Honda Accord Tourer road tests and consumer car reviews

Honda Accord Tourer Type S 2003

First the good points: 120,000 on the clock and still a delight to drive - performance, gear change, handling, comfort, accomodation - would all gain 5 stars. Unfortunately the bad points drag down what would have been a very good car. After too many years of Ford ownership with all the negative connotations of unreliability and poor dealerships, I was really looking forward to an improvement in these areas. But: Air conditioning system required a replacement clutch under warranty and then when out of warranty the compressor seized completely, stranding my wife due to the fan belt melting. The replacement cost of the compressor and associated parts and labour would have meant a repair bill greater than the value of the car. Alloy wheels corroding - one new set under warranty - replacement set just as bad as the first. Tailgate motor replaced. Alarm main module replaced three times - alarm kept going off in heavy rain or hailstorms. Suspension bushes clunking after 50,000 miles - no, I don’t tow and the majority of miles are with one up and a laptop. New battery required after 2 years - the (non-Honda) replacementhas lasted for 5 years so not my usage at fault. Rear brake calipers, both replaced, again just outside warranty To cap it all, snooty local main dealer who believes in the invincibility of Hondas and that I’m just imagining problems. I wish these companies would tone down their advertising. This is the car that was launched with the slogan "Isn’t it nice when things just work". I don’t know, because it doesn’t "just work". They raise peoples expectations without the substance to correct their misplaced optimism.

Responses to this review

I know exactly what you mean, I have an ’03, had it for 6 yrs and it has only done 54k. A great car to drive, it’s my 5th and very last Honda, nothing but bother. The build quality has fallen away dramatically. So much for the Japanese building the better car. I’ve owned Hondas with 90+k on the clock and never spent as much on them as this one - I had the 17" alloys replaced, same as you, two drivers’ door window motors, tailgate motor, suspension parts, water leak in the boot... etc etc etc. I don’t know what Honda are thinking but they won’t have me buying another. I know what you are thiking - "Why do I still have it?" Simple, it drives great and looks good, but it just drives you mad when things go wrong that you know should not happen to a Honda and your right Honda think that you have no right to complain, they think the Honda brand is perfect. Well, wake up Honda, because you are not, in fact far from it. At least its nice to know I’m not the only one that sees their faults - John G from Scotland

Honda Accord Tourer 2.0 Manual 2005

Reliable car with precise gearchange and steering. Good air conditioning. A pillars are large and block visibility in bends. Enough power for every day use but can feel underpowered when loaded.

Honda Accord Tourer 2 litre petrol EX 2004

This is one of the best cars I have owned, but perhaps not the most inspiring. It’s a big car for a 2 litre motor and true to Honda form, you have to rev it if you want to overtake or take off quickly. It is economical, quiet and comfortable and has all the bells and whistles. So far, it’s been totally reliable and the only deterioration in finish has been the alloys which have corroded quite badly. Highly recommended.

Honda Accord Tourer 2.2i-CTDi EX 5dr 2005

Having owned several Honda cars over the years and always being very happy with them, when the time came to move to an estate car I had no hesitation in choosing Honda again. The Accord Tourer is very well built and has managed to offer the premium amount of space possible in a car of its size. The engine runs super smooth and for a diesel is extremely quiet. All good stuff, however, the hulking dashboard and thick pillars mean that visibility is impared at times, even with a fully adjustable drivers seat you do feel that you have to strain your neck at times to see what’s going on. For this reason the wife just plain refuses to drive it. I have got used to driving like this but because of the poor visibility and not too cheap running costs, I think I will be straying out of my Honda comfort zone when the time comes to choose a new estate car.