2006 Honda Accord Value Package

Honda freshened the 2006 Accord with some exterior and interior tweaks and upgrades, a bit of engine tuning, and additional standard safety equipment.  They've made one of the best selling cars in the U.S. better - consider: for 20 of the 24 years that Car and Driver has been handing out 10Best Cars awards, the Accord has made it onto that exclusive list.

The base VP, new for 2006, replaces the DX trim line. 2006 saw a face lift across all Accord trim lines with a new grille, front and rear bumpers, deck lid, and LED tail lights. The VP has an impressive list of standard features: air conditioning, daytime running lamps, cruise control, power locks and keyless entry.

The standard VP trim engine is a 2.4-liter four cylinder with the i-VTEC variable valve timing system that produces torquey smooth power over the entire rpm range. This year, a drive-by-wire throttle and revised valve timing add to produce 166 hp at 5,800 rpm and 160 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm.

Two transmissions are available, either a 5-speed automatic or a 5-speed manual. Reviewers were quite satisfied with the performance of both transmissions citing the "perfect" gear ratios and buttery smooth shifting of the manual and the smooth, tight shifting of the automatic.

Consumer Guide tests saw manual transmission 0-60 times in 7.9 seconds, with automatics doing it in 8.6 seconds. Their reviewers felt the 2.4-liter engines with automatic transmissions "labor in passing maneuvers and climbing steep grades." But no one complained about the gas mileage with a manual transmission EX coupe averaging 22.7-30.6 mpg and the automatic doing 25.2 mpg with 26.1 mpg over 19,000 miles. EPA estimates for the manual are 26/34 mpg and 24/34 mpg with the automatic.

Accords are built with a double wishbone suspension that is engineered to reduce acceleration squat, braking nose dive, and cornering lean. Reviewers were highly impressed by the handling. New Car Test Drive reviewers found the Accord rode smoother and was more comfortable than Nissan's Altima, handled better than the Toyota Camry, and was, "stable at high speeds with crisp handling on winding roads." Consumer Guide found the steering, "quick, informative; tight turning radius." Brakes were good, but stopping distances are not "super short" and they will fade under hard use.

The interior, freshened for 2006, sports a new instrument panel with new satin chrome accents on the vents, new seat fabrics, and a new steering wheel. The instrument panel gets high marks for its layout and clarity. The interior materials are high quality and tasteful with typical Honda finish quality. Reviewers found the seats "great, generously wide" and "the driver's seat provides a one-with-the-car feel." Standard across the Accord line, a tilt/telescope steering wheel adds to that feel. Rear bench seats in the sedan are roomy and comfortable for two people. Reviewers found rear-seat legroom, "slightly better than the Nissan Altima" but gave up an inch to the Toyota Camry. The Accord trunk holds 14 cubic feet, which is 3 cubic feet less than a Camry.

Accords are safe with five-star ratings for driver and front-seat passenger in government frontal crash tests. Honda has enhanced the standard safety equipment throughout its lineup. All Accords come with front dual airbags, side-impact and curtain airbags, and ABS.

The overall reviewer conclusion regarding the Accord is that it represents a bench mark for its mid-size sedan/coupe class.