After a nightmarish day at the office where between staring at a computer screen for hours and making endless phone calls, you manage to spill coffee all over your boss’ new suit. The thought of being at home in bed is a welcoming one. However, you have one last obstacle to overcome and it might just be the straw that breaks the camels back. THE COMMUTE HOME! Potentially hours stuck in traffic with a gauze of noisy horns and expletives in the air. Can you make it home before your blood starts boiling? Can the Honda Accord do the job?
The Honda Accord Tourer is made up of clean lines that creates a conservative overall design. Whilst not the flashiest estate in the car park, some rivals have really raised the bar, its chromed trim and polite roof rails promote a sense of maturity and class. This car clearly is not aimed at a younger generation and so its target audience will likely appreciate its more sophisticated appearance. Let us call it “the power of the understatement.” This being the Tourer means that it isn’t a small car, but then its proportions should allow you to reap the benefits inside. Shouldn’t it?
Well, yes and no. There is no denying that the cabin offers a nice amount of space for passengers. Rear head and leg room is generous and large windows allow good amounts of natural light to fill the interior. However, the Accord Tourer has a flaw when it comes to the boot. In this top specification EX model the electric tailgate opens to reveal a big flat loading area. Perfect! The issue I speak of arrises when you fold the rear seats flat and want to load a large object. Two protruding suspension turret housings turn the loading area from a big rectangle into an hourglass shape. This results in not being able to fit wide objects down the length of the car. I know, not a deal breaker, but it could prove to be a slight annoyance considering you would buy this car for its practicality. Moving back into the passenger area, occupants are treated to plush leather heated seats that are fantastically comfortable and typical Honda build quality is seen throughout. Bluetooth and dual zone climate control is also on offer as is a sunroof for those times when you want more of said climate to enter the car. Yet, I have another gripe with the interior… It is horrifically outdated when compared with competitors. A maze of grey buttons and dials illustrated by a digital display similar to that found on an old video tape player? The interface for satellite navigation is like something from Windows ’98 and the clarity of the display isn’t the greatest. Come on Honda! We know the Accord is no spring chicken, but the ergonomics of its rivals are far better.
Thankfully the Accord Tourer is redeemed by the way it drives. Powered by a 2.2 litre diesel i-DTEC engine, it is a strong performer. Its 148BHP is available with a delectable 350Nm of torque meaning that it is more than capable of taking advantage of gaps at junctions and bold overtaking manoeuvres. Power is sent via an automatic gearbox which is absolutely seamless with its cog swapping. Seriously, it is so smooth you could play a game of Jenga and not have your tower of wooden blocks topple over. This Accord also has paddle shifters on the steering wheel for those moments on the school run when you feel like Jenson Button. The ride, though a bit on the firm side, compliments the quick and direct steering resulting in meaningful changes of direction without vast amounts of lateral movement from the body. On the motorway the Honda Accord Tourer makes itself at home. Allowing the automatic gearbox to do its job and setting the cruise control, its quiet engine does all of the work whilst you relax. It is a genuinely soothing drive and one that just about anyone would welcome after a hard day at work. Visibility is adequate in all directions, but our test car was also fitted with a very useful reversing camera which makes parking the big car much easier. The only disappointing factor in the way this car drives is its claimed 44MPG combined, far behind the 72MPG claimed by Mazda’s similarly powerful 2.2 diesel in the 6.
The Honda Accord Tourer’s problem isn’t that it is a bad car, far from it. It is a wonderfully tranquil driving machine that will reliably take you home in comfort come rain or shine. It’s issue is that it is old and whilst you can buy one brand new today, the nameplate hasn’t seen massive changes since 2008. At the £31,990 asking price even of our highly equipped test car, that is a lot to ask for when the competition in this class is of such a high standard. That said, the price might be justifiable to those wanting the peace of mind Honda offer in their build quality.
In terms of the environment, cars do tend to get a bad press. With the growing number of vehicles in the world and the polar ice cubes reportedly shrinking, the motor car does look a tad guilty. Though the correlation between the two is up for debate, it would be wise if we did our bit to help preserve Fred the polar bears living room. Within Europe strict CO2 emissions laws are coming into force with manufacturers having to look at ways to reduce their output of greenhouse gasses. The current trend is one of downsizing engines but finding methods to maintain performance. Honda did a great job with the new 1.6 litre diesel engine they put in the Civic, but the question is can the same unit impress in the much larger CR-V? Previously the only diesel option for the Japanese SUV was a 2.2 litre, a good engine but in a world where we are all trying to save the environment this 1.6 litre i-DTEC has now found a new home.
Our test car is in SR specification and is front wheel drive as opposed to other CR-V models where a 4X4 option is available. Visually the car is identical to the rest of the lineup portraying a modern design architecture that has a functional nature to it. In Passion Red with these smart looking 18 inch alloy wheels the CR-V looks very grown up and premium. The roof rails and aluminium trim detail the cars silhouette nicely supporting the good proportions this model has.
Now, over the past year we have driven every CR-V engine and trim level and whilst the top spec EX car has a very comfortable cabin sporting every toy under the sun, I think that this SR option is the sweet spot. The half leather half alcantara seats are extremely comfortable and give the interior a plush feel. This car also receives a DAB radio with premium audio system, UBS and MP3 compatibility, privacy glass and heated seats for those cold winter mornings. Whilst I did miss the panoramic glass roof of the EX, the CR-V’s windows are plenty big enough to let generous amounts of natural light in. Passengers should find the seats supportive and for those in the rear head and leg room is not at a premium. Its console has a nice logical layout to it that makes its operation quick and easy. The boot is vast and looks as if it could swallow the Isle of White! Lining the floor of this area is a removable flexible plastic tray that can catch dog hair, mud, sand as well as any other unwanted mess. This CR-Vs vast storage can be extended with one pull of a leaver that flattens the rear bench revealing a loading area that might just carry Belgium give or take a few boxes of chocolate.
Starting the CR-V on a cold day it does sound a bit grumbly, as do most diesels, but once up to temperature and underway the 1.6 is quiet and refined. Whilst there is no getting away from the fact that the CR-V is a big car, driving it in an urban environment is a piece of cake. Thanks to large mirrors and big windows visibility is always good. Parking sensors and a reversing camera means you can park this car in some rather challenging spots without too much of a problem. Whilst the steering doesn’t provide bags of feedback, it is well weighted and in tandem with a good 6 speed manual gearbox this car never feels like a chore to drive. Through faster bends, as you would expect from a car of this nature, there is a noticeable amount of body roll. The new 1.6 litre i-DTEC engine offers plenty of pulling power with torque accessible from low revs whilst it happily copes with the extra weight of this CR-V over the Civic. Proceeding to join a motorway, this engine also proves to be a good all rounder with the ability to not only cruise for long distances, but also get a wiggle on when an overtaking manoeuvre is necessary. The pedal box, much like the steering could do with a bit more feel but the throttle is responsive and the brakes perfectly employable for the job of stopping the car. In terms of suspension, the CR-V is good at soaking up the often aggressive bumps and potholes found on UK roads. Fuel economy sat at an average of 48MPG after the car had been put through its paces in an array of situations.
All-in-all this new engine for the Honda CR-V builds on top of an already competent package. Great levels of comfort and practicality mean that the CR-V is an ideal family companion. Don’t forget that this is a Honda and very unlikely to let you down. At just over £27,000 our test car is a bit on the expensive side, yet in terms of equipment and trim along with the 1.6 litre diesel engine, it is the pick of the bunch.
“WHAT?! The cost of fuel has gone up yet again!” A familiar cry from the masses as fuel companies cling ever tighter to their profit margins. A trip to the pumps now costs well over double what a weekly shop for a family of four does and with prices set to rise again people are looking for alternatives to their standard combustion engined car. What is the answer? The truth is nobody, not even the experts know, but I can give you my opinion. Electric cars work in theory but until battery technology catches up with such a demand for range it will remain a niche. Hybrid cars are best of both worlds and are becoming increasingly popular, however, is such an alternative really needed? Not if Honda has anything to say about it as their new 1.6 litre diesel engine finds a home in the Civic.
Opening the batting for what is being branded “Earth Dreams Technology,” Honda have produced a 1.6 litre diesel engine that claims to do an impressive 78.5MPG. To put that into perspective the worlds best selling Hybrid, the Toyota Prius, can only achieve 72.4MPG. Arriving in top spec EX trim our i-DTEC Civic was driven in many different environments and we are pleased to say that the car does appear to come very close to its claims.
The cars visual construct is something that has been debated the whole time we have been testing it. Opinions are divided with some seeing it as too obscure and other rather liking the reinterpretation of this next generation model. With the EX’s 16 inch alloy wheels and optional white orchid pearlescent paint the majority ruled with saying they liked the way it looked. Also found on this top specification car is a touchscreen navigation system, an excellent premium audio system with subwoofer, heated leather seats, DAB radio, rear reversing camera and parking sensors. The total cost of this car with every toy on the options list is a rather hefty £23,675.
Inside the high levels of tech make for an environment that caters to your every need. Want to find the nearest Tesco? Sat-Nav has it covered. After crystal clear radio reception? DAB can arrange it. Tight sparking space? The rear reversing camera makes it as easy as playing a computer game. Long journeys are made comfortable by the very supportive seats and the dual zone climate control ensures life in cabin, even on ice cream melting days, if refreshingly cool. As a place to sit for long periods of time the Civic’s interior is top of its class. The boot is also vast and in tandem with Honda’s “magic seats” the space for luggage is versatile. However, the interior ergonomics is the cars Achilles’ heel. Keeping in mind the demographic for buyers of a diesel car with plenty of the options boxes ticked, let us say those who often require reading glasses, the vast amount of buttons all over the console and steering wheel could do with being reduced.
When this 1.6 Civic is on the move we can analyse the most important part of this new car, its engine. As with most diesels on colds days it is a bit gruff at start-up but once you get going it is a very smooth unit. All 300Nm of torque are found low down in the rev range allowing for seamless overtaking manoeuvres The gearbox is yet another brilliant manual from Honda with a really nice positioning and feel. Engine noise is minimal and as previously mentioned, fuel consumption is most pleasing. Around town the need to change gear at about 2,500rpm can become a little tedious, but the steering is light and the brakes give a lot of confidence to the driver. This car is most at home on the motorway where its high levels of torque, comfort and economy can be maximised.
This Honda Civic joins a highly competitive marketplace with tough rivals to beat such as the Ford Focus and VW Golf. The new engine puts this car right in the mix and its interior is most defiantly class leading in terms of comfort. Honda’s 1.6 i-DTEC Civic will no doubt be a big seller, particularly here in the UK.
Honda’s new 1.6 litre diesel engine finds its first home in the 2013 Honda Civic 1.6 i-DTEC. The practical Japanese hatchback will do 78.5MPG and in this top specification EX model, with touchscreen satellite navigation, also keeps passengers comfortable. Can this modern family hatch take on the best selling Ford Focus and beat it at its own game?
Car Tested: 2013 Honda Civic 1.6 i-DTEC EX £23,675
