In the ever changing landscape that is South Africa’s new car market, you won’t find a segment that isn’t hotly contested relative to its market size. For this reason, manufacturers have to be innovative, not simply in their product, but right through their organisation from manufacturing to customer service. One of the best measures of a manufacturer’s success comes from the customer surveys done by J.D. Power & Associates. Big names like Lexus, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche, are all inside the top 6 of J.D.’s latest 2011 U.S. Initial Quality Study, but Honda – and its American luxury brand, Acura – are ranked 2nd and 3rd. So let’s talk about the new Honda Accord, which, half-way through 2011, is leading the way in the mid-size sedan category.

Like its BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C-Class competitors, the Honda Accord has been with us for many decades, since 1976 in fact. Like many things, the Accord has evolved over time to become bigger and better, transitioning from a hatchback to the mid-size sedan we see today – not unlike another German competitor, the Volkswagen Passat. This prompts the question, with so many ‘likes’ amongst competitors all vying for the same buyers, what sets the Accord apart other than its class-leading quality in 2011?

Well, the design of a vehicle is always subjective in its appeal, but in this day and age – when the typical three-box shape of the automobile is, just that, ‘typical’ – the Accord sets itself apart with definitive Japanese design cues set within the boundaries of automotive Eurocentrism. This means the traditional sedan silhouette is made a little more intriguing than usual, with sharp and definitive angles appearing and disappearing abruptly within the sheetmetal. The clear lensed, bi-Xenon headlights, with ‘Active Cornering Lights’ and ‘High Beam Support System’ are narrow and wide, adding to the Accord’s deliberate looking front end. Subtle updates to the Accord for 2011 include a restyled grille with two central slats finished in the same chrome material as the outer grille; restyled front fog light housings and lower air intakes, while the tail-lights have been given a red tint with the effect of toning down the reverse lights and indicators. Apart from these minor styling tweaks, the Honda Accord remains a solid looking sedan, with a wide stance that belies its quietly athletic ambitions.

The Accord’s interior follows its exterior design approach, offering a blend of Japanese precision with European flair. Bold lines, from the steering wheel to the handbrake, are combined with creases and curves on and around the dashboard, giving the driver and front passenger a feeling of being immersed in the cockpit. A bounty of buttons in all shapes, sizes and positions, awaits the driver – which could result in a ‘rabbit in the headlights’ moment for some – but once familiar with the layout, the Accord’s ergonomics appeal, bolstered by the number of functions available via the steering wheel. The tactile quality of the interior is pleasing to the touch, with leather in all the right places and solid feeling plastics used throughout. The rear offers generous room for adults, in all directions and cargo space is a useful 467-litres.

The Accord also boasts a host of technological luxuries and conveniences. The digital display mounted centrally atop the dashboard, shows a clock, external temperature and radio information. External music devices plug-in to the 6-disc, 10-speaker, sounds system via USB and stereo-jack connections. A cooled glove box, heated and electronically adjustable seats, bluetooth connectivity and rain sensing wipers are just a few of the standard conveniences.

The Accord takes technology one step further, however, when it comes to occupant safety. Honda’s ‘High Beam Support System’, which is fitted on vehicles with the Bi-Xenon headlights, detects oncoming headlights, or the tail-lights of a vehicle in front, and automatically dips the headlights to their normal setting if they are on high-beam. Three new systems have also been introduced: Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS) and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC).

In short, the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) uses a radar system to detect whether a collision is imminent, before eventually applying the brakes after a number of audio warnings and automatic seat-belt pre-tentioning. The Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS) will automatically steer the car back into the correct lane, if it detects the car is wandering across the road without having had any driver input. The system works well and serves to reduce fatigue on long journeys by preventing the need for small corrections from the driver. Finally, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), measures and maintains the following distance between the vehicle ahead, either slowing down if necessary, or speeding up to the set cruising speed if the road ahead is clear.

Synonymous with the Honda name is the company’s V-TEC variable valve timing system. Honda first began using the system in the early eighties and it’s been used across their entire engine range since, from cars, to bikes, to marine engines. The Accord is powered by a 2.4-litre i-VTEC petrol engine, which offers up 148 kW and 234 Nm of torque at 4 300 r/min. The driver’s connection is via a slick shifting 6-speed manual transmission, with a gear-lever that wouldn’t feel out of place in a sports car with its short and direct throws between the gears. Combined with the high-revving nature of the naturally aspirated engine, the Accord’s drivetrain makes it a fun car to drive, as it’s underpinned by a very well balanced and damped chassis. The Accord’s low and wide stance, offers a reassuring ride when tackling bends and contrary to its relatively conservative public image, the Accord enjoys stretching its legs.

The Honda Accord is an asset in the brand’s line-up, as it epitomizes the virtues of solid build quality and reliability for which Honda is well-known. With cutting edge safety technology, comfort, luxury, practicality and an athletic disposition, it’s an executive saloon that offers more than meets the eye. Perhaps this is why it’s sometimes overlooked in favour of its popular German rivals, however, it’s also likely a big part of the reason why owners rate the Accord so highly.

What we like…

• The manual gearbox. The 5-speed auto feels antiquated and arguably erodes the character of the VTEC engine.
• The lateral support of the front seats is helped by taller side bolsters and adds to the levels of comfort.
• Handling stability and eagerness of the engine.

What we would like…

• To pair Bluetooth devices via buttons and not voice command.