The New Honda Accord

29-10-2008 11:18

Honda has sent the Accord to the cosmetic surgeons but it must have been a lunchtime job as the exterior changes are so subtle you almost need a magnifying glass to spot the difference. This, according to Honda, is because the previous Accord launched back in 2003 was so radical for its time they felt it unnecessary to make the new Accord different from the last. One might question than, why bother? Delve a little deeper and the answer jumps out.

Two variants are on offer the Tourer, in other words the estate, offering class leading luggage area or the sportier Saloon. Both are now on sale in the UK with prices slightly higher than the outgoing models starting at £19,260 for entry level ES saloon rising to the fully loaded EX grade at £22,260. The Tourer works out around one thousand pounds more per grade. Two petrol’s and one diesel that is compliant with EURO V legislation, power the new Accord. My test car for the week was the 2.4 litre i-VTEC EX Saloon.

Despite being wider, lower and sportier looking thanks to the large wheel arches, than the out-going model, the new Accord Saloon does not exactly take your breath away. With the EX trim comes 17 inch alloy wheels, body coloured bumpers, door mirrors that are electrically adjustable, folding and heated, plus body coloured front and rear parking sensors. However the overall result is a little disappointing and rather dated.

That is until you step inside and it is as if you have been transported into another world. For here the wow factors keep coming and coming until you feel utterly overwhelmed by the on-board technology and equipment this car boasts. Full leather upholstery swamps the nostrils while the 8 way power assisted driver and passenger heated seats ensure the perfect driving position. The driver’s seat also comes with extra lumber support and memory function.

The steering wheel is tilt and telescopic adjustable but overloaded with stalks not just for the wipers, indicators and lights, but cruise control, remote audios, voice recognition etc. So please spend a lot of time becoming aquatinted with these controls before embarking on any journey. I personally found it too complicated and my eyes were straying to the stalks too often than I wanted even though I was getting extremely au-fair with the Accord. In a time when motorists can now be prosecuted for causing an accident though careless driving whist say eating an apple, you do question why manufacturers make their cars so complicated it makes the driver distracted just by looking at the steering wheel and not on the road ahead.

The electric glass sunroof with sunshade floods the cabin with lots of light enhancing the spacious interior. The EX comes with the Advanced Navigation Pack as standard that includes the said voice recognition, DVD Satellite Navigations, rear parking camera and Premium Audio System with 6 CD changer. Automatic Climate Control air conditioning keeps everyone cool and again spend time working out how this works properly as with the Bluetooth Hands Free Telephone. Other helpful aids are auto dimming rear view mirror, automatic headlights with dusk sensors, front and rear electric windows plus rain sensing wipers.

The new Accord also has a strong practical side with plenty of storage solutions for everyone’s bits and pieces. A refrigerated glovebox keeps the water chilled; the sunglasses have their own box while the centre armrest is deep and accommodating including a USB port. For the children are large door pockets, bottle holders and elasticated pockets behind the front seats. The rear seats can be split 60/40 for bulkier loads while even shop-o-holics will be satisfied with the 464 litres of boot space complete with tie down hooks. Any secret purchases can be stored in the 53 litres of under-floor storage.