The 9th generation of the Accord aims to bring a touch of luxury to the large sedan class.

The Accord has been with us for 37 years now, and with its previous role as family transport increasingly being taken over by SUVs and MPVs, Honda can now afford to move it upmarket.

With that, the new Accord’s focus is definitely on comfort and refinement. Even though the overall dimensions have shrunk slightly compared to the old one (90 and 25mm shorter in length and wheelbase respectively), interior space is claimed to have grown, particularly in terms of legroom and boot space. The cabin features a full colour 8-in touchscreen display for the 16GB audio and navigation system, Bluetooth functions, and reverse camera. There is also an Active Noise Control system that emits background sounds at certain frequencies via the speakers to cancel out engine and road noise.

Safety has also been a big priority for the new Accord, and it features a whole suite of systems to keep occupants safe before and during a crash. In addition to ABS, stability control and Hill-start Assist, there is also a blind spot assist feature that Honda dubs LaneWatch, which uses a camera on the passenger wing mirror to help you check for anything in your blind spot.

Power comes from a 2.4-litre i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine equipped Honda’s Earth Dreams technology. It puts out 174 bhp and 225 Nm via a 5-speed automatic with steering wheel paddleshift. Honda claims an increase in fuel efficiency, with fuel consumption of 8.1 l/100km and 192 g/km of CO2.

For now, the only variant available here will be the 2.4-litre, priced at S$204,900 with a 5 year/unlimited mileage warranty, but if demand is sufficient, the 2.0-litre Accord Hybrid may be made available locally by year’s end.