All-New 2020 Honda Accord Launched In Malaysia From RM 185,900

After many, many months of watching in envy as the rest of the world received the all-new Honda Accord, we finally get our local launch despite seismic shifts in government and rather vague automotive policies. This is a huge step for Honda Malaysia as their D-Segment offering has been in severe need of a full model change for years.

There are two variants available – the 1.5 TC, and 1.5 TC-P – both powered by the turbocharged 1.5-litre four cylinder petrol engine that is available in much of Honda’s local model range. While we had hoped for the more potent turbocharged 2.0-litre powerplant, it would likely be too expensive to make it to our market and is positioned as a replacement for the large capacity V6 variants that we haven’t seen in a couple of Accord generations.

Pricing for the 1.5 TC stands at RM 185,900, while the 1.5 TC-P goes for 195,900 – both prices on-the road, without insurance. If we compare it to the old Accord 2.4 VTi-L, pricing has been bumped up by roughly RM 13,000 to RM 23,000 depending on how you want to look at it. Part of this is down to the changes in duty and taxation structure, while the other is the fact that this all-new model comes laden with more equipment.

In this state of tune, the powertrain produces 201 PS and 260 Nm of torque. Acceleration is around 9 seconds to get to 100 km/h from a standstill for the 1.5 TC, and 9.1 seconds for the 1.5 TC-P. Both models seem to be electronically limited to 190 km/h, and both models are paired with a CVT-type automatic transmission. Nothing unexpected from the engineers at Honda, but a robust powertrain that has been proven in other Honda models.

For those unfamiliar, this all-new Accord sits on an all-new platform, one that measures significantly larger than before. The wheelbase has increased by a whopping 54 mm to 2830 mm, while overall it is longer by 39 mm, wider by 13 mm, and taller by 16 mm, resulting in 4,901 mm, 1862 mm, and 1450 mm respectively.

Let’s get down to brass tacks – the features, so to speak, are what really set a model up for success and failure. Thankfully the all-new Accord comes loaded with a full suite of options, even if you pick the 1.5 TC. Standard features include:

• Automatic LED headlights
• LED daytime running lights
• LED fog lights
• Remote Engine Start
• Walk Away Auto Lock
• Smart Entry and Push Start
• Cruise Control
• Leather steering wheel
• 8-way power-adjustable driver seat
• 4-way power-adjustable passenger seat
• Wireless Charger
• 8-inch Head Unit
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• 2 USB Ports
• 10 Speakers
• Voice Command

This is the same list of items for the 1.5 TC-P, but the distinction between the two variants come down to the safety features offered (and the fact that the 1.5 TC comes with 17-inch alloys while the 1.5 TC-P gets 18-inch alloy wheels). What you get for your extra money with the 1.5 TC-P is the Multi-view Camera System, Cross Traffic Monitor, Smart Parking Assist System, the entire Honda SENSING package (Front Collision Warning, Collision Mitigation Braking System, Lane Departure Watch, Lane Keep Assist System etc), and a Tyre Deflation Warning System.

But even if you don’t pick the higher spec variant, you still get your expected safety features like front, side, and curtain airbags, rear seat ISOFIX, Vehicle Stability Assist, Agile Handling Assist, ABS with EBD, Brake Assist, Hill Start Assist, four parking sensors at the front and rear, a rear view camera, and Honda LaneWatch. To find out how this all-new Accord drives, stay tuned for our review in a couple of months when we get our hands on the car.