2005 Honda Accord Euro Reviews

Two substantially different Honda Accords were sold in Australia from 2003 onwards; one mid-sized, the other large and almost in the same size class as our home grown Commodores and Falcons.  It's not only the size of these Accords that are different, their dynamics mean they attract buyers with significantly

Honda cars have long held a reputation as being a step above other Japanese marques in quality and prestige. Nowhere does this show more than in the medium-large Accord sedans.These days the Honda Accord sells in Australia in two different market segments. One, called Accord Euro, has a real emphasis on sporty handling and has gained a good reputation amongst those who enjoy driving. It gives, precise communicative steering and plenty of road grip. Handling was improved further when an upgraded Euro model arrived in Australia in June 2008.The other variant, simply called the Honda Accord, is larger, American-based and leans in the direction of passenger comfort rather than sporty dynamics.Many owners only drive gently and find the Accord’s characteristics most acceptable. Those drivers with more of a sporting makeup will find these Accords are rather soft and inclined to understeer at relatively slow speeds.Australia is the only country that takes imports of the two significantly different models, showing the high regard in which our country is held by the head office chiefs in Japan.Honda Accords in Australia are four-door sedans (though the European market also has a station wagon variant). Interior space is good, though the Euro is smaller than American Accord so for adults to get comfortable in the rear seat the front seats have to be set a few notches forward.Boot space is good, with a wide, low opening which makes it easy to load. Naturally, the boot in the larger car has greater volume, but the Euro’s luggage area is more than acceptable if only couples are using the car.The Honda tradition of designing cars with good outward visibility makes the Accord easy to drive and park, as well as making it comfortable for young children to see out of. However, crash safety regulations that made thick pillars necessary mean that there's less outwards visibility in the these post-2003 Accord. They aren’t bad, just not as good as the excellent older models. A four-cylinder engine used in the Euro model and the American Accord has a capacity of 2.4 litres. The engine in the Euro is set to a higher state of tune than the one in the American car so need high octane unleaded petrol, the Accord is happy to run on 91, though a diet of 95 does seem to make it feel good.A V6 3.0-litre unit is used in the American Accord, but not in the Euro. The 2008 model change saw an increase in the V6 engine size to 3.5 litres. The newer engine design offers plenty of relaxed torque and uses less fuel than the smaller engine it replaced.The Accord Euro is offered with a six-speed manual to suit its sporting nature, though in Australia most are fitted with a five-speed sequential automatic. The American car is imported only with a five-speed automatic transmission.The Honda dealer network usually concentrates on the major population centres. If you live in the relatively remote country area it might be wise to make inquiries to Honda’s head office, or your local regional office, if you are considering buying one of the cars. Ask about the time it takes to source parts, although this is unlikely to be more than a couple of business days.Honda has worked hard at reducing spare parts costs in recent years. However, the price drops usually apply more to the common parts than to the unusual ones.These are relatively complex cars, especially from the 1998 model, and are best left to professional mechanics. A good amateur, armed with a workshop manual, can tackle some of the routine work.Insurance is generally very reasonable as is only to be expected from a car in this ultra conservative market segment. It will be interesting to see if the new sport-oriented Accord Euro changes the premium structure.WHAT TO LOOK FORThe engine should be all but inaudible at idle, even in the four-cylinder units. Any roughness may indicate problems.Check there are no oily black stains in the exhaust pipe and the surrounding body and bumper. Make sure there isn’t a puff of oily looking smoke from the exhaust when the accelerator is floored after the engine has been idling for a minute or so.Manual gearboxes should move freely with no sticking or crunching on fast gearchanges. Automatics should go into gear promptly and their changes should only be noticeable when you're accelerating hard.During your test drive check the brakes pull the car up evenly without one wheel locking before the others. On cars with ABS, feel for a pulsing through the pedal during very hard braking.Look at the condition of the interior, paying special attention to the top of the dashboard and the rear shelf for sun damage. Fading or cracking in these areas can cause hassles.Rust is not common but may have found its way into cars that have been badly repaired after a crash. If you’re not sure, have a professional check out the car as repairs can be expensive.CAR BUYING TIPCars used by families often have more wear and tear in the boot than those used by couples. The condition of the back seat in a kid carter depends greatly on the amount of discipline the juniors have been taught... 

For many years Honda was spoken of as the Asian BMW, but never has that description been more accurate than it is now with the Accord Euro leading the brand’s charge.It was generally held that Hondas were better engineered and better built. They were said to be a class above the other Japanese makes, and rivaled European brands like the sporty BMW.There wasn’t any doubt about the claims of engineering excellence and build quality, but Hondas still looked and felt like a Japanese car. They were generally bland to look at and the controls didn’t have a quality feel about them.But then something happened, the Japanese industry awoke, and their cars changed. They became more European in the intangible things that distinguish the good cars from the also-rans.The Honda Accord Euro – the name says it all – had the looks and the feel to go with the Japanese reliability and quality. It was as if the Japanese industry had realized it needed to appeal to western buyers if it wanted to succeed. All of a sudden exports were the key to long-term success.MODEL WATCH Japanese cars have built an enviable reputation for reliability and durability through the standard of their engineering and their build quality. The Japanese industry has set the pace in those regards and forced other manufacturers to lift their game, but its cars were manacled to mediocrity by stodgy styling and overtly plastic ‘cheap looking’ interiors.The classic example was the Honda NSX sports car. An awesome mid-engined sports coupe that had the performance to match the world’s great supercars, but its interior looked like it came from a humble Civic with acres of average plastic and controls that clearly came from the Honda small car parts bin.Previous Accords were good solid reliable cars, but the sixth generation Accord Euro launched in 2003 was different. It still felt light on the road, it didn’t have the solid road feel that most Europeans have, but there was little to moan about, and even the looks were attractive.Honda was clear in its focus with the Accord Euro, it was to be a performance oriented model. Anyone who wanted a more conservative ride could buy the plusher Accord V6, which was also available at Honda dealers alongside the Euro.The Accord Euro was well proportioned with appealing lines that gave it an athletic look without being too bold. But while it was an appealing car its styling was somewhat derivative; it could easily have come from Munich.There were two models in the range, the Accord and Accord Luxury, both powered by Honda’s renowned 2.4-litre double overhead camshaft i-VTEC LEV engine boasting peak power of 140 kW at 6800 revs and 223 Nm at 4500 revs.The engine used variable valve timing and electronic lift with variable inlet cam phasing for more efficient combustion with exhaust gas recirculation, better torque and more linear performance through the rev range. Backing up to the engine was a choice of a six-speed manual gearbox, which had a light, precise, short-throw shift, or a five-speed auto with a manual shift function.All of that was built on a rigid, stable platform that provided a sound foundation for the handling Honda wanted for the Accord Euro. Double wishbone independent suspension was a feature at both ends; it had massive disc brakes with anti-skid, brake force distribution and brake assist electronics to assist with the stopping. The electronic arsenal also extended to stability control and traction control in an impressive package of driver aids.Inside, the Accord had all the features expected of a prestige model, including air, cruise, power windows and mirrors, six-stack CD sound with steering wheel controls, remote keyless entry, alarm and immobiliser. On top of that the Luxury also had high-density headlights, power sunroof, power front seats, leather, woodgrain, rain sensor wipers, headlight washers and fog lamps.IN THE SHOPMake sure the Accord has been serviced, and by someone who knows the brand well. They are packed with technology and are built to close tolerances so regular servicing is essential. Oil changes in particular must be done on a regular basis.The Accord’s good build quality means little generally goes wrong with them, and they are still in their youth with just five years of road life under the tyre marks. Look for body damage, and listen for odd noises when driven.IN A CRASH The agility, road holding and braking prowess of the Accord Euro enables drivers to escape threatening situations they may face on the road if they’ve got the driving ability. Both the Accord and Accord Luxury boasted an impressive array of airbags including front and side airbags, while the Luxury had the added protection of curtain airbags. In another plus all occupants had three-point lap-sash seat belts.AT THE PUMP Owners report they get around 9.5 L/100 km average fuel consumption around town, but on a trip that drops to 7-8 L/100 km. Those figures compare quite well to the 9.2 L/100 km Honda quotes for the auto model on the ADR test.OWNERS SAY Jenny Foster loves driving her 2005 Accord Euro, and living in country Victoria she does plenty of it driving between her country home and Melbourne. She says it’s fantastic on the highway. It’s also been reasonably cheap to run, although it does require premium fuel, which it sips at the rate of 8 L/100 km on the highway. There have been no mechanical problems to date, but she is critical of the large turning circle, the blocked vision when turning, and the poor visibility when backing because of the low seating position.Daniel Madeira is the proud and happy owner of a 2005 Accord Euro. He loves its looks and the way it drives. Its handling is exceptional, he says, and he loves the option of changing gears manually on the auto transmission. His only problem has been a squeak where the windscreen meets the body, which was fixed under warranty.Nick Zouros has clocked up 47,000 km in his 2005 Accord Euro and reckons it’s a great car. The engine and auto transmission are brilliant, and the build quality, reliability and comfort are exceptional, he says. He’s critical of the firm ride at low speeds and he would like more room in the back seat for his growing family.William Martin reckons his Accord Euro is the best-finished car he’s had in his 50 years of owning motor vehicles. Its comfort and performance are first class, he says.LOOK FOR • Attractive styling• Brilliant handling• Zippy performance• Firm ride at low speeds• Good fuel economy• Requires premium fuelTHE BOTTOM LINE Soundly engineered and well built, the Accord Euro is a reliable and fun driver.RATING 80/100

The Accord Euro is available only with a four-cylinder engine. The rounded Accord is available with either a V6 engine or a four-cylinder.The prices of all three Accords dropped early this year as Honda passed on tariff savings. That meant the Accord Euro dropped to $33,500 and the Accord V6 to $36,990.The cheapest model is the VTi, which costs a reasonable $29,990. The four-cylinder Accord Euro has 140kW. The 2.4-litre VTi has 118kW and 218Nm. It uses a five-speed automatic transmission.The mid-sized VTi is actually larger than the Accord Euro, with a sizeable boot and cabin space.For a car that comes in at just under $30,000, it comes with a fair amount of standard equipment and safety gear. Driver and passenger front and side airbags are standard, as are anti-skid brakes.The VTi also has dual-zone climate control, cruise control, electric windows, six-CD sound and alloy wheels, including a full-size spare.The Accord VTi looks more expensive than it is. It has plenty of what car companies call jewellery: chrome lining around the windows, bumper strips, a strip across the boot.It doesn't sound like much, but these small touches give the Accord a more elegant appearance.The VTi looks less sporty than the Accord Euro, with rounded edges, large headlights and a bloated boot.Just as you would expect from Honda, the interior is a highlight. Controls are logical and well laid out, and the sound system booms with plenty of bass.The VTi's four-cylinder engine is adequate but nothing special. More encouraging is the figure for fuel economy, a promised average about 9.3 litres per 100km/h.The engine works well enough with the automatic gearbox, though it sometimes hunts for the correct gear. The test car suffered an unpleasant vibration at idle — hopefully it was just a one-off.The Accord VTi is impressive in many aspects and represents good value, but the engine and ride characteristics are disappointing.

People movers long ago replaced anything motorised and modern in this household, so the chance to show off Euro styling was not to be missed. I could pretend those admiring glances at the lights, the second look in the supermarket car park were for me ... but it's all about the car.Honda has drawn a faithful market among the over-30s with the Euro. Not surprising, really, when the car comes with an impressive range of options, easy-on-the-wallet prices and sophisticated styling. The on-the-road bells and whistles include cruise control as standard, a six-stacker CD and a list of extras that would put much more expensive models to shame.With the family on board, safety is paramount and a quick flick through the book shows the car's front and side airbags create an inbuilt cushion of safety.For the technical-minded, standard safety features include ABS brakes (with electronic brake-force distribution) and stability assist.But for a mum more used to footy boots and schoolbags piled in the back of the family wagon, the real attraction is the driving manners and the special features. The dash is easy to read, courtesy of a decent-sized display. Interior lights go on and off automatically so there's no scramble in the handbag in the dark – and as for the front seat warmers – yes, please.Living in a temperate climate doesn't mean that a warm driver's seat wasn't appreciated on a frosty Clare morning. And marriage doesn't mean sharing everything, like his passion for an almost icy travelling temperature. The Euro comes with dual temperature zones for the driver and passenger.You might think that all those little luxuries add up to a hefty hit on the family budget but the Euro has another pleasant surprise. Priced at $42,500 the Accord Euro Luxury falls within the affordable imported range.On the open road, the Euro shows the benefit of Honda's years in motorsport. You can't throw F1 cars around a track without learning something about handling and Honda has put all that knowledge into cars which love the open road.All that and still room in the back for the three juniors. We didn't try a whole weekend away, which might have strained the boot space. But it did accommodate a weekly shop and, after all, there has to be some sacrifice for something that's family friendly and has sex appeal to boot.LOVE IT LEAVE ITHonda Accord Euro Luxury five-speed automaticPrice $42,500LOVE ITSUPERB handling.Separate temperature zones for the driver and passenger – he can chill while I stay toasty warm.LEAVE ITSPACE, space, space – just a bit more in the boot would be great.

Not any more. Thanks largely to Mazda and Honda, the medium segment has been reinvigorated, with Toyota and Subaru getting in on the action as well.The Honda Accord Euro shook things up when it arrived, shirking the boring tag of its predecessor and giving buyers an alternative to the sharp Mazda6.The recent addition to the range is an updated Luxury model, adding to the equipment list but retaining the qualities that have seen Accord average more than 1000 sales per month throughout Australia so far this year.Little wonder there are plenty of takers for the Accord range, which has grown to include a four-cylinder VTi model in the bigger-bodied model, but we'll stick with the Euro for looks.The Euro offers plenty of performance, equipment and quality for its sub-$50,000 price, with 17in alloy wheels, a sunroof (with one of the easiest switches to operate), front fog lights, high-intensity discharge xenon headlights and variable, intermittent windscreen wipers with rain sensor.The front occupants are also treated to heated front seats, both with power adjustment, as well as the addition of side curtain airbags to the dual front and side airbags present in the standard Euro.Sliding behind the wheel, the seats are leather-trimmed and comfortable, if a little "on" rather than "in" for seating comfort and support, although the range of movement from the electrically-adjustable seats and reach-and-rake adjustable wheel allows for most to find a suitable position.Vision is good, as is the layout of the dashboard and the instrumentation with steering-wheel-mounted controls that are straightforward to use.In-cabin storage includes seat-back pockets and a small glovebox, made up for by a clever centre console that has a two-stage lid.The dual-zone climate control keeps the cabin comfortable and the six-CD in-dash stacker sound system produces a quality sound, although many will prefer the singing of Honda's powerplant.The tune of the 2.4-litre variable-valve four-cylinder is dictated by the five-speed automatic – a $2000 premium over the six-speed manual. It's a slick gearbox that features a number of choices for the driver – D-three mode for around town locks out fourth and fifth gears, meaning more punch immediately on offer for those quick lane changes, as the automatic will dwell in higher gears if allowed.For that spirited run in the country, or to relieve the boredom of commuting, the gearbox has a manual change mode.This is one of the better tipshift modes on offer in the mainstream market, with the gear selected by the driver remaining in use until the driver decides otherwise.The Honda won't allow a dangerous downshift or a ridiculous upshift, but should the driver be enjoying the upper reaches of the 2.4-litre's rev range, then far be it for the Euro to change up. The suspension – independent double wishbones, anti-roll bars and dampers at the front and a five-link double wishbones, anti-roll bars and dampers at the rear – provides a firm and well-damped ride, keeping the sporty intent of the Euro range in mind.Corners are generally handled with aplomb, as body roll is well controlled and torque steer from the driven front wheels almost non-existent.The stability control system is rarely disturbed by faster-paced cornering, unless it's deliberately provoked.More enthusiastic driving might be better enjoyed with a little more life in the steering and with a manual – the steps between the first three gears seem a little wide if the driver wants to make the most of the punchy engine.It's no sports car but that is not its main intention – as an all-rounder, the Accord Euro Luxury represents an excellent package.At $42,500 for the automatic it's a little more expensive ($700) than the list price of the Mazda6 Sport Luxury hatch, so comparisons between the two will fall to personal preference for the brands and the body types.The phrase "spoilt for choice" comes to mind, but opting for the Accord Euro Luxury would put a value-packed and talented all-round automotive package in your driveway.