08 Apr 03
Honda has made a significant effort in upgrading the quality of the Accord's cabin, and this shows, though the Accord's overall feel is not quite to the high standards set by the Lexus IS200 SportCross or its German rivals - it just doesn't give the same impression of substance and solidity, even though all the evidence suggests that it's beautifully built and will prove to be superbly reliable. Still, at prices starting from £17,495 (£1000 more than equivalent four-door models), it's competitive by any criteria. Engines on offer so far are 2.0-litre (155bhp) and 2.4-litre (190bhp) petrol variants - the all-new 2.2 diesel will follow early next year - and specification levels are, as for the four-door Accord, SE, Executive (wood trim, plusher interior finish) or Type-S (sportier seats and silvery trim detailing).
The smaller of the two petrol engines feels the livelier at sensible road speeds, with its peak power output lower down the rev range and more instantly rewarding in-gear acceleration. As with most Honda engines, it loves to be revved right up, and it makes a fantastic noise right up to the redline, though at motorway speeds or up steep hills, it runs out of puff at the top end if you want to push the legal limits, despite the i-VTEC variable valve timing, which lends a little extra oomph. On paper, there's not much to choose between the two engines, but the 2.4 is more flexible, and its six-speed manual gearbox (standard-fit) allows for more relaxed cruising. Both gearboxes, however, are slick, with a precise short-throw action, which suits the Accord's neat handling and responsive steering. The suspension - an all-new multi-link design at the rear end - lends itself well to enthusiastic progress, too, and even the electronic stability control fitted to 2.4 models isn't too intrusive.
The Tourer is a credible sporting estate, then, but this has compromised its comfort a little. Whilst the engines do sound great (if you like that sort of thing) they can be intrusively noisy; although Honda has done a lot to improve refinement in this generation of the Accord, it's still not quite there in terms of sound insulation, and there's considerable wind and tyre noise as well - more than in, say, the Lexus. The larger of the alloy wheels (available in 15-, 16- or 17-inch format) and the hard suspension don't give a cosseting ride, either - but then that does go with the territory, and you do at least have a choice of wheel/tyre combinations.
It's a fine effort, though, which shows up some of its competitors - Saab 9-5, Subaru Legacy, to name just two - to be overpriced and/or dated. It's unlikely to steal customers from Lexus, BMW, Mercedes or Audi (or Alfa, for that matter), but does make an interesting alternative to more mass-market models. It should make a good investment, too: Honda promises residual (resale) values after three years to be an impressive 41 percent of new list price, underpinned by the high demand for second-hand Hondas and the relatively low numbers that will be around. Honda expects to sell just 4000 this year, and 6000 next year (the same as the saloon), though ultimately it expects to sell more Accord Tourers than four-door versions. In many ways, the Tourer makes more sense; its not-quite-premium-class, too-dear-for-mainstream positioning matters less to a good-looking estate, which is a statement in itself and less likely to remain stranded between the two camps. But if anyone knows where we can buy the lifestyle (or teeth) to go with it, we'd like to find out.
