2002 Honda Accord Review: Road Test

Handling on bumpy roads is incredibly good. A series of big bumps in the middle of a corner taken at speed hardly affects the Accord's direction at all. The suspension damps out the bumps and keeps the tires planted on the road. This handling balance is a benefit of the Accord's strong chassis and double-wishbone front and rear suspensions. At the handling limit, it tends toward understeer like all front-drive cars; the front tires lose grip before the rear tires. The Michelin tires on our test car were quiet, and their ride quality flawless. The Accord EX V-6 feels light on its feet. It offers sharp transient response (quickly turning left, then right, then left again).

The Accord has excellent brakes.

In cruise mode, the 3.0-liter V6 engine just purrs along, barely audible. It's so smooth and so quiet that sometimes a glance at the tachometer is required to confirm that it's running. Stomp on the throttle and it growls with the authority of a free-breathing cylinder head. This engine delivers lots of power for merging into traffic or entertaining its driver. Its single-overhead-cam V6 is equipped with Honda's VTEC (Variable valve Timing and valve lift Electronic Control) system and tuned to deliver optimum torque over a broad rev range.