******** Overview ******** A stylish alternative to more mainstream models and marques. Distinctive and well equipped - the Accord Tourer is a viable alternative to a compact executive and family car. Vast load lugging capabilities coupled with excellent reliability and reasonable running costs (I hope) make this a think persons choice for a car.
***************** The Buying Decision ***************** We opted for the 2.0 Executive Tourer Automatic in a nice Indigo Blue Pearlescent paint (dark blue with a purple hue in sunlight). The List price for this is £21,900 (ouch) so we opted for a 12 month old ex-garage managers car with 11k miles on the clock for £15,000. It comes with a standard 3 year warranty (so 2 left) which can be extended. Includes Europe wide AA cover (all services). Probably never used as they are reputedly the most reliable marque now. I would have considered the diesel as it comes highly recommended but the price premium over the miles we expect to cover do not make this a sensible option. Would have gone up to the 2.4 if I could have afforded it (if only for the standard Satellite Navigation). I considered other estates, like Citroen C5 (too unreliable and dereciates like no other), Passat (new model not yet available). Also considered MPVs and 4*4s but the price premium vs. space equation was not a winner. The need for luggage space, dog space, comfort and driving experience still makes the estate a sensible choice.
**************** Driving Experience **************** The Accord Tourer handles well and you would be hard pressed to know you are not in a saloon. The ride is comfortable and taught. Response to throttle controls are excellent with very rapid responses. Steering commands, whilst precise and quick, do not offer vast amounts of feedback. Brakes work well (good thing on an automatic which relies on them far more than a manual gearbox car). Overall I would classify this as a touring car, rather than a enthusiastic / performance drivers car. A good place for the family and hounds.
Visibility is reasonable but the A-pillars are thick and take some getting used to - also the B-Pillers create a blind spot if you are looking to the rear. Not a major issue but needs care.
Noise is reasonable - tarmac surface noise is quite loud in the car and there is some wind noise from the wing mirrors which are quite large. I think Honda could improve on the sound insulation.
The engine noise is muted until the revs climb when seeking more power. It is not an unpleasent sound - quite throaty. Performance from the variable timing engine system is excellent with a good delivery of power.
All (barring the trip computer) controls work well and effectively. All are well placed. What you would expect from Honda.
**************** Safety and Security **************** The Accord Tourer comes equipped with 6 airbags, ABS and EBD (electronically assists with braking) and emergency brake assist. The 2.4 has traction control to handle the extra power. There is an internal button to lock the doors (but they do not lock as you move off - shame). All doors can be deadlocked for extra security and there is an alarm/imobiliser on all models. The stereo is unique fit to the Accord so requires no removable panel. There is a storage box in the boot and glovebox, both of which are lockable. Locking wheel nuts are standard. The SE has a perimeter alarm, whilst the Executive trim adds interior sensors too.
******** Strengths ******** The Accord Tourer has 3 outstanding strengths: (1) the size of the boot. This is truly vast and there are not many that can measure up. Many competitors suffer from the usual 'tourer weakness' of a sloping rear which cuts into useable boot space. Thankfully the Accord Tourer has a sensibly squared off rear-end. Drop the rear seats and you get a fair resemblance to a removal van - the luggage space is enormous. Couple this to a 60:40 split, and an under floor (lockable) storage box and the Accord Tourer is a class leader. (2) An automatic boot door - just press a button on the remote key fob and the boot door opens and closes automatically. Great for luggage access when you have hands full, or impressing any other driver in a competitor car. No other car in this class has this feature as standard. (3) The Honda engine - variable valve technology makes these very responsive, powerful and refined. They are also reknowned for their reliability. Base models have the 2.0 litre with a 2.2 diesel or 2.4 petrol as the alternatives.
Other strengths - well equiped. In Executive trim you have over base (SE) trim: • Heated/leather seats, electrically adjustable • Built in vertical luggage nets (stops the luggage coming forward in an accident) • Premium sound system with subwoofer in the boot; 6 CD autochanger in the dash • 6 air bags - front, front side, front/rear curtain • Easy fold rear seats (allegedly one touch but see problems section for more detail). • Cruise control • Headlight washers • Front fog lights • Automatic rain sensing wipers • Power socket in boot (great for the powered cool box) Standard (SE trim) equipment includes: • Dual zone climate control (automatic air-conditioning for passenger and drive) • Electic sun roof • Electric, heated door mirrors • Lots of other nice features that you would expect.
******************************* Weaknesses / Areas For Improvement ******************************* There are no upper hooks in the boot area so it is difficult to secure tall loads. Sounds like a small thing but in an estate car, quite useful to have.
The only standard non-metallic/pearlescent colour is Red (does not suit the car) - otherwise you have to pay a £400 cost for anything decent. It is obvious that Honda should have more standard colours or just include the cost of metallic on the base price (come on Honda - lead the way!).
The handbook is a regular door-stop in size - hundreds of pages long. They really should produce a quick reference version so that people will at least read some of it.
There is no first aid kit as standard (despite having a storage box for it in the boot). No warning triangle either. Cost cutting from someone that aspires to compete in the executive market? Bad decision Honda.
There is no one touch window option on any except the drivers window (this is really quite poor now-a-days).
The seatbelt retraction is far too weak and it is too easy to leave the belt buckle in the door frame when you try to close the door. We will point this out at first service.
The reset button for the trip computer (combines with instrument light level control) is behind the steering wheel and actually in the instrument binnicle. Not easy to reach, impossible on the move (if you want to track a distance whilst navigating for example). Should really be electronically controlled.
There is no internal button to activate the rear (automatic) door. This is poor. It would have been simple to have this as a button with appropriate safety options.
************* Optional Extras ************* We have opted for a third party boot liner - the standard Honda one does not cover the sides properly so leaves some of the fabric open to abuse.
We took a jewelultra-Diamondbrite paint coating system (£399) on purchase to try and better protect the paint work over the next few years. This has a 6 year warranty (providing you keep up the maintenance of it). More on the success or otherwise of this system over time.
We have also recently opted to buy a touch up paint kit (£4 from Honda). Thinking ahead.
The standard in the UK is not to have a spare wheel but the repair and compressor kit. This basically is a fluid to inject into the tyre and a powered pump to re-inflate. If you use the repair fluid, the tyre has to be replaced !!! The dealers recommend, where possible for small punctures to re-inflate and drive to the nearest tyre repair shop to save on a replacement tyre. You can opt for a space saver spare (costs a small amount) but this removes the nice lockable box in the boot. We are keeping the inflator / fluid kit and will see how this goes.
Have not opted for the rear parking sensors yet (dealer fit option) but will consider this for the future - it is a long car and takes some parking.
************************ Problems And Issues To Date ************************ We have twice returned to the dealer for a warranty fix on the rear folding seat mechanism. The small section works well, just tug the lever, the seat base pops up and you continue pulling the seat back forward using the lever until it lies perfectly flat. The larger (60%) section does not - the base refuses to pop up (even after a fix) and the rear catches on it, requiring me to either 'assist' the base pop up or (as advised by the garage) rock the back by the level until the base pops up and then complete the operation. I am not convinced this is the solution that Honda had in mind so I have emailed them to ask if this is normal. The dealer says it is. Updates to follow.
The paintwork is picking up a fair few minor scratches and chips already from driving the country lanes. That is even with the special protective coat we opted for. It is not currently looking like the most hardy paint work but time will tell better.
************ Costs To Date ************ The car is not due for it's second service until 25k miles or another 10 months yet.
The windscreen wiper rubber split on both passenger and driver side. I think this may have been partially due to pressure washing it but who knows - apparently 6-18 months is the expected life span of the blades. Cost to replace both £18. They do not sell just the blades apparently, but the whole arm unit. The local DIY stores do not sell good fitting alternative blades.
******************* For The Potential Buyer ******************* Honda Accords are no longer the cheaper family car that they started. Prices are up, and they are actively looking to compete in the quality family / compact executive car market. The good news is that they are well specified on all models, have excellent retained values. Image is high and they are an alternative to more mass market models. Currently there is a trend for 'user chooser' fleet buyers to opt for the Accord Tourer as a distinctive alternative to the competition. The Saloon and Tourer are both still rare cars and so should hold theie values well.
A revised/facelifted model is due out in 2006. This has a number of nice enhancements - a new front end and headlamps, with standard roof rails (currently an optional extra at £375). The functional changes are limited, but better ones include retracting wing mirrors.
As with all new cars - be wary of fuel consumption figures. The quoted combined consumption on the automatic Tourer is 31.7 mpg. The reality we experience is 26 mpg (accurately verified). These differences are not unusual - expect to see 15-20% less than the quoted mpg on most cars.
Despite the fuel consumption cost, I would recommend the automatic gear box. It is a super smooth shifter, with a manual override to cope with unusual situations or if you feel the need to be more in charge.
Go for the Executive trim if you can, the extras are worth it for little more than the SE model when second hand. If new the price differential is somewhat larger. Avoid the Sport trim in my humble opinion - adds body kit, a few other bits and bobs but doesn't suit the character of the car. Not good value for money.
****** Overall ****** Very happy with the Accord Tourer so far. Dealers are friendly and helpful. Nice car to look at and drive. Fuel consumption is lowish but okay. Cavernous boot is enjoyed by both of my dogs. It's a Honda and they recently won the most reliable car marque honours. Unlikely to breakdown. Highly recommended.
