Honda Accord Tourer

Our verdict

Honda is pushing this as a rival to the BMW 3-Series. It’s not, unfortunately. What it is is a mighty fine car with little in the way of distinguishing features. It’s good in its class, but know your limits Honda.

Comfort

General refinement from wind and engine noise is up there with cars from the class above, so relaxation is the name of the game here. The seats and the ride quality don’t do anything to spoil that.

Performance

The last Accord was the first Honda to get a proper Honda-fied diesel, but this new engine raises things to a whole new level. Emissions levels are compliant with Euro V (due in 2011) and refinement is as impressive as anything out there. Oh, and there are some petrols as well.

Cool

Odd isn’t it? Honda is a cool company and far more so than Toyota, but then the Accord is staggeringly uncool. Even the Tourer (estates normally help raise the cool rating a notch) doesn’t alter things.

Quality

Simply top notch. Few cars come close to matching Honda anyway, but the Accord takes it onto another level. The solid thunk you get from closing the doors would shame many a BMW or Mercedes.

Handling

Think comfort rather than S2000. The Accord’s steering is pretty good because it’s accurate and direct, but there’s not much feedback from anything. However, for an estate car body roll is pretty well contained.

Practicality

It’s an estate, but not as we knew the old Accord Tourer. Honda has shrunk the boot and got rid of those nifty folding rear seats, but it’ll still be big enough for most.

Running costs

Few cars come more reliable or with better dealer service than a Honda. The diesels will be seriously cheap to run thanks to low CO2 and high mpg, and even depreciation is good for the class.