Motivating the Accord is an all-new 2.4-litre powerplant, which is slightly more efficient than the previous version. Its combined figure of 12.3km/L means it can travel 1.1km further per litre of unleaded. Without altering my driving style, I averaged 9.3km/L over a five-day period, which is pretty good considering the engine’s size and the fact that it’s still paired to a comparatively ageing 5-speed automatic.
Now, while the powerplant’s output has been lowered from 180bhp to 174bhp in order to achieve this frugality, the overall performance remains the same. The Accord still takes 10.5 seconds to reach 100km/h from a standstill, but the good news is that the new motor goes about its business in a more refined manner.
Also enhancing the car’s refinement is the standard Active Noise Control system, which helps cancel out road and engine noise by playing the opposing frequency of the intruding sounds detected by two microphones in the cabin.
In terms of ride quality, the current Accord is less pliant than the preceding one, but makes up for this with its improved handling. The Accord’s ability to hold a line through a corner (no doubt helped by the Michelin Pilot Sport 3 tyres) is admirable not just because of its considerable size, but also because it doesn’t have the sophisticated double wishbone front suspension of the old model – a simpler MacPherson strut setup has instead been employed in order to save weight.
In addition, the car’s knack for “shrinking” around the driver, too, is another characteristic that its predecessor never had. In fact, you’re only really aware of the car’s size (it’s 65mm longer than a Toyota Camry) during parking manoeuvres.
So, the new Accord definitely hits all the good notes: it’s roomy, well-equipped and possesses driver-friendly manners. The real question is whether it ultimately plays the right tune for buyers.
This article was first published in the September 2013 issue of Torque.
2013 Honda Accord 2.4 (A)
ENGINE 2356cc, 16-valves, inline-4
MAX POWER 174bhp at 6200rpm
MAX TORQUE 225Nm at 4000rpm
GEARBOX 5-speed automatic with manual select
0-100KM/H 10.5 seconds
TOP SPEED 224km/h
CONSUMPTION 12.3km/L (combined)
CO2 EMISSION 192g/km
Check out the bold design of the 10th generation Honda Accord here
Read about the redesigned 2018 Toyota Camry here
