Improved-According to me (Honda Accord (1998 on) in general)

Member Name: WormThatTurned

Product:	Honda Accord (1998 on) in general
Date:	03/06/02 (728 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Many changes-all good

Disadvantages: None for the price

Whilst its probably fair to say that the Honda Accord isnt the first name to go on most buyers shortlists when thinking about a mid-range family saloon,the latest round of price cuts and improvements to the car could well go some way to changing that.The Accord has,more than any other model,finally laid to rest the image of Honda being a small car specialist.

In 2001,the previously confusing Accord range was simplified and the value proposition was boosted,increasing its appeal to British customers.The marketing of the Accord fits European tastes better than ever before,something which shouldnt be surprising when you consider its a car built in Britain,designed in Europe and not even on sale in Japan.The Orientals have their own version of course,but its significantly different to the one im looking at here.This is a car with a disparate range of objectives.It should have the class to compete with BMW and Audi,yet be priced to sell in Ford or Vauxhall volumes.It should have the cabin space to cope with a family,yet the compact looks of a sports saloon.And it must have the character to charm the enthusiast without irritating the older buyers who have bought so many Accords in the past.
Given this starting point,youd expect a compromise in all three respects,particularly from a car which can afford to offend nobody.Older Accords were always this way,usually inspiring nothing more than ambivalent feelings amongst potential owners.You couldnt think of a simple reason not to own one;but you always ended up buying something else.

The choice of available models has been given a severe pruning!!The current car is very different thanks to styling modifications that give it a little more presence.Make no mistake,its still not going to worry an Audi A4 in the visual impact stakes,but the overall look is subtly effective.As for the latest tweaks,well,that staple of facelift targets,the front grille,has been altered with a revised 'H' badge and a sm
arter finish in gunmetal grey.The other facelift favourite,the bumpers,have been made deeper,giving the impression of a lower,sportier car.The rear light covers sport some rather odd horizontal white highlighting!

The interior has also come in for some minor fettling in recent times,with improved seat fabrics and reshaped cushions,a grey metallic,instrument binnacle and some improved quality trims and grains.The S,Sport,SE and Type-R models feature Panasonic RDS cassette tuner units,which probably wont impress buyers whove forked out £21,495 for the Type R.SE Executive and type-V models get a superior Bose CD system.Theres a 2.3 litre four cylinder engine for the plush Type-V model which now has standard satellite navigation.Plus in recent times,weve seen revised gear ratios for the 1.8 litre and 2.0 litre models in order to boost acceleration.And chassis revisions to all models(bar the already excellent Type-R).A flatter yet more pliant ride was engineered into the suspension set up,a by product of which has been improved steering precision.The detail changes even went as far as rear brake pad compounds-which were modified to combat brake squeal at low temperatures!

So all in all these changes have made the car a sportier,quicker and smoother animal alltogther which will undoutedly move the car up a league which is already being reflected by initail sales figures.Honda did a good job here making the car more appealing to a wider range of potential owners.

My score 9/10

Summary: