Photos by Aida Sevilla-Mendoza
When it comes to midsize sedans bearing Japanese brands, the Honda Accord long ago gained street cred as a family car with driving mojo.
That zest was lost after some unfortunate redesigns, but now an all-new Accord has re-attained the nameplate’s sporty driving character.
Launched by Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) last September for the 2020 model year, the 10th generation Accord is bigger than previous iterations yet 70kg lighter.
Its wider body, pronounced shoulder line, lower center of gravity, lower fastback-like roofline, longer and lower hood combine to present an athletic yet elegant exterior profile.
The new 1.5-liter DOHC turbocharged 4-cylinder engine smoothly delivers 188hp and 243Nm max torque via a continuously variable transmission (CVT). These specs represent more horsepower and torque than preceding models’ naturally aspirated 2.4-liter engine.
The 1.5 turbo powerplant has a strong mid-range with peak torque available between 1,600 and 5,000 rpm, offering sufficient punch for the average driver.
AGILE. The Accord’s quicker electric power steering, totally new, stiffer chassis with claimed 24 percent greater torsional rigidity, and lower stance, enable more agile handling and caroming through corners with little body roll.
The recalibrated all-around independent suspension, improved front-to-rear weight distribution and Sport mode that sharpens throttle response, plus paddle shifters make the front-wheel-drive Accord engaging to drive on the Skyway.
At the same time, the new Accord drives quieter than a Civic due to acoustic glass, abundant sound-deadening carpet in the floor and wheel wells, and 18-inch noise-reducing alloy wheels. However, tire noise sometimes intrudes when the car is driven for a long time over bumpy roads.
The CVT, which is known for droning under heavy throttle, is unobtrusive during ECON driving.
MORE ROOM. Aside from a quiet ride, the Accord offers more backseat space and its trunk can swallow more cargo than its competitors. This is because the wider body and longer wheelbase improved cabin space, especially at the back where 48mm of legroom have been added.
To test these dimensions, I hired a professional driver to take my friend and me for a spin around town in Christmas season traffic. My friend was the first to comment on how much legroom there was and how comfy the back seat was.
The rear seat has a folding armrest and cupholder, rear window sunshades, rear aircon vents with two USB ports, and ISOFIX child seat anchors.
The rear seatback can be folded down to increase trunk space, but doing so is hardly necessary since the trunk has a class-leading 573 liters of cargo room.
The rear seatback has a ski port through which to poke longer items. The trunk’s loading floor is flat because the spare wheel is stored below it.
UPSCALE. Up front, the cockpit is elegantly upscale and tech-savvy with high-quality, soft-touch materials predominating and dark brown wood, silver and piano black trim accenting.
Inside, a new 8-inch infotainment display that controls navigation, connectivity and Honda Sensing functions.
The armchair-like front seats—black leather, like the rear seat—are 8-way power adjustable with lumbar support for the driver, and 4-way power adjustable for the front seat passenger.
The 8-inch touchscreen, mounted high atop the dash, is easy to see and use as it has crisp graphics and rotary knobs with digital display and illumination. The touchscreen system has a sensible menu structure and physical accompanying controls for commonly used features and applications, and comes with Navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
It also controls the AM/FM radio with 8 speakers and has two USB ports, iPhone and iPad connectivity.
The passenger area offers many bins and pockets for phones, sunglasses, water bottles such as large cupholders behind the shifter, a bin forward of the shifter with a USB port, front and rear door pockets, driver and front passenger seatback pockets.
HONDA SENSING. A sleek, stylish exterior, a frisky powertrain, a quiet, comfortable ride, and unmatched interior space are not the only advantages the Honda Accord enjoys over the competition: there is its suite of advanced driver-assistance and safety features.
The leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel controls audio, Bluetooth hands-free telephone, voice command and scroll wheel, cruise control and straight driving assist.
The Honda Sensing system has a millimeter-wave radar in the front bumper and a monocular camera mounted on the upper, inside part of the windshield working simultaneously to monitor and assess various conditions in front of the car and provides corrective action when needed to help prevent a collision.
Honda Sensing provides adaptive cruise control with low speed follow, collision mitigation braking system, lane keep assist system, road departure mitigation, forward collision warning and lane departure warning which help the driver respond effectively to dangerous driving situations.
Aside from Honda Sensing, the new Accord is equipped with 6 airbags, vehicle stability assist, ABS with EBD, LaneWatch Camera, multi-view reverse camera with dynamic guidelines, two front parking sensors, four rear parking sensors, hill start assist, driver attention monitor, rain-sensing wipers, emergency stop signal, advanced compatibility engineering body and five three-pt. ELR seatbelts.
The new VTEC DOHC 1.5-liter petrol engine delivers 192 hp and 243 Nm max torque through a CVT.
SMART KEY. In the test unit, the walk-away door lock and speed-sensing auto door lock worked fine, but the smart key eventually failed to remotely unlock the doors, even when I pressed the driver’s door handle. To unlock the car, I had to take the key out of my handbag or pocket and press the Unlock button on the key fob.
Another glitch: The Accord’s sleek fastback-like silhouette is eye-catching, but the low seating occasioned by the low, sloping roofline makes it a bit difficult to enter and exit the car.
But these inconveniences are minor complaints when considered in the overall context of this refined, well-rounded midsize sedan. The Accord’s graceful handling, athletic chassis, lightly weighted steering, and firmly controlled ride help it strike a winning balance between a sports sedan and a practical family car.
At P2.288-million, the 2020 Honda Accord EL Turbo CVT gives all-around value for money.
In other markets, the 2020 Honda Accord is available in Sport trim with a 252-hp, 2.0-liter turbocharged engine paired with either a 6-speed manual transmission or a 10-speed automatic. Driving a 252-hp Accord would be exciting, but unfortunately Honda’s plant in Thailand, from which the Accord sold here originates, does not manufacture the Accord Sport.
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