Plush ride in smooth operator
system, the in- built Garmin navigation app keeps the driver informed about what’s ahead. This is handy in central Auckland where streets are being closed and reopened on a daily basis to accommodate work on the underground central railway link.
My only qualification is the GPS system added almost an hour to the anticipated time of arrival function, twice. However the realtime traffic information is excellent, and the mapping on board is easily read while driving.
The Accord cabin has a plush feeling with piled carpeting, and even driving at the speed limit the car is poised and pleasant to drive.
Like many manufacturers, Honda is keen on touch- screen technology and, once you adapt to it, it functions well. I did miss having a volume knob, although there are volume buttons on the steering wheel.
The Accord comes with a raft of safety features, including a forward collision warning system, which uses a small camera at the top of the windscreen, to determine whether you are at risk of a collision with another vehicle. It issues a flashing light and audio warning, and automatically applies the brake if the driver fails to react. Though initially disconcerting, the function helps keep the driver alert to what is going on around the car.
A collision mitigation braking system automatically applies the brakes when it senses an accident is about to occur. There are also lane departure warning alerts, lane assist and road departure mitigation systems, which can correct the car’s course if it drifts out of a lane.
Though none of those systems was required during the test, the adaptive cruise control was used a lot in heavy traffic situations, and is one of the most responsive, reassuring systems of the type I have experienced.
The Accord comes with hill start assist, trailer stability assist, a tyre deflation warning system, and a smart proximity key with push button start/ stop function.
It sits on 18- inch alloy wheels, and has a cavernous boot, which takes 457 litres of usable space. The six airbags include full length side curtain airbags, two ISOFIX safety seat sets in the rear seats.
A comfortable cruising motorcar, it’s certain to appeal to those who appreciate comfort, style and safety, with more than adequate power and performance.