There are some cars which define a segment. The Honda Accord can safely lay claim to its. Ever since its launch in 1976, the Accord has enjoyed immense popularity and has been a world favourite for many generations now, including in Qatar. Al-Futtaim’s Doha Marketing Services Company (Domasco), the distributor for Honda in Qatar, recently launched the 2017 Accord.
The Accord has undergone a lot of major tweaks in this iteration. Honda’s signature H-design front fascia continues to shine in this model. The Accord now sports a new grille with a distinct chrome lip and along with the sleek headlamps make for an aggressive nose. In the top trim (V6), you get LED DRLs and fog lamps, which accentuate the sporty look. Dual exhausts, LED tail lamps and a new trunk spoiler continue the sporty look at the rear.
On the inside, the 7-inch infotainment display, which we saw in the 10th generation Civic, makes its appearance. It is compatible with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There is also an additional multi-info display above the infotainment screen. The speedo and tachometer dials have an attractive three-dimensional look to it. This is a spacious mid-size sedan and rear passengers will find ample space to stretch their legs.
Under the hood, the Accord in Qatar has two options. The 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine which produces 189hp. The fun quotient gets upped in the 3.5-litre V6, available in top variant. This mill produces 278hp and comes coupled with a six-speed automatic transmission and more importantly, has paddle shifters for extra-fun. The lower trims come with a CVT and though it has a sport mode, you cannot change the gears yourself.
Honda has focused a lot on safety in this iteration of the Accord and that is where the Honda Sensing comes in. This is available only in the V6 trim in Qatar. But it comes with a host of safety features. Let’s begin with the Lane Keeping Assist System. Once you activate this, using a button to the left of the steering wheel, the car will detect the white lane markers and guide you.
As you begin to stray into another lane, this system warns you with a beep and then with gentle steering inputs gets you back in the lane. It is unnerving the first time you try it because it feels like the steering wheel is fighting your inputs. But it reads the lanes well and ensures that you don’t cause trouble with lane drifting.
With Adaptive Cruise Control, you can set the distance between your Accord and the vehicle in front and then this system will ensure that you always maintain a safe distance. It doesn’t work below 40kmph, and also, just like other cruise control systems, will deactivate if you depress the brake pedal.
Road Departure Mitigation detects the solid line on the edge of the road and helps you get back on road. Then there’s Collision Mitigation Braking System which can, if it doesn’t receive any driver inputs, apply strong brakes and prevent an accident. Apart from this there’s Forward Collision Warning System and Pedestrian Detection System. All of these safety features use a monocular camera mounted behind the rear view mirror and a radar mounted in the front bumper to assess the situation and help the driver.
Lots of space, lots of safety and lots of oomph – as we discovered on a particular straight road – the Accord offers you the duality which one desires. It’s your daily runabout car and when you feel the ‘need for speed’, it enthusiastically plays along.

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