Honda Accord Review

In Malaysia's D-segment sedan market, consumers are more inclined to choose models that balance comfort, practicality, and fuel efficiency. The 2023 Honda Accord 1.5 TC is priced at RM 187,400 and focuses on efficient performance and rich features while continuing the family-oriented strengths of the Accord series. This test drive aims to verify whether its power output, space practicality, and configuration experience meet market expectations, providing potential buyers with an intuitive reference.

Approaching the 2023 Accord 1.5 TC, the overall design maintains a steady business and family-oriented style. The front face adopts Honda's family design language, with a large grille paired with chrome trim, and the LED headlights are connected with daytime running lights, offering high recognition. The body side lines are smooth, with 225/50 R17 tires matched to multi-spoke rims, giving a balanced look. The rear adopts a through-type LED taillight design, with clear visual effects when illuminated, and the chrome trim below the rear bumper enhances the sense of refinement. The lighting system is equipped with full LED lights across all models, including front fog lights, providing stable illumination at night.

Entering the interior, dark tones dominate, and the center console layout is simplified. Soft materials cover the door panels and upper dashboard, offering a decent tactile feel. The 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system supports basic multimedia functions, with moderate smoothness in operation, which suffices for everyday use. In terms of configuration, the front seats feature electric adjustment, with the driver’s seat offering a memory function for easy switching between different drivers. Dual-zone automatic climate control allows separate temperature adjustment, and the rear row is equipped with air vents and power outlets, enhancing rear passenger comfort. For storage, the front center armrest box and door panel compartments provide moderate capacity, and the rear center armrest includes cup holders, ensuring convenience for daily use.

In terms of dimensions, the 2023 Accord 1.5 TC has a wheelbase of 2830mm, offering excellent rear legroom. A passenger with a height of 175cm would still have a two-fist gap between their knees and the front seat backrest when seated. The headroom in the rear is slightly affected by the sloping roofline, leaving about a one-fist space above, which doesn’t make it feel oppressive. The trunk has a storage capacity of 570L, with a wide opening, leaving space even after accommodating two 28-inch suitcases. The rear seats can also be folded in a ratio to expand storage capacity.

The powertrain consists of a 1.5L turbocharged engine that produces a maximum power of 148kW (201PS) and a peak torque of 260N·m, paired with a CVT transmission. During initial acceleration, the power response is quick, providing noticeable acceleration with a light press on the accelerator. Mid-to-high-end acceleration is stable, and deep throttle inputs during overtaking provide sufficient power reserves. The official 0-100km/h acceleration time is 9 seconds. In real-world driving, city starts and highway cruising feel quite effortless. The driving modes include Eco, Normal, and Sport. In Sport mode, throttle sensitivity is enhanced, and the transmission responds faster.

In terms of handling, the steering wheel offers moderate weight and good accuracy, providing a light and effortless driving feel during daily use. The chassis features front MacPherson strut independent suspension and rear multi-link independent suspension, tuned for comfort. When passing over speed bumps or bumpy roads, the suspension effectively absorbs most vibrations, keeping the body stable. During high-speed cornering, body roll is kept within a reasonable range without any significant floating sensation. Regarding fuel consumption, the official combined fuel consumption is rated at 6.3L/100km. During the test drive, fuel consumption in congested city roads was approximately 7.5L/100km, whereas highway cruising delivered around 5.8L/100km. Overall, the fuel efficiency ranks slightly above average among competitors in its class.

In terms of ride comfort, the interior noise control is quite good. Wind noise and tire noise are not obvious during high-speed cruising, and engine noise can be heard inside the cabin during acceleration, but it does not affect conversations. The seat cushions have a moderate firmness, making them comfortable for long periods of sitting without causing fatigue. The electronic parking brake and hill-start assist functions are practical in daily use, enhancing convenience.

Overall, the key advantages of the 2023 Honda Accord 1.5 TC lie in its spacious interior, comfortable driving experience, and efficient power performance. Compared to its class rival, the Toyota Camry 2.0G, the Accord 1.5 TC offers better power output and rear space, while being relatively more affordable. It is suitable for consumers who value practicality for family use, daily commuting, and long-distance driving, especially those who need a vehicle that balances business and family needs.

The 2023 Honda Accord 1.5 TC offers well-rounded performance, meeting the needs of family users in terms of space, power, and features. If you are looking for a comfortable, practical, and sufficiently powerful D-segment sedan, the Accord 1.5 TC is worth considering.