I agree with you bit, but again, did we HAVE to go this route? For the most part, we haven't much much improvement in MPG over the past 20 years. Of course, you can look at a 1978 Accord and a 2008 model and say "wow, look how far it has come" but in essence, its still an Accord (Camry, etc).

The new Accord is LARGER than Acura's flagship, the RL. If that is not a slap in the RLs face, I don't know what is.

 

the Accord V6's are not identical
one variation for the 6MT coupe
and another variation for the others
while the peak hp and tq ratings are identical, the 6MT coupe has a wider power curve thanks to a variable intake manifold, oddly its missing i-vtec

all V6 Camry's use a variable intake manifold.

 

Interesting

 

We'll probably be seeing the i-vtec on the next gen V6. This current gen V6 has the good ol vtec. Being that the engine platform is about 12 years old, it's not an easy task to revise the whole top end, especially since it's not economical to rebuild the top end for a dated engine.

 

i'm not 100% sure the Camry's V6 has a variable intake

i-vtec is on the new Accord V6 5A
either way Honda has a superior 4cyl but it won't be long before Toyota offers a new 4 banger.

 

interesting. Didn't know the current J-series could adapt to ivtec.

 

This comparison would be more complete if Nissan Altima was also brought in.

 

wow camry totally lose out to the accord's interior
i knew it when toyota stuck in that baby blue plastic crap into the camries, it would come back to bite them in the ****

 

Toyota is completely overhauling their engine and transmission lineups, so by 2010 there should a new Toyota engine replacing the 2.4L 4 cyl AZ used in the Camry and so many other Toyota models. The 2.4L looks dated especially compared to Toyota's new 3ZR 2.0L 4 cyl Valvematic engine, which makes about the same HP as the 2.4L AZ yet is quite a bit more fuel efficient not to mention a smaller and lighter engine.

And to clarify, the 08 Accord sedan has an i-VTEC 3.5L V6 with VCM2 while the Accord Coupe has a regular 3.5L VTEC engine.

 

I know i-VTEC = VVTi and VTEC = VVTi-L, loosely speaking but can someone clarify the differences for me? Thanks!

 

Well maybe a Civic/Corolla is about the same size as a 20 yr old Accord/Camry so the option is still there.

But to answer your question - the nation didn't HAVE to get so obese and cart around so much crap, but it did and does.

 

I checked and Acoustic Control Induction System (ACIS) is featured on all V6Camries, Honda needs to step it up.

 

The Accord's interior looks very impressive, I'd say class-leading. Reminds me of the 3-Series interior (the epitome of clean and functional), which I love.

A diesel Accord LX with grey interior and autobox would be one helluva commuter car.

As for it being bigger than the RL, so what? I've grown to love the RL, from it's size to its style. Quite frankly, I wish there would more cars that offered it's combination of size, features, performance, and price. Wouldn't think twice about buying one instead of a 5-Series, GS, or E-Class.

 

Others more knowledgeble can chime in and correct me if I'm wong.

I believe i-VTEC is closer to VVTi-L. The reason being is VTEC has variable valve timing and valve lift control. VVTi doesn't vary valve lift, but the added "L" in VVTi-L varies valve lift. The "i" for both of manufacturers generally means variable cam phase or timing. I believe Toyota can vary up to 30 degress while Honda varies it up to 20 degrees.

Between regular VTEC and VVTi is not entirely equal, because as mentioned above VTEC varies vavle lift but doesn't vary cam phase/timing, but VVTi varies cam phase/timing, but doesn't vary valve lift.

Again, if I'm mistaken others more knowledgeable feel free to correct my mistake.

 

so they're different combinations so that the two companies can offer two solutions to the same problem (sorta how Toyota's going full hybrid and Honda's going mild hybrid?)