Feels like a Honda (well-made, well-engineered); interior space embarrasses some rivals
Transmission needs one or two extra ratios; some interior trim materials lack contemporary style
Quality, safety, practicality, sporty driving dynamics…they’ve all been Honda Accord assets over the years. But from 2013 we can add a new one – value-for-money.
Where once Honda quality came at a price premium, stiff competition in the mid-size sedan segment has dictated a change for the Japanese giant. Priced from $31,490, the all-new ninth generation latest Accord is sharply priced but doesn’t short-change on the hallmark Honda attributes.
Conservative – yes, no doubt about that. But there’s sophistication about the Accord which many rivals can’t equal.
Honda Accord Overview
CarShowroom.com.au tested the entry-level Honda Accord VTi. Priced at $31,490, the VTi grade misses-out on the latest Accord’s headline act – the clever camera-based ‘Lane Watch’ blind spot monitoring system – satellite navigation and a few other features but is still comprehensively equipped. So all-up, the Honda Accord VTi delivers major league in the value-for-money stakes.
The latest Honda Accord also scores a new, more fuel-efficient 2.4-litre petrol engine and extra interior space.
Hondas Accord Engine
Engines have traditionally been Honda’s caper – the company recently announced it will return to F1 Grand Prix racing in 2015 with a new 1.5-litre turbocharged V6 engine in partnership with McLaren. So it should be no surprise to learn the 2.4-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine in the latest Accord is actually a new powerplant…it just happens to be the same capacity as the superseded model.
Output is down a bit – 129kW at 6200rpm and 225Nm at 4000rpm compared to 148kW/230Nm for the previous Accord. But here’s Honda’s detailed technology – the new engine is six per-cent lighter than the old one (better chassis dynamics and enhanced fuel consumption). In fact the combined cycle fuel use is down by seven per-cent, rated at 7.9l/100kms (8.9l/100kms for the outgoing model).
Drive is to the front wheels via a five-speed automatic transmission.
Honda Accord The Interior
The all-new Honda Accord steals an edge over many in this segment with its interior space. This is particularly noticeable in the rear (leg-room has grown by 33mm) but also in the front where shoulder room is up (by 9.0mm).
And we must say, even in the VTi model we tested, Honda’s new-design front seats score highly for comfort and support. You need to step-up to the VTi-L to get electronic seat adjustment but even so, the manual adjustment and rake/each adjustment for the nicely-sized steering wheel afforded a comfortable driving position.
While still distinctly Honda in appearance, the ninth-generation Accord presents a new dashboard layout which is single plane and highlighted by a new one-piece, soft-touch upper panel. Gauges too are a traditional layout with Honda’s Multi-Information Display (MID) screen centered (trip-meter, odometer, trip meter, fuel consumption etc).
To the left is the Intelligent Multi-Information Display (i-MID) screen with customizable wallpaper, audio display, Bluetooth etc. The VTi model Honda Accord we tested used the six-speaker, 160-watt sound system while other models add a premium 360-watt set-up.
The upside of the VTi’s lower-spec sound system is increased luggage space in the boot – 461-litres in our test car and 457-litres in the other variants.
Honda Accord Exterior & Styling
There was an expectation Honda’s stylists would ‘push the boat out a little’ with the looks of the all-new Accord (remember its rivals include the Ford Mondeo and Kia Optima). But the newcomer has arrived, styled very nicely no doubt, but clearly an evolution of the previous generation.
Maybe we’re conservative guys here at CarShowroom.com.au, but we do like the looks of the latest Honda Accord and we’d contend many buyers of mid-size sedans aren’t of the ‘cutting-edge’ mind-set when it comes to automotive styling.
In any case, Honda’s stylists have stepped-up with the new Accord lower – it’s wider and shorter than the outgoing model and the lower waistline has provided a larger glasshouse.
Honda’s characteristic wide grille gets an updated interpretation for the latest Accord and some chrome highlights lend an upscale look. We like the new-design headlights (not LEDs on the VTi we tested) which in the modern way wrap onto the front fenders.
Compared to the previous Accord, the ninth generation model has a more aerodynamic ‘tear-drop’ shape (noticeable with the curved roof) and more pronounced character lines on the sides.
And we particularly like the rear-end with large tail-lights and the aerodynamic raised bootlid trailing edge reinforcing the fact they’re smart cookies at Honda design (in fact there are also clever under-body panels to further enhance the Accord’s aero functionality).
Honda Accord On The Road
Coincidentally one of our high-speed test roads (hilly, good corners etc) isn’t far from Honda’s Australian HQ near Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport. So it was there we headed as soon as we collected our VTi Accord test car.
The ninth-generation Accord offers the stiffest chassis so far and also benefits from efforts to reduce NVH. Our VTi model test car rode on 16 x 6.5J alloy wheels (17-inch and 18-inch on other variants) but of course shares the same new design MacPherson strut front/independent multi-link rear suspension.
So over those twists and curves the Accord was impressively cohesive with a nice combination of grip and balance without being jarring. Enthusiast drivers may prefer a tad less body roll and we know from driving the other Accord variants at the media launch north of Auckland, New Zealand that the extra rubber of the 17-inch and 18-wheels make the VTi-S and VTi-L models a bit sportier in their dynamics.
We liked the responsiveness of Honda’s new 2.4-litre engine but we’re baffled why Honda’s all-new mid-size sedan has arrived with only a five-speed automatic transmission.
Around town, the latest Honda Accord reinforced its refinement with good noise isolation keeping the city chaos at bay and the excellent rear-view camera and 11.4-metre turning circle - while not the smallest in the segment - made for easy parking.
Honda Accord Issues
Just a couple of point’s deductions for the all-new Honda Accord. For an all-new model, the five-speed automatic transmission is staggering (even the Ford Mondeo which is an old design, about to be replaced offers a six-speeder). And in the VTi grade we tested, some of the interior trim materials seemed a tad lacking in quality.
Honda Accord Verdict
Honda has endured some acknowledged setbacks in recent years but the proud and mighty Japanese company now has renewed energy and a renewed focus on global markets. Development of the all-new NSX sports car and Honda’s return to F1 Grand Prix racing both make positive statements about where Honda is heading.
And in that context, the all-new Accord is another chapter. Accord has always been one of the best mid-size sedans in the market but the market changed and rival brands arrived with good cars at sharper prices.
Boom! The new Honda is back with a new Accord which looks good, drives great and is much better value-for-money.
Honda Accord The Competition
Ford Mondeo and Mazda6 are the acknowledged stars of the mid-size sedan market. But there’s no doubt the Honda Accord challenges the 6’s value proposition (Mazda6 starts at $33,460).
For the Mondeo, the story gets complex. A CarShowroom.com.au favourite, the all-new Mondeo was due this year but European sales of the newcomer have been red-hot so Ford’s German-sourced mid-sizer now won’t appear ‘Downunder’ until early next year.
Kia Optima is also on our list. Brilliantly styled, comprehensively equipped and sharply priced from $30,490, the handsome Kia is not quite as sharp through the twisty stuff as the Honda Accord.
