SecondhandSense: Honda Accord: The rush by car manufacturers to meet demand for diesel engines may be a commercial imperative but it has not always resulted in the kind of refined cars the manufacturers promise.
Noise, vibration and lacklustre power delivery have always been drawbacks for diesel engines and people are naturally wary, rightly so in many cases.
Unless a serious investment has been made in the development of diesel technology and an even greater effort has been made to marry it with a particular car, these same problems are off-putting to say the least.
Happily, it is a combination that Honda has managed to near-perfection with the newest generation of the Honda Accord, a car that traditionally appealed as a very dependably compact luxury model but had little else to appeal to the eye. The latest Accord has been around almost four years now but it has not been dulled in any way. It still has sharp looks and edgy styling. It has fantastic handling and ride qualities and it does not compromise when it comes to driving pleasure.
The term "class-leading" has often been ascribed to Honda cars and in the case of the Accord it is well deserved in terms of ride and handling. There are few cars that will perform equally well on a rough twisted surface and a motorway.
Apart from being a great car to drive, the Accord is an exceptionally well thought-out car to own. It is roomy, practical and very well designed inside. As a compromise buy, it will reward the owner who likes driving but also needs space for family, although it may be slightly limited for the latter - mainly because of the boot space.
There is no hatchback version, which restricts one to the saloon layout, and this is a pity, although what a hatchback version might look like is anyone's guess. There is, however, an estate Tourer version. But back to the diesel, which is my own favourite in the line-up. The 2.2 CFTi engine is an engineering wonder that manages to feel and behave like a very good petrol unit while at the same time managing to achieve excellent fuel economy. As diesel engines go it is almost faultless in its refinement and noise levels.
The current Accord had its EuroNCAP crash tests in 2003 and did well but was described as failing to be the best in its class. It performed well in most areas but "drew criticism for the design of the area in which the driver's and passenger's knees might have an impact" because there were too many hazards. However, child protection was good.
Honda has a reputation for quality and reliability and there have only been small recalls of Accords for problems with rear seat belt retraction, instrument panel lighting and a lack of protection for a harness in the boot.
The Accord does not come cheap though. A 2004 diesel model with 55,000 miles on the clock and with leather upholstery, alloys, air conditioning and multiple airbags has an asking price at one garage of €26,995. A 2005 model with the same engine and equipment costs €34,500.
FOR: Superb diesel option
AGAINST: Expensive to buy second-hand