Model Update

The future continues to bode well for Honda. Technically, Honda cars are so very well made, and they are always found at the right end of the fuel economy scale.

The latest 2011 Honda Accord handles extremely well and has plenty of get-up-and-go, even with the smaller 2.4-litre, 133 kW, four-cylinder petrol. Those that can run to the 3.5-litre, 202 kW, six-cylinder petrol motor will have one of the creamiest, and smoothest, engine and transmission units around. You’ll find loads of excellent electronics that make the car very appealing. Dual-zone climate control, cruise control, five headrests, a vanity mirror with illumination and cruise control are all standard items on an Accord – whether it is the VTi or Luxury model.

Rest assured that the safety is right up to scratch because the 2011 Honda Accord boasts five-star crash test safety and excellent safety features like: airbags, ABS, EBD, seat belt pre-tensioners, progressive crumple zones, Vehicle Stability Assist, a Traction Control System and seat belt reminders to name but a few spanking new features.

At a glance, the Honda Accord packs a lot of style in its clean and uncluttered design. The purposeful front, high waistline, low and swooping roofline, and twin exhausts at the rear make the new Honda Accord range a very desirable proposition.

Let’s step inside the impressive Accord range from Honda. Instantly, the eye picks up the clear and simple instrument layout. And when you are seated in the pleasant driver’s seat, the car feels solid at the closing of the door. The car ambience is pleasant and roomy. The support the driver’s seat gives is excellent, and long journeys become an unarduous task for the occupants in the Honda Accord.

When your trip is underway, the cabin is quiet and progress is unbustled. Holding a conversation in a car that has a noise reading of around 70 dB requires little effort from the listening ears in either the front or rear seats. The Honda Accord range has tilt & telescopic steering column adjustment which gives excellent driving position for all body shapes and requirements.

On a practical level, each variant of Honda Accord has a wealth of thoughtful interior features including: an audible headlights-on reminder when the engine is turned off, an illuminated ignition switch, internally adjustable headlights height, a front and rear interior welcome light, front map lights, adjustable dashboard illumination, and electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors. Each model in the Australian Honda Accord range has Dual-zone climate control. The Honda Accord range features a classy 6 speaker audio system that incorporates an AM/FM tuner with a 6-CD in-dash stacker. Honda Accord V6 and V6 Luxury models also include steering wheel mounted audio controls. Cruise control is standard for every Accord model and makes travelling smooth, relaxed and even more economical. The Accord’s cavernous centre storage box doubles as a handy armrest for the driver and front passenger. It even slides back and forth, helping to keep you comfortable and relaxed on long journeys.

The already well equipped Honda Accord becomes even more luxurious in the V6 models, with such things as satellite navigation (which, incidentally, is one of the best around) and an electric sunroof being some of the added items on the feature list. Luxury takes it up another level with the lavish feel and smell of rich leather trim available.

In the performance stakes, the Honda Accord gets the big thumbs up (no wonder my brother-in-law always likes to drive his Honda Accord). The Honda Accord VTi and VT-iLuxury come with an inline 2.4 litre 4 cylinder DOHC i-VTEC engine which puts out a respectable 133 kW of power and 222 Nm of torque. The new Honda Accord V6 range now comes with the silky smooth and powerful V6 VTEC engine. The 3.5 litre pumps out a lusty 202kW, and 339 Nm of torque is on tap. Acceleration is strong which provides the driver plenty of passing power when needed. The transmissions found in all of the Accord models are nice 5 speed autos with grade logic control. The more compliant suspension in the Accord range is comfortable but still is taut enough to keep handling crisp and well poised.

Safety equipment is second to none. Just as well – my Honda Accord owning brother-in-law had a rather nasty crash involving a tractor when he had my nieces and their friend as occupants. They were all completely unharmed – though pretty shaken up and scared – thanks to the solid body shell and twin side door beams in particular. The ABS brakes on the Honda Accord, which come with EBD and Brake Assist, helped the car stop sharply, preventing the crash from being a lot worse. The front and side airbags are waiting if required, and the passenger side airbag will only deploy if someone’s sitting in the front passenger seat thanks to a clever sensor. If my brother had been driving the Honda Accord V6 Luxury, he’d have had curtain airbags, too. Other safety features inside the Honda Accord include the pretensioner seatbelts in the front seat, the progressive crumple zones and the fire retardant interior.

Style, safety and sportiness, all for a fantastic price. The Honda Accord really is what the manufacturers claim it to be: the car that has it all.

The current model series includes the:

• Honda Accord Luxury 2.4
• Honda Accord V6
• Honda Accord V6 Luxury
• Honda Accord VTi 2.4

For any more information on the Honda Accord, or for that matter any other new car, contact one of our friendly consultants on 1300 303 181. If you’d like some fleet discount pricing (yes even for private buyers!), we can submit vehicle quotes requests out to our national network of Honda dealers and come back with pricing within 24 hours. Private Fleet – car buying made easy!

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