With the new Accord Honda has taken the best parts of both previous Accords - the Accord V6's plush ride and the Accord Euro's sharp handling - and combined them to make a thoroughly convincing package. Damien O’Carroll reports.
While neither quite as sharp as the Euro nor as plush as the V6, the new Accord makes for a better all-rounder than the other two.  The new Accord’s handsome and sculpted nose is distinctly Honda. While it is not the most exciting car in the world initially, its sleek looks grow on you quickly and you begins to appreciate the remarkable subtlety in its design. But while it is quietly handsome, it is also somewhat generic, leaving the unaware observer wondering if it is brand new or ten years old.  The interior is laid out in a traditional - and again distinctly Honda - way, as well as representing a vast improvement in material quality over the likes of the Civic sedan and CR-V. The two info-screens are brilliant in practice, despite seeming a bit odd and excessive to begin with. Which actually sums up the interior of the Accord rather nicely; there is a lot of stuff that you initially think of as unnecessary, but actually come to love and use regularly. The left hand mirror-mounted camera is genius, and is a perfect example of this.  Lane departure warning and collision detection are also included and both are well though out and nicely calibrated, so as not to be too intrusive while still offering decent warning.  Under the bonnet, the 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine has a nice muted growl. Its power comes on nicely down low and it has a revvy nature that loves the top end.   While the engine has good grunt down low and plenty more up high, there is a massive torque hole in the mid-range between 3,000 and 5,000rpm. And this is were the biggest let-down of the Accord comes in to play; the five-speed automatic transmission  Not that it is a bad transmission - it is actually very smooth and fast - but it just doesn’t have enough ratios to cover the engine’s torque hole. Around town everything plays together nicely, but out on the open road, it becomes obvious.  Not being on the cutting edge is one thing, but remaining willfully several steps behind the competition is quite another. The mid-range torque hole is a long-time Honda characteristic and a decent, closer ratio six-speed auto would solve it nicely... shame.  It is made even more disappointing by the fact that the Accord is actually a rather nimble, enjoyable thing to toss through the corners. It turns in sharply and responsively and the nimble chassis is delightfully chuckable. Although light and over-assisted, the steering offers a degree of information and feedback. The Accord’s ride is on the firm side, but it is still very comfortable with it.   The lack of ratios and mid-range torque spoil a lot of the fun that the chassis promises though.  Well-built, with a quality interior and a compliant chassis, the Accord ticks a lot of the right boxes, but mainly it appeals because what it does right, it does very right, while what it does wrong aren't massive issues.  The Accord 2.4 is a convincing all-round package. Comfortable, nimble and well-made, it is one of the best things Honda have done for some time now.
Specifications:

Body type        Four-door sedan Drive        Front-wheel drive Engine type    Inline four-cylinder petrol     Engine capacity    2,356cc Max power    129kW/6,900rpm Max torque    225Nm/4,000rpm Fuel consumption    8.1L/100km CO2 emissions    192g/km 0 to 100km/h    N/A Front suspension    McPherson strut Rear suspension    Multi-link Roof rack    No ABS brakes    Yes         Air bags    Yes ESP    Yes Air conditioning    Dual zone climate Lap/diagonal belts    Five Satellite navigation    Yes Electric seats    Yes Burglar alarm    Yes Panic button    No Boot release    No Cargo cover    N/A Boot capacity    457 litres Wheel type    18 inch alloy Spare tyre    Full size alloy
Price    $45,900?

Through Life Cost Report
36 Months 60,000km
Price    $55,000                     
WOF                $180
Fuel               $11,010                    
Registration               $1,293    
Servicing to 60k           $1,730
Total tyre cost                $1,596
Residual (30%)              $16,500    
Indicative final figure         $54,309

The running cost is used for illustrative and indicative purposes only. Adrenalin Publishing Limited accepts no responsibility or liability should any costs indicated in the model change from those published. All residual values are based on a calculated 30 percent as a financial instrument and are not the expected or indicative resale values.