Is there a need for large, fast estate cars? Going by the number on the market, and on the road, one would assume that families, dogs and luggage across the country are blatting along our A-roads and dispatching hot hatches at the traffic lights grand prix.
Hearing the words "fast" and "estate" in the same sentence, Audi comes to mind, as does the range of BMW Tourings. Jaguar are also in on the act with the new X-type Estate, and don't forget that you can get AMG to breathe on your Mercedes wagon. These cars are as much about status as practical load carrying. Until now, the Honda Accord would not have featured on the same shopping list.
The Accord name is one of Honda's oldest and most successful – the Accord was at one time the best-selling car in the USA before the Ford pick-up took on that mantle. However, the UK market often associates the name with battered mini-cabs and pensioners, despite the existence of the superb Type R version in the last generation. Honda hopes that the latest Accord may change all this; sharp and distinctive styling is allied with high build quality and the latest technology. The estate version has been renamed "Tourer", reflecting its aspirations for a piece of the lifestyle estate market pie.
On delivery of 'our' Tourer, my impressions were that the styling detailing is superb (take a close look at the front and rear lights), but that the car is incredibly long, and the rear overhang is a little awkward. Of course, this is in the name of space, and there is a huge luggage bay behind the rear seats. Honda has not sacrificed practicality for street cred, in the same way that BMW, Mercedes,
et al often do.
Opening the rear hatch is an occasion in itself. Holding down a button on the key activates a motor that smoothly lifts the tailgate out of the way. Pressing the button again (or a button built into the door) closes the hatch for you, which is useful when your hands are full of shopping/dogs/the kids. Within the cargo bay, you will find a number of clever features: the floor (which is kindly hinged to hold itself up) conceals a large lockable cubby; there is a handy power outlet, and neat tie hooks, which stow flat when not in use.
This level of attention to detail continues inside the passenger compartment; it is accompanied by an overall feeling of quality. Every single control, switch and lever is perfectly weighted. The exterior door handles have possibly the nicest action of any modern car. The switchgear is also well laid out. With the key in the ignition, the dials light up; this adds to the thoroughly modern aura the cabin exudes. The theme in the Type S is sporty, and it continues with part leather seats, metallic-effect dashboard inserts and an alloy gear knob as found in the Civic Type R. This car is also available in Executive trim, which has more traditional furnishings.
That lever is connected to a slick six-speed 'box, which attempts to put the engine's ample output through the front wheels. The new generation of Honda's VTEC-equipped engine are not just high-revving, high power output units as used in the
fabulous S2000; they now offer mid-range torque too, and this trait suits the Accord Tourer – it covers ground remarkably quickly without frightening the in-laws sitting comfortably in the back.
Though the saloon Accord is better suited to the odd enthusiastic thrash down your favourite B-road, the Tourer is capable of putting a smile on your face. I don't recommend switching off the traction control though; with it enabled, the Tourer handles neatly and the electronics allow you to get back on the power quickly when exiting tight corners. Override the system though and the Accord spins a wheel and just feels like a cumbersome, overpowered front-wheel drive car. The brakes are superb though, which is a side benefit of having them designed to stop a car full of people and luggage. Even when driven hard, we were unable to detect any degree of brake fade.
In a way, the Accord Tourer Type S has a split personality: on one side it has class-leading accommodation and luggage carrying capacity. This is backed up by the high quality of every nut and bolt. To top it off, the Accord is refined and comfortable. Two large exhaust pipes and dark grey alloy wheels hint at the flip side of the coin. The VTEC engine takes on a harder note when revved, and pushes the Tourer along smartly, though I would personally sacrifice some of this sportiness for the sound of a six-cylinder engine, which is something that some of its rivals have in their favour.
Buying a new car is always a battle of heart and head, but of course the wallet usually makes the final decision. The Type S tested here is now a smidgen over £20,500. A quick look at the potential rivals illustrate that this is very good value for money, but that the list of alternatives is extensive. Estate versions of the BMW 3-series, Audi A4 and Mercedes C-class are all smaller, but several thousand pounds more expensive for the same level of performance. Nissan's Primera Estate and the Renault Sport Tourer are close matches, but do not quite have as much class or pace. The Lexus IS SportCross comes with a 2.0-litre six-cylinder engine for £500 more, and the VW Passat can be equipped with the interesting 2.3-litre V5 engine for the same premium. The closest opposition comes in the form of the Subaru Legacy Sports Tourer, which can be had in 2.5-litre form for only £19,250, or the superbly equipped SE version for £21,000.
In answer to my opening question, the car manufacturers realise that the car-buying public want their cake, and they want to eat it too. The Honda Accord Tourer is a tempting addition to the market. Despite the unquestionable abilities of the VTEC engine, the cherry on top would be a couple of extra cylinders.
