User Reviews

2.2 CDTI Executive

Andy Jones

Overall Rating

Can't say a bad thing about this. Just wish I'd bought one sooner. Very well equipped for a standard model, great performance, very cheap tax (15%), quiet, smooth and very comfortable. I'm just having a few problems getting my wife out of the driving seat!

2.2 i-CDTi Executive

Ian Burnett

Overall Rating

Overall: a brilliant piece of engineering. I've had the car for six months now and has worked flawlessly. Handling: you're not going to want to be throwing this round a test track, so only 4/5, but you're not buying an Accord diesel for that anyway. On the road it's pleasant to drive; steering feedback is a little woolly, but nothing too sedentary. Personally I didn't like the 17" alloys - got fidgety on uneven surfaces and tramlined too much on the motorway. Test drive with both and you'll see what I mean. Comfort: Exec model comes with most creature comforts: dual-zone climate control is more useful than you'd imagine - keeps the wife about 2 degrees warmer than me. Heated seats are great in the winter. Driver's seat is adjustable just about every way that's useful and adjustable steering column good too: I'm 6'1" and find it easy to drive. Quality & reliability: nothing gone wrong so far. Only two minor rattles in the cabin: the sunroof and the blanking at the end of the wiper stalk (yes, seriously!). Nothing fallen off or failed. Performance: in a nutshell - effortless. There are more powerful diesels about, but none I've driven (including the BMW 3-series) matches this for refinement. Trundle gently and quietly round town, or drop onto the motorway for comfortable 70+ cruising. Peak torque comes up at 2000 rpm - 70mph in 5th is 2100. One very neat trick is sitting on cruise control at 80, then gently flex the right foot - 100 arrives quickly but serenely. Traction control is maybe a little too fussy for some tastes, but can be switched off. Roominess: ample for class. As mentioned above, I'm not short, but with my seat positioned for driving, I can sit in the rear seat comfortably with plenty head and legroom. Running costs: awarded 4 because genuine Honda parts can be a bit expensive. A regular service is relatively inexpensive, however, given how complicated a piece of machinery you're getting. Local dealer quotes £175 for a first-year (12,500 miles) service. Cracked front fog-light glass costs £138 to replace - ouch! (all prices incl. parts, labour and VAT). I can regularly get 40-45mpg from the diesel using regular supermarket fuel when driving about town, and that's not taking it overly gently. On a long motorway cruise, sticking to 70 you can quite comfortably reach 50mpg. Value for money: more expensive than a Mondeo, Vectra, 407, Laguna, etc. but worth every penny. You get something well-engineered which doesn't have an acre of cheap-looking plastic across the dash. Stereo / sat nav: sat nav is a costly option (£1500 last time I looked), but worthwhile. Those of you who haven't used sat nav should try it. It gives you absolute confidence to drive anywhere you want without worrying about knowing the area. Integrated neatly into the dash (along with the audio system and the air con). Stereo is good quality, along with the speakers. Ears haven't permitted me to take it above half-volume, but sounded great to that point.

Tourer 2.2 iCDTi Sport

Rob Freeman

Overall Rating

I've had the car from new as my company vehicle now for 9 months. The build quality and comfort are good and performance excellent for a diesel - when it's running. Honda's roadside assistance have been out 3 times. After six months (25,000 miles) the turbo went and it took four weeks and £7k worth of repairs to put it right (covered by warranty). However three months later (at 40,000 miles) the new turbo has gone again, with an anticipated repair time of two weeks. Apparently there was a recall on some Tourers to rewrite the ECU but mine wasn't supposed to be one of them - so beware if buying out of warranty, as it could be a very expensive business. The other time I needed the roadside assistance was for a flat tyre. As standard the car does not have a spare wheel - there is a foam repair kit/compressor but I've since learnt that these seldom work. The AA/Honda assistance policy is to only move your car to the 'nearest point of safety' if there isn't a spare wheel on board, which resulted in me being dumped on a motorway service area 100 miles from home at 8pm. It is then a further £250 approx if you want the AA to get your vehicle home. GET THE OPTIONAL SPACE SAVER WHEEL at £80 if you buy a Tourer. The turbo may just be a glitch on a new model which needs sorting but it shatters the myth about Honda's reliability. You should take these issues up with your dealer before purchasing. The other problem I've had is with the automatic tailgate - four times the boot has been up when I've returned to the car after leaving it. Always check the boot is closed manually. I cannot say if the boot 'opened itself' because I knocked the key in my pocket, but if there is the slightest obstruction (even a small piece of card) it won't close automatically. On the positive side, it is a very comfortable and the acceleration and smooth ride are excellent. It's the quietest diesel I've ever driven.