Honda strikes a fresh Accord with styling and spec upgrades

[Alpine]

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mellor.nsf/story2/74350FC742386384CA25718100118657/$file/2006.06.02_Honda_Accord.jpg?OpenElement

Honda strikes a fresh Accord with styling and spec upgrades for its medium sedan

By NEIL McDONALD 2 June 2006 goauto.com.au
HONDA has given both its four-cylinder Accord Euro and the larger Accord V6 some modest styling and equipment upgrades.

Headlining the changes is a completely redesigned rear-end for the big sedan, plus the inclusion of satellite-navigation as standard on the V6 Luxury.

Honda Australia senior director, Lindsay Smalley, said the added features and specification upgrades were designed to "add up to an even more enticing, affordable and luxurious motoring package".

Power in the four-cylinder Accord Euro VTi has gone up from 118kW to 125kW, while the car also receives a drive-by-wire throttle, a black interior with metal-look console, LED tail-lights, an LED high-mounted stoplight and an exhaust pipe finisher - as well as new alloys and a new gear lever.

Both the V6 and V6 Luxury add a vehicle stability assist (VSA) program to their equipment lists.

Pricing remains the same for both the VTi and V6 at $29,900 and $36,990 respectively, while the V6 L pricetag rises by $1250 to $44,990.

What are your thoughts on the facelifted Accord? I'm yet to be convinced of the new rear end - I'll reserve final judgement until I see one in the metal at a dealership, which (from what I have read) might be available for viewing as early as this weekend.

[blk_shadow]

I saw the facelifted accord on the ad of honda australia, I reckon it looks similar to the US accord, which is good...way better..

I love it.:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[bigdongers]

Standard sat nav on the lux model is a good move.

[vtec_jet]

seems like a mix of a Mercedes, a Mitsubishi Verada and an 06 Civic .. dun you think?

[mrwillz]

seems like a mix of a Mercedes, a Mitsubishi Verada and an 06 Civic .. dun you think?

rear is very mercedes

[bigteethygrin]

drive by wire will be interesting..

[JaCe]

I guess this proves that the Thai factory is capable of installing VSA into cars? Now all we wonder is... why can't we get VSA in the other Hondas when they are standard around the world.

Btw I also agree that the tail looks like a Mercedes E-class, the sides look like the new Civic sedan, but haven't seen the front.

[panda[cRx]]

What are your thoughts on the facelifted Accord? I'm yet to be convinced of the new rear end - I'll reserve final judgement until I see one in the metal at a dealership, which (from what I have read) might be available for viewing as early as this weekend.

i think the lines of the rear don't really match the rest of the car.... yet i think it will grow on me. i really like the LED tail lights too

the cars have been in most melb dealers since mid last week mate :thumbsup:
we've sold about 5 already i think

[91'lude]

Its still quite meh. I dont see why you'd buy one of these over the Euro? Its much uglier, plus even the V6 engine isnt much more powerful. Not to mention its still FWD.

Euro for me definetly.

[aaronng]

I guess this proves that the Thai factory is capable of installing VSA into cars? Now all we wonder is... why can't we get VSA in the other Hondas when they are standard around the world.

It's the cost. After a few years when the Civic gets older and the competition catches up, then Honda will include VSA into it.

[timofytit]

God help Honda. No more integras, No more good looking accords, no more nsx. HELP HELP HELP

[SLPJCooL]

....
Power in the four-cylinder Accord Euro VTi has gone up from 118kW to 125kW, while the car also receives a drive-by-wire throttle, a black interior with metal-look console, LED tail-lights, an LED high-mounted stoplight and an exhaust pipe finisher - as well as new alloys and a new gear lever.
....


I always thought the EURO was powered by a 140kW Engine....WTF?

[Alpine]

']the cars have been in most melb dealers since mid last week mate :thumbsup:
we've sold about 5 already i think

Haven't seen any in QLD dealerships yet :(

[panda[cRx]]

I always thought the EURO was powered by a 140kW Engine....WTF?

it's a typo coz the article has nothing to do with the euro. the writer is refering to the standard accord vti

[timofytit]

looks like a civic to me

[TB45CO]

we want inspire front end treatment

[maracer]

The rear is very mercedes, not bad.
Lets hope the new AWD Legend lives up to it's name!

[KUCING]

What they did with the facelift is they make it similar to the Honda Accord made in China (Guangzhou Honda) ... the lights on the accord has been like that for a while here (maybe 1 year or so...)

for reference:
http://www.guangzhouhonda.com.cn/accord06/
http://www.honda.com.cn/product/4r/accord.htm

they produced the led taillight here in China because the people in China (dunno why) like LED lights. they start make LED lights as substitute for home light bulbs, flash lights, street lamps, traffic lights etc. And from I heard the cost of producting those lights are cheap here...

[MIRZ]

look way better than previous shape. LEDs nice change. and for $29,990 drive away, what else you can ask for.

std Euro is more expensive than this, check out Euro driveaway prices.

[boosted_andy]

meh

rear, is just a strange mercedes style but uglier, sorry. big butt. but really for the price, it is probably one of the best cars out there pricewise.

[PeachExperiment]

I always thought the EURO was powered by a 140kW Engine....WTF?

Yeah something is wrong there. Because the facelifted Honda Accord Euro does not come with LED tail lights either. And it does infact have a 2.4 Litre 140kw i-VTEC motor. The 125kw reference and LED tail lights is actually 2 of the specs for the newly facelifted widebody Accord in the 4 Cylinder variant.

:honda:

[JaCe]

If the price point stays the same as before, then I think Honda has a winner!

[JaCe]

http://www.honda.com.au/wps/wcm/resources/image/468d26007ed13ded/accord_ext_04.jpg

*taken from Honda.com.au*

WTF is that clear white thing on both sides of the numberplate? I just realised how ugly that bit looks.

*orders brochure for new Accord off honda.com.au anyway*
I think my father might like this car.. haha.

[2002 TeGgY]

i love the accord, but i have to admit the nissan maxima is a better car overall. (Please dont kill me for saying this lol)

[JaCe]

i love the accord, but i have to admit the nissan maxima is a better car overall. (Please dont kill me for saying this lol)

Isn't the Maxima much dearer and marketed as a luxury sedan? I was looking at the Maxima brochure only the other day and it sure has a lot of features (not a fan of the interior though); but couldn't help but think it seemed like a convoluted car. Although on the outside, I like the look more than the Accord. The front of the Accord looks a bit dated imo.

[2002 TeGgY]

Isn't the Maxima much dearer and marketed as a luxury sedan? I was looking at the Maxima brochure only the other day and it sure has a lot of features (not a fan of the interior though); but couldn't help but think it seemed like a convoluted car. Although on the outside, I like the look more than the Accord. The front of the Accord looks a bit dated imo.
na its not much dearer than the accord, its priced around the same. my dad has one, and man it FLIES. Tell your dad to go for a test drive they really are amazing value for what you pay.

[UNLS1]

i think this new accord is the best value for money car on the market atm!
Its alot of car for what you pay and the drive and finish is fantastic!
We sold all of our VTis in the first 2 days of having the car in stock!

They are selling very very well! great value for $29,990!

-jimmy

[Pogi]

WTF is that clear white thing on both sides of the numberplate? I just realised how ugly that bit looks.
It's what illuminates the number plate so it can be seen at night time.

[PeachExperiment]

It would have been cool if Honda had bought out the Accord Euro with the V6 option too. What does the Euro drive like with the 2.4 Litre? Is it powerful???

[2002 TeGgY]

It's what illuminates the number plate so it can be seen at night time.
i think they're the revurse lights, aren't they?

[PeachExperiment]

i think they're the revurse lights, aren't they?

Indeed they are. And the Licence plate lights would be integrated into that same unit aswell. :)

[94vtirozguy]

the maxima's are also a tank

[2002 TeGgY]

the maxima's are also a tank
a really fast tank :p

[wkdteg]

LoL @ fady ive heard about ur maxima antics!
my cuz just bought 1, im yet 2 take it for a drive, but i must say im not a fan of the interior

[EuroDude]

It would have been cool if Honda had bought out the Accord Euro with the V6 option too. What does the Euro drive like with the 2.4 Litre? Is it powerful???

Yeah its not bad for a 4cyl @1390kg. Euro 6MT = 7.7sec 0-100km

The V6 would have made it too heavy and unbalanced imo...

[aaronng]

It would have been cool if Honda had bought out the Accord Euro with the V6 option too. What does the Euro drive like with the 2.4 Litre? Is it powerful???
You should try it out. I'd say it is slightly slower than a stock Prelude VTIR. But then again, the Euro's 2.4L returns 7L/100km on the highway and 11L/100km in the city. Can your h22a do that?

If the Euro had a heavy V6, then it would need a stiffer front suspension, which leads to understeer. But.... imagine if Honda created a lightweight V6. yummmmm....

[EuroDude]

Or even a straight 6 like the BMW 3 series ;)

Speaking of which, has Honda ever manufactured an L6 or L5 engine? :confused:

[2002 TeGgY]

LoL @ fady ive heard about ur maxima antics!
my cuz just bought 1, im yet 2 take it for a drive, but i must say im not a fan of the interior
lol, yeh i rekon u either LOVE the interior or u HATE it. its like BMW and their designs. neway i rekon ur cuz aint gonna regret it ;). tell us what u think after u take it out for a drive. oh and btw, what do u mean antics i didnt race anyone with the maxima :angel: lol

[aaronng]

Or even a straight 6 like the BMW 3 series ;)

Speaking of which, has Honda ever manufactured an L6 or L5 engine? :confused:
No and no. They have I3, I4 and V6, if you don't count motocycle engines.

[wkdteg]

lol, yeh i rekon u either LOVE the interior or u HATE it. its like BMW and their designs. neway i rekon ur cuz aint gonna regret it ;). tell us what u think after u take it out for a drive. oh and btw, what do u mean antics i didnt race anyone with the maxima :angel: lol

LoL who said anythin bout racing? ;)

[JaCe]

I just got the new Accord brochure in the mail (along with Accord Euro). It looks very nice upon closer inspection... can't help but notice it looks very similar to Accord Euro actually. But then they don't have any pictures of the interior WITHOUT sat-nav.

[UNLS1]

its the same dash as the euro without sat nav!