AUSTRALIAN NEW CAR & SUV BUYER’S GUIDE | 65Honda’s Accord range opens
with the 129kW 2.4-litre petrol/
fi ve-speed automatic Accord
VTi-L, as tested here, at
$43,990. The 206kW 3.5-litre V6/
six-speed automatic Accord V6L
costs $52,590.
The 2.4 is a dull engine
that shows its age in its lack
of sparkle, tractability and
refi nement. It’s also pretty thirsty
in real-world driving, especially
compared with the 2.5-litre engine
in the Mazda6.
A simple, stylish, conservative
interior feels like $30,000 worth,
not $45,000.
The Accord does have a once-
popular feature that you just don’t
get in many new cars these days:
an ashtray! It even has a lighter.There’s another ashtray in each of
the rear doors — so everybody can
light up and have fun ...
Rear-seat space is fi ne for
adults; the seat is comfortable
and the low windowsills add to the
sense of space and light, so kids
will be happy in the Honda.
The boot is quite small, with
only a porthole to extend its
capacity. A full-size spare on an
alloy wheel is under the fl oor.
The Accord is disappointing,
a lowest-common-denominator
car, built down to a price and poor
value by class standards.
There are several much more
capable, good-value alternatives
to the Honda, notably Toyota’s
Camry — especially the Camry
Hybrid — Ford’s underrated
Mondeo, the Skoda Superb,
Subaru Liberty, VW Passat and
Mazda’s beautifully-built 6.Honda’s Odyssey is priced
from a sharp $37,610 for the
base VTi. The more generously
equipped VTi-L is $47,590.
Brandishing van-like electric
sliding doors and a high roof for
ultra-easy entry, the Odyssey’s
fl oor is lower than usual, with an
extended wheelbase and wheels-
at-each-corner stance. The result
is outstanding interior space, with
high-set, eight-person seating
in the VTi or a seven-person
arrangement in the plusher VTi-L.
The latter ditches a three-seat
second-row bench for a pair of
very comfortable airline-style
reclinable chairs with armrests
and an ottoman. Uniquely, they
can slide sideways and back for
limousine levels of legroom.
Like the previous model,
Odyssey’s practicality as a kid
carrier is tarnished by the fact
that, in the continued absence
of ISOFIX restraint mounts,
child-restraint tether straps forthe VTi’s second-row seats are
anchored in the roof rather than
on the back of the seats. This
compromises third-row entry
and exit when restraints are
fi tted, making life uncomfortable
for those seated in the third
row and requiring constant
adjustment of the straps. As a
parent, this silly arrangement
will drive you nuts.
The VTi-L’s restraint anchors
are on the back of the seats,
where they should be.
The 2.4-litre four-cylinder
petrol engine won’t rip your
arms off but it goes well enough.
Fuel consumption, on 91 octane,
is excellent for a boxy 1819kg
wagon. Sharp and responsive
steering complements the
Odyssey’s decent handling.By Byron MathioudakisHONDA ODYSSEY FROM $37,990
HONDA ACCORD FROM $43,990
S
S
THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT LIKE
Illogical and inconvenient row-two
child-restraint anchor location in VTi
Fiddly climate control adjustment
CVT fl ares under hard acceleration
Road noise and suspension thump
Low fl oor can result in doors
scraping guttersSPEX (VTi)
Made in Japan
2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol/CVT
auto/front-wheel drive
129kW of power at 6200rpm/225Nm
of torque at 4000rpm
0–100km/h N/A
6.6L/100km highway; 9.4L/100km city;
91 octane; CO 2 emissions are 178g/km
Warranty: Five years/unlimited km
Standard: Six airbags, stability
control, eight seats, 17-inch alloy
wheels, dual-zone air, Bluetooth.
VTi-L adds leather, heated and
electrically adjustable front seats,
sunroof, two-person second-row
seating, rear air, sunblinds, active
headlights, surround-view camera,
lane-departure and blind-spot
warnings with rear cross-traffi c alert
Redbook future values: 3yr: 53%;
5yr: 39%THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT LIKE
Overpriced
Drivetrain is off the pace
Awful steering
Choppy ride on rough roads
Automated braking system
needs work
Three ashtrays and a lighter?
In 2017?
SPEX (VTi-L)
Made in Thailand
2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol/fi ve-
speed automatic/front-wheel drive
129kW of power at 6200rpm/225Nm
of torque at 4000rpm
0–100km/h in 9.2 seconds
6.1L/100km highway; 11.6L/100km
city; 91 octane; CO 2 emissions
are 192g/km
Warranty: Five years/unlimited
kilometres
Standard: Six airbags, stability
control, rear camera, 16-inch alloy
wheels, Bluetooth; VTi-S adds Lane
Watch, parking sensors and 17-inch
alloys. VTi-L adds a sunroof, 18-
inch alloys, navigation and active
cornering headlights
Redbook future values: 3yr: 48%;
5yr: 35%THINGS WE LIKE
Proper space for seven/eight adults
Refi ned, strong drivetrain
Modern, appealing interior
Sliding side doors
Honda quality and bulletproof
reliabilityTHINGS WE LIKE
Spacious cabin
Quality tyres
Honda reliability
Full-size spare
Lane Watch systemcompare with ...
Hyundai iMax, Kia Carnival, Mazda
CX9, Toyota Kluger, VW Multivancompare with ...
Ford Mondeo, Mazda6, Subaru
Liberty, Toyota Camry, VW PassatSafetyANCAP
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