Honda Accord: An ideal family sedan

Mid-size sedans are extremely popular in Malaysia and for good reasons too. It’s a perfect family vehicle with attractive design, power-packed performance and comes loaded with features. Honda is one company that has very effectively dominated this segment, especially with the Accord. There are plenty of impressively designed cars in Honda’s portfolio and the Accord is definitely one of them. The company recently introduced a facelift version of the Accord with aesthetic updates, keeping the mechanics unchanged. Within no time it became the market leader in the segment. So what is it about the Accord that makes it a great option for someone looking to buy a mid-size sedan? Let’s check it out!

1. Striking exterior and plush interior

Honda has really impressed everyone with the overall design language of the Accord and the recent facelifted version takes it to a new level. Talking about its exterior, the headlights were redesigned and now flaunt a broad swept-back look with automatic halogen lamps and LED DRLs on the base variant, while the 2.4 VTi-L gets full LED headlight units. The front fascia is a mix of angry look and elegance with the grille being redesigned. The body coloured rear view mirrors come with integrated LED turn indicators. At the rear, there are wide tail lamps and a new chrome strip that runs across the width of the car. Even the number plate gets wider. The sides look elegant featuring neat creases. Also, the striking alloy wheels of the car elevate its side profile.

Inside the Accord, you will find 8-way electronically adjustable black seats that tuck you in comfortably. The dashboard and doors get a touch of premium wood to make it look more luxurious. Space around the gear lever and infotainment is finished in piano black. A 7-inch advanced touchscreen display lets you control various features of the car, one of which allows you to connect your smartphone via Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. Audio settings and navigation are also controlled through the screen. Add to that, an Intelligent Multi-Information Display (i-MID) that reads out details like fuel efficiency, driving range, etc. The steering wheel feels very premium and sporty and has certain controls mounted on it.

2. Power packed performance

The Accord is offered with 2 engine options - a 2.0 VTi-L and a 2.4 VTi-L. Powering the 2.0 VTi-L variant is a 1997cc, four-cylinder, 16-Valve, SOHC, i-VTEC engine that pumps out a max power of 155 PS at 6,500 rpm and peak torque of 190 Nm at 4,300 rpm. Power reaches the ground through the tried and tested 5-speed automatic gearbox.

On the other hand, the 2.4 VTi-L is more powerful as it draws power from a 2356 cc, four-cylinder, 16-Valve, DOHC, i-VTEC engine which also comes powered by Honda’s Earth Dreams Technology. The engine is capable of producing maximum power of 175 PS at 6,200 rpm and peak torque of 225 Nm at 4,000 rpm, mated to a 5-speed gearbox. Even though the latter is more powerful, the 2.0 VTi-L engine holds good enough power for a mid-segment sedan.

3. Pleasant driving Experience

Accord offers a good driving experience. Its handling is fluent and reaction to steering input is orderly. The steering is very light but the firm chassis keeps the vehicle in control. The car’s poise is not disturbed even at high speeds owing to its suspension setup that comprises of MacPherson Strut at the front and Multi-link at the rear. The 2.4 VTi-L variant comes fitted with 18-inch alloy wheels shod with 235/45 tubeless tyres, while the 2.0 VTi-L comes with 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 225/50 tubeless tyres. These tyres provide a great grip on the road and add to the driving experience.

4. Enhanced safety features

Honda has always been keen on improving the safety of its vehicles. The Accord comes with disc brakes fitted on all four wheels along with superior quality tyres and Anti-lock braking system (ABS) is offered as standard. That’s not all. Other standard safety features on the Honda Accord include dual 6 airbags- 2 up front, 2 passenger and 2 side curtains, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Hill Start Assist (HSA), Emergency Stop Signal (ESS), two corner front sensor, four corner reverse sensor, multi-angle rearview camera, Honda Lane Watch Camera (LWC), etc. There are a few additional features which come only in the higher variant such as Active Cornering Light (ACL), Hydrophilic Door Mirror, and Honda SENSING.

Both the 2.0 VTi-L and the 2.4 VTi-L variants are available in five colours- White Orchid Pearl, Crystal Black Pearl, Modern Steel Metallic, Lunar Silver Metallic and Obsidian Blue Pearl. The base variant retails at RM140,158.50 and the higher 2.4 VTi-L variant comes with a price tag of RM159,114 (prices are inclusive of 0% GST but excludes road tax, insurance and other fees).