All-new 2020 Honda Accord launched in Malaysia, 201 PS 1.5L Turbo, most powerful D-sedan, from RM 186k

All-new 2020 Honda Accord has two variants, both using the same the 1.5-litre VTEC Turbo paired to a CVT-type automatic transmission driving the front wheels. The only difference between the two variants is that the TC-P variant comes with Sensing, and a few more driving aids.

2020 Honda Accord prices range from RM 185,900 for the 1.5 TC variant and RM 195,900 for the 1.5 TC-P variant.

That’s quite close to the Thailand-made Toyota Camry 2.5V’s RM 196,888 as well as the new locally-assembled Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TSI Elegance’s RM 189,012. It’s still cheaper than the Japan-made Mazda 6 2.5’s RM 211,148 though.

The previous generation Honda Accord was priced from RM 148,512 to RM 168,998.

As before, the all-new 10th generation Honda Accord is locally-assembled at Honda Malaysia’s plant in Pegoh, Melaka.

New 1.5-litre direct injection VTEC Turbo engine

Out goes the previous car’s 2.0-litre and 2.4-litre port injection naturally aspirated VTEC engine, replaced by a new 1.5-litre direct injection VTEC Turbo engine. It’s the same engine as the one used in the Honda Civic and Honda CR-V, but with a different, more powerful tuning.

While the same engine makes 173 PS/220 Nm in the Civic and 193 PS/243 Nm in the CR-V, the engine has been tweaked to produce 201 PS/260 Nm, making the Honda Accord the most powerful D-segment sedan.

Recall that the new Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TSI no longer makes 220 PS, but just 190 PS/320 Nm to comply with stricter emission regulations in Europe. The 220 PS engine no longer exist in any Passat variant worldwide.

For comparison, the naturally aspirated Toyota Camry 2.5V makes 184 PS/235 Nm while the Mazda 6 2.5 makes 192 PS/258 Nm.

It is also interesting to note that our local specifications Accord is actually more powerful than the Thai market models, which makes just 190 Nm/243 Nm, same as our local CR-V.

Like the Civic and CR-V, our all-new Honda Accord uses a CVT-type automatic transmission driving the front wheels. The previous Accord uses a 5-speed torque converter automatic.

Safest in its class

The previous Honda Accord 2.4 VTi-L already comes with Honda Sensing – Honda’s suite ADAS (advanced driving aids) features - but what’s new with this 10th generation model Accord’s Sensing is that it adds Low Speed Follow, basically adaptive cruise control that works in stop-go traffic.

The Low Speed Follow function is tied with electric parking brake, which the previous model lacks.

Compared to the Toyota Camry, the Honda Accord more than matches it, adding 360 camera as well as camera-based blind spot detection (LaneWatch), Cross Traffic Alert (Rear), Smart Parking Assist (semi-automatic parallel and perpendicular parking), tyre deflation warning.

Other more basic active and passive safety features is a given: six airbags, electronic stability control (VSA) – now with Agile Handling Assist (ASA), Auto Brake Hold, Hill Start Assist, Emergency Stop Signal.

Interior features

The biggest advantage the Honda Accord has over the Toyota Camry is the inclusion of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The infotainment features an 8-inch touch screen – identical size to the Toyota Camry.

There are 11 speakers (including a subwoofer), which is one more than the Toyota Camry, but whether is it actually better than the Toyota Camry’s JBL setup is left to be seen.

Here are the specifications of the all-new 10th generation Honda Accord.

Come back to wapcar.my later today for more details on the all-new Honda Accord and how does it compare to the Toyota Camry and Volkswagen Passat.