For it be Honda or Toyota, both brands are always known to provide the the least features and safety yet able to fetch for high pricing from fans around. For a car that is > RM140k, it only has dual front airbags, whereas nowadays most others make are providing 4 - 6 airbags. What is wrong with the Japanese thinking we Malaysian are not safety centric. My 10-year-old Citroen C3 and 8-year-old MX-5 already came with 4 airbags. As always with the case, the highest range Accord (this time round, a 2.4-litre version), with have the side airbags, Lane Watch (Only passenger side blind spot camera), auto dimming rearview mirror and active cornering light as added safety features. I knew what you are thinking, still HALF-BAKED, "kedekut" offering and only for people that could afford the RM172k unit.
2-litre (155PS) version uses the same old engine, whereas the 2.4-litre (175PS) uses the all new Earth Dream engine. Both paired to 5-speeder which is decent. You may ask what is Earth Dream. Well, maybe it is Honda dream to beat Camry...which it will never happen. People buy Toyota not for safety, not for feature (it is non anyhow), but for its reliability (if you follow schedule and replace almost all non-failing part as suggested by the SA) and high resale value.
This time, the dashboard has big improvement as well, with Dual Screen display, and a southward pointing rev meter. If the designer were to design the speedo with southward pointing as well, then it will be perfect, instead of now the HALF-COOKED miss-matched style. The big round button next to the audio system is also a spoiler. Should have make it more elegantly.
5-Year unlimited mileage warranty, with service internal of 10,000km and 6 free alternating services included, and looks better than the designed for fifties and sixties Camry and Teana, and you want a Japanese car with good resale value, this is the only choice. Of course, I would give the Mazda 6 a look first which is gorgeuos for the thirties and forties.
Test drove the 2.4-litre unit as this is the only one available for feeling the new Accord, it drives good and the NVH is so much better. Wonder why only 2.4-litre demo car, maybe the 2.0-litre does not feel good at all. So if you only want to spend on a 2.0-litre budget, insist to test one on the actual unit, as it might feel like a tortoise!
