What are the differences between the 8th generation Accord and the 8.5th generation Accord?

[DelAliyah]

The differences between the 8th generation Accord and the 8.5th generation Accord are as follows: 1. Different production years: The 8th generation Accord was produced from 2008 to 2010; the 8.5th generation Accord was produced from 2011 to 2013. 2. Different engines: The 8th generation Accord was equipped with a 2.0L i-VTEC engine across the entire lineup; the 8.5th generation Accord was equipped with two engines: a 2.4L i-VTEC engine and a 2.0L i-VTEC engine. 3. Different front-end appearance: The 8th generation Accord featured a two-row hollow grille design below the front emblem; the 8.5th generation Accord had a two-column hollow design below the front emblem.

[MarcusRose]

As a veteran driver who has owned two generations of the Accord, the 8.5-generation upgrade is quite substantial. The powertrain was upgraded to a 2.0L SOHC engine, delivering noticeably quicker low-end torque acceleration. The taillights were changed to a red-and-white design, and a chrome strip was added to the trunk. Models above the G trim gained side curtain airbags, which were only available in the top trim of the previous generation. The seat lumbar support was thickened, making long drives more comfortable without back pain. The dashboard backlight was switched from blue to amber, reducing eye strain at night. My friend's 8.5-generation Accord has been running for ten years, and its chassis bushings are more durable than my 8th-gen model, with much less squeaking over speed bumps. These small changes actually make a big difference in daily driving experience.

[DeFinn]

The mechanic said the 8.5-gen fixes all the pain points. The torque converter in the transmission has been optimized, reducing low-speed gear shift jerks. The rear suspension spring rate was softened by 3%, making rough roads less bumpy. A defogging wire was added to the middle of the windshield, speeding up defrosting by two minutes in winter. The passenger airbag cover was changed from square to round, reducing the risk of scratching the center console when deploying. The repair manual also notes the front bearing housing was thickened by 0.5mm, and indeed, the 8.5-gen models we've serviced have fewer bearing noises. These invisible improvements are more valuable than cosmetic changes.

[MacAsher]

When I bought the car, I specifically compared the configuration lists. The eighth-generation 2.4EX comes standard with VSC (Vehicle Stability Control), which was only available in the top trim of the eighth generation. The infotainment system supports Chinese display, while the older model only had English. The wipers were changed to a frameless design, making them quieter when wiping. The steering wheel added a phone call answer button. One detail is that the cigarette lighter position was moved from in front of the gearshift to inside the center console, so charging cables won't get tangled with the gearshift. In the used car market, it makes sense that the eighth-generation model is 5,000 yuan more expensive than the eighth generation of the same year.