Honda Accord Euro 2003 Review

What we liked
>> Contemporary exterior styling
>> Great engine/transmissions
>> Plenty of value for money

Not so much
>> Conservative interior
>> Road noise from Michelins
>> Needs premium unleaded

Honda Australia sells two very different Accord models.  To read about the Honda Accord, click here.

OVERVIEW
Honda's ever popular Accord has evolved significantly since it was first launched in 1977 as a compact 3-door hatchback with a 1.6-litre engine. Seven generations and 12 million global sales later and the solid, if somewhat conservative, 4-door sedan wins many buyers with its reliability and practical technology.

Honda tacitly acknowledges that the sixth generation Accord and its $40,000-plus price-tag was poorly positioned. It tried to be too many things for too many people, and lost its core appeal, which for Honda cars has always been the joy of driving.

It's a hiccup this model is going to fix, which is why Australians will eventually have a choice of two dramatically different looking Honda Accords. The first is the Honda Accord Euro, which we'll talk about here. The second is the North American market Honda Accord, which has a bigger body and a more powerful V6 engine. That model, which Honda says will take the fight to well-bred locals like the Holden Calais and Ford Fairmont, lands in Australia around October 2003. We'll cover it in more depth at that time.

Owners of existing Accords aren't going to like Honda's rejuvenated pricing strategy. Some models in the gen-seven line-up drop in price by more than $6000, in effect wiping a similar amount off the resale value of your second hand model. Still, Honda's got sales to chase and it seems even loyal buyers won't be allowed to stand in the way.

The new Accord's headline act - apart from the fact Aussies will get two very different looking Accords - is its performance. No longer, it seems, is barely enough going to be good enough for a medium sedan in Australia. Excitement has found its way back to the sub-Falcadore segment with the Mazda 6, launched in 2002 and the imminent arrival of Subaru's revitalised Liberty. Honda's 140kW Accord Euro completes the spirited troika.

FEATURES
The Honda Accord Euro lineup consists of two models with essentially the same mechanical package: 2.4-litre, four cylinder engine with a choice of six-speed manual or five-speed automatic gearbox. Alloy wheels and 16inch wheels and tyres are standard on both models.

The base model, called Accord Euro, is priced from $34,250 with manual transmission. Automatic is a $2000 option.

Standard features include electric windows and mirrors, remote central locking, dual zone climate control and cruise control. The Accord Euro Luxury starts at $40,800 (manual) and adds sunroof, fog lights, high intensity headlights, leather throughout, electrically adjustable heated front seats and rain sensing wipers. Oh, and woodgrain trim on the centre console in place of the metallic look - we prefer the metallic.

The Accord Euro is a wealth of improvements, none of which are exactly pioneering but nonetheless add up to a significant leap forward. We're talking a more advanced engine and driveline, electronic enhancements and safety features under the skin, and chassis and suspension changes to improve what Honda calls "driver exhilaration".

Accord Euro measures 4.66m tip to toe, 150mm shorter than previous, and at 1760mm wide, is 25mm narrower. Vehicle height hasn't changed, nor has the overall kerb weight of 1435kg (auto). However when you take into account the new model's extras, like five speed automatic transmission, more equipment and safety features, and improvements in body rigidity and noise damping, Honda has obviously paid close attention to weighty matters.

Honda is keenly trumpeting the more slippery shape of the Euro, which it says brings major benefits in terms of vehicle dynamics, fuel efficiency and refinement. Interestingly, most of the reduction in wind drag came from modifications to the Euro's underbody, the goal being to smooth airflow beneath the vehicle.

COMFORT
The driver's seat adjusts for height, tilt and reach; manually on the base model, electrically on the Luxury spec. Coupled with the tilt and reach adjust on the steering wheel, the Accord easily accommodates most size drivers.

Passenger comfort hasn't been overlooked, and while there's not as much room as the big locals (Commodore and Falcon), Accord easily housed our 175cm frame. Leg-room in the rear is fine, as is under-seat foot-room. Sideways, the Accord would be stretched beyond comfort to house three adults for more than a one hour drive.

The interior of the Accord is definitely a step up over the previous car, not in quality, but in style and contemporary design. That said, it still looks a little staid and conservative against the Mazda 6's faux-aluminium look.

The centre console reflects some design elements from the exterior of the car, and all controls and dials are well laid out, falling easily to hand.

SAFETY
Where to start? The Honda Accord Euro has strong credentials in both passive and active safety - good enough to match, if not better, the competition.

The Euro's responsive 140kW engine, sporty chassis and grippy tyres are a plus in emergency manoeuvres, as are the strong and progressive brakes. Both models come with four wheel disc brakes, equipped with anti-lock and electronic brakeforce distribution, traction control and vehicle stability assist.

Passive safety includes dual airbags, side airbags and seat belt pretensioners for front seat occupants. Side curtain airbags are fitted standard to the more expensive Luxury model but they're not available on the base car. Side impact protection and crumple zones are built into the body structure; as they are for just about every other vehicle in this price range.

MECHANICAL
Honda's given the Accord Euro some serious under bonnet bikkies that's bound to appeal to anyone for whom driving is not always a chore. First and foremost is the 2.4-litre, four cylinder engine, which is similar to the Honda CR-V engine, but with a few fundamental - and beneficial - changes.

Honda's much acclaimed I-VTEC variable valve timing is back on both intake and exhaust sides of the combustion process, liberating a class leading 140kW of power and 223Nm of torque. The trade off for this impressive punch is that you'll always need to fill up at the more expensive Premium Unleaded petrol pump.

Honda has mated a new, optional five-speed automatic transmission with tiptronic gear select to make the most of the power increase. Standard is a very smooth shifting six-speed manual gearbox, and quite frankly, we found nothing wrong with either choice.

COMPETITORS
Honda's spirited Accord joins a totally reborn medium car marketplace, with car companies discovering that fun to drive cars are easier to sell than white-good conveyances. The Accord Euro's main rivals are Mazda 6 and Subaru Liberty, and without head-to-head comparison, we were hard pressed to tell if the Honda's extra grunt makes up for the Mazda's slight dynamic advantage. At the time of writing we hadn't driven the new Liberty on local soil so can't comment on its performance or value for money, however the basics are there for a titanic three way fight.

Buyers may also consider the Toyota Camry, Audi A4 and Volkswagen Passat - possibly even the BMW 318i. The Camry is much bigger physically and the other three are priced substantially higher than the Euro, but all have some appeal that makes them worthy of consideration at buying time.

ON THE ROAD
The Accord rides on double wishbone suspension, front and rear, with a decidedly sporty bias to the tune. It tracks well on the smooth stuff, and delivers a billiard table ride on freeways, but the sporty handling comes at a cost to occupant comfort on B roads.

Bumps, undulations and potholes are felt in the cabin, and road camber changes will require attention at the wheel, but the only people likely to find the Accord's ride uncomfortable are owners of the previous model - which for our money erred too far on the comfy side to be a fun drive.

We found the Accord's reborn vitality enjoyable and even addictive. Honda has a history of building sporty, fun to drive cars, but Aussie dealerships have been short on enthusiasm since the axe fell on CR-X, Civic coupe and Prelude. It's good to see that driver excitement is back at the heart of Honda's product development crew.

Both the five-speed auto and six-speed manual make good use of the full 140kW of power. At the same time the Accord returns impressive fuel economy of just 9.1litres/100km for city and highway combined.

7 DAY TEST

BOTTOMLINE
Better combination of performance, refinement and value than any other similarly priced four-door; Aussies included.

The mid-sized car Dark Ages are officially over. Mazda's exciting and involving 6 signalled the first wave of rejuvenated product, and Honda's all-new Accord Euro backs up the promise with a bang. Where the 6's appeal was its addictive driver dynamics and raw, sporty handling, the Accord dials back slightly in this area to boost refinement.

It's still a very involving car to drive, with a powerful engine 2.4-litre second to none that delivers plenty of performance. The six speed manual gearbox fitted to our test car is sublime. It's slick, sweet and smooth with nary a hint of wrongdoing, and the gear ratios are well spaced. Fuel economy surprised, as our lead foot usually manages to extract the worst from a car. For the record, the Accord drank just 10.4 litres of fuel for every 100km travelled -- which included an even mix of freeway, urban and country driving.

The car's handling dynamics are softer than the Mazda 6's, but only just. For the enthusiast this may be a deciding factor, though we reckon the Accord's extra power more than makes up for it. Not to mention its refined, relaxed ride which is easily best in class, but can be crashy on bigger bumps.

The Accord's accurate, direct steering does require your full attention on Australia's sloppy roads, as it tends to follow camber changes and ruts.

Interior space is big enough for four comfortably, and three across the back won't raise too many problems. The boot is surprisingly big, its nice flat floor makes packing a breeze.

We found it very hard to find anything to criticise about the Accord Euro. It's very well equipped, priced aggressively and has a near-perfect mix of performance and poise. Its somewhat conservative exterior styling may be a touch more aggressive than before, but still looks plain beside Mazda's sleek 6.

BOTTOMLINE
A compelling package -- salary sacrificers take note.

The Accord Euro represents a return to form for Honda, world's largest maker of four-stroke engines. Competitively priced, well equipped in both luxury and cooking models and above all dynamically accomplished, the latest Accord puts Soichiro's mob back on the top of the Nippon heap.

Our first impressions at launch placed the Accord Euro at least on a par with Mazda's most recent entry into the mid-sized exec segment, the imaginatively named Mazda 6, in terms of performance and handling. Afterwards we sampled a manual standard version and were impressed by a delightfully well-spaced six-speed gearbox that liberated the sportiness of the 2.4-litre DOHC four-cylinder i-VTEC power plant.

After our most recent stint with an auto-equipped Luxury model, we're even more convinced. This is a fine motor car with high levels of finish and refinement. The fact it's very keenly priced at $42,800 with a full compliment of safety features (traction control, ABS, curtain and conventional airbags), HID headlamps, leather interior, electric seats, sunroof, sequential-shift smart auto 'box, stacker CD and more only adds weight to the argument.

Suckers for the looks of the Euro, the only thing we'd change are the wheels. Blame it on the cab-forward wedginess of the look but the hoops, especially those at the rear look a inch or two too small. With something as overtly sporty in appearance as the Euro the wheel design is a little pedestrian to boot.

With 140kW under the drive-by-wire throttle there's plenty of urge even when coupled to the five-speed auto. The box itself should be singled out for comment. Equipped with Honda's Grade Logic Control System, it's got the smarts to know when to hold gears in the windy stuff. The system's not perfect but it's pretty damn good. Anyway there's always the option of banging the lever over to the sequential side of the gate and doing the work yourself.

Though our test car's Ivory leather interior was starting to show some marks (ahh the joy of light coloured leather), the effect of the leather, contrasting dash and veneer-style inlays was very pleasing. The plastics aren't quite up to VW standards, but they are a step up on the finishes adopted by the Euro's US-market-focus Accord V6 stablemate.

Sporty drivers will appreciate the Euro's snappy turn in and great levels of grip. This is not at the expense of ride, however. Around town the Euro was more Business Class than economy. Out on the open road it's a matter of adjusting the eight-way electric drivers seat, hitting the cruise control and watching the miles roll by.

Sydney Motor Show duty meant our time and miles with the Euro were limited. But don't fret, as a CarPoint favourite you're likely to see it gracing these web pages again before too long.