This new Honda is the ninth-generation Accord and is improved in many ways, but the price will reflect this. Honda claim better economy than the previous version, and a longer list of standard features.
Local pricing was not available when this article was written, but taking Australia as a comparison, the base VTi is up 90,000 baht and the top of the line V6 is up 140,000 baht.
New Honda Accord.
The new Accord was apparently designed in the US and is now built in Thailand.
It is 75 mm shorter than the old one, but Honda claims more cabin space in the rear and more cargo volume in the boot, and better appointed cabin as well. The sound-cancelling Active Noise Control system premiered in the Honda Legend is also standard.
The smaller engine is a reworked version of the familiar 2.4 liter VTEC four cylinder producing 129 kW of power at 6200 rpm (actually 4 kW less than before) and 225 Nm of torque at 4000 rpm mated to a five-speed automatic as standard. Fuel consumption is down to 7.9 liters per 100 km.
The flagship single overhead cam V6 has now with 206 kW of power at 6200 rpm (up 4 kW) and 339 Nm of torque at 4900 rpm, mated to a six-speed auto. Fuel consumption is down seven percent to 9.2 L/100 km. The V6 version gets fuel-saving cylinder deactivation, but while the previous unit could run on three, four or six cylinders, the new model runs on either three or six. Honda claims it has beefed up the car’s responses under three-cylinder impetus, thus negating the need for an extra mode.
The base VTi model includes as standard, an eight-inch display with a reversing camera, daytime running lights, cruise control, dual-zone climate control, Bluetooth and USB connections, steering wheel controls and 16 inch alloy wheels.
The VTi-S adds LaneWatch Blind Spot Monitoring which feeds footage from the passenger-side blind-spot through to the central screen, front and rear parking sensors, rain-sensing auto front wipers, LED headlights, front fog lights, a premium audio system with seven speakers and touchscreen, reverse-tilt door mirror and 17 inch alloy wheels.
Further options include a sunroof, active cornering headlights, satellite navigation, ‘intelligent’ climate control, leather trim with heated front seats, keyless entry/start, electric front seats with driver’s memory, leather-clad gearshift/steering wheel, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and 18 inch alloys.
