Filed under: Diesel, MPG, Honda
2009 Honda Accord diesel to hit 52 mpg!
The 2009 Honda Accord diesel looks set to make up for the mileage shortcomings of the soon to be deceased hybrid model in a big way. The new diesel is apparently derived from the 2.2L diesel that is currently available in European market Accords, one of which was shown recently with with a new emission control system at a diesel conference in California. That car is apparently capable of 52mpg which, if replicated by the production version, will put it well ahead of anything else in its class. The best part is drivers will never have to add any urea like they do with the BlueTec diesels from Mercedes and VW. [Source: AutoCar]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 6)
small-wee-wee 9:04AM (6/07/2007)
Now give me that in a Civic Hatch or Fit!
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semiliterate 2:39PM (11/05/2008)
how bout a deisel hybrid? 80 mpg easy. Is'nt it obvious?
Rick 9:23AM (6/07/2007)
I was hoping the title would finish 'Accord only prototype hit a wall during test drive-must start over with the redesign'.
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frank78 9:30AM (6/07/2007)
Even if those numbers are overestimated by 10% like in most cars, that still means mid 40s mileage. Anyone looking for a sedan would have to put this at the top of their list. Consider that gas and diesel will be hovering around the $4 mark or more by summer 2009.
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Phil L. 10:40AM (6/07/2007)
OK Honda, once you've learned from the Accord, how about a diesel Odyssey? As someone who still has three small children - all in car seats - I would find a diesel Odyssey to be very useful...
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Randy 5:42PM (7/20/2008)
There are currently NO 6 Passenger vehicles that reach or surpass the 30 MPG. A diesel Odyssey that could manage 35-40 MPG would be a true blessing and I would be in-line for one the day it was announced.
Phil L. 10:44AM (6/07/2007)
I had to look it up, just to verify: The current Accord has 3 sets of shoulder seat belts in the back seat - but is only configured for 2 LATCH car seat positions.
I want a diesel minivan!
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Karkus 11:12AM (6/07/2007)
First of all, that 52 MPG is a highway number, and this looks like exactly the same highway MPG number as the current European 2.2 CDTI Accord.
http://www.vcacarfueldata.org.uk/search/vehicleDetails.asp?id=16772
So really, it's nothing new, except that it will meet US emission standards (a challenge, I admit).
The current UK MPG is 39.1/62.8 and 51.4 combined and CO2 is 145 g/km. The combined number equals 42.7 MPG US. Yes that's way better than the deceased Accord hybrid, but that's not really a fair comparison, since the hybrid had a much more powerful drivetrain (and that hybrid wasn't exactly Honda's best attempt at a high MPG hybrid).
If you compare it to similar size/weight/power cars, it's not much better (10% at most) than what's already available. Comparable TDIs or a Camry Hybrid, for example, have similar combined MPGs and CO2 emissions.
Still, it will be great to have this clean diesel option here in the US, but it's not as revolutionary as the article makes it sound.
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mk3 11:45AM (6/07/2007)
The VW jetta diesel due next year (2008) does NOT use urea as implied by the author.
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pdx 12:00PM (6/07/2007)
The author did not imply "Jetta". He said "Bluetec from Mercedes and VW". There are some VW models (the larger ones, I think Toureg and Passat but I am not sure) which will use "Bluetec". However, it is correct that the Jetta will not be a "Bluetec", and perhaps that could have been mentioned to keep things clear.
In any event, I like the looks of the Accord diesel.
I do agree though, we need some diesel mini vans. Our Jeep Liberty CRD is wonderful - but does not have enough seating capacity. That same engine is offered in the Dodge/Plymouth mini vans in Europe. I would love one of those...
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Steve 7:47PM (12/25/2008)
Any significant problems with that Jeep Liberty CRD?
Ian 2:01PM (6/07/2007)
I understand that the 52 mpg is already a translation (to the US gallon size) from the effective 62 mpg in Europe.
Thus it's about a 50% inprovement on the current accord diesel in the UK.
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Casey 3:56PM (6/07/2007)
For the love of god, please give us a diesel Accord WAGON!!
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Jim 6:34AM (6/08/2007)
"a diesel Accord WAGON!!"
ME TOO!!
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Ken 5:42PM (12/06/2008)
Honda Accord Wagon!!!!!!
Me Three!!!!!
Owain Ozymandias Buck 8:04AM (6/08/2007)
Well hell, while we're wishing for more wagons, I might as well add that I want my diesel Accord wagon to have a six-speed manual!
Seriously though, this brightens my day. I imagine that this will pressure manufacturers to bring all sorts of good diesels to market.
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James 12:06PM (7/12/2008)
Yes I would also be very interested in a diesel Accord WAGON with a 5 or 6-speed manual transmission, especially if it also had front and side air bags, stability control and traction control.
Bill 9:57AM (6/08/2007)
Hope they put this engine into the minivan to improve its currently dismal fuel economy (17 mpg city, IIRC)
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Mike 10:03AM (6/08/2007)
Diesel wagons, yum!
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EEGeek 3:14PM (6/08/2007)
#8 - BLUETEC is a marketing term for all clean diesels from VW, Audi, & MB - including the Jetta.
From http://media.vw.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=10061:
"The Jetta TDI is one of the first products of the BLUETEC offensive initiated jointly by Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen. The goal of this partnership is to establish the concept of BLUETEC as a uniform label for clean and highly fuel efficient diesel-powered cars and SUVs with 50-state compliant engines. BLUETEC denotes diesel power plants that comply with the strictest emissions regulations of the US market."
As I understand VW's current position, the 2.0L TDI in the Jetta & Tiguan does not require urea, the Touareg does, and they are studying what to do in the Passat.
I'm really looking forward to seeing what Honda offers to the diesel market in the US. It seems to me that they bring nearly instant mainstream credibility to the technology where the German companies do not. I also read something that said that the heavier Pilot & Odyssey would get a V6 diesel a bit later than the Accord's 4 cylinder engine.
http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061205/FREE/61204019/1024/cara_submit
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