In Brief: 9th gen Honda Accord - old but still a better buy over the newer Toyota Camry?

(2019 Honda Accord Prices & Specs | Gallery)

The Honda Accord is currently one of the oldest D-segment sedans on sale right now, as the model will be 7 years old later this year.

The all-new tenth-generation Accord is already available in Thailand and Indonesia but launch in Malaysia is delayed due to issues with government approvals on EEV incentives and pricing.

What is the price of the Honda Accord?

Prices start from RM 148,512 for the Accord 2.0 VTi-L, while the Accord 2.4 VTi-L Advance we sampled retails for RM 168,998.

This makes the Accord 2.4 VTi-L Advance the cheapest D-segment sedan to offer ADAS features, in the form of Honda Sensing, undercutting rivals such as the Mazda 6 (RM 219,851) and Toyota Camry (RM 196,888).

What are the pros and cons of the Honda Accord?

Despite being one of the oldest D-segment sedans on sale today, the Accord still has a lot going for it – no other segment rival can beat the cabin of the Accord, which offers generous rear leg room, rear head room, and rear knee room.

Furthermore, the Accord’s interior packaging is typical Honda – storage spaces are conveniently located and within reach, making it easy to store and retrieve items.

All variants of the Honda Accord are fitted with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

Other standard equipment for all Accord variants include a 6-speaker audio system with Active Noise Control, 6 airbags, stability control, Honda LaneWatch camera, and powered front seats.

Opting for the Accord 2.4 adds Honda Sensing suite of ADAS features, Active Cornering Lights (ACL), a Premium Sound System with a subwoofer, and a powered rear sunshade.

Under the hood of the Accord we sampled lies a 2.4-litre Earth Dreams Technology naturally-aspirated 4-cylinder petrol engine.

While the engine may not offer a lot in terms of power output (175 PS, 225 Nm), power delivery is linear, with a generous shove of torque delivered past the 4,000 rpm mark.

In fact, the engine is considerably smoother and more sophisticated than the 2.5-litre 2AR unit found in the Camry. 

On paper, the Accord's power-to-weight ratio loses out to the Camry, but that changed after we tested the Accord's performance.

During our 0-100 km/h acceleration tests, the heavier and less powerful Accord completed the run in 10.5 seconds, identical to the Camry's timing. 

Braking performance is also on point, as it took the Accord 40 meters to come to a complete stop from 100 km/h, slightly less than the Camry's 40.5 meters. 

We are aware that turbocharged mills offer more torque from a lower rpm range, but there is no replacement for displacement – the Accord’s 2.4-litre unit is a gem, even by today’s standards.

Perhaps the only few naturally-aspirated powertrains that is ahead of the Accord is the SkyActiv-G unit found in the Mazda 6.

Holding the engine back is the Accord’s 5-speed automatic, which lacks the additional forward ratios that other rivals offer (Mazda 6, 6-speed; Camry, 6-speed; Passat, 7-speed; Optima, 6-speed).

Being a D-segment sedan, driving dynamics and handling isn't its top priority - ride comfort and cabin quietness are, and the Accord does well in that regard.

Even if one were to push the Accord a bit more enthusiastically, the Accord responds well, as the steering is sharp (though vague) and suspension tuning help to keep things in check.

But don't mistake the Accord for an enthusiasts' sedan, as the Camry (Yes, Camry) and Mazda 6 drive a whole lot better than the ageing Accord. 

Honda Sensing is fitted on the 2.4-litre variant of the Accord, but it lacks Low Speed Follow function found on the Honda CR-V and upcoming Civic facelift.

What are the alternatives?