Overview
Honda’s eleventh technology, hybrid-only Accord RS e:HEV has gone on sale within the Aussie market this week, arriving in dealerships from $64,900 drive-away, or $3000 greater than the outgoing hybrid providing.
Powering the 2024 Honda Accord vary would be the Japanese model’s 2.0-litre four-cylinder e:HEV petrol/electrical hybrid engine and constantly variable transmission mixture. The mannequin rides on all-multi-link suspension.
The fourth-generation, two-motor unit produces 152kW of energy and 335Nm of torque, down 6kW however up 20Nm from the present providing. Gasoline financial system is listed at 4.3 litres per 100km on the ADR Mixed cycle.
4 driver selectable modes – Regular, Economic system, Sport and Particular person – and three powertrain settings – Auto, EV and Cost – can be found as normal, whereas regenerative braking may be managed via six settings by way of the steering wheel paddles.
Honda says the all-new Accord is longer and sleeker than earlier fashions with premium proportions and a broad stance.
The four-door sedan includes a low horizontal beltline and a “lengthy, highly effective front-end” design that’s backed by “extra assured and refined dynamics”. An lively grille sits entrance and centre, whereas all exterior lighting is LED.
Paint colors embrace Crystal Black, Lunar Silver, Meteoroid Gray, and Platinum White. All are complemented by 18-inch alloy wheels.
Transferring inside, the inside décor options prime quality supplies and superior options, together with a 12.3-inch infotainment array and 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster.
Wi-fi telephone connectivity is joined by a 12-speaker Bose premium sound system, the system additionally that includes over-the-air updates, related providers know-how, and digital key compatibility.
Honda Sensing security know-how brings an intensive array of driver help methods to the most recent technology Accord, with adaptive cruise management and Cease & Go performance, autonomous emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, driver consideration monitoring, lane preserving, site visitors signal recognition, and a 360-degree surround-view digicam included.
Driving Impressions
It is apparent from the second you take a look at the Accord that a variety of thought has been put into its design. It seems to be – and feels – like a status automotive. At this worth level, that’s a justified qualification, however one which doesn’t detract from the attractive end, tight panel gaps, and constant paint end.
If we had been to be choosy, the Accord’s 18-inch alloy wheels look a little bit small – even when the smaller wheel / bigger tyre profile mixture goes an extended solution to enhancing the automobile’s trip, even on degraded B- and C roads. It’s a degree above the Mazda 6 and Toyota Camry there.
These traits add to the Accord’s premium really feel and are rapidly evident when leaping behind the ‘wheel. The fluidity and response of the steering itself it one more spotlight, cooperating intuitively with distinctive physique management on tight winding corners.
Mixing sporty dealing with with a cushty trip is one thing few producers handle to do nicely. Merely, Honda has nailed it. Maybe that’s why Honda gave the Accord its RS badge…
We discovered the brake response to be robust however with a sweetly progressive pedal stroke that makes calculated delicate stops a cinch. The pedal is constant whether or not the automobile is operating in ICE or EV mode – not one thing we will say of all of the Accord’s hybrid-powered rivals.
The two.0-litre petrol-electric hybrid driveline delivers brisk efficiency. It operates quietly in most eventualities, the petrol engine solely actually making itself recognized on heavy throttle inputs or in climbing steep grades.
Acceleration is linear and purposeful, giving the Accord a degree of efficiency no less than on par with any earlier Accord powertrain, together with the gutsy 3.5-litre V6.
But, not like that engine, the brand new Accord achieves comparable efficiency on the odor of an oily rag, and in a mixture of city and rural driving returned a mean of 4.3 litres per 100km, simply matching the producer’s declare.
The automotive is mechanically and aerodynamically quiet however is sadly let down by some highway rumble over coarse chip surfaces.
The cabin is in any other case a really nice place through which to spend time with a simplistic interface that enables the driving force to entry controls with ease. Once more, it’s clear a variety of thought has gone into making the Accord really feel extra premium than its mainstream rivals.
Visibility is prime notch with a transparent view out of the automobile all spherical. There is no such thing as a compromise from the seating place both, the connection between the DLOs, mirrors, and controls spot on – a pity then rear-seat headroom is compromised by the Accord’s rakish roofline.
Additional again, there’s loads of boot area and distant launch mechanisms for the 60:40 split-fold rear seat. The gooseneck boot hinges do impinge considerably on boot area, however the Accord is just not by itself in that respect…
Whereas our time with the Accord was reasonably transient, we got here away impressed by the automobile’s high quality. It gives each the facility and financial system to make prolonged Aussie highway journeys gratifying, and is each tech savvy and consumer pleasant – traits that don’t at all times go hand in hand.
Actually, the one actual draw back we see is that the pricing of the mannequin in opposition to its rivals may be very more likely to forestall can be consumers.
At $64,900 drive-away the Accord RS e:HEV is significantly dearer than the Hyundai Sonata N Line ($55,500 +ORC), Mazda 6 Atenza ($52,590 +ORC), Skoda Octavia RS ($56,990 d/a), Toyota Camry Hybrid SL ($51,417 +ORC), or Volkswagen Passat 162TSI Magnificence ($57,790 +ORC).
From the place we sit, that’s purpose sufficient for many potential consumers to buy elsewhere – which is de facto one thing of a pity. Have been the pricing on par with its rivals, we’d say the Honda Accord was a hands-down winner. Because it sits, we predict it’ll fade into obscurity. Let’s hope time proves us fallacious.
