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Honda’s Accord is probably South Africa’s best entry level executive buy. Its now been joined by a Labrador friendly Tourer version too.
South African Honda buyers did not have option on the previous generation Accord Tourer; a capacious, but admittedly aesthetically challenged car, which featured a flat-slab rear tailgate and huge overhang section behind the rear axle line.
Wider and sleeker
The latest Accord Tourer is an altogether more palatable suburban lifestyle partner. Although wheelbase has been reduced by 15mm to 2.7m, Accord Tourer is 80mm wider and rides on a 75mm wider track, ushering in more responsive handling dynamics and improved shoulder room for occupants.
From the B-pillar backwards Accord Tourer’s roofline now features a pronounced downward curvature. Fusing with a significantly restyled tailgate; it’s a vast improvement over the previous model’s boxy estate car styling.
Viewed from the rear, the tapered finish and large tailgate light clusters are complemented by the Accord’s wider track, rendering a more well proportioned car. Some may argue it’s better looking than the Accord sedan; in much the same way as the A4 Avant supplants its four-door cousin in terms of styling appeal and proportionality.
Though Honda may denote it euphemistically as a Tourer, it’s a station wagon plain and simple, and as such, loadability is a key unit of analysis. With the rear seats in place the Tourer can accommodate 406l of luggage and objects 1.2m in length.
Accord Tourer does not sport its smaller sibling Jazz’s magic seats, yet the rear seats still fold nearly flat with via simple single motion mechanics, and you don’t have to bother with removing headrests to do so either.
Dynamically able mix
Mechanically the Tourer is powered by the same over-square, 2.4l, i-VTEC four-cylinder engine, producing 148kW at 7 000r/min and 234Nm at 4 500r/min. In typically Honda fashion it blends redoubtable reliability with keen responsiveness.
Gearboxes are either a five-speed two-pedal automatic or six-speed manual for the more dynamically inclined driver.
Underpinnings are as sophisticated as any of the German competitors, with double-wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension featuring variable-rate dampers.
Motion adaptive power steering combines with the vehicle stability assist system (VSA) to render corrective steering feedback during emergency avoidance manoeuvres.
Brakes are ventilated discs all round, boosted by ABS, EBD and brake assist hydraulics.
Vehicle stability systems detect when a trailer is being towed too; ushering in a recalculated dynamic threshold for assistance in the case of trailer sway.
Comprehensive kit
Standard equipment levels are typically elaborate in Honda D-segment tradition.
Safety is catered for by six airbags. Infotainment capability features full MP3/iPod connectivity, whilst climate control is augmented by a refrigerated glove- and centre console stowage-box set-up. The Accord range also features some of the best electrically powered and heated front leather seats found on any vehicle, at any price.
An integrated hand-free, Bluetooth phone kit keeps you on the benevolent side of the law too, and the comprehensive multifunction steering wheel ensures you only have to take your left hand off the wheel to change gears.
Accord Tourer rolls off the showroom floor with standard 18-inch mags, though for R4 000 off the sticker price you can have 17-inch wheels.
We think the latter option makes a lot more sense; especially when it's time to replace tyres, and perhaps more pointedly for local conditions, ensuring you have a full-sized spare wheel as standard – which is not the case with 18-inch equipped cars.
Pricing:
Manual R306 000
Automatic R319 000
South African Honda buyers did not have option on the previous generation Accord Tourer; a capacious, but admittedly aesthetically challenged car, which featured a flat-slab rear tailgate and huge overhang section behind the rear axle line.
Wider and sleeker
The latest Accord Tourer is an altogether more palatable suburban lifestyle partner. Although wheelbase has been reduced by 15mm to 2.7m, Accord Tourer is 80mm wider and rides on a 75mm wider track, ushering in more responsive handling dynamics and improved shoulder room for occupants.
From the B-pillar backwards Accord Tourer’s roofline now features a pronounced downward curvature. Fusing with a significantly restyled tailgate; it’s a vast improvement over the previous model’s boxy estate car styling.
Viewed from the rear, the tapered finish and large tailgate light clusters are complemented by the Accord’s wider track, rendering a more well proportioned car. Some may argue it’s better looking than the Accord sedan; in much the same way as the A4 Avant supplants its four-door cousin in terms of styling appeal and proportionality.
Though Honda may denote it euphemistically as a Tourer, it’s a station wagon plain and simple, and as such, loadability is a key unit of analysis. With the rear seats in place the Tourer can accommodate 406l of luggage and objects 1.2m in length.
Accord Tourer does not sport its smaller sibling Jazz’s magic seats, yet the rear seats still fold nearly flat with via simple single motion mechanics, and you don’t have to bother with removing headrests to do so either.
Dynamically able mix
Mechanically the Tourer is powered by the same over-square, 2.4l, i-VTEC four-cylinder engine, producing 148kW at 7 000r/min and 234Nm at 4 500r/min. In typically Honda fashion it blends redoubtable reliability with keen responsiveness.
Gearboxes are either a five-speed two-pedal automatic or six-speed manual for the more dynamically inclined driver.
Underpinnings are as sophisticated as any of the German competitors, with double-wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension featuring variable-rate dampers.
Motion adaptive power steering combines with the vehicle stability assist system (VSA) to render corrective steering feedback during emergency avoidance manoeuvres.
Brakes are ventilated discs all round, boosted by ABS, EBD and brake assist hydraulics.
Vehicle stability systems detect when a trailer is being towed too; ushering in a recalculated dynamic threshold for assistance in the case of trailer sway.
Comprehensive kit
Standard equipment levels are typically elaborate in Honda D-segment tradition.
Safety is catered for by six airbags. Infotainment capability features full MP3/iPod connectivity, whilst climate control is augmented by a refrigerated glove- and centre console stowage-box set-up. The Accord range also features some of the best electrically powered and heated front leather seats found on any vehicle, at any price.
An integrated hand-free, Bluetooth phone kit keeps you on the benevolent side of the law too, and the comprehensive multifunction steering wheel ensures you only have to take your left hand off the wheel to change gears.
Accord Tourer rolls off the showroom floor with standard 18-inch mags, though for R4 000 off the sticker price you can have 17-inch wheels.
We think the latter option makes a lot more sense; especially when it's time to replace tyres, and perhaps more pointedly for local conditions, ensuring you have a full-sized spare wheel as standard – which is not the case with 18-inch equipped cars.
Pricing:
Manual R306 000
Automatic R319 000
