New Honda Accord road test
Author: Robin Roberts
Published: 19 June 2008
Not only is the latest Honda Accord arguably the best value for money in the series but it’s one of the best handling for enthusiastic drivers.
I tested both 2.0 petrol and 2.2 diesels with six speed manual and automatic transmissions respectively and found both highly responsive to throttle input, steering and braking.
The latest derivatives have good room in the front and back with a generous 467 litres boot as well in the saloon and a particularly useful loadbed in the Tourer version rising from just under 400 litres to 672 litres.
Seats are well shaped in front or back and securely hold occupants in hard driving. Despite the tautness of the chassis the ride quality is comfortable and the system copes very well with bad surfaces which can be heard pounding the springs.
The 2.0 petrol is noticeably quicker picking up from standstill but the wide spread of the diesel’s power makes it a better drive in heavy traffic and if the mood takes you the column paddles switches give an extra element of driving involvement.
With the new range, equipment is uniformly good and for the first time with the new Accord you can specify lane keeping assistance as well as radar monitored cruise control, which was launched on the larger Legend and which is now working its way into the wider market.
There is no doubt this is a very well considered package with particularly strong appeal to the company fleet buyer tempted by a stronger than ever residual value.
Despite its refinement, I was surprised by the amount of continuous road noise and speed dependent engine noise which is generated inside the Accord.
After so much effort has gone into the dynamics and trim, the noise element is very disappointing and blunts the refinement of the new Accord.
MILESTONES
Honda Accord 2.2 i-DTEC Saloon ES GT £21,910 (Likely best selling model)
Engine: 2.2-litre, four-cylinder, DOHC 16-valve, all aluminium turbodiesel unit with exhaust gas recirculation and integrated diesel particulate filter, Euro V compliant, 150PS, 350NM of torque from 2,000rpm
Performance: 134mph, 0-62mph 9.6 seconds, 50.4mpg average, (51.6mpg actual), CO2 148g/km, VED Band C £120, Benefit in Kind tax 20%
Insurance group: 10E/11E. Dimensions: 4,726mm long, 1,840mm wide, 1,440mm high
Boot capacity: 460-litres
For: Honda build quality and technical engineering, new muscular looks, more interior space, new strong and quiet diesel engine, lower servicing/parts costs, improved residual values
Against: Road and engine noise intrusion spoils overall refinement, significant increase in purchase price, some cheap looking finishes to interior trim, too much wheelarch intrusion in the Tourer load area
If these results of a new survey of Uk opinions on fellow motorists is anything to go by, an old woman driving a BMW minicab on a sunday is to be avoided.
High diesel prices force rethink on new Honda Accord Tourer at UK press launch.
New Honda Accord Saloon and Tourer aim for traffic in premium D-sector on launch from June onwards, pitting its wits against Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Lexus IS.
The new £19,260 Honda Accord Saloon and £20,560 Tourer could seemingly pick BMW, Audi and Mercedes' pockets with its premium D-segment offerings come June.
Honda's latest storage-shifting Accord Tourer estate drums up industry interest, culminating in award-winning show of hands.
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