Car reviews

Honda decided to move up-market with the 2003 Accord, adapting for Europe a car sold under its luxury Acura division in North America. The result was a car that if not capable of persuading BMW 3-Series drivers to give up their keys, at least a worthy challenger to cars like the Lexus IS, Saab 9-3 and Volkswagen Passat. As well as improved quality and surefooted road manners, also in its favour is Honda's legendary reliability. A diesel engine was launched in the Accord in 2004 - Honda's first attempt at its own oil burner - and it quickly became accepted as one of the best available. Safety technology that appeared alongside other revisions to the range in 2006 helped keep the Accord high on people's shopping lists.