The Honda Accord 2.0T Is The Sleeper You Weren’t Expecting

Honda in the US has launched a new version of the Accord, and it looks a lot like the sort of family car we can engage with.

Under the bonnet of the Accord 2.0T is essentially the same engine as you’ll find in the latest (and totally brilliant) Civic Type R. There’s a smaller turbocharger for lower inertia and faster response at lower revs, but the point stands.

You get 252bhp out of it, which is enough to shift the family saloon (or sedan, if you’re American) along pretty nicely, we’d imagine. It’s bolstered by – nerdy fact alert – the highest torque output ever for an Accord. It’s 273lb ft, if you’re wondering.

We don’t have official performance stats for the car, but we don’t think a 0-60mph time of around seven seconds is going to be too far wide of the mark, gearing permitting. We’d take this over what the Americans call a minivan, any time, if we needed family transport for five. Who really needs luggage anyway…?

It’s yours with a “short throw” six-speed manual gearbox or Honda’s latest 10(!)-speed automatic. It’s said to return a realistic 27 US miles per gallon on average, which is 32.4mpg in British.

Elsewhere the $30,310 (plus destination and handling) car is very safe, very clever and very luxurious. Neat new near field communication-based automatic Bluetooth connection joins the likes of a 12-way electric driver’s seat, connected car tech and a six-inch head-up display.