Why Honda Accord over any of its German rival?

Reputation is one thing that can be built very quickly. A first impression may tell you that the person doesn’t have enough money, is clueless or even very affluent. This in term gives him or her a reputation. Yesteryear cars had a reputation. Like two sides of the same coin, they even have a good and bad face. On side could be reliability while the other side is desirability. Over the years, there are only a handful of cars that have been able to converge on the two sides.

One of them is the Honda Accord. It has built a reputation for itself over the years. This includes the fact that it is one of the most comfortable executive sedans out there. Its drivetrain refinement is second to none. The third is the reliability aspect and fourth is the availability of spare parts. We break all of these points to you below.

Comfortable?

Tick. The Honda Accord specs tell that it is one of the most comfortable cars there is. Agreed, the first three generations weren’t an epitome of the word comfortable. However, they definitely were leagues ahead of the competition for sure.

That being said, the newer of the seven generations definitely didn’t compromise on the comfortable aspect at all. Reclining rear seats, individual AC vents, and sound controls from the backseat. Most of the German car offer these features but are rarely as comfortable as the Accord though.

Drivetrain refinement

The very fact that Accord from the very beginning was available only with petrol powertrains is proof that Honda believed in utmost refinement. Even the V6 Accord was refined and when given the beans will definitely result in a pleasing aural note. The way the car starts up is utterly noiseless. Bringing in the hybrid Accord was perhaps the best possible move. The hybrid variant brought in much-needed efficiency and in the process also brought about a new benchmark for refinement. It is also one of the most sought-after Accords as of now. After all, who wouldn’t want to earn brownie points with the green brigade?

Reliability

That is the key reason why one will choose a Japanese car over a German or American one. In the early 70s, Americans were dead tired of their Fords and General Motors’ vehicles. These while low on mileage were also as reliable as an ice cream in the sun. When the Accord was first launched in North America, it took Americans by shock. It had everything the other cars couldn’t offer and priced much lower as well. Needless to say, the reliability also impressed one and all. Even the spare parts were half as expensive. Availability of spares too wasn’t a big deal. The car buying public was very exuberant over the prospects of this car and the Accord carved a name for itself as well.

Even now the early 80s Accord is still being kept in running condition and used as an everyday vehicle by many connoisseurs. It is a testament to Accord’s reliability prowess.

Spare parts

These are a bugbear when you check German cars. Components like DSG boxes are known to fail big time. In countries like China, the buying public usually shuns vehicles with these gearboxes. In contrast, the Accord has only had CVT or manual gearbox options up its alley. These are known to be bog reliable, just like the car they power. Even if something were to go wrong, shared parts with other Hondas mean access is very easy. It is also more affordable than those of the German cars.

Affordability

This is one point which may vary from place to place. However, specifically in the Philippines, Honda Accord is one of the more affordable cars out there in comparison to the VW Passat, Mercedes-Benz CLA and Audi A3. Not to mention, all these cars are a tad less spacious than the Accord as well.

It is all of these traits that endear the Honda Accord to its buyer. The very reasons that most of the buyers prefer the Accord over its German peers.