Honda Accord

Now in its tenth generation, the 2020 Honda Accord has been redesigned from the ground-up.

For the first time ever, the Accord gets a turbocharged engine, allowing it to be the most powerful D-segment sedan in Malaysia.

The Honda Accord is priced between RM 185,900 for the 1.5 TC variant and RM 195,900 for the 1.5 TC-P variant.

It competes against the Mazda 6, Toyota Camry and Volkswagen Passat. (Honda Accord vs Toyota Camry vs VW Passat – Which is best for you?)

Design

Honda designers took a more conservative approach when designing the Accord - it gets simple, but sleek body lines that accentuate the Accord's overall size.

When viewed from the side, inspirations from the Civic is visible, as the Accord gets a similar fastback side profile.

Dimensions

Lighting

Both the Accord 1.5 TC and TC-P get automatic LED headlights with LED daytime running lights. 

The front fog lights are also LEDs.

Wheels

Two wheel sizes are available on the Honda Accord.

Dashboard

The dashboard of the Honda Accord is not as busy or as intricate-looking as the Toyota Camry.

Instead, the Accord's dashboard is more simple and elegant-looking, with wood trim and soft-touch materials placed strategically on the dashboard.  

Space and Practicality

The Accord's interior space remains as the segment leader, as its rear legroom is class-leading.

For the first-time ever (Malaysian market, that is), the Honda Accord also gets a shoulder adjustment switch, allowing the boss behind to push the front passenger seat forward.

Boot

The Accord gets a 570-litre boot, putting it marginally behind the Volkswagen Passat (586 litres).

Safety Features

Honda Sensing is fitted to the range-topping 1.5 TC-P variant of the Accord.

Unlike the previous-generation model that lacks Low-Speed Follow (which needs an electric parking brake to function), the new Accord has it.

The Honda LaneWatch camera is fitted on both variants of the Accord, while the Accord 1.5 TC-P adds a 360-degree view monitor.

Comfort Features

The Honda Accord gets a long list of comfort features, including leather upholstery for both variants, an 8-way power-adjustable driver seat (with memory), a 4-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, and the aforementioned shoulder adjustment switch.

Passengers in the rear will also benefit from the rear air-conditioning vents, rear door sun shades, and dual USB charging ports.

Infotainment

Honda has fitted an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system in the Accord, which has support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

Audio is routed through a 10-speaker set-up, which includes a subwoofer.

Engine

Out goes the old naturally-aspirated engines, as Honda has replaced both (2.0- and 2.4-litre units) with a 1.5-litre turbocharged unit.

Don't let its small capacity fool you, as it delivers 201 PS and 260 Nm, making it the most powerful D-segment sedan you can get. 

Transmission

Honda has also ditched the long-serving 5-speed automatic transmission, replacing it with a CVT-type automatic.

Both the Accord 1.5 TC and 1.5 TC-P get steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters as well.

Drivetrain

The Honda Accord is a front-engine,front-wheel-drive model. 

Acceleration

According to Honda, the Accord 1.5 TC completes the 0-100 km/h sprint in 9 seconds, while the 1.5 TC-P completes the same sprint in 9.1 seconds. 

Engine Performance

Despite sharing its 1.5-litre engine with the Civic and CR-V, the Accord's power output is actually much higher.

A couple of years ago, Ford offered the Mondeo and Kia offered the Optima GT, both of which have more than 240 PS, but both models have been discontinued.

Transmission Performance

The CVT-type automatic in the Accord is smooth.

For those who want a sportier drive, the Accord gets Sport mode and paddle shifters.

Steering and Handling

Compared to the Toyota Camry, the Accord's ride and handling are more relaxed.

No, really.

The Accord's ride and handling, according to those who sampled it, is better suited for cruising than the Camry. 

The Camry, on the other hand, is better suited for keen drivers that love twisty roads.

Yes, we now live in a time when an Accord is regal while a Camry is a sports sedan.

Sound Proofing

Like the previous-generation model, the new Accord gets Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), which utilizes 3 microphones (previous Accord only had 2) that pick up and cancels low-frequency noises.

Couple that with the already-excellent sound proofing on the Accord, road and tyre noises are barely noticeable, while wind noises are well suppressed from the cabin.

Passenger Comfort

While the Accord may not offer the driving dynamics of the Toyota Camry, its ride comfort certainly pulls ahead.

The Accord deals with rougher roads with ease (even when shod with 18-inch wheels), which is an impressive feat.

Fuel Consumption

Honda says that the Accord returns 6.3-litre/100 km.

Watch 2020 Honda Accord Video Here.

Although late to the party, the Honda Accord has all the right ingredients - understated, yet handsome looks, a lovely cabin, generous safety equipment, and a powerful engine. 

And as surprising as it may sound, for those who need to be chauffeured around should give the Accord a try, as it manages to rival, if not beat the Camry at its own game.

Granted, prices have also increased substantially over the previous generation model, but with it came a much more sophisticated model that can shame entry-level BMW and Mercedes-Benz models.