2010 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... 

NEW - Going shopping for an Accord you were confronted with two quite different models bearing the same badge. There was the Accord V6 for those who wanted a more cossetted ride, and the Accord Euro for those who preferred a more spirited, engaging drive.The Euro was smaller than the V6, had sharper handling and only came with a four-cylinder engine, albeit a spirited one. The new model Euro introduced in 2008 looked much the same as its predecessor, but it was in fact all new, with a new platform and a new body to boot. The upside was that it was longer, wider, with a longer wheelbase and wider track, and it was stiffer. On the downside it was heavier.Inside, it was roomy and comfortable for both front and back seat passengers with good leg and headroom, but the boot was rather small, made worse when the full-sized spare wheel ate into the available space, and the back seat couldn't be folded if you wanted to cart long items. New double wishbone suspension appeared at the front and rear with variable rate shock absorbers and there was speed-sensitive steering.The four-cylinder engine was modified for increased power ands a modest increase in torque, with a small reduction in fuel consumption as well. There was a choice of a six-speed manual and a five-speed automatic, and for a few more bucks you could have paddle shifting on the steering wheel.All models had plenty of standard equipment. The base car came with dual-zone air-conditioning, cruise, power windows and heated mirrors, six-CD sound, leather-wrapped steering wheel, alloy wheels and a full-sized spare. Move up to the Luxury and you got leather trim, a sunroof, heated seats, powered front seats, rain-sensitive wipers, high intensity headlamps, front and rear parking sensors and fog lamps. Both were also comprehensively kitted out with safety features with eight airbags, ABS braking and ESP electronic stability control.NOWHonda is a highly respected brand and Accord is a most respected model, one sought after by used car buyers looking for a trouble free run for a number of years, and for good reason. Euro owners have few gripes about their cars, the earliest of which will now have around 75,000 km showing on their odometers.Hondas are generally well engineered and solidly built, so they generally hold up well in the long term, providing they are looked after and well serviced. They have a reputation for being expensive to service and replacement parts are generally held to be on the expensive side, but by using an independent Honda mechanic to maintain your car, particularly once the warranty has run out, those concerns can be alleviated.Make sure the car you are considering purchasing has been regularly maintained with oil and filter changes as recommended by the factory. Honda engines, like all modern engines, require a diet of fresh oil to stay healthy. Skip oil changes and you're risking a major meltdown when its vital arteries inevitably clog up and restrict the oil flow. The Euro requires Premium unleaded, so be prepared to pay a few cents extra at the pump.SMITHY SAYSWell built, with sporty handling and a zippy engine, the Accord Euro is for the driver in the family. Buy with confidence.Honda Accord Euro 2008-2011Price new: $34,990 to $44,990Engine: 2.4-litre, 4-cylinder, 148 kW/230 NmTransmission: 5-speed auto, 6-speed man, FWDEconomy: 8.9 L/100 km, PULPBody: 4-door sedanVariants: Base, Luxury, Luxury NaviSafety: 5-star ANCAP

The phone rings and the bloke on the other end asks for Lisa. There's no Lisa at my place, but he didn't know that, so I said "speaking". Obviously, I'm not Lisa. I'm not even female. But for a second, he baulked. He had doubts about his question and doubts can be dangerous.Like the time I suggested a friend look at a Honda Accord Euro as a potential purchase. My friend came back to me happy with the car he bought. But it wasn't an Accord Euro, it was an Accord. These are both cars but they're quite different and shouldn't be mixed up. Like Lisa and Neil. So be very careful what you ask for.The Accord Euro is subjectively Honda's prettiest sedan. It's now in its second generation and though bigger, retains the neatly creased panels and compact dimensions. It's a four seater - three children in the back is okay - with reasonable leg and headroom and a decent boot with split fold-down rear seats and a full-size spare under the floor.The cabin in the cheapest Euro, tested here, is attractive in an simplistic way but has to much black and charcoal-coloured plastic to lift the spirits. Yes, it's a nice-looking and inoffensive car but, like the Corolla, can be invisible in the traffic.Honda's Euro was always seen as a premium product with a high price but the $31,490 entry price for the base manual here is a really good deal. It's only about a grand off the Thai-made Civic. The price this month was dropped by $2000 and it immediately lifts the Euro up the shopping list. This is one of the few Hondas made in Japan - the others are from the UK or Thailand - so there's a perception of quality. But that wasn't necessarily the case.Standard gear is very good, starting with the safety of six airbags and stability control. Comfort features include trip computer, cruise control, iPod-friendly six-CD audio with 10 speakers, dual-zone climate airconditioning and excellent personal storage areas.It's up against the Mazda6, Hyundai i45, Toyota Camry and Skoda Octavia - amongst others - though its price and compact dimensions also make it appeal to prospective buyers of the Mitsubishi Lancer, Mazda3 and Subaru Impreza.Honda's variable-valve system gives the engine a wide power range and only harms fuel economy when you live in the upper reaches of the tachometer's dial. This beautifully made and fuss-free engine is a tad complex and that accounts for the wallet-lightening 10,000km service intervals - rivals are generally 15,000km - and expensive liquid diet of premium-grade fuel.The Euro is traditional in its design, departing off the beaten track ever-so slightly with double wishbone suspension. The retention of a full-size spare wheel and the fact it makes minimal difference to boot space shows clever thinking.There's no solid thunk when the doors close and the boot rattles when slammed. That's not a great look and jarring compared with the superior door action of the $19,000 Volkswagen Polo I had driven just prior. On the road, the electrically-assisted steering is vague around the straight-ahead position and hesitates for a fraction when turning off centre - all a bit disconcerting. But the ride comfort and quietness is excellent, as is the handling (steering aside) and the willingness of the engine.Typically of the class, the more people you stuff inside the cabin the more the performance suffers. But given this is a two-person or one adult, two kids type of car, it's not a problem. I love the manual gearshift - even knowing most of you will opt for the automatic - for its crisp changes and the way the six ratios make the most of the engine's delivery. Perhaps I was too light on the accelerator because my 8.1 litres/100km average was well down on Honda's claimed 8.9 l/100km.It's simple but sensible and elevates itself because it's a nice drive with a keen price.