First-Class First-Timer
by Ross Finlay (06 Jul 04)

We liked the Accord turbo diesel saloon at the launch exercise, and well over 1500 miles at the wheel of this particular car confirmed those original impressions. Honda's first in-house turbo diesel engine is quiet-running by class standards, feels internally very well balanced, and powers a saloon whose Executive specification is pretty classy - if you avoid the light wood-effect trim option about which the less said the better, although some customers obviously fancy it as a match for the ivory-toned leather upholstery. The test car had the black leather interior, with dark wood-effect trim and a black steering wheel rim, and that was just fine.

From the front, the Accord looks very much the projector-headlamp sports saloon. The styling is bulkier towards the rear, but that's OK, because it conceals a really capacious boot. Chrome isn't overdone, being restricted mainly to the door handles and the window surrounds.

Settle in, get really comfortable thanks to the multi-adjustable seat and steering wheel, switch on, and the first thing that strikes you is that the well-shielded instruments are very effectively lit for daylight running.

Honda's fascia and console designs have varied through the years, but with the 2004 Accord it has avoided the over-fussy approach of some rivals. Everything's simple and straightforward, and you don't need a degree in astrophysics to understand first time how the minor controls and switchgear work.

There are no advanced electronic displays or controls either, largely because, unlike some of its competitors, Honda isn't the kind of company to start offering this kind of thing, just to keep upsides with other makes, before it has been well proven in testing.

The rear cabin is roomy, and in the Executive the leather upholstery is neatly stitched and finished. This specification also includes an electric slide/tilt sunroof, rain sensor wipers, heated front seats, and a premium six-CD tuner. Satellite navigation is a £1500 option.

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