2003 Honda Accord Coupe EX V6

Like its 4-door counterpart, an all-new unibody designed to optimize both passenger packaging and handling precision provides the central core of the new Coupe. Dimensionally similar and sharing the same 105.1-inch wheelbase as the previous 2-door, it boasts 27 percent more torsional rigidity, the better to serve as a solid foundation point for the heavily revised suspension. Doing their part to aid the cause are upgraded front and rear subframes that have been redesigned to add more strength and stiffness while enhancing isolation.


Although Honda engineers retained the Accord's existing basic modified double wishbone architecture, wholesale changes to the specific hardware bits as well a the locating points and overall geometry give all versions of this latest iteration a more confident feel. Direct dynamic improvements focused on decreasing body roll in corners and reducing weight jacking during aggressive transient moves while markedly increasing resistance to squat on acceleration and dive under braking. Even the torque-sensitive power steering has been tweaked to dial in greater consistency and reduce kickback over rough road surfaces. While sharing the same chassis tuning as its lesser siblings, the maximum-performance version of the Coupe does net one additional upgrade in the form of a larger wheel/tire package. All Accords get some sort of enhancement in this critical area for '03, but only the 6-speed Coupe wears 215/50VR17 rubber in place of the 205/60VR16s that come on its autoshifted counterpart.

Coupe-specific touches include a raised dash binnacle, unique red lighting for the gauges, faux carbon-fiber accent trim and more deeply bolstered sport seats.

Given its head on a bit of serpentine backroad, this alpha-grade Accord leaves no doubt that it's one of the best-sorted front drive platforms on the market today. While still not quite ready to square off against the likes of a BMW M3, it tracks cleanly through corners to an exceptionally high limit and when the inevitable FWD push does manifest itself, a bit of judiciously dropped throttle will rotate the tail predictably and bring the nose back on line. We found the steering effort a bit on the high side, but save for that minor shortcoming, this sterling Coupe is ready, willing and able to take on any twisty, any time and come out ahead on the matchup.


Inside, the new 2-door Accord retains all of the basic build quality and ergonomic detailing found in the sedan but provides even more of a driver-oriented environment. As in the past, EX trim brings a complete roster of comfort and convenience, everything from leather, a dual-zone automatic climate control, moonroof and keyless remote to front/front-side/side- curtain airbags, first-in-class LED-type self-illuminating analog instruments and a full array of power assists. Coupe-specific touches include a raised dash binnacle, unique red lighting for the gauges, faux carbon-fiber accent trim and more deeply bolstered sport seats that are positioned even closer to the floor. Opt for the 6-speed and you also get an upgraded 180-watt sound system with AM/FM/cassette and 6-disc CD changer in place of the normal 4x30 watt setup. Sole factory option in any V-6 model is a new, DVD-based NAV system that offers both touch and voice control.


Although interior volume dips by 2.0 cubic feet in the new Coupe, usable room remains virtually unchanged. Full-size adults are still going to be far happier riding up front on any extended trek, but an improved forward-tilting mechanism now makes it more convenient to slip into the 60/40 split rear bench for shorter stints. Flip down the back and you reveal a decently scaled passthrough opening that adds a bit more utility to the Coupe's 12.8-cubic foot trunk.