Honda Accord Euro Sedan 2008 Review

There is nothing radical about the new Honda Accord Euro. It's evolution over revolution — a philosophy Honda has made something of a catchcry — after the big breakthrough with the first Euro five years ago.

Even the price will be much the same, with a small increase on the current $33,990 base when cars arrive next month.

The sportier four-cylinder Accord Euro will again sell alongside the US-styled wide-bodied V6 car in a two-pronged strategy that has worked well in Australia.

This time the Accord Euro changes are more subtle, the improvements more focused and the outcomes less radical. And that is just fine with Honda Australia boss Lindsay Smalley.

“The original Accord Euro hit a mark for us. There have been 45,000 Accord Euros sold since mid-2003, making it out best-selling sedan,” says Smalley, speaking at the international launch in Vienna.

“To make radical changes to something that successful would not have made sense.”

Smalley says the two-Accord approach works well and will not be touched.

“When we introduced the two-Accord strategy, there was much concern that it would lead to confusion.

“However, we have been able to sell Accord and Euro Accord side-by-side to two vastly different buyer profiles,” he says.

Even so, the difference between the two cars in 2008 is so great that Honda is claiming a new segment for the Euro . . . the Advanced Premium Sport Segment.

“In the European markets, the car is being sold against Audi, Mercedes-Benz and BMW,” Smalley says.

“That is not going to be the case in Australia where we will sell mainly against VW Passat, Subaru Liberty and Mazda6 with some shot at some of the prestige brands.”

The Euro Accord will have a single 2.4-litre petrol engine linked to either a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission. And there's three specification levels: Euro, Euro Luxury and Euro Luxury Navi.

The chances of the 2.2-litre diesel joining the stable within the next 12 months have been improved by the announcement that the torquey four-cylinder will gain a five-speed automatic next year.

Specification levels will be high. The base car will have six airbags, electronic stability control, anti-skid brakes, cruise control, automatic airconditioning, 10-speaker six-CD stereo, 17-inch alloys with a full-size spare, reach and rake steering adjustment, power steering, active headrests and cloth trim.

The Luxury model adds sunroof, leather interior, heated seats, eight-way power seat adjustment, 18-inch alloys (space-saver spare), HID headlights, rain-sensing wipers fog lights and front and rear parking sensors. The top-line Euro Luxury Navi gets an Alpine navigation system, Bluetooth preparation and reversing camera.

On the road

The best way to describe the new Euro is refined. The car feels solid yet rides the — admittedly good — Austrian roads with an aplomb many above it may envy.

It is not difficult to believe that much of the engineering improvement in the car has been concentrated on the chassis.

Though longer, wider and with a wider track, the new Euro sits lower. The engine and fuel tank have also been lowered within the structure. It exudes an even sportier essence than the model it replaces.

Improved body rigidity, through increased use of ultra-high tensile steel and re-engineering of the front body structure — combined with an all-new front double wishbone and rear multi-link suspension — gives the Euro a noticeable improvement in stability when cornering.

Refinement levels have been improved, partly by the stiffening of the chassis and with additional sound absorbing and deadening materials lining the cabin.

With 147kW and 234Nm — both counts up slightly — the 2.4-litre motor is never going to outpace any of the true performance sedans, but it doesn't need to.

Performance is adequate. It is unfussed and largely stress-free, either with the slick six-speed manual transmission or the slightly less engaging five-speed automatic gearbox.

The diesel, as is generally the case, is the stronger of the two engines with its 110kW and 350Nm output giving it enough top end to justify getting there quickly through the hugely torquey mid-range.

Steering is light yet not uncommunicative. There were times on the test drive when the front wanted to push on, but never in a nasty manner.

Interior space in the Euro is generous for the class, particularly in the front, where there is no need to rub shoulders.

The news is not as good for rear-seat passengers, where space is more of a premium, particularly if those in the front choose to stretch.

Trim in the high series cars driven at launch is stylish, and the fit and fitment is what you would expect from a car with prestige aspirations.

Price: About $34,000

On sale: June

Engine: 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol, 2.2-litre turbodiesel

Power: 147kW, 110kW

Torque: 234Nm, 350Nm

Transmission: Six-speed manual (petrol and diesel), five-speed auto (petrol), front-wheel drive

Economy: 8.9 litres for 100km (petrol), 5.9 litres/100km (diesel)