All new Honda Accord for youthful maturity
YOUTHFUL maturity is the best oxymoron to describe the 2020 Honda Accord.
The 2020 Honda Accord is a car for doctors, lawyers, teachers, businessmen, family and even politicians. Professionals also require a solid car full of a latest technology specs.
The new Honda Accord answers the brief as it has more technology and a turbocharger.
While the crowd for this kind of sedan is on the mature side but that does not keep a brand like Honda from putting out a car that is more exciting than what is on the market.
The fastback design found in other models in Honda lineup made its way on to the Accord. The blunt windshield transforms into a gorgeous roofline that terminates near the trunk. This car has 131 mm ground clearance and futuristic 18-inch wheels that are purdy!
The full LED headlamps are great in the dark and have no difficulty illuminating a world covered in darkness. Paired with auto-leveling and auto high beam, the Accord is simply smart when it comes to lighting.
The rear continues the attractive lines and design language of Honda. You get dual exit exhausts underneath and a rear lamp, in LEDs. Opening the trunk reveals 575 liters worth of boot space which is a feature that holds a lot of water — pun intended.
The dashboard of the Honda Accord is refined sophistication, yet another oxymoronic term to describe the all-black leather interior. The digital gauge cluster enhances the high-tech cabin's look.
Audio, cruise controls, and paddle shifters ensure uninhibited driver engagement while fulfilling mundane tasks, and the 8-inch touch screen infotainment system nestles nicely on the dashboard in the driver's field of view. Dual-zone climate control keep the cabin cool in varying temperatures for either side of the car. The 8-way power seat is a great addition to help the driver achieve the optimal seating position.
It has a spacious back, with a 5-foot-11inch guy being able to fit at the back with no qualm. The centre armrest matched with the two privacy screens add to the ambiance of the rear, making it enjoyable to ride in. The design of the rear looks and feels executive, yet the view of the front looks more youthful, so the oxymoron is remain alive.
It rides on a unibody chassis suspended off the ground via a MacPherson strut in the front and a multi-link suspension in the rear, the cabin is not fazed by small bumps and divots on the road.
The Noise Vibration Harshness (NVH) insulation is awesome, and for a car of this class, it is quite good. Road and engine noise was kept at a minimum level, which was a high point for us during the review period.
With an 8-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the Accord has the basics down, but with the Honda Sensing package, the technology score in this car gets a big bump up because it includes collision mitigation braking, adaptive cruise control, low speed follow, lanekeeping assist, road departure mitigation, forward collision warning, lane departure warning as well as blind spot monitoring.
This system is comprehensive — a major highlight of this model. Honda is so proud that it even displays it on the variant name.
The digital and analog combo gauge cluster is sharp to view, and the head unit’s screen displayed the smartphone pairing software nicely. However, we wish Honda had included a 360-degree camera.
In the safety department, Honda equips this car with 6 airbags including a dual front, dual side, and dual curtain airbags. ABS is also present with EBD. Front and rear parking sensors, as well as a backup camera, also come with the sole variant in the model lineup. The Honda Sensing package is also part of the equation when it comes to safety, and the Accord earns top marks for having an active safety feature suite.
It doesn’t handle as its size suggests. The steering is light and perfect for city driving, much like the Honda Civic or City. Handling at speed is good, and it turns well and responds quickly, thanks to the light steering feel that gets slightly weightier as you go along. The car is planted and stable through a corner and doesn’t feel unsettling.
I think Honda should have kept the V6 engine because six cylinders had that innate charm that let you wring it out from time to time, if need be. What we are left with is the same 1,5-liter turbocharged motor from the Civic, but is uprated to produce a 140kW and 260 Nm of torque, which is an upgrade over the 2,4-litre that was on the 9th generation. The engine doesn’t have that much lag since you’d only have to build your engine speed to 1,600 rpm, so it is peppy. Paired with Honda’s Earth Dreams CVT with paddle shifters and 7 simulated ratios, and the engine can be frugal or energetic depending on what you want out of it. We can't help but feel a little disappointed since Honda offers this car with a 2,0L turbocharged motor in other countries. Still, the 1,5-liter performs okay, and is just alright for the size and weight of the vehicle.
With 7,4 km/L in the city with moderate to heavy traffic, it is undeniable how the engine and transmission combo allow this midsize to eat like a compact. Once it gets up to speed on the highway, you are looking at 17,4 km/L which is quite good given its size.
Specifications
• Engine: 1.5 L
• Fuel type: Petrol
• Performance: 140kW @ 5,500 rpm
• Max torque (nm): 260 Nm @ 1,600 rpm
• Transmission: CVT
• Number of cylinders: 4
• Number of valves: 16
• Transmission category: Continuously variable transmission
• Drivetrain: Front-wheel drive