Honda

Accord saloon/tourer

It’s a name that’s been around for some time now, but the Honda Accord and Accord Tourer have always moved with the times. For an estate vehicle, the Tourer is very streamlined and both models are comfortable and easy to drive.

Test Drive

Honda Accord Saloon 2.2 I-DTEC Type S ADAS

Every once in a while it just pays to test drive the top-of-the-range model – the one with all the bells and whistles – and that’s certainly the case with the newly revised Honda Accord.

Designed with company drivers in mind, the Accord range has just got cleaner and sharper, but still boasts that class leading reliability.

There are lower carbon emissions, better fuel efficiency, slight tweaks to lighting designs to improve the aerodynamics, better insulation and less cabin noise thanks to toughened glass and thicker carpets.

And these improvements are added to a vehicle that has already fully established itself in the buyers’ market.

From the second you lay eyes on the Accord, you cannot fail to be impressed with its sleek streamlining, 18-inch alloys, chrome door handles and neat light clusters.

And that design quality is apparent at every turn once you take your seat behind the leather multi-function steering wheel.

The leather seats – heated of course – can be adjusted to find the perfect driving position and all controls, dials and readouts are ideally positioned for driver usability. The black leather throughout the cabin is neatly set off with grey stitching and the dashboard is designed in black and a dark grey carbon look. The dials are neatly set out in white on a black background with red markers. It all sounds very simplistic and in a way it is, but it’s also very striking and effective.

Creature comforts include an auto dimming rear view mirror, dual control air con, cruise control, a multi information display, premium audio system with CD option plus MP3 and iPod compatibility, rain sensing wipers and plenty more besides.

Passengers are treated to bags of head, leg and elbow room and the boot is very generously sized. Volume can be increased further thanks to split folding rear seats and there are also many smaller storage options throughout the cabin including a chilled compartment and very large glove box.

So the newly tweaked Accord has great looks and is packed to bursting with quality gadgetry, but how about its performance? Well, in a way I have left the best to last because the Type S just loves to be driven.

The 2.2-litre diesel-powered engine delivers blistering pace, and acceleration through the six-speed manual transmission is both smooth and responsive.

The vehicle’s road-holding is exceptional even at higher speeds and the cabin noise virtually non-existent – thanks to that extra insulation.

There is very good all-round visibility and the front and rear parking sensors are most valuable as the Accord is a lengthy car to squeeze into tight spaces.

Another feature well-worth mentioning is the High Beam Support System. A camera fitted to the windscreen behind the rear view mirror detects oncoming headlights or the taillights of a vehicle in front and automatically dips the headlights to their normal setting if they are on high-beam.

Other safety features include anti-lock brakes, electronic brake force distribution, numerous airbags and lots more.

All in all, the Accord is quite a catch. The only downside – price. The model I tested with all the trimmings rolled in at £31,720, but as they say – you do have to pay for quality these days.

Test Drive

Honda Accord Tourer 2.2 i-DTEC EX GT auto

I always look forward to testing one of the Honda vehicles because you are guaranteed something a little bit special and the Accord Tourer certainly didn’t disappoint.

Boasting a range of classy features, exceptional comfort levels and blistering performance credentials, the vehicle is proving quite a hit with buyers from a range of markets including business, family and even the more fashion conscious drivers.

The luxurious touches include fully adjustable heated leather seats that can compete with you favourite armchair on the comfort stakes, dual-zone climate control, a reversing camera, auto-dimming rearview mirror, pollen filter, rain-sensing wipers, parking sensors and a boot that opens and closes at the press of a button.

In fact, seldom have I come across a car crammed so full with quality features.

The light and spacious interior has ample room for five adults to travel in comfort and the massive boot area means they can all bring along their travel goodies.

There are also plenty of smaller storage compartments conveniently scattered throughout the cabin.

The driver is treated to excellent all-round visibility which makes busy city centre driving a breeze and then out on the open road, the Accord really bursts into life.

The five-speed automatic transmission was exceptionally smooth and efficient and the 2.2-litre engine delivered plenty of power as and when it was needed.

As one might expect from Honda, the Accord has a vast array of safety features to protect occupants and pedestrians. These include anti-lock brakes, electronic brakeforce distribution, top quality seat belts, numerous airbags and side impact protection beams plus plenty more.

After a week behind the wheel, the only minor gripe I could come up with was that occasionally the patterned dashboard reflected too much in the windscreen.

But that aside, the Accord is quite a vehicle. Originally launched in 1976, the Accord has certainly stood the test of time.

True, it’s not cheap, but sometimes you really do get what you pay for and this is one of those occasions.