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Posted on: Feb 17 2009

Honda Accord

One of the most successful sedans in the world, the Accord has won many hearts in India as well. The new-shape Accord, which arrived in 2003, has wiped out most of its D-segment rivals with its talent, badge and above all, its pricing.:

Design, Engineering and Interiors:  
While the first Accord offered in India was a staid, square shape, the new car is quite futuristic, with its exaggerated wedge-design and large, triangular headlamps. There's plenty of glass area and very modern surfacing as well; the only downside is the too-heavy-looking rear.
Honda actually has two very different versions of the Accord: a compact, sporty version for Europe and Japan, and a larger one for North America. It is the latter version, with its huge boot and slight bent towards cruising, which we get here.

There’s a stiff new frame underneath, but the build quality feels strangely flimsy. There’s also a sophisticated suspension system, with double-wishbones in front and a multi-link set-up at the rear.One thing in common between the two Accord platforms is the interior design, probably Honda's best effort ever. The North American angle means there's plenty of interior space, both front and rear, the styling and plastic quality is far ahead of any previous Honda.

The wood-lined centre console looks superb, and the dash is clearly laid out and easy to use. Happily, all the design is quite driver-centric, which goes a long way in confirming the Accord’s sporty credentials.
A major plus point is the large number of cubby-holes, designed to hold everything from sunglasses to water bottles and a huge stack of CDs— a must in a car designed to travel fair distances.

Equipment levels are good on both cars, especially the V6, which gets cruise and traction control. There's a great deal of space, but seat comfort isn't terrific: the front seats lack lower-back support, and the rear seat isn't as good as on rivals like the Camry because it’s too low and lacks under-thigh support.

Performance, Fuel Economy and Handling:
The Accord gets two engines in India: a 2.4-litre four-cylinder and a superb 3.0-litre V6, both petrol, featuring VTEC technology.

The 2.4-litre four-cylinder is a high-tech twin-cam motor, with features like variable valve timing, variable valve lift, and the new VTC or Variable Timing Control, all designed to provide good torque and fuel efficiency at low engine revs and plenty of power at the top. True to Honda's heritage, this is a creamy-smooth engine, highly flexible and quick. The 2.4 has a choice of five-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmissions, both of which work very well; the only flaw in the excellent auto is that it doesn't feel very sporty, and can take some time to respond, which is exacerbated by the lack of a manual mode. Fuel efficiency is pretty decent, with 8.0 and 12.1kpl with the manual, and 7.1 and 10.3kpl with the automatic.

The V6 is the pick of the two, combining plenty of urge with a silky smoothness while cruising; 200kph is not only possible but almost imperceptible, so good is the car at disguising speeds. The V6 is available only with the five-speed auto transmission, but this only increases the feeling of velvet-lined comfort at all speeds. Fuel economy is pretty low, with 6.6kpl in the city and a mere 7.7 on the highway.

One downside of the Accord is a very Oriental ‘lightness’ at high speeds, very different and not as confidence inspiring as the planted feel of European rivals.Another is the ride, which is a tad firm, and not as pliant as a luxury car ought to be. Broken roads see some harshness filtering through into the cabin, especially at low speeds. At high speeds, the steering also tends to feel a bit vague, and instead of staying planted in the direction you want it to point, it will follow road contours, making for a slightly unsettled high-speed experience.

Verdict:
The Accord is probably the pick of the D-segment cars, combining looks, a great cabin, talent, refinement and a blue-chip image with a superb price. The V6 is one of the best cars available in India, with a brilliant price tag. There is little to criticise about the car itself, but Honda’s grip on after-sales service seems to be slipping. Still, it’s the best all-rounder in its class, and at this price, would you really overlook it? The bad news is that discounts are impossible to find, and with the car in such demand, you’ll have to wait at least a month.
Source: autocarindia.com