Honda Accord Tourer (2008 – 2015) Review

Honda Accord Tourer (2008 – 2015) At A Glance

4/5

+Impressively quiet and strong i-DTEC diesel engine. Feels well built and reliable. High refinement and comfort levels. Lots of underfloor boot storage.

-Petrol engines combined with automatic gearbox not as impressive.

Insurance Groups are between 23–28
On average it achieves 92% of the official MPG figure

For many years Honda has been attempting to raise its status to that of a premium car maker with a real emphasis on style, quality and refinement. With the Honda Accord and Accord Tourer it's probably come closer than ever. While perhaps not up to level of a BMW 3 Series, it certainly feels a cut above other mainstream models like the Toyota Avensis or Vauxhall Insignia.

Not only does it look good but it also feels very solid and well built both inside and out. In the cabin there's plenty of attention to detail with well-placed, easy to use switches and a good driving position while on the move the high-level of refinement shines through - there's minimal wind or road noise even at high speeds. The boot is well though out too so as well as a wide floor there's various extra underfloor storage areas which are ideal for keeping loose items safe or away from prying eyes.

The engine line-up is a little limited - there are only three engines to choose from and only one is a diesel. However, this 2.2-litre i-DTEC - an upgraded version of the very impressive i-CDTi that was used in the previous Accord - is one of the best diesels around in terms of low noise levels and refinement.

It'ss not surprising most people opt for it over the petrols, helped by its decent claimed economy of 47.8mpg. The Type-S version, introduced in June 2009 - uses the i-DTEC but with power boosted from 150PS to 180PS and feels suitably sporty.

The Accord Tourer handles well too and feels just as responsive and composed as the Accord saloon with good levels of front end grip, a well controlled body and well-weighted steering. Honda actually benchmarked this Accord against the latest BMW 3 Series and this certainly shows from behind the wheel as it's an enoyable car to drive - something that can't be said of all estates of this type.

In early 2009 Honda introduced an automatic gearbox with the i-DTEC engine - its first automatic with a diesel and an incredibly impressive system.

Real MPG average for a Honda Accord Tourer (2008 – 2015)

RealMPG

Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.

Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.

Average performance

92%

Real MPG

27–53 mpg

MPGs submitted

159

Diesel or petrol? If you're unsure whether to go for a petrol or diesel (or even an electric model if it's available), then you need our Petrol or Diesel? calculator. It does the maths on petrols, diesels and electric cars to show which is best suited to you.

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Ask Honest John

Best spacious used car?

"I'm looking for spacious, reliable used car with either fold down seats or a large boot. I do a lot of town driving with occasional long runs. I am looking for fuel economy but I am worried about the diesel particulate filter sooting up problem. If it is to be petrol, please suggest an economical, roomy, cheap but comfortable used car."
Without knowing your budget it's difficult to give you a clear answer. We'd gravitate towards a Skoda Octavia estate as an all-rounder, but the Fabia Estate might work for you depending on if it's big enough - it'll certainly be economical. Other recommendations include the Honda Accord Tourer, the Mazda 6 Tourer and the Toyota Avensis estate.
Answered by Lawrence Allan

Best estate car for a £2,500 budget?

"I'm far from an expert on cars so I'm struggling to whittle down options for a used estate car. I'm a musician driving about 15,000 miles a year. I'd like a petrol car as a lot of jobs are in London. I don't have that much gear to carry so the boot space I need is more for my family (two kids under two) and cage for my dog, so boot doesn't have to be huge but sufficient. I realise it's not much of a budget but I've been looking at the BMW 3 Series Touring Estate, Audi Avant both around 2004ish which seems to be where my budget lands for a car with around 100,000 miles on the clock. Times are tough so I need to spend my budget wisely as my current car (2003 Renault Laguna estate) is a nightmare and always something going wrong. "
Unfortunately your £2,500 budget won't go very far in the current (inflated) market. If you're careful, though, and don't scrimp on servicing and maintenance costs, you should be able to find a reliable and practical family car within budget. We'd recommend searching for private sales of estate cars near you and not necessarily concentrating too much on a particular model - you'd be better buying on condition and service history at this price point. It's probably worth avoiding premium brands like Audi and BMW, though - they're no more reliable than mainstream alternatives and your budget won't go as far. A petrol Toyota Avensis could be a sensible purchase, if you can find one, or a Honda Accord.
Answered by Andrew Brady

What large, petrol models would you suggest for a young family with children?

"A relative of mine is interested in buying a 2012 Volkswagen Passat Bluemotion 2.0 TDI DSG with 69,000 miles for under £5000. What other large, petrol, automatic models would you suggest for a young family with children? I'm concerned about the DSG. Is this DSG gearbox one of the ones that will cause a lot of problems? A petrol car would be more suitable than diesel for 10,000 miles a year use. On a 2012 model with 69,000 miles, will expenditure on the car increase a lot from now on? Thank you for your assistance. "
I think you're right to have your concerns. The DSG gearbox used with the 2.0 TDI engine is more reliable than that paired with small petrol engines, but it's still at an age that it could go expensively wrong. You're right that a petrol would be more suited to 10k a year, especially at this end of the market. We'd recommend a Honda Accord. They're pretty rare (most buyers of cars like this want a premium badge) but very reliable. Also consider a Toyota Avensis – they're nothing special to drive, but ultra-dependable. Also consider SUVs like a Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4.
Answered by Andrew Brady

What's the best petrol automatic estate as a second-hand buy?

"I'm looking for reliable estate or roomy saloon, between five and ten years old, which I can run for as long as possible. I have a budget of around £4k to £6k but I can be flexible if need be. It needs to be automatic and preferably front-wheel-drive for solid handling in snow. The most reliable combo seems to be a petrol engine (no DPF) and a conventional auto rather than DSG etc. That seems to point to a Honda Accord. Have you any other recommendations please?"
That's a logical solution. Very reliable chain cam engine. Reliable 5-speed torque converter auto. Possibly a little bit rust-prone. Not brilliant in snow, though. Happily you can get Michelin Cross Climates in all three tyre sizes: 205/60 R16; 225/50 R17, and in 235/45 R18. 205/60 R16s will work best and give the most comfortable ride.
Answered by Honest John
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