Honda Accord Tourer aims for premium

Introduction

Honda is back for another crack at breaking into the premium estate sector. The Accord Tourer aims to take on the likes of Audi, BMW and Mercedes and it's certainly priced competitively against such competition. Can the estate version of the Accord elevate Honda into the ranks of premium makers?

What are its rivals?

The Accord Tourer is sandwiched between a rock and place made of granite residuals. On the one side is the hugely talented family estate sector with the likes of the Ford Mondeo, Mazda6 and Volkswagen Passat all vying for private and company car drivers' attentions. There's also the Skoda Octavia as a more left-field choice and the Subaru Legacy Tourer with its fine new boxer diesel engine. Sitting on the other side of the Accord Tourer are classy wagons from Audi, BMW and Mercedes that may not offer the ultimate in space, but their premium badges are more than enough of a draw for practically-minded executive buyers.

How does it drive?

The biggest compliment we can pay the Tourer is that it drives just like the Accord saloon. There's no noticeable increase in cabin noise or rattles from the load cover - not that you'd expect or tolerate any in a Honda. The Accord errs more towards the comfort side of the driving experience, which bears comparison with the Mercedes C-Class Estate. It flows over broken roads with a fluent competency that only the Ford Mondeo and Mazda6 estates can rival.

On twisty roads, the Accord Tourer is equally adept at gliding through corners with a poise missing from most rivals. However, the steering is a shade too light to be as tactile as a BMW's or Ford Mondeo's, though there is the option of a Lane Assist warning to prevent the driver from wandering across white lines in the road. The rest of the Honda's controls work with the millimetre precision we've come to know and love from Honda, so a light clutch and precise gearchange make town and country driving a pleasure.

What's impressive?

The 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine will be the big seller in the Accord Tourer, as it will be in the saloon. It's not hard to see why, even putting aside the economy and environmental benefits of this motor. Refinement is top drawer and easily on a par with the best of the small German executive estates. While the 2.0- and 2.4-litre petrol units are rev-happy and serve up decent performance, the 2.2 turbodiesel has generous shove from any speed and smooches through the rev range without fuss. It also pulls strongly on the motorway without the need to drop down from the top of its manually selected six gears, yet will zing through the revs when you're in a sporting mood. Add in near-50mpg economy and CO₂ emissions that will not punish private or business drivers, and the diesel-engined Accord Tourer is close to being all the car you could ever need.

What's not?

The Accord Tourer may take Honda very close to the best from Germany, but it's still a family estate car, so it should have a large and practical boot. Well, it's big enough for most daily needs, but a family's holiday luggage might prove a little more taxing. There's also the problem of the rear suspension intruding into the cargo area when you want to use the full length of the luggage bay. At least there's a flat floor in the Tourer - which is more than can be said of the Accord saloon - and the rear seats fold quickly in one easy motion.

Should I buy one?

Honda has taken its already impressive Accord estate and turned it into a car that comes closest of any of the family estate class to rivalling the Holy Trinity of German premiums brands. However, the Accord wagon just falls short of convincing as a premium estate. The good news though is that it means family estate buyers now have one more brilliant car to choose from. Go for the superb 2.2 turbodiesel and you'll have a refined, swift and frugal load hauler that looks good and comes with Honda's legendary build quality as standard.

Alisdair Suttie