Honda Accord Type S Tourer
by Tim Barnes-Clay, the man behind the wheel.
Date: 14 August 2010
THIS Honda Accord Tourer is undoubtedly better looking than the ungainly older model.
The previous saloon version was gorgeous, but I never did like the estate.
I could be a tad biased - I used to own a 54 plate Accord 2.2 i-CTDi and loved it.
I regularly commuted ninety miles a day and only sold it when we had children and needed an estate sized load area.
The thing is I looked at buying a Honda Tourer back in 2006.
I even test drove one – but it just did nothing for me in the looks department. I ended up buying an Audi A4 Avant instead.
Sexy Estate Car
The new version of the Honda Accord Tourer is a different matter altogether. It is a very sexy estate car, and that takes some doing in this sector. It has a sharp, shark-like face and a stance that gives the car a more aggressive, streamlined look than before.
The model I had on test was the Type S version. A very comfortable car, with a few more sporty bits added here and there. But, fundamentally the new Honda Accord is a fantastic car without any extras at all.
The seats are amongst the most comfortable I’ve ever known, and the power from the 2.2 i-DTEC unit is punchy and pulls the car along with confidence. The dials and switchgear are all sensibly placed and the steering wheel is noticeably thicker than the previous Honda Accord model - which is a good thing.
Gearshift & Visibility
The only slight gripe I had was with the manual gearshift. The gear changes are smooth and easy, but the actual gear stick is too small and thin and became quite irritating for me as it kept ‘disappearing’ into my palm.
The windows aren’t that deep either, so anyone who is quite small, even with the seat raised to the max, might find visibility a bit restricted. I know this as my wife, who is only 5ft tall, told me she felt she couldn’t see out of the car sufficiently, despite altering the seat position numerous times.
The estate load area is plentiful; I found it refreshingly easy to get my children’s pushchairs and shopping bags in without a strain.
The powered tailgate is also a nice touch.
The old model had this, and it is still really handy; all it takes is a push of a button and the tailgate closes automatically, with a little warning sound telling you it’s doing so.
Very useful when you are unloading and only have a spare finger!
All Things Considered
The Type S, being the Japanese company’s sportiest Accord, is brisk, decently made, reasonably economical and handles pretty decently for a large car. All things considered the Honda Accord Tourer is now a car I would seriously consider when I’m in the market to buy an estate car again.
PROS ‘N’ CONS
PROS
- Room
- Looks
- Comfort
CONS
- Visibility
- Gearstick
FAST FACTS
- Max speed: 134 mph
- 0-62 mph: 9.2 seconds
- Combined mpg: 47
- Engine layout: 2199cc 16v 4-cyl turbodiesel
- Max. power (bhp): 178 at 4000 rpm
- Max. torque (lb.ft): 280 at 2000-2750 rpm
- CO2: 157g/km
- Price: £28,195
