Seems like honda nailed the car but has some packaging issues in my opinion. It would also be nice if you could get a sport package any any trim.
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gregjhonda
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Yeah, Black w/ ivory leather and White with black leather seem like better color combos than all the same color. Guess they think they did enough marketing work to figure the best offerings for mfg cost vs. sales. In so trims where the dash ends up being in two colors it looks very disjointed. Perhaps someone in Japan is calling the color shots.
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markitdown
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I compared the 4 cylinders. For me it was no comparison as the Accord felt more powerful with torque in the right ranges. I also felt the Altima engine sounded whiny. The kicker was the rear seat space especially entry and exit. I am not tall yet I found it difficult to get in and out of the rear seat of the Altima without hitting my head. I did not look at the V6, so I can't compare.
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