Largely based off the concept the new Accord design has a worldly feel to it taking design cues from automakers around the globe
including the new Acura RL, Hyundai Sonata, Toyota Camry and possibly the Lexus LS, BMW 5-Series and the Saturn Aura. There's a little bit of every car in the design.
The shape of the body is bigger and seems similar to the Acura RL, which is natural since Honda makes Acura's. The front is very modular and angular. The headlights look like a fusion between the new Lexus LS and a Hyundai Sonata. For some reason the angular grill is reminiscent of the Honda Ridgeline.
Unlike the previous Accord the new Accord seems to be sitting lower to the ground. It also doesn't look recognizably like an Accord and can be mistaken for the Hyundai Sonata from some angles.
The lines and body panels have been smoothed out and the doors seem to be wider which also seem to play off of the Toyota Camry or even the Lexus ES.
The side profile seems like a fusion of the BMW 5-series and the Toyota Camry. There seems to be a BMW 5-Series influence in the rear lights when they are viewed from the side.
Though, from the back the tail lights seem to be more influenced by the Hyundai Sonata and are similar in shape to the Saturn Aura. They tie back into the Honda line somewhat by looking slightly like enlarged versions of the new Civic Coupe tailights but there is a very strong feeling of Hyundai in them. The rear bumper has gotten bigger and retains the general look of the last generation Accord bumper but the flares on the side give a slightly odd, wavy appearance.
The wheel covers also seem similar to BMW wheel covers.
The straight trunk decklid is gone and so is the third brakelight. The new decklid is curved and smoothed out to flow with the rear body design.
Moving inside the interior has been improved and has a more upscale feel to it while still being family friendly. Like most family sedans that are putting amenities into the interior to stay competitive the Accord has plush, inviting leather seats, wood accents on the door and a well sculpted two tone dashboard with a navigation system in the middle.
The coupe has more aggressive styling and may take awhile to recognize as the coupe version of the Accord. The headlights are slender and the grill has been changed to a sport honeycomb grill. The front fascia doesn't look much like a Honda but instead more like a Mazda. The back feels more like a Honda, but is still a visual jump from Honda styling of the past.
The previous Accord and Accord Coupe looked almost the same, if not the same and it was and has been easy in the past to instantly recognize an Accord Coupe. The body lines are slightly similar to the Infinity G35 Coupe, but the side rear profile is similar to the slopping design of either a BMW 6 or even a Porsche. This make us wonder are car companies copying each other? Are more cars looking similar to each other as of late?
Whether or or not, the Accord make us ask,"Haven't I seen you somewhere before?" You can see more of the 2008 Accord at honda.com. Images: honda.com
