Its amazing what a little piece of chrome on a cars nose can do The rapid growth in the popularity of German executive sedans has all but wiped out the market for larger, better-equipped sedans from lesser brands such as Toyota, Ford and Opel, once staples of this segment. In contrast, the appeal of the Audi, Mercedes-Benz or BMW badge is so strong that even a dearth of luxury features appears not to be much of a hindrance on dealership floors. In fact, these brands use the opportunity to rake in even more cash by selling expensive extras from long options lists. For the few shoppers out there that do not care much for badge snobbery, there are some surprisingly capable and attractive offerings to choose from, all of which offer more car for the same money as the Germans. One of these is the dashing Honda Accord.
Edgy design for Honda Accord
Developed to be sold under the premium Acura label in America, where it goes head to head with the aforementioned Germans, the Honda Accord is a striking car with a strong character. The lines are crisp, the proportions neat and theres a hint of stealth-fighter in the way the different surfaces join up. The recent facelift brought a number of refinements (to the bumpers mostly), and also very neat 17-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels.
Because of its well-proportioned design and overall elegance, it doesnt look as big as it really is. Measuring in at 4 665 mm in length, and with a wheelbase of 2 680 mm, the Honda Accord is a family sized sedan that offers good, if not excellent rear legroom, and a decently sized boot that can accommodate 459-litres worth of luggage. Just a pity that the spare wheel is of the space-saver variety.
The cabin will impress owners of the Accords German rivals. The textures of the plastics are all first-class, and the fit of the various trim pieces is really superb, perhaps better than what youd find in an Audi and that says a lot! The Honda Accord Executive trim level is of the full-house variety, and includes such items as leather upholstery, heated front seats, an electrically adjustable drivers seat (including height), cruise control, climate control, a six-disc CD changer and six airbags among other items. Perhaps two items should have been included to make it unbeatable satellite navigation, and an automatic door locking/unlocking function.
Honda Accord features refined drivetrain
Under the long bonnet is Hondas 2,4-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine, a superbly refined unit that develops an impressive 140 kW and 223 Nm of torque, the latter figure at a relatively high 4 500 rpm. The engine is mated with a straightforward five-speed automatic transmission that sends power to the front wheels. It also offers a manual-shift function.
Against the clock, the Honda Accord is a deceptively fast sprinter. It can run to 100 km/h from rest in well under ten seconds, but because the cabin is so quiet and the gearshifts so slick, it feels rather pedestrian. Clearly, however, the performance is there. When cruising at near the national speed limit, and attempting to overtake, the initial slight lag in the power delivery may be a worry, but you soon learn to trust the transmission. Its ratios are very well-matched to the engine, and it generally quickly finds the right gear for the particular driving situation.
Large-capacity, four-cylinder petrol engines are usually rather thirsty, and this Honda Accord is too if you regularly exploit its performance potential to the fullest. Drive sedately, or even just normally, however, and you should get close the figure of 9,4 litres/100 km, which is more than acceptable for this kind of car.
Safe, predictable handling
From behind the wheel the Honda Accord delivers an overwhelming sense of refinement. From the way the controls all operate with the same solidity and weighting, to the way the suspension irons out road imperfections, low-profile 17-inch wheels notwithstanding, the Accord comes across as a premium product. Yes, it may lack the ultimate driver engagement offered by the BMW 3 Series, for example, but its dynamically every bit as good as the Audi A4. The way in which it feels at once solid and planted, yet also agile, is deeply impressive. Of course, a quick look at the specification sheet will confirm that this is a sophisticated car there are stabiliser bars at both ends, and the rear features a multi-link suspension set-up. An electronic stability programme (VSA) is also fitted for extra peace of mind.
Honda Accord – Verdict
The Honda Accord is an incredibly difficult car to fault. Its flaws are so small theyre essentially negligible, while the list of talents is a long one. It is beautifully built, as good as anything on offer from the Germans, and backs up this perceived quality with the level of refinement and polish that leave most rivals in its wake. Yes, the Honda badge may not make the neighbours as envious as youd like, and consequently, the Accord will likely be punished unfairly with poor residual value, but whether bought new or used, this car will give its owner great satisfaction. After all, knowing that youve bought one of the best cars on the market, at any price, should be more important than out-snobbing the neighbours.
We like:
· Quality
· Refinement
· Cabin comfort
· Large boot
· Equipment levels
We dont like:
· Lack of torque low-down
· Likely resale
Fast facts
Engine: 2,4-litre, four-cylinder, petrol
Power: 140 kW @ 6 800 rpm
Torque: 223 Nm @ 4 500 rpm
Transmission: Five-speed automatic
Wheels: 17-inch alloy
Top speed: 227 km/h
0-100 km/h: 9,2 seconds
Fuel economy: 9,4 litres/100 km
Source: www.um.co.za
Also consider:
· Volkswagen Passat 2,0 FSI Comfortline Tiptronic: The latest Passat is a significantly more upmarket product than before, but still on the staid side. That said, the boot is huge, the rear legroom of the stretch-out variety and the ride comfort excellent. Cant match the Hondas performance, however.
· Volvo S40 2,4 Geartronic: This Swede has been a popular choice in South Africa since its introduction, but as a family sedan its not quite as accomplished as the Honda, or Volkswagen, because it lacks rear legroom and boot space. If these are not priorities, then it deserves serious consideration.
· Toyota Avensis 2,4 Exclusive: A brand new contender that is nicely spacious, packed with equipment and very comfortable. Unfortunately, it lacks design appeal and it is rather pricey.
