The Honda Accord 2.4 has been upgraded to six airbags (from four) as previously revealed, and we now know that the RM170,057.60 OTR without insurance price is up by nearly RM2,000 as a result, RM1,948 to be exact. What you’re getting are curtain airbags on top of dual front and side airbags. The 2.0 litre variants are unchanged, with two airbags.
The ninth-gen Honda Accord was launched in September 2013 here with three variants – 2.0 VTi, 2.0 VTi-L and 2.4 VTi-L. The range topper is powered by a 2.4 litre Earth Dreams Technology engine, which makes 175 hp at 6,200 rpm and 225 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. The DOHC i-VTEC unit is paired to a five-speed torque converter automatic gearbox.
If you check out the Promotions section on Honda Malaysia’s website and click through to the Merdeka Bonus promo, you’ll notice something interesting. There are two different versions of the Accord 2.4 listed.
The normal Accord 2.4 has a RM3,000 Merdeka bonus but there’s another Accord 2.4 with the suffix “FMC Enhanced” that only has a Merdeka bonus of RM1,000. This piqued our interest, and a few readers sent in enquiries to our mailbox asking what this FMC Enhanced meant as well.
Upon checking with a few sources, including Honda sales advisors, we found that Honda Malaysia is in the midst of upgrading the top of the line Honda Accord with curtain airbags bringing the total airbag count to six, up from the current four. This would bring the top-of-the-line Accord’s safety package in line with the rest of the lineup, as the City and Jazz can both be had with six airbags (here’s a comparison of all three).
This would be a good move by Honda Malaysia. From what we understand, there are limited units of the older model left, so for those who feel they can make do with four airbags, there’s the additional RM2,000 discount (the RM3,000 versus RM1,000 mentioned above).
A formal announcement is said to be due sometime next week. We’ll know then if there are any changes to the price of the 2.4 litre variant with the additional airbags. In the meanwhile, have a detailed look at the specs and equipment of the current Honda Accord at CarBase.my.
By now you’d have read our comprehensive Malaysian launch report of the all-new ninth-generation Honda Accord, as well as a test drive review of the new D-segment contender prior to today’s local reveal. Do check them out if you haven’t already.
Technical details and model specifications aside (all covered extensively in the launch report), there’s more to be known about Honda’s latest Toyota Camry-fighter. For a more in-depth look, Honda Malaysia arranged for us to meet and interview Masao Nakano, Assistant Large Project Leader of the new Honda Accord.
Here’s all you need to know about the new Accord, from the man who’s largely responsible for its overall development process. Read on and check out the full product presentation slides in the gallery below.
Honda Malaysia officially launched the new Honda Accord this morning in Setia Alam. The ninth-generation Accord enters the D-segment sedan market as a CKD locally-assembled model in three variants – 2.0 VTi, 2.0 VTi-L and the range topping 2.4 VTi-L. The previous two Accords were launched in Malaysia with a V6 option, but there will be no six-pot this time around.
The outgoing Accord (ASEAN gets the same body as North America) had a very large body, and Honda’s surveys pointed them to the path of a smaller footprint – at 4,870 mm, this car is 80 mm shorter overall than the outgoing Accord, and its wheelbase length of 2,775 mm is 25 mm less than before. Coupled to the fact that it’s slightly wider (+5 mm) and lower (-10 mm), the new Accord looks slimmer and more athletic in the metal.
Despite the smaller exterior dimensions, the new Accord’s cabin is bigger than the already capacious interior of the eighth-gen car, thanks to improved packaging and redesigned seats. Rear legroom is up by 35.5 mm, and the vast boot holds 23 litres more than before – the space on offer is really impressive.
Under the hood, there’s a new powerplant in the form of the 2.4 litre Earth Dreams Technology engine, which makes 175 hp at 6,200 rpm and 225 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm.
The new DOHC i-VTEC unit replaces the long-serving K24A engine, which made 180 PS at 6,500 rpm and 222 Nm at 4,300 rpm in the previous Accord 2.4. Both max power and torque figures are now made lower in the rev range (300 rpm lower in both cases) and the EDT unit is lighter by 6% and more fuel-efficient by 7%, according to Honda.
The 2.0 litre SOHC i-VTEC engine is a carryover, but it has been tuned to offer up to 10% better fuel-efficiency. Max outputs are almost the same at 155 PS and 190 Nm, which is more (+ 1 Nm) or less (- 1 PS) similar to what the eighth-gen 2.0 made.
Both engines are paired to a five-speed torque converter automatic gearbox. If you’re asking why no CVT, Honda reckons that Malaysians prefer ‘drivability’ over CVT qualities. The ECON Mode button, which optimises fuel consumption when you press it, makes its debut in the Accord.
Honda recognises that the outgoing Accord wasn’t very quiet on the move, and has included Active Noise Control and Active Sound Control systems in addition to a “strong insulation padding package” to improve NVH. Also new is the use of front MacPherson strut suspension in place of double wishbones.
The steering system is now electric (Motion Adaptive EPS is interlinked with VSA) instead of hydraulic, an expected progression. The front strut + EPS combo saves 15.2 kg and reduces vibrations.
Moving on to tech, this is a much better equipped Accord than the somewhat spartan outgoing car. Standard across the board are LED daytime running lights, auto headlamps, LED rear lights, steering wheel audio controls, two colour screens on the centre stack (smaller one is a touch screen dedicated to audio controls, while the bigger i-MID above shows everything else), dual-zone air con, rear AC vents, front/rear parking sensors and 17-inch wheels (225/50 tyres).
From there, the 2.0 VTi-L adds on keyless entry with push start, cruise control, Bluetooth with steering buttons, black leather seats (beige fabric in the VTi), eight-way powered driver’s seat with lumbar, navigation, DVD player, HDD audio and reverse camera.
Also added is a temperature sensor for the automatic climate control, so that the appropriate blower speed can be maintained to achieve the requested interior temperature. The base model’s dual-zone air con also has an auto function, but the blower speed follows a pre-programmed schedule.
On to the 2.4L, which is very well stocked. The 2.4 VTi-L further adds on Honda LaneWatch (more of that below), auto-leveling LED headlamps (also a first for Honda in Malaysia), steering paddle shifters, auto dimming rearview mirror, wood grain trim, powered front passenger seat, premium sound system with subwoofer and 18-inch wheels (235/45 tyres).
Honda LaneWatch (LW) displays a visual of the left lane on the big central screen once you flick the indicator. It can also be turned on manually via a button on the right stalk. LW gives the driver an 80-degree view of the left lane (standard wing mirror range is 20 degrees) as far back as 50 metres. The camera is located under the left wing mirror. Why only on one side? It would be strange to look left (where the screen is) while turning right, don’t you think?
Safety wise, the Accord gets Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), ABS, EBD and ISOFIX mounts across the board. The airbag count is two for the 2.0L models and four (dual front + side) for the 2.4L.
The new Accord is available in five colours – Modern Steel Metallic, Champagne Frost Pearl, Crystal Black Pearl, Taffeta White and Alabaster Silver Metallic (the first two are new colours). Prices start from RM139,800 for the 2.0 VTi model, rising to RM149,800 for the better equipped 2.0 VTi-L. The range topping 2.4 VTi-L is priced at RM172,800. Prices are OTR with insurance.
The after-sales package includes a five-year warranty with unlimited mileage, plus a new service interval of 10,000 km. Also, there are three Modulo accessory packages available, and the list of what they include are in the gallery below, as well as the pricing.
Click here to read our review of the new Accord, and view more pics. We also had a chat with Masao Nakano, Assistant Large Project Leader of the new Accord, where we dived deeper to fish out more details – click here to read the interview.
Teasers displayed on Honda Malaysia’s Facebook page have given us clues on the new Honda Accord’s local spec and equipment. As you would have already found out, the ninth-gen Accord will be available here in three variants – 2.0 VTi, 2.0 VTi-L and the range topping 2.4 VTi-L.
We’ve so far seen four FB teaser pics. One shows the new 2.4 litre Earth Dreams Technology engine that replaces the long-serving K24A (2.0L engine is a carryover, but tuned for better fuel economy), while another shows a reverse camera.
Another camera shown is the Lane Watch Camera, which displays a visual of the left lane on the big central screen once you flick the indicator. It can also be turned on manually via a button on the right stalk. More pics of LWC in action here.
Finally, there’s a pic of the centre console with its two colour screens. The bigger one displays a map of Petaling Jaya, and the caption reads “better resolution with real-time updates”. Could “real-time updates” be referring to a traffic update system showing you which route is congested and which is clear?
The same pic gives us a peek at the 2.4 VTi-L’s dashboard, which is all-black with silver metallic trim, different from our dual-tone test cars from Thailand. Honda Malaysia must have done their research and figured that no-nonsense Malaysian buyers like their cabin business-like, and colours safe. Also visible is a push start button/keyless entry system, which is an upgrade from the outgoing car.
The CKD locally-assembled Accord will be officially launched tomorrow – in the meantime, read our full review of the car to see how it stacks up against the competition.
Sawadee-krub. Hello from Thailand, where we’ve spent a day driving the new Honda Accord. Launched here at the Bangkok International Motor Show earlier this year, the ninth-generation Honda Accord will make its official debut in Malaysia next week, as you would have already found out.
This first drive report will be based on the Thai-made, Thai-spec Accord, which is identical to what we will get in Malaysia, save for slight spec and trim differences. Malaysian Accords will roll out from Honda’s Melaka plant as a CKD model in three variants – 2.0 VTi, 2.0 VTi-L and the range topping 2.4 VTi-L. The previous two Accords were launched in Malaysia with a V6 option, but there will be no six-pot this time around.
Turns out the banner from yesterday’s post was spot on – the ninth-gen Honda Accord will be in showrooms on September 5, a day after the car is officially launched. Honda Malaysia will be introducing the car here in three variants – 2.0 VTi, 2.0 VTi-L and 2.4 VTi-L.
UPDATE:The Honda Accord has been officially launched, click here for the full launch report. Click here to read our review of the car.
As mentioned previously, the 2.4 litre version is powered by an ‘Earth Dreams‘ DOHC i-VTEC mill, good for 175 hp at 6,200 rpm and 225 Nm at 4,000 rpm. The 155 hp and 190 Nm 2.0 litre SOHC i-VTEC lump continues on from the outgoing eight-gen Accord, but has been given some minor revisions to offer better fuel efficiency.
Quite a bit on the kit list for the sedan, which is smaller and lighter than its predecessor, but with a roomier cabin and improved rear legroom (by 35.5 mm) as well as a larger boot (by 23 litres).
All three variants are fitted with ECON Mode as standard, LED daytime running lights as well as a multi-angle rearview camera offering a 180-degree view for better visibility and an expanded view driver’s mirror, so that drivers can see more of what’s around the vehicle. Also on, a smart key system and push-button ignition for the 2.0 VTi-L and 2.4 VTi-L; the base 2.0 VTi continues with the traditional keyed ignition.
Both 2.0 and 2.4 litre models also feature improved NVH performance, courtesy of efficient noise insulation hardware, Active Noise Control (ANC) and Active Sound Control – the ANC uses the audio system to generate out-of-phase sound waves to reduce engine noise inside the cabin.
As expected, the 2.4 litre variant gets the bells and whistles – there’s a Lane Watch Camera, which uses a camera system mounted on the passenger mirror for an enhanced view of the passenger-side of the road, up to two lanes wide. The blind spot information is displayed on an eight-inch full-LED backlit VGA intelligent Multi-Information Display (i-MID) screen.
Other bits on the 2.4 are LED headlamps, making their debut on a Honda in Malaysia, as well as Active Cornering Lights, which come on when the indicators are activated or when the steering wheel is turned more than 90 degrees to assist the driver in low visibility conditions.
As for safety kit, standard kit includes the usual fare of ABS, EBD, brake assist, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) with traction control and Isofix mount points. The 2.0 litre models feature dual front airbags, while the 2.4 variant adds on i-Side Airbags with (OPDS) Occupant Position Detection System to make it four.
No pricing details, though ads for the car on oto.my offered an indicative pricing of RM149,800 for the 2.0 litre and RM175,500 for the 2.4 version. Still, this isn’t confirmed, so we’ll have to wait till next week to get the full lowdown on the car.
It’s getting really close to the introduction of the ASEAN-spec ninth-gen Honda Accord in Malaysia now, by the looks of it – last month, a listing for the 2.0 litre showed up on oto.my, and now an ad for the 2.4 VTi-L variant has appeared, with an indicative pricing of RM175,500 being mentioned.
UPDATE:We’ve driven the new Honda Accord. Click here to read our review.
On the equipment list are leather seats, keyless entry/start, GPS navigation system and LaneWatch Blind Spot Display for the variant, which has 174 hp at 6,200 rpm and 225 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm for output figures. Like the 2.0 litre, this one is paired to a five-speed auto transmission.
What’s more interesting are the photos that accompany the ad listing that went up last week – they look like they’re taken at a dealer preview of the sedan here in Malaysia.
We even have a firmer indication of when the car will be in local showrooms, and that’s September 5, which isn’t very far away – whilst driving past Batu Pahat last Friday, our man Hafriz snapped a couple of photos of a banner shouting the launch date!
You’ve seen the ASEAN-spec ninth-gen Honda Accord at the Bangkok show; now it looks like it’s going to be our turn soon. Once again, our sister classifieds site oto.my has served up indicative pricing and specs – this time of Honda’s latest D-segment contender for our market.
UPDATE:We’ve driven the new Honda Accord. Click here to read our review.
The ad is for the 2.0 litre version, with push start, leather seats, sat-nav, reverse camera, DRLs and Econ mode among the equipment mentioned – sounds very much like our neighbours’ 2.0 EL Navi variant. 155 PS and 190 Nm of torque are fed to the front wheels via a five-speed auto gearbox.
An indicative price of RM149,800 is listed, and according to the ad, we’re looking at a probable launch sometime in August or September. Remember, things have yet to be made official – for the real deal, we’ll just have to be patient.
Learn more about the ASEAN-market ninth-gen Honda Accord here, and its US-market counterpart here. Click here to go to the ad on oto.my.
