2018 Honda Accord 2.0 Turbo Review
Accord is a techno-fest and highly competent, but has Honda got its mojo back?
By Shahzad Sheikh
Click below now to watch my 2018 Honda Accord 2.0 Turbo Sport Review now.
This is the new 2018 Honda Accord – the 10th generation of this now legendary saloon-car line – they’ve sold 17.5million Accords since it began in 1976. We get the American-made version – and this car really is all new. It’s 10mm wider, but 15mm shorter and slightly lower than the previous car. Yet there’s more room inside thanks to a longer wheelbase.
It’s certainly a handsome new saloon, which is more distinctive than the previous couple of generations of Accord, although Honda has never matched the exquisite looks and multiple variations of the ground-breaking third generation Accord from 1986 – especially the ones with the pop-up headlights!
For 2018, you get a choice of two engines, the 1.5-litre 4cylinder Turbo giving 198bhp and 192lb ft with a CVT, providing a 0-100kph time of 7.3 seconds. Prices for that start at AED94,900 ($26k) for the LX, AED104,900 ($28k) for LX Sport and AED119,900 ($33k) for EX Sport.
The car in these pictures and the video above is the 2.0-litre Turbo Sport with a 10-speed auto – a first in the segment, putting up a healthy 247bhp and useful 273lb ft giving a 0-100kph time of an astonishing 6seconds. Price is AED139,900 ($38k).
Now that sounds like a lot and it is, but when you consider the tech and development that has gone into this car – stuff you can’t see, like sound resonaters inside the alloy wheels to reduce road noise, wider upper seatbacks for driver and passenger to increase comfort, extra sound-cancellation speakers, collision mitigation and driver attention monitor as well as all the usual driver’s aids, thinner front pillars for increased visibility and you start to appreciate where the money has gone.
The boot space is up, but more significantly so is the rear seat accommodation – there’s 48mm of extra legroom. So it’s hugely practical and comfortable – as an Accord should be.
And as some Accords have been in the past, it’s a keen drive too, especially with this engine (derived from the Civic Type-R) and gearbox. The handling is sharp, the ride is good and performance surprising.
You’ll feel and experience the value in this car, even if you don’t see it at first. A great new offering in the saloon car segment that gives rivals a real technological challenge and sets the standards in many areas. Standby we hope to bring you a long term review of this car soon too!
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