The new Honda Accord is worlds apart

ROAD TEST:

Honda Accord 3.5 V6 Exclusive

I know a few people that have previous generation Honda Accords, but not one of these guys would even vaguely consider the new one.

Let's get the heart of the issue. In the past Honda built two Accord models: a smaller and sportier one for Europe that was aimed at the kind of person who would otherwise aspire to a BMW 3-Series or Audi A4, and then there was another Accord for the Americans and other global markets, and which needs no explanation other than the fact that it competes with the Toyota Camry.

The Australians, who can't seem to decide whether they're Benjamin or Billy Bob at the best of times, got both versions while South Africans only received the European one. All was happy in Accord Land until Honda decided that it was no longer worthwhile to design a separate Accord for Europe. Honda SA then concluded that an American Accord was better than no Accord. I can't say I agree, but let's take a look at what it has to offer.

BIGGER, SMOOTHER

At face value it's clearly bigger and more conservatively styled than its predecessor. The previous Euro Accord was no oil painting, but its squared-off lines give it presence on the road. The new one takes the opposite approach. At worst you might call it bland and prone to parking lot misplacing. At best you could say that it's elegant, well proportioned and generally easy on the eye - there's not a single line out of place here. Not a single thing to get excited about either.

Moving inside and cranking her up, a glaring Americanism jumps out at you. The infotainment system won't work until you've used the touch-screen to click on “I Agree”. That protects Honda from being sued, should the system completely reprogramme your brain to not concentrate on the road ahead, resulting in an accident. Such customers are actually far better off pursuing that lawsuit against McDonalds for… you know… that traumatic incident on the scale the other day.

Once you've signed your life away, the rest of the experience is as comfortably numb as David Gilmour could ever imagine. The eight-way electrically-adjustable seats are cosy and covered in durable-looking leather and the cabin surface materials give off premium vibes. Best of all, the interior build quality could seriously put granite quarries out of business.

The car's increase in size translates into roomy accommodation, the Accord providing plenty of stretching space for those in the back, although taller-than-average adults might find the rear roofline a bit restrictive. For the record, this Accord has gained 16cm in overall length, 1cm in width and 2.5cm in height, over the previous European model. The boot capacity of 453 litres is strangely less than what a Ballade can swallow, but it should still meet most needs.

EFFORTLESS V6 POWER

Load it up all you like though, as the 3.5-litre V6 model that I sampled just casually handles everything you throw at it. My Star Motoring colleague tested the 2-litre version last year and was disappointed by its sluggishness, but there are no such problems with the V6 version, which pushes 207kW and 339Nm. It's normally aspirated so you do lose a fair amount of steam at altitude and with 1630kg to pull, it never feels electrifyingly fast, but it does what you ask of it briskly and smoothly.

I took it on a 700km highway trip and it just ticked over quietly, hardly above the 2000rpm mark, at the national limit and it barely ever noticed a hill. I wish I could throw a fuel consumption figure at you, but I have a more-than-sneaking suspicion that the 7.0 l/100 recording on the trip was a technical glitch. Forgive me if I'm wrong, Honda.

The quiet cabin and supple ride quality made for a largely fatigue-free journey and I really wasn't disappointed by the lack of meaty steering feedback through the bends because by that stage I wasn't expecting any kind of sporting delight from this car. You turn the steering wheel and it goes where you want it to without much in the way of effort.

VERDICT

By now it's clear that this new global Accord is worlds apart from the Euro-focused version that came before it on our market and if you own one of the latter cars then you might want to recommend this to your dad instead. While all sporty edges appear to have been eroded, the new Accord really does impress as a luxury car with bags of space, so if he secretly begrudges Toyota for having given up on the Camry then this might just be the perfect fit.

Only thing is, he can have a Lexus ES at this price level, not to mention the many German mid-sized sedans that are within relatively easy stretching distance of the V6 model's R576 300 asking price. If that's over budget, the 2.4-litre Accord might seem like a better deal at R471 300. Just don't overlook the even cheaper Mazda6 and Hyundai Sonata.

FACTS

Honda Accord 3.5 V6 Exclusive

Engine: 3.5-litre, V6 petrol

Gearbox: Six-speed automatic

Power: 207kW @ 6200rpm

Torque: 339Nm @ 4900rpm

0-100km/h (claimed): 7.2 seconds

Top speed (claimed): 200km/h

Consumption (claimed): 9.2 litres per 100km

Price: R576 300

Warranty: Three-year/100 000km

Service plan: Five-year/100 000km