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Honda AccordMarch 2011

Average.

The Accord is Honda's respectable attempt at a premium saloon, but it's very much the workhorse in a class filled with race winners

28 variants from £21,705 to £30,760

Our rating:

3

User rating:

4_5
Honda Accord
 
 

Fifth Gear Honda Accord review

 
 
1. Decent looks
2. Very well made
3. Adequate performer

WE DON'T LIKE

1. Lack of rear leg room
2. Boot of the Tourer is small
3. Priced too close to superior rivals
 
 

The current Honda Accord was launched in 2008 as a part of the manufacturer's intended push towards the premium market. It was bigger and more muscular than its predecessor, and more capable too, but it ultimately failed to convince many buyers that it was worthy of its relatively high price tag.

For 2011 the entire range has been given a light spruce intended to make the car more appealing to customers seduced by the Accord's slicker rivals. The styling has been tweaked with new lights front and rear, and some very subtle remodelling has occurred, but the most noticeable changes occur underneath.

Crucially for the company car market - which continues to dominate saloon sales - the 2.2-litre i-DTEC diesel engine has been retuned to reduce CO2 emissions (the 2.0-litre and 2.4-litre i-VTEC remain the petrol options), and comfort levels have been readdressed with refined damper settings and better sound proofing.

The combined effect of these gentle enhancements is a slight improvement to the Accord's on-road performance. Although the car's button-happy dash already feels a little long in the tooth, general refinement has been nudged up. It's a quieter environment than before, and the previous model's lumpy ride quality has been gradually smoothed out at the edges.

However, a touch of wallowing and fairly lifeless steering means the Accord is still behind the competition, and the 2.2-litre diesel lump - the designated corporate crowd-pleaser - largely follows suit. The engine is a competent performer in so much as it revs towards its redline with more enthusiasm than most, but in terms of economy (the critical barometer) it has been long overtaken by the usual Germanic suspects.

Unfortunately, that theme continues to resonate through the Accord as a package. It's as solid as a Honda-branded rock, and reasonably well-equipped too, but it's priced to match the best Audi, BMW and Mercedes can offer and all outgun it with relative ease. The car's build quality and quirky, uncommon looks mean it may continue to snare private buyers but figure-hungry fleet managers are likely to continue mercilessly overlooking it.

Fifth Gear overall car ratings

STYLING

The Accord does have a purposeful looking presence, but you have to concentrate to really notice the thing. Unfortunately it's exactly the same brand of handsome anonymity which has plagued the Japanese saloons for decades.

HANDLING

While competent enough, the Accord doesn't control its bodyweight well enough at speed to be considered particularly good. There's a bit too much lean when you're pushing on, which isn't helped by sloppy steering feel.

COMFORT

Apparently Honda's Japanese engineers liaised directly with their European counterparts to find a better setup for the Accord, and, without living up to the class benchmark, they have succeeded in making the car a slightly more comfortable prospect for Britain's roads.

QUALITY & RELIABILITY

This is still one of Honda's undeniable strengths. The Accord's dash resists flex like a granite cliff face. Nothing bound for a lifetime of mistreatment should be this well made. Bulletproof mechanicals are another reason for continued customer loyalty.

PERFORMANCE

Anyone looking for petrol engine-style performance in an oil burner need look no further. Few other diesel engines rev harder than Honda's 2.2-litre unit, but getting the best from it is not exactly conducive to returning decent fuel consumption.

ROOMINESS

Not the biggest of interiors by segment standards. The Tourer has one of the smallest boots in its class, whilst both the saloon and estate suffer with poor rear leg room due to those huge front seats. It's not uncomfortable, but buyers might reasonably expect a little more.

STEREO / SAT NAV

The stereo is functional enough, but Honda's sat nav is pretty woeful. A poor display, bad interface and downright lack of intuition in the controls make it a headache to use.

RUNNING COSTS

Efforts to improve emissions and fuel consumption are admirable, but Honda is still lagging behind the best in the business. The diesel Accord's quoted 50mpg figure will be difficult to achieve and the car is not cheap to buy in the first place.

VALUE FOR MONEY

The Accord is well-made, decently equipped and good enough to slip unnoticed into the background once you've begun the commute. Twenty years ago that would have been enough, but this is now the most cutthroat market in the industry and others are doing mid-sized saloons better, for less.

ENVIRONMENT

Desperately in need of updated diesel engines: the 2.2 litre unit is well off the pace by current standards.

This review has been tagged with: Honda | honda accord

There are 28 variants of the Accord

Accord variants Price (£) Fuel type Engine
size (cc) 		CO2 emission
(g/km)
2.0 i-VTEC ES 4dr £21,705 1997 159
2.0 i-VTEC ES GT 4dr £22,605 1997 159
2.0 i-VTEC ES 5dr £23,060 1997 163
2.0 i-VTEC ES Auto 4dr £23,190 1997 168
2.2 i-DTEC ES 4dr £23,800 2199 138
2.0 i-VTEC ES GT 5dr £23,960 1997 163
2.0 i-VTEC ES GT Auto 4dr £24,090 1997 168
2.0 i-VTEC ES Auto 5dr £24,545 1997 170
2.2 i-DTEC ES GT 4dr £24,700 2199 138
2.0 i-VTEC EX 4dr £24,905 1997 162
2.2 i-DTEC ES 5dr £25,170 2199 143
2.2 i-DTEC ES Auto 4dr £25,235 2199 159
2.0 i-VTEC ES GT Auto 5dr £25,445 1997 170
2.2 i-DTEC ES GT 5dr £26,070 2199 143
2.4 i-VTEC EX 4dr £26,135 2354 199
2.2 i-DTEC ES GT Auto 4dr £26,135 2199 159
2.0 i-VTEC EX Auto 4dr £26,390 1997 170
2.2 i-DTEC ES Auto 5dr £26,590 2199 164
2.2 i-DTEC EX 4dr £27,000 2199 141
2.2 i-DTEC ES GT Auto 5dr £27,490 2199 164
2.4 i-VTEC EX Auto 4dr £27,520 2354 195
2.4 i-VTEC EX 5dr £27,675 2354 201
2.2 i-DTEC EX 5dr £28,355 2199 146
2.2 i-DTEC EX Auto 4dr £28,420 2199 162
2.4 i-VTEC EX Auto 5dr £28,925 2354 199
2.2 i-DTEC Type S 4dr £29,405 2199 147
2.2 i-DTEC EX Auto 5dr £29,875 2199 167
2.2 i-DTEC Type S 5dr £30,760 2199 150
 

Average

4_5

User reviews (7)

Leave a review

Nios-Ninja
3

Nios-Ninja11 October 2009

Shame they can't give the new 180BHp diesel varient the auto box :(

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CU2
5

CU215 December 2009

Had one for 10 months and can't fault it. Very nice indeed.

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Will
5

Will16 February 2011

My 2.2D EX Saloon is the best car I've owned - more standard kit than any German make, It eats the miles and never leaves me tired after long journeys - quiet, comfortable, quick, bulletproof reliability, no issues in 18 months ownership, 50+mpg and first two services have only cost £300 at Honda dealer!

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Pete
4

Pete13 June 2011

Bought my Accord 2.2 ESGT with sat nav in july 09. at the time it was just about a year old with 8k on the clock. Paid £16250 for it from my local Honda dealer and got two years free servicing within the deal,the aftersales service I have received from my Honda dealer has been 1st class. It drives very well, very good MPG around 49.5 and other than two tyres and the cost of its first MOT it's cost me nothig else. What more can anyone want. As you say not a bad lookjing car either.

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This review has been removed.

S10
5

S1027 July 2011

Honda haven't really done much to the facelifted version. But it is still an excellent car.

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Myrddin Jones
4

Myrddin Jones12 August 2011

Had the ACCORD Ex since Sept 2008, new, and it has just had it's perfect 1st MOT. More noisy interior than I would wish, still on YOKOHAMA tyres for say another 5000 miles (now 23000). Lost part of the undeneath engine protection sheet without any knowledge sometime between last service and this - I drive it 99.9% of time and was never aware of problem but no harm was done except possibly a slightly dirty engine compartment. As regards the SatNav - mine works very well - have you seen the PostCode-less versions in Alphas and Mercedes? It is clear and reliable. HONDA however are most reluctant to inform us about updates, how old and when next. To me a fine car, somewhat superior to your write up. Maybe AGE!!!!

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