The biggest improvement over the previous
version becomes apparent when adults seat themselves on the rear pew. The new
version has 160 mm more legroom than before, while headroom has increased
marginally by 10 mm. The growth in legroom is a significant achievement
considering this version is only 70 mm longer in its wheelbase than the
Euro-spec car.
Besides acres of room (even for a third
passenger), rear occupants are afforded such luxuries as climate controls and
shades on the side and rear windows.
Quality looks and feels sound throughout,
but customers who are used to the executive vehicles (i.e. German) targeted by
Honda will find some of the plastics along the lower parts of the facia and
doors unappealing to the touch. The test vehicle was rattle- and squeak-free
during its two-week assessment.
The
V6 has xenons as standard that provide excellent illumination on dipped and
mains
On paper, the decision to offer a
large-capacity, naturally aspirated petrol seems like a step backward
considering the fact that it arrives at the cost of the lovely 2.2-litre
turbodiesel, but there are nods to modernity in the way the V6 operates.
Boasting Variable Cylinder Management (VCM), the ECU switches off three
cylinders at light loads to improve fuel consumption. This system proved mostly
undetectable, except when it came to refuelling the vehicle; on our fuel route,
it recorded a fair 9.3 litres/100 km. That said, more spirited driving easily saw
this figure leap to 12.0 litres/100 km.
But what you lose at the pumps you win in
performance. Our test vehicle bested Honda SA's zero-to-100 km/h claim of 7.2
seconds by nearly 0.4 and proved especially athletic between the gears of the
smooth-shifting six-speed autobox.
Likewise, braking performance recorded a
"good" rating, posting an average time of 3.07 seconds and showing no
signs of fade during our punishing 10-stop emergency test.
The
Honda Accord is powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine
How the Accord delivers this performance is
somewhat less satisfying. The V6 is muted inside the cabin, but sounds strained
above 5,000 r/min. Being front-wheel driven, the V6 occasionally overwhelms the front axle, leading to mild
torque steer and the intervention of the stability-assist system.
The Japanese sedan further feels heavy in
the nose, willing the front tyres to wash wide during enthusiastic cornering.
Quickly come off the throttle and the rear end feels a touch unsettled as the
car narrows its cornering arc.
We mention these aspects, as unimportant as
they are in a family sedan, simply because previous Accords managed to combine
everyday comfort and refinement with a dose of driver enjoyment.
What the new version does extremely well is
cosset its occupants. Featuring Active Sound Control and Active Noise
Cancellation (microphones and a signal processor dim unwanted noise generated
by the tyres, the VCM, etc.), the cabin is a serene place at most speeds.
Aiding the impression of refinement is the supple suspension and comfortable
seats.
The
boot is long and easy to load although some depth is lost due to it being
modified to take a full-size spare
Test summary
The Accord 3.5 V6 lacks nothing in terms of
spec. Big-ticket items such as a reverse-view camera, glass sunroof, keyless
entry and drive, highbeam assist, adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping
assist are standard. In fact, the only omission we'd like to see rectified is
the fitment of satellite navigation.
It will need these items to convince buyers
to part with $51,660, however. At this price point, an Audi A6 2,0T PSI and BMW
520i, lower-powered and less well-specced as they are, present tempting
alternatives; by the same token, $43,520 nets you a Lexus ES250, a better
vehicle in all respects bar performance.
Honda should be applauded for sticking with
family sedans and taking the brave step to import the comfort-oriented US
vehicle, as the former can be extremely satisfying cars that often demand fewer
compromises than SUVs and crossovers. That said, if we were in the market for
such a vehicle, we'd opt for the entry-level Accord 2.0 that boasts most of the
V6's spec at a far more palatable price.
