There’s little to fault with the Honda Accord, per se. So its understandable that the 2011 model year changes made to Honda’s D-segment staple are less of a facelift and more of a subtle honing of what’s already a competent offering.
In terms of exterior styling, the Accord now features a narrower grille, cleaner headlamp units that dispense with the amber repeater lenses (top-spec models get bi-Xenon items with high beam assist and active cornering lights) and all models now roll on a set of 17-inch alloys as standard. The rear features chrome trim above the number plate and revised brake lamp clusters. Similarly, little has changed on the inside with the most notable features being gunmetal-effect trim inserts, a new instrument illumination system that ensures your dials don’t dim when switching on the headlamps and contrasting stitch work on the leather upholstery.
On the powerplant front, the facelift sees the introduction of a high output version of the 2,2-litre i-DTEC engine. This unit develops 132 kW and 380 N.m of torque whilst returning 5,8 litres/100 km and CO2 emissions of 151 g/km. This engine joins the lower output 2,2 diesel as well as 2,0-litre and 2,4-litre i-VTEC petrol engines, all of which feature the same outputs as before but now benefit from low-friction componentry that helps improve NVH and fuel efficiency.
In addition to NVH improvement measures and numerous fuel-saving aerodynamic tweaks, the 2,4-litre petrol model also ushers in a trio of high-tech driver safety features. The three systems sit under the ADAS – Advanced Driver Assist – package and comprise Collision Mitigation Braking System (a radar-guided system that gives both audible and physical warnings of an imminent collision and can apply the brakes in a worst case scenario to limit accident damage), Lane Keeping Assist System (a camera-assisted module that gives audio/visual warnings to the driver in the event of straying from a demarcated lane and provides optimum steering torque and self-steering assistance where necessary to keep the car on track) and an adaptive cruise control system.
The Accord will still be offered in Sedan and Tourer variants in three states of trim: Elegance, Executive and Exclusive. Elegance models feature a six-speed manual gearbox or a five-speed automatic transmission, 17-inch alloy wheels, HID headlights, dual-zone climate control, and heated front seats with leather trim, dual front, side and curtain airbags, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), ABS brakes with electronic brake force distribution (EBD) and emergency brake assist (BAS), a trailer stability assistance system (TAS), and electric power steering (EPS).
Executive specification adds cruise control, a sunglasses holder, eight-way electrically adjustable front seats with a driver’s side memory function, steering wheel-mounted satellite controls for the sound system, and Bluetooth phone connectivity.
The range-topping Exclusive derivatives add USB/iPod connectivity for the sound system, rain-sensing windscreen wipers, automatic bi-Xenon headlights with Active Cornering Lighting and High Beam Support System, front and rear parking sensors and a premium audio system with 10 speakers and a subwoofer. All Tourer versions are fitted with roof racks and a power-operated tailgate.
Pricing:
Accord Sedan 2,0 Elegance R303 300
Accord Sedan 2,0 Elegance Auto R317 500
Accord Sedan 2,4 Executive R356 700
Accord Sedan 2,4 Executive Auto R371 200
Accord Sedan 2,4 Exclusive R386 700
Accord Sedan 2.4 Exclusive R401 200
Accord Sedan 2,2 i-DTEC Executive R396 200
Accord Sedan 2,2 i-DTEC Executive Auto R401 200
Accord Tourer 2,4 Executive R386 700
Accord Tourer 2,4 Executive Auto R401 200
Accord Tourer 2,4 Exclusive R416 700
Accord Tourer 2,4 Exclusive Auto R431 200
Accord Tourer 2,2 i-DTEC Executive R426 200
Accord Tourer 2,2 i-DTEC Executive Auto R431 200