Pros and Cons: 2020 Honda Accord – Big on space, small on driving excitement

The tenth-generation Honda Accord was introduced earlier this year with 2 variants – 1.5 TC and 1.5 TC-P. The 1.5 TC goes for RM 178,203 (without SST, valid until 31 December 2020) while the range-topper 1.5 TC-P is priced at RM 187,390.

Should you get the Honda Accord over its rivals like the Toyota Camry and Volkswagen Passat? Here are the 2020 Honda Accord pros and cons to help you decide.

Pros - Smooth operator

Steering is light, throttle response is gradual, and the CVT pulls the car along in a smooth experience. It's a relaxing driving experience that doesn't encourage spirited driving.

It goes around corners in a relatively flat and calm manner. Weight shifts aren't as distinct as in the Toyota Camry and it's a characteristic that passengers can appreciate.

Pros - Acres of legroom

As with all modern Hondas, space and practicality are its forte. Spacious may be an understatement when describing the Honda Accord. When seated at the rear, the amount of legroom is unrivalled. 

If you want more legroom in a sedan, you'd have to spend triple the money for long wheelbase luxury sedans.

Pros - Full suite of ADAS

The range-topping 1.5 TC-P variant gets the full suite of Honda Sensing ADAS, with all the acronyms such as FCW, CMBS, LDW, LKAS, RDM, ACC, LSF, and AHB. It is currently the only car in its segment with LSF (Low Speed Follow) to aid drivers in traffic jams.

Unique to the Accord (or Hondas in general) is the Honda LaneWatch that takes the place of conventional Blind Spot Monitors, but it is only on the passenger side.

Cons - Not as engaging to drive as rivals

The aforementioned light steering doesn't feel as organic as the Toyota Camry's and the CVT doesn't feel as direct as conventional automatics or dual-clutch transmissions, which is a given.

Despite having the most power at 201 PS, it doesn't provide the shove one might expect. In our 0-100 km/h test, the Honda Accord did it in 8.7 seconds. A respectable figure but it's 0.6 seconds slower than the less powerful Volkswagen Passat Elegance.

Cons - Seats may be too low for some

Like the Honda Civic, the seats are mounted relatively low. Some might find it a little more difficult to get in and out of, especially the elderly.

And because the seats are mounted low, thigh support can be lacking as well, particularly for the front passenger seat that does without seat base angle adjustments. Some may also find the lumbar support to be overly aggresive.  

Cons - Objectively noisy

We recorded an average of 69 dB when travelling at 110 km/h, which is 2 dB higher than the Toyota Camry. To make things more dramatic, the B-segment Toyota Vios averaged the same noise level at 69 dB.

However, we'd like to point out that the cabin feels quieter than the number suggests. The only explanation we have is the effectiveness of the Active Noise Cancellation in cancelling out frequencies that are sensitive to our ears.

Conclusion

The 2020 Honda Accord is incredibly relaxing to drive and to travel in, has acres of space inside, and is properly equipped. But it isn't quite as engaging to drive as its rivals, its seats are mounted fairly low which affects ingress and egress, and the cabin is not the quietest, objectively speaking.

If you're looking for a car that you can relax in after a long day of work and interior space is priority, then the Honda Accord should be right on top of your list.