Honda Accord Tourer Review
Published: 7th September 2003
2.4 i-VTEC Executive Tourer
How It Drove - Ride/Handling
The Tourer’s ride is exceptionally smooth, and around town the suspension eagerly absorbs pot holes and speed humps. The bodyshell is packed with strong, lightweight, sound absorbing materials to minimise vibration and enhance the driving experience.
It is a well known fact that estate cars do not handle like saloon
cars however the Tourer benefits from a particularly stiff bodyshell
resulting in excellent balance, greater lateral responsiveness at
the front and improved vertical stability at the rear. Excellent
aerodynamics and a tauter, more finely tuned chassis also add to
the Tourer's surefootedness. It is only when you step up the pace
on winding 'B' roads that the Tourer reminds you that it is an estate
car and not a saloon although the Tourer is reassuringly nimble
for such a large vehicle
VSA (vehicle stability assist) is standard on the 2.4 models and
is designed to assist the driver in maintaining control during acceleration,
cornering and avoidance manoeuvres. VSA has a traction control function
and can detect wheel slip and adjust power and braking to the affected
wheel until traction is regained. The system also reduces engine
output to minimise wheel spin. All models are equipped with all
round disc brakes with ABS (anti-lock brakes), EBD (electronic brake-force
distribution) and Brake Assist as standard.
The Accord Tourer also features ETCS (electronic throttle control system) Honda's name for drive-by-wire (standard on the 2.4 Type S and 2.4 Executive) which ensures particularly smooth throttle responses. When coupled with the automatic gearbox and cruise control the ETCS enhances the precision of those systems for maximum driver enjoyment. The organ style accelerator pedal is larger and hinged from the bottom so it is easier and more comfortable to use, the response is almost instantaneous.
The power steering is both responsive and direct, it is only when pushed hard that the steering begins to lack feedback and the Tourer begins to lose composure. However, this is to be expected as it is an executive estate and not a sports car, none of this would present a problem under normal driving conditions.
/ 