2017 Honda Accord Reviews

The ninth generation Honda Accord has been introduced at a special event in Auckland, New Zealand. Our Kiwi neighbours received the car a month ahead of Australia and Honda was keen to let us test the new car on some of the world’s best driving roads. NZ and Oz Accords have identical specifications.Honda Accord’s high grade models have levels of equipment that rival that of the much more expensive Honda Legend, and there’s a big push on refinement and sophistication.Prices are sharp, with the four-cylinder range starting at just $31,490. The topline V6 Accord L comes with a host of standard features and has a recommended retail of $51,990. On-road costs can be obtained by contacting your local Honda dealer.The new Accord has a conservative body shape. It works well to our eyes and some may feel it makes the shapes of the latest crop of upmarket German sedans look rather over-styled in comparison.The interior of the Accord has two large, easy to read, screens for the driving and infotainment systems. Seating is comfortable and there’s good legroom in the rear even when a tall person is driving. Headroom is reduced when a sunroof is installed, but remains acceptable.There’s a strong emphasis on luxury, even in the rear compartment, and this big Honda could be regarded as a limo, a role it performs in many Asian countries.An impressive feature is the use of noise cancelling technology. Small microphones ‘listen’ to the interior noise and generate sound waves to cancel out, or at least minimise, unwanted sounds. This results in a very quiet cabin that’s most pleasant to ride in. However, interior stowage space could be better; the door pockets are small and we have seen significantly larger centre console boxes. Boot space is good, but has lost depth due to it being modified to take a full-size spare wheel/tyre for the Australian market.There’s a strong emphasis on the safety provided by crash avoidance and/or mitigation features, with many of the items in the Accord normally being seen only in upmarket European cars.These include radar cruise control, lane keeping assistance, automatic braking, blind spot warning and reversing cameras. Not all items are standard in every model, so check with your dealer or Honda’s head office for details.It almost goes without saying that the all-new Honda Accord has received maximum star ratings in crash testing.As before, Accord engine options are a four-cylinder 2.4-litre and a V6 displacing 3.5 litres. The four is an all-new powerplant and puts out 129 kW of power and 225 Nm of torque. The six (206 kW, 339 Nm) is based on the previous V6 unit but has been extensively updated.There’s a strong emphasis on torque in the V6 and, while it’s slightly down on peak power than previously it proved very willing on the scenic mountain roads that are such a feature of driving in NZ.Interestingly, Honda Australia will continue to import the ‘other’ Accord. The Accord Euro, a smaller car aimed at the sporting driver and very European in its driving dynamics has won a lot of applause from keen drivers in Australia. Though it’s getting on in years, the Euro has recently been facelifted and updated in its drivetrain.New Accord is a large car, almost Commodore and Falcon in length but is aimed more at tackling Mazda6, Toyota Camry and VW Passat rather than the big Aussie sixes.The Honda is softer in its suspension and steering than its competitors, but this is a deliberate move to push comfort ahead of other aspects. If you want a sporty sedan look elsewhere, but if smoothness, luxury and near silence inside a car is your thing then the new Honda Accord should sit high on your short list.The automatic transmission beside the four-cylinder engine has five forward ratios; there are six gears with the six-cylinder powerplant. We found the 2.4-litre four was working fairly hard at times on steep, twisting hill climbs, the V6 was effortless in the way it handled everything we threw at it.This all-new Honda Accord is an impressive piece of automotive engineering and will appeal to smart buyers who realise it gives them as much quality as the big German marques, but without their inflated price tags.

So frenetic is the pace of car innovation that you needn't be a Luddite to feel in need of stepping off this blurring, down-sizing, max efficiency, small engine/high output/low emission fight to the finish of fossil fuel era juggernaut. It's all a bit bewildering. Fortunately there remains Honda.Though it has long since euthanised most aberrant devices in its range - those rorty Integras and hairdresser friendly Preludes - Honda can be relied upon to produce the stately and refined sedan that is the Accord.The very name says volumes. While most makes move into alpha-númeric monikers, this ninth generation Accord perpetuates the detente suggested by the badge on its bum.As we clamber into SUVs and smaller cars as though compelled at bayonet point, there's nothing quite so automotively comfy and reassuring as the four doors of your forefathers.Honda likes them so well that it's going to continue from June 2 with this slightly larger new Accord alongside the ageing so-called Accord Euro, a new one of which arrives they know not when.VALUEAssailed by the GFC, stricken by a tsunami and monstered by Hyundai, Honda has descended from the badge you bought in order to be a cut above the other Japanese (I wonder if they'd still do gold badges?) to a cut-priced one.The Accord's sticker prices are competitive with its main and probably only real rival, the Mazda6. A $31,490 spend gets you into the VTi, with reverse camera, LED running lights and what's called active noise containment. Another $2500 and you add an S to that badge plus the lane watch system, 17 inch alloys, fog lights and bigger audio.Then it starts to get a bit optimistic at $41,990 for the VTi-L, the top spec four cylinder, with its 17s, leather, sunroof and ADAS safety package at another $3K. "A premium package without the premium price tag," Honda says of its top line V6L - except that $51,990 gets you a quite a few premium cars these days.The V6 has a six speed auto over the four cylinder car's five, cylinder deactivation to save fuel, power seats and some juicier fruit. All get an 8-inch multimedia screen, the top variants including satellite navigation with SUNA traffic alerts.Like Mazda, Honda want you to pay for a service every six months or 10,000km while almost everyone else - including the premium brands - do it annually or every 15,000km. Honda and Mazda are also holding out on capped price servicing or warranty beyond three years.TECHNOLOGYWhile it's possibly unfair to suggest Honda has been in self-induced stasis, the Accord runs on engines that don't disconcert with innovation. Small capacity, over-achieving turbo engines are ever more prevalent. Fuel saving direct injection is common or garden. But not here. The 2.4-litre four is claimed to be new but like the V6 that's been carried over for yet another generation, it would be familiar to a Honda buyer of a decade ago.There's the usual marginal improvements to economy (the V6 can de-activate three cylinders now, rather than four) and attempts to bring maximum torque closer to the floor than the ceiling where high revvin' Honda has traditionally put it. Yet neither four nor six return especially good consumption figures against those of the competition, which also run on basic 91RON unleaded. Except those that run on diesel, to which the Accord has no answer.The three four cylinder variants make do with a five speed automatic when six is standard practice and eight is the benchmark. The V6 gets the gears to match its cylinders but can do no better than 9.2L/100km in combined condition testing. Even the new Commodore does better.Yet while not cutting edge, it is effective on the road. And reassuringly familiar.DESIGNThis is the Accord's single most successful aspect, an obvious continuance of its long line but nicely sleek and aerodynamic with it. It also serves to remind that while any bugger can draw an elevated wagon on a napkin after a long lunch and claim it to be an exciting new compact crossover SUV concept, it's quite hard to design a decently proportioned yet functional sedan.The eye-catching newish Mazda6 might well be the item to swing punters back to four doors, just as the first one did 11 years ago. The Accord is less stylised and altogether better for it.The upmarket ambience that once attracted those who couldn't quite crack it for a German car is maintained through the two up spec variants Honda brought to the launch in Auckland, though the cabin materials have been selected for durability rather than tactility. Neither of the affordable variants were on show.All round visibility is as good as it gets in a modern sedan with its necessarily swept stance for smoother running and thick pillars stuffed with airbags. The boot isn't quite so cavernous as a Falcon or Commodore, but it does house a full size alloy spare wheel where ever more comparable cars skimp with a space saver.The SUV devotee might miss the elevated seating position, but a remedy can be sought in learning to drive.SAFETYStandard reversing camera immediately puts the Accord at the head of its class. I was in a $70K BMW 3 Series last week which makes do with graphic display and beeping noises. One of these systems helps save kids. It's not the latter.Indeed safety is not optional in the Accord. No crash test results yet, but as Chinese driveaway/chuck away jobs close in on four stars, we can be assured that the Accord will win the maximum five.The blindspot warning camera is a first for locally available cars. Activated by the indicator stalk it switches onscreen the view of the camera mounted in the passenger’s side wing mirrors. Again you're left wondering why Honda can bring this to a relatively affordable car while no premium brands that preens itself on safety can offer the like even as an option.A safety package including collision anticipating braking and seat belt tensioning is $3K extra on the VTi-L and standard on the V6 - which makes that variant's price seem a whole lot more palatable.DRIVING"Wait until you drive the car.""It makes more sense when you drive the car."So is the slightly beseeching refrain at the briefing. Pleasant to discover this isn't merely code for "please stop asking questions". Pleasant indeed is the operative word for the accomplished and refined sedan.While unimpressed to find the two variants everyone will buy are nowhere to be seen, the V6 which we try first on a long B-road run out of Auckland does indeed do what it says on the tin. A lush grand tourer, the big V6 is mostly constrained but occasionally musical unit that steps up smartly to keep overtaking exposures to the minimum. A free breathing output of 206kW/339Nm is readily summoned but in the main it runs with discretion thanks to the clever cylinder deactivation.Light steering and a heavy nose do not lend themselves to hustling along with any vigour, but again that's not the Accord remit. Crushing open road kilometres at a relaxed and comfortable pace is its thing.Stepping down 10 grand, two cylinders and whole lot of output, the VTi-S is bound to suffer by comparison, but not in the salient departments. All of V6's tactile stuff and most of the safety kit is to be found here and the lesser spend also means milder fuel consumption. It rides more absorbingly than the V6, but just don't try to get where you're going in a tearing hurry. The apparently new engine is even more about unhurried progress.VERDICTA good size comfortable sedan surely has its place, so if you think you need an SUV, try an Accord first. Be interesting to try the more affordable variants.

Ignore the middle child at your peril when it comes to buying the family car.
 The large-car segment is in the doldrums and everyone has skipped to SUVs or small cars, but one area overlooked to the detriment of many car buyers
is the medium segment.
The word is getting out. Last year, medium-car sales grew 15 per cent to just over 87,000 24,000 more than in the large-car segment.
 The numbers went close to overtaking the larger-vehicle segment last year, falling short by just over 2000 units.
The middle-sized segment has shown steady growth in the past decade, finishing 2002 with just under 39,000 vehicles. Camry ruled the roost then too, with the Mazda6 and Subaru Liberty the best of the rest.
 But size matters don't let anyone tell you otherwise and the reps in the medium segment now are well sized for family transport.
Camry has been the dominant force in the medium segment, with plenty of fleet interest in the petrol and hybrid versions, but the most recent incarnations are a long way from the bland brigade that went before.
 The hybrid version carried a more reasonable price tag than the Prius trailblazer and it's more than big enough for family duties.
Toyota's Camry Hybrid is 110mm longer, 98mm wider, 107mm longer in wheelbase and 109mm taller than the original VB Commodore, although the VB weighed in at 1220kg 400kg lighter than the petrol-electric Camry Hybrid, but batteries, airbags and other equipment quickly add to the number on the weighbridge.
As Toyota was slowly bringing its Camry out of a narcoleptic haze, Honda and Mazda were well on the way to applying defibrillators.
The 6 and Accord Euro both offered willing powerplants, decent chassis balance, acceptable ride quality and an enthusiastic edge to the car's demeanour when required.
 Mazda kicked off the 21st century with a change to the 6 and has not looked back since.In August 2002 it arrived in Australia, bringing a pulse back to the segment.
The Accord Euro lobbed on Australian showrooms the following year, leaner and more nimble than the larger V6 Accord, giving open-minded buyers some real food for thought.
(Search for hundreds more choices)2011 Mazda6 Luxury Sports hatch
Engine: 2.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
Thirst: 8.8L/100km
 CARSGUIDE SAYS 
"The car that marked the beginning of the Zoom Zoom Mazda renaissance shed the cardigan image with a great handling chassis and looks that didn't start a snoozefest. With the new model now on sale sans hatchback, this is the only way to get a 6 with the liftback boot. Features include dual airbags, anti-lock brakes and stability control, rain sensing wipers, parking sensors, dual-zone climate control, satnav and leather trim."  2007 Honda Accord Euro Luxury
Engine: 2.4-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
Thirst: 9.4L/100km
CARSGUIDE SAYS
"Another Japanese mid-sizer with road manners to amuse the driver. With sharp looks, a reasonable list of safety features and bells and whistles, the Accord Euro found favour and awards in the medium segment. The Euro cosseted a family with its dual-zone climate control, 17-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats, dual front, side and curtain airbags and leather trim."2011 Toyota Camry Hybrid sedan
Engine: 2.4-litre 4-cylinder petrol-electric hybrid
Transmission: CVT
Thirst: 6L/100km
 CARSGUIDE SAYS
 "Better value than the Prius trailblazer, the Camry has space for a family, the fuel economy of a shopping trolley hatchback and driving manners that are surprisingly good. At its best in the city and suburbs, when braking can charge the battery, the green Camry is a surprisingly pleasant machine."

NEW - Going shopping for an Accord you were confronted with two quite different models bearing the same badge. There was the Accord V6 for those who wanted a more cossetted ride, and the Accord Euro for those who preferred a more spirited, engaging drive.The Euro was smaller than the V6, had sharper handling and only came with a four-cylinder engine, albeit a spirited one. The new model Euro introduced in 2008 looked much the same as its predecessor, but it was in fact all new, with a new platform and a new body to boot. The upside was that it was longer, wider, with a longer wheelbase and wider track, and it was stiffer. On the downside it was heavier.Inside, it was roomy and comfortable for both front and back seat passengers with good leg and headroom, but the boot was rather small, made worse when the full-sized spare wheel ate into the available space, and the back seat couldn't be folded if you wanted to cart long items. New double wishbone suspension appeared at the front and rear with variable rate shock absorbers and there was speed-sensitive steering.The four-cylinder engine was modified for increased power ands a modest increase in torque, with a small reduction in fuel consumption as well. There was a choice of a six-speed manual and a five-speed automatic, and for a few more bucks you could have paddle shifting on the steering wheel.All models had plenty of standard equipment. The base car came with dual-zone air-conditioning, cruise, power windows and heated mirrors, six-CD sound, leather-wrapped steering wheel, alloy wheels and a full-sized spare. Move up to the Luxury and you got leather trim, a sunroof, heated seats, powered front seats, rain-sensitive wipers, high intensity headlamps, front and rear parking sensors and fog lamps. Both were also comprehensively kitted out with safety features with eight airbags, ABS braking and ESP electronic stability control.NOWHonda is a highly respected brand and Accord is a most respected model, one sought after by used car buyers looking for a trouble free run for a number of years, and for good reason. Euro owners have few gripes about their cars, the earliest of which will now have around 75,000 km showing on their odometers.Hondas are generally well engineered and solidly built, so they generally hold up well in the long term, providing they are looked after and well serviced. They have a reputation for being expensive to service and replacement parts are generally held to be on the expensive side, but by using an independent Honda mechanic to maintain your car, particularly once the warranty has run out, those concerns can be alleviated.Make sure the car you are considering purchasing has been regularly maintained with oil and filter changes as recommended by the factory. Honda engines, like all modern engines, require a diet of fresh oil to stay healthy. Skip oil changes and you're risking a major meltdown when its vital arteries inevitably clog up and restrict the oil flow. The Euro requires Premium unleaded, so be prepared to pay a few cents extra at the pump.SMITHY SAYSWell built, with sporty handling and a zippy engine, the Accord Euro is for the driver in the family. Buy with confidence.Honda Accord Euro 2008-2011Price new: $34,990 to $44,990Engine: 2.4-litre, 4-cylinder, 148 kW/230 NmTransmission: 5-speed auto, 6-speed man, FWDEconomy: 8.9 L/100 km, PULPBody: 4-door sedanVariants: Base, Luxury, Luxury NaviSafety: 5-star ANCAP

The Accord V6 was so different to the Accord Euro that shared Honda showrooms that it could well have come from a completely different maker. The V6 was bigger and plusher than the svelte, agile Euro; it was also quieter and more comfortable. That might suggest that it was less assured on the road, but it wasn't, it actually performed well on all levels.Inside, the cabin was airy and spacious and rear seat passengers had all the room they needed to be comfortable. Under the hood it had a sophisticated V6 that delivered plenty of punch along with a good dose of torque that made it a smooth, pleasantdriver in all situations. The V6 was coupled to a smooth-shifting five-speed auto, there was no manual gearbox offered, but you wouldn't want a manual in the V6.Honda's claim of 10.6 L/100 km was reasonable for a V6 of the  Accord's size. On the road the ride was comfortable on all surfaces and the handling reassuring and quite responsive with light steering that still afforded the driver plenty of road feel. The level of standard equipment was quite good with dual-zone air-conditioning, cruise control, remote central locking with alarm, six-stack CD player, steering wheel controls, fold-down rear seat. If that wasn't enough you could step up to the Luxury and enjoy a powered sunroof, powered driver's seat and leather upholstery.In general Hondas are well built and perform well over time and but for a couple of issues that can affect it the Accord V6 is no exception. On average a 2003 V6 Accord has now done around 125,000 km, so it's reached the stage of its life that you would anticipate that problems could arise. Hondas do need to be religiously serviced, if they're not that's when problems can occur. It's also important to stick with Honda's recommendations for the oils and lubricants when having them serviced.One thing that does crop up on occasions is the automatic transmission, which is regarded to have questionable durability. One owner we heard from had the automatic transmission in his 2005 V6 quite while driving along the Hume Highway. The diagnosis was that the transmission needed to be replaced. It's a good policy to have automatic transmissions serviced regularly, and it seems that it's even more important when it's a Honda. When it is serviced it's critical that the correct Honda-recommended transmission fluid be used. Using oil other than that recommended is to court disaster.Honda paint, at least some colours, appears to fade worse than other makes and models. Avoid red, that's the worst. When checking a car for possible purchase, check its service record, if it isn't complete or up to date walk away.Well-built, good driving and comfortable sedan but be aware of potential auto issues.

When you've hit the mark with a new car, as Honda did with the Accord Euro in 2003, there's little reason to make major changes to it.So, when it came to renewing it in 2008 Honda chose an evolutionary approach rather than a radical one. The new Accord Euro was longer, wider with a wider track, and sat lower, which gave it a much more stable grasp on the road.A stiffer body and a new rear suspension helped make it more agile and responsive. Inside, it was roomy enough in the front, but lacked space for rear seat passengers who wanted to stretch out.One engine was offered, it was a 2.4-litre double overhead camshaft four-cylinder pumping out a useful 148 kW and 230 Nm, which was slightly more than was on tap in the previous model.Performance was, let's say, sufficient. It wasn't blindingly fast,but was smooth and unfussed with either the six-speed manual gearbox or five-speed automatic that were the available transmission choices. Three models were offered, the base model Euro, the Euro Luxury and the Euro Luxury Navi.All were well equipped, even the base model, which had cruise, auto air, 10-speaker CD sound, reach-and-rake steering adjustment, active head rests, power mirrors and windows, and cloth trim.Climb one step on the model ladder and you got the Luxury with sunroof, leather trim, heated seats, eight-way power seats, rain-sensing wipers, fog lights, and front and rear parking sensors. Step up further, to the Luxury Navi and you drove away with an Alpine navigation system, Bluetooth readiness and a reversing camera.IN THE SHOPThe Accord Euro is well built and to date is proving to be reliable in the field. There's a lack of complaint to Carsguide from owners confirming the car's reputation for reliability. Servicing is a must with Hondas; they don't appreciate being neglected in that area so ask to see a service record. Check also for evidence of a crash, particularly where the repairs haven't been up to scratch.IN A CRASHANCAP handed the Accord Euro four stars out of a possible five, but it was still well equipped with safety features with dual front   airbags, head airbags, side front airbags, ABS brakes and stability   control.UNDER THE PUMPThe claimed average of 8.9 L/100 km is quite good for its class and size, but the recommended 95-octane fuel requirement takes some of the gloss off.AT A GLANCEPrice new: $34,990 to $44,990Engine: 2.4-litre 4-cylinder petrol; 148 kW/230 NmTransmission: 6-speed manual; 5-speed auto, front-wheel driveEconomy: 8.9 L/100 kmBody: 4-door sedan Variants: Euro, Euro Luxury,Euro Luxury NaviSafety: 4-star ANCAP

We turn the spotlight on automotive's newest and brightest stars, as we ask the questions to which you want the answers. Ultimately, however, there is only one question that really needs answering ... would you buy one?WHAT IS IT? Confusing. There's two Accords. This one tagged the Euro is the sportier one. Don't know why they don't just call it the Euro and be done with it?HOW MUCH? Priced from $29,340 right up to $44,290 with satnav. The good news is the price of the entry level 6-speed manual has been slashed by $2150.WHAT ARE THE COMPETITORS? Any of the Jap sedans with sporty pretensions. We'd also throw in the new Kia Optima for good measure (just wait until you see one). But the Euro is the best looking of the lot.WHAT'S UNDER THE BONNET? 2.4-litre four cylinder petrol engine. Produces a class leading 148kW of power and 234Nm of torque (only matched by the new Optima which actually delivers a bit more torque).HOW DOES IT GO? Good blend of performance and economy. The manual change is slick and easy to use. It's a while since we last drove the Euro and we'd forgotten just how good this car is.IS IT ECONOMICAL? The 6-speed manual is rated at 8.7 litres/100km. We covered a couple of hundred kilometres at 8.5, but we reckon it will do better than this.IS IT 'GREEN?' Gets 4 out of 5 stars from the Government's Green Guide, with a greenhouse rating of 6/10, air pollution rating 8.5/10 and CO2 emissions of 212g/km. (Prius sets the pace with 5).IS IT SAFE? Gets a full 5 stars for safety, with six airbags, active front head restraints, anti-lock brakes with brake assist and electronic brake force distribution as well as electronic traction and stability control.IS IT COMFORTABLE? Nice and quiet and very comfortable. Seats are excellent and the driving position is good, with rake and reach adjustment for the wheel. 10-speaker sound system standard with iPod integration.WHAT'S IT LIKE TO DRIVE? Very smooth. Very responsive steering. No red light racer, but has a sporty edge with excellent dynamics. Suspension is firm but not harsh.IS IT VALUE FOR MONEY? Recently upgraded with some minor cosmetic changes. Now comes with Bluetooth, a new foldaway key, USB connectivity and Trailer Stability Assist on all models. Phone can be controlled from the steering wheel.WOULD WE BUY ONE? You bet. This is the best thing Honda makes at the moment. We hear you can get the recently superseded model for just $32K driveaway - what a bargain?

For many years Honda was spoken of as the Asian BMW, but never has that description been more accurate than it is now with the Accord Euro leading the brand’s charge.It was generally held that Hondas were better engineered and better built. They were said to be a class above the other Japanese makes, and rivaled European brands like the sporty BMW.There wasn’t any doubt about the claims of engineering excellence and build quality, but Hondas still looked and felt like a Japanese car. They were generally bland to look at and the controls didn’t have a quality feel about them.But then something happened, the Japanese industry awoke, and their cars changed. They became more European in the intangible things that distinguish the good cars from the also-rans.The Honda Accord Euro – the name says it all – had the looks and the feel to go with the Japanese reliability and quality. It was as if the Japanese industry had realized it needed to appeal to western buyers if it wanted to succeed. All of a sudden exports were the key to long-term success.MODEL WATCH Japanese cars have built an enviable reputation for reliability and durability through the standard of their engineering and their build quality. The Japanese industry has set the pace in those regards and forced other manufacturers to lift their game, but its cars were manacled to mediocrity by stodgy styling and overtly plastic ‘cheap looking’ interiors.The classic example was the Honda NSX sports car. An awesome mid-engined sports coupe that had the performance to match the world’s great supercars, but its interior looked like it came from a humble Civic with acres of average plastic and controls that clearly came from the Honda small car parts bin.Previous Accords were good solid reliable cars, but the sixth generation Accord Euro launched in 2003 was different. It still felt light on the road, it didn’t have the solid road feel that most Europeans have, but there was little to moan about, and even the looks were attractive.Honda was clear in its focus with the Accord Euro, it was to be a performance oriented model. Anyone who wanted a more conservative ride could buy the plusher Accord V6, which was also available at Honda dealers alongside the Euro.The Accord Euro was well proportioned with appealing lines that gave it an athletic look without being too bold. But while it was an appealing car its styling was somewhat derivative; it could easily have come from Munich.There were two models in the range, the Accord and Accord Luxury, both powered by Honda’s renowned 2.4-litre double overhead camshaft i-VTEC LEV engine boasting peak power of 140 kW at 6800 revs and 223 Nm at 4500 revs.The engine used variable valve timing and electronic lift with variable inlet cam phasing for more efficient combustion with exhaust gas recirculation, better torque and more linear performance through the rev range. Backing up to the engine was a choice of a six-speed manual gearbox, which had a light, precise, short-throw shift, or a five-speed auto with a manual shift function.All of that was built on a rigid, stable platform that provided a sound foundation for the handling Honda wanted for the Accord Euro. Double wishbone independent suspension was a feature at both ends; it had massive disc brakes with anti-skid, brake force distribution and brake assist electronics to assist with the stopping. The electronic arsenal also extended to stability control and traction control in an impressive package of driver aids.Inside, the Accord had all the features expected of a prestige model, including air, cruise, power windows and mirrors, six-stack CD sound with steering wheel controls, remote keyless entry, alarm and immobiliser. On top of that the Luxury also had high-density headlights, power sunroof, power front seats, leather, woodgrain, rain sensor wipers, headlight washers and fog lamps.IN THE SHOPMake sure the Accord has been serviced, and by someone who knows the brand well. They are packed with technology and are built to close tolerances so regular servicing is essential. Oil changes in particular must be done on a regular basis.The Accord’s good build quality means little generally goes wrong with them, and they are still in their youth with just five years of road life under the tyre marks. Look for body damage, and listen for odd noises when driven.IN A CRASH The agility, road holding and braking prowess of the Accord Euro enables drivers to escape threatening situations they may face on the road if they’ve got the driving ability. Both the Accord and Accord Luxury boasted an impressive array of airbags including front and side airbags, while the Luxury had the added protection of curtain airbags. In another plus all occupants had three-point lap-sash seat belts.AT THE PUMP Owners report they get around 9.5 L/100 km average fuel consumption around town, but on a trip that drops to 7-8 L/100 km. Those figures compare quite well to the 9.2 L/100 km Honda quotes for the auto model on the ADR test.OWNERS SAY Jenny Foster loves driving her 2005 Accord Euro, and living in country Victoria she does plenty of it driving between her country home and Melbourne. She says it’s fantastic on the highway. It’s also been reasonably cheap to run, although it does require premium fuel, which it sips at the rate of 8 L/100 km on the highway. There have been no mechanical problems to date, but she is critical of the large turning circle, the blocked vision when turning, and the poor visibility when backing because of the low seating position.Daniel Madeira is the proud and happy owner of a 2005 Accord Euro. He loves its looks and the way it drives. Its handling is exceptional, he says, and he loves the option of changing gears manually on the auto transmission. His only problem has been a squeak where the windscreen meets the body, which was fixed under warranty.Nick Zouros has clocked up 47,000 km in his 2005 Accord Euro and reckons it’s a great car. The engine and auto transmission are brilliant, and the build quality, reliability and comfort are exceptional, he says. He’s critical of the firm ride at low speeds and he would like more room in the back seat for his growing family.William Martin reckons his Accord Euro is the best-finished car he’s had in his 50 years of owning motor vehicles. Its comfort and performance are first class, he says.LOOK FOR • Attractive styling• Brilliant handling• Zippy performance• Firm ride at low speeds• Good fuel economy• Requires premium fuelTHE BOTTOM LINE Soundly engineered and well built, the Accord Euro is a reliable and fun driver.RATING 80/100

Perhaps because of its involvement in Grand Prix racing Honda has always been a Japanese brand with a European flavour. For that reason it has stood out from the crowd of Japanese cars that have flooded our market.When Honda unleashed its new fifth generation Accord in 1993 it followed the development path it had trod for many years. Its lines were clean, its surfaces smooth, only its tail was clearly derivative being a clear copy of the E36 3-Series BMW.Even if it was a rip-off of the German BMW the tail fitted well within the Accord’s overall shape so it didn’t look out of place. If anything it was a case of taking what worked well on another model and using it to great effect on your own model.Up against the likes of the Toyota Camry, Mazda 626, Mitsubishi Galant, Nissan Bluebird and Hyundai Sonata, all of which looked as though they were flopped from the same mould the Accord was pleasantly different.Add to that Honda’s renowned engineering integrity and build quality and it was a winner from the start.In 1993 when the Accord was launched Honda was in a state of transition as it began to introduce some of the technology it had developed as result of its long involvement in Formula One.Honda was racing quite successfully in the 1960s when it had its own team and competed with cars designed in-house. After a sabbatical through the 1970s the company returned in the 1980s as an engine supplier to front running teams like Lotus, Williams and McLaren.It was the technology learned from those great engines that began to filter through to the production models in the early 1990s. The most obvious being the VTEC engine with variable valve timing and lift that changed engine design in a fundamental way. Variable valve timing is used by virtually every carmaker today, but Honda was alone in its use back in the early 1990s.The idea was brilliant. By varying the time the valves opened and closed, and altering the valve lift, the engine could be tuned to deliver good torque and fuel consumption while at the same time delivering plenty of power.Honda made the modest claim that the VTEC engine developed less than five per cent more power than the equivalent engine without variable valve timing, but it also produced up to eight per cent better fuel consumption and boasted better mid-range torque.The VTEC engine was one of two 2.2-litre four-cylinder engines Honda offered in the Accord. Apart from the VTEC variable valve timing it had a single overhead camshaft, four valves per cylinder and fuel injection, which combined to belt out 107 kW at 5000 revs and 198 Nm at 4500 revs.The standard engine was a carry-over from the previous model. Its peaks were 103 kW at 5600 revs and 192 Nm at 4500 revs.Both engines were smooth, thanks largely to a balance shaft, and unfussed when revved until at the very top end when things could get a little less pleasant.Each could be linked to manual or auto transmissions. The five-speed manual was a nice shifter, while the electronic four-speed auto was well regarded for its compatibility with the engines and its smoothness.Again perhaps because of its long association with motor sport Hondas have tended to be pretty smart in the handling department if sometimes that has come with a firm ride.The new Accord handled well with a nice chassis balance that made it enjoyable to drive. Contributing to that balance was the four-door body, which was stiffer in both bending and torsion providing a more stable foundation for the suspension to do its job.With the stiffer body, Honda’s engineers were free to let the suspension do its work in absorbing bumps in the road. As a result the ride was more compliant and comfortable.Four-wheel discs did an admirable job of slowing the Accord while standard power steering made light of the wheel work.Three models made up the Accord range. It started with the EXi sedan, which had the base engine along with air-conditioning, central locking, power windows, cloth trim and four-speaker radio/cassette sound. Cruise was added in 1996.The remaining models had the VTEC engine. The VTi sedan and wagon added alloys, a sunroof, power driver’s seat and a couple of extra speakers over the equipment fitted to the EXi. The VTi-S sedan also had leather trim, anti-skid brakes and a driver’s airbag.Technology needs to be serviced and that goes particularly for Hondas. It’s crucial that the engine oil is changed regularly to prevent sludge from building up and equally important that the cam timing belt be changed every 100,000 km. Do those and the Honda engines will give little trouble in the long term.Same goes for the gearboxes. The manual gives little trouble, but the auto needs regular servicing and it’s important to use Honda-specified transmission oil.The Accord’s chassis gives little trouble, but check for ticking noises that might indicate a problem with a CV joint. It will be louder when turning.Body stiffness not only aids crash protection and handling it also contributes to a car’s longevity and that’s the case with the Accord, which stands up well over time.Agile handling along with four-wheel disc brakes (anti-skid ABS on VTi-S and all models from 1995) gives the driver a good chance of avoiding a crash.The Accord’s stiff body and a driver’s airbag provide quite good protection in the crunch.• good build quality• Honda prestige to underpin resale• pleasant styling to doesn’t date• Good feature content• VTEC engine best choice for performance and economy• Good fuel economyWell engineered, well built prestige medium sized car that offers good value as a used buy for the long haul.

Ayrton Senna, with a Honda engine at his back, was blazing a trail around the world’s race tracks when Honda released its new fourth generation Accord in 1989 but it would be some time before the technology Senna was enjoying would filter through to the company’s regular production models.Honda has had a long involvement in Formula One, dating back to the 1960s when they company even had its own race team and built its own cars just like Toyota is doing today.There has always been a flow of technology from Honda’s motor sport to its road cars which have long had a reputation for being advanced, but it wouldn’t be until the early 1990s that the advances developed when the great Brazilian driver was at his peak were passed on to the average motorist.The fourth generation Accord released in 1989 was a competent well built car, but it was just a step along the path to what the Accord has become today.MODEL WATCHBy the late 1980s the Accord had blossomed into a car much respected by the motoring press and public at large. It was a far cry from the humble beginnings back in the 1970s when Honda first sold the Accord here.Back then, while they had a reputation for being of better quality than other Japanese cars, they were plagued with problems. While they were solid and reliable mechanically they suffered badly from rust and the bodywork was rather flimsy by comparison to other cars of the time.That began to change through the 1980s when all carmakers had to face up to many challenges, from safety to the environment.It was during that time that Honda really evolved into the aspirational brand it has become.Overseas the new Accord was available in a number of versions, but here Honda chose to limit the choice to an EXi sedan and Aerodeck wagon, and an EXi sedan with four-wheel steering, which was a fad at the time.The styling was greeted with a yawn by most people of the time. There was nothing that offended in the Accord’s soft, clean lines, but by most standards both the sedan and wagon were dull.Although Honda had an engine with variable valve timing – one of the things Senna used to great effect in F1 – available in the Accord in other markets it chose not to release it here.Instead our Accords had a 2.2-litre single overhead camshaft four cylinder engine boasting four valves per cylinder and fuel-injection. Peak power was put at 103 kW at 5200 revs and 192 Nm.Buyers could choose between a five-speed manual gearbox or four-speed auto, while power steering and four-wheel disc brakes were standard.Four-wheel steer was mostly an aid to parking, it was only active below 30 km/h.Also standard was central locking, cruise control, sunroof, power windows, alloy wheels and radio/cassette sound.The four-wheel steer sedan had all of that plus leather trim, power seats, ABS and four-wheel steering.Air-conditioning became standard in 1993 on both sedan and wagon, the latter also getting standard CD sound.IN THE SHOPHonda specialist Adam Kovarik of In-N-Out Motors says while the Accord is a well built and reliable vehicle having it serviced according to Honda’s recommendations is crucial to longevity.Before driving away in an Accord check for a verifiable service record that shows it has had regular oil changes. Kovarik says the oil should be changed every 20,000 km, it should have regular transmission services if it’s an auto, and the cam timing belt must be changed at the recommended intervals. That’s 80,000 km up to 1990, 100,000 km thereafter.Leaving the cam belt risks severe internal damage to the engine if the belt breaks, the pistons will come into contact with the valves.Kovarik also says it is crucial that Honda recommended oil be used in the auto transmission. Other oils can lead to swelling of seals, which can then result in hard shifting and slippage between shifts.Listen for a ‘clicking’ noise that might indicate a worn CV joint when test driving. The noise is usually louder when turning.IN A CRASHThe fourth generation predated the introduction of airbags in the Accord, so relies on its body structure and seat belts for crash protection.Four-wheel disc brakes, and ABS on four-wheel-steer model, provided advanced level of primary protection for the time.OWNERS SAYTwenty-five-year-old Glenn Hadgkiss has owned his 1991 Exi for two years, having bought it with 87,000 km on the odometer. He rates the performance and handling as nothing special, and the interior cramped for four adults. To improve the handling he has fitted lowered springs and 16-inch alloys, and he’s fitted a larger exhaust from the converter back. His only problems have been with the speedo and distributor.Chris Chamberlain bought his 1992 EXi manual in 1996 with 52,000 km on the odometer. It has now done 125,000 km and is still in superb condition. He rates the fuel consumption outstanding, 7.5 L/100 km on a trip and 9.5 L/100 km around town. The only problems he’s had have been with the distributor.John Vanderwerf bought his 1991 Accord four-wheel steer in 1994 with over 100,000 km on the odometer. It has now done over 350,000 km and has proven to be quite reliable, needing a new brake master cylinder, radiator, and drive shaft boots. John says it is great to drive, with good road holding, comfort, and ease of parking, but parts can be expensive and the road noise is high.Tony Brienl has done 140,000 km in the Accord he purchased in 1994. It has been serviced by a Honda dealer from new, and apart from routine replacement of tyres, battery, etc., the only work needed has been to replace an engine mount in 2001 and a CV-joint in 2004. The car has been a model of reliability, uses no oil, and he would recommend a second hand Accord of this vintage to anyone, provided there is documentary evidence of regular service.LOOK FOR• Service record a must• Check engine for sludge• Ensure timing belt has been changed as recommended• Minor body dings and scrapes• Heavy wear on high traffic areas of trim• Broken, cracked plastic trim• Good fuel economy• Good performance and handlingTHE BOTTOM LINENow in the last days of its useful life, the fourth generation Accord would make a good choice for the novice driver who values reliability and low operating costs.RATING65/100