Honda Accord 2.4 VTi-L Modulo - Test drive!

Venue: Sumber Auto Edaran, 76B Jalan Universiti, PJ
Tel: +603 7960 2828
Sales advisor: David Le
Mobile: +6012 335 9389

Couldn't resist test driving the latest Honda Accord ... The one I chose happened to have the full Modulo spec as well as the optional grill trim and dashboard carbon fibre trim (RM$700).
1) Front under spoiler, RM$1180
2) Rear under spoiler, RM$1370
3) Side under spoler, RM$2180
4) Trunk spoiler, RM$830

This brings the Honda Accord 2.4 VTi-L Modulo up to just over RM$177k.


The looks and design of the car has certainly grown on me ... especially the 3/4 front view, the front view and the side views.


The rear is the point of contention ... I think it really looks like a 7-series BMW rear, which is not the best looking of rears! However, once again, I think the Honda Accord's rear end certainly warms up in most hearts and minds. If it doesn't ... well, it's different, and dares to be so!


Standard tyres on the 2.4 are a meaty ... 225/50 R17 94V, or in simple terms 17 inch rims.


Whichever model you choose, you are guaranteed a huge boot ... Perhaps enough for 4 sets of golf clubs? Best of all, seats are also foldable such as in a hatchback, and there is even a ski hatch for long items.


Power in this model comes in the form of a 2.4 litre DOHC i-VTEC engine, whoch produces 180PS (133kW) at 6,500rpm, and 222Nm of torque at 4,300rpm. This is approximately 10% up on the 2.0VTi's powerplant.

The interior is a nice place to be in :-) Despite the centre console having many buttons, I found it easy to identify the ventilation controls etc. Standard features include ...
1) Full leather (Including 8 way power driver's seat and power lumbar support)
2) Carbon fibre trim is optional
3) Rear air conditioning vents
4) Dual air-cond temperature control
5) Premium audio system (MP3, WMA, USB)
6) Paddle shift - Yes, F1 style paddles that actually work, located on the left and right behind the steering wheel
7) Cruise control
8) Electric rear sunshade
9) Front console box with sliding arm-rests
10) Driver door panel
11) Switchable VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist)
12) Six i-SRS airbags
13) HID Headlights, with auto-levelling

Finally, the test drive experience ...

I had David (the friendly and knowledgable sales advisor), CCY, BK and JL in the car with me, so we set off fully loaded ... Very comfortable, but a lack of OOMPH when I floored the accelerator. Guess it was cos' there were so many of us in the car! Nice refined exhaust note, and very refined engine and there was an obvious lack of NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness). Corners nicely, and very flat, great body control, and pot-holes didn't seem to unsettle the ride despite the relatively low-profile 17" tyres.

Overall ... I think this is a great car (Good looks, great equipment specification, nice drive, and heck a lotta space!), that will certainly persuade many Camry owners to switch sides!

Is it good enough for conti (Continentals, eg. BMW, Merc, Audi) owners to switch over? Hmm ... that really depends. Reliability and residuals are a big PLUS for the Accord, but the driving experience is far from a BMW!