- Doors and Seats
4 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
2.4i, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
140kW, 223Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (95) 9.2L/100KM
- Manufacturer
FWD
- Transmission
Auto
- Warranty
3 Yr, 100000 KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
2003 Honda Accord Euro review: Euro vision
The Luxury-spec version of Honda's Accord Euro is well-built, -specified and -equipped. And, hey, it looks good and drives like a sporting sedan. No wonder Honda's doubled its sales targets for the car.
Pigeonhole: Luxury sports hybrid.
Philosophy: Take a pinch of Japanese build quality and refinement, add a dash of European design flair, mix in some Honda sportiness and toss in a handful of safety, build and environmental innovations.
Trivia: This is the seventh generation of the Accord, which first went on sale in Australia in 1977. It is now sold in 140 countries and manufactured in eight.
Who's buying it: Everyone. Honda has doubled its sales targets since launching the Accord Euro several months ago.
By you'd buy it: Impeccable fit and finish, sporty yet refined performance, extensive list of standard features.
Why you wouldn't: You are taller than 1.8 metres or, in the old money, six feet.
Standard equipment: Comprehensive: includes keyless entry, 16-inch alloy wheels, dual zone climate control air-conditioning, six stack in-dash CD player, leather steering wheel with cruise and audio controls. The Euro Luxury tested added leather trim, curtain airbags, sunroof, powered and heated front seats and more.
Safety: Vehicle stability assist (VSA), traction control, ABS with electronic brake force distribution (EBD), dual front and side airbags with passenger position sensors (add curtain bags in the Euro Luxury), pedestrian safety measures -- the list goes on ...
Cabin: Sticks to the sporty and refined theme, with a sharply designed and functional interior. The dashboard has bright, backlit dials with white numerals and red needles. The standard three-spoke steering wheel is leather-clad and comes with audio and cruise control switches mounted on it. Everything, down to oddment storage, is easy to use while driving (a surprisingly rare achievement in modern vehicle design). The test car had the luxury pack, which adds leather trim and woodgrain panels, an electric sunroof, an eight-way power adjustable driver's seat and heated front seats.
Seating: Four adults. The electrically adjustable sports front seats were comfortable and supportive, allowing the driver to create an ideal driving position. A major gripe is the lack of headroom. It's an unfortunate trait with some car makers, and Honda is one of the worst offenders. Many of its cars simply don't accommodate taller drivers. Allowing more vertical travel in the seat would be a simple, but thus far overlooked, solution.
Engine: The 2.4-litre engine produces 140 kilowatts at a high 6800rpm. It's zippy and responsive, but the engine makes a noise like a motorbike in the process.
Transmission: The Euro comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission. Honda says the manual box is lighter, with better ratios and shorter shifts between gears, in keeping with the sports theme. The optional five-speed automatic tested was competent smooth and quiet in cruise mode, agile and responsive when worked hard.
Steering: Impressive, especially for a front-wheel-drive vehicle. Sharp and responsive, a true point-and-shoot performer. The steering wheel is height and reach adjustable.
Ride: The suspension is firm and agile, yet smooth and refined -- a pleasure to experience.
Brakes: Four-wheel discs with ABS, EBD and Brake Assist -- a solid package.
Build: Incredibly tight. The body felt light and rigid, while panel and trim fit and finish in the test car was second to none.
Warranty: Three years/100,000 kilometres.
Security: Security alarm with engine immobiliser.
Audio: High quality sound from the six speaker, six-CD in-dash stereo.
Cost: There are two models: the $34,250 Accord Euro and the $40,800 Accord Euro Luxury (tested). Automatic adds $2000.
Verdict: Takes refined sportiness to a new level for this segment of the market.
Prices and details correct at publication date.