Honda Accord - Pictures

The pointed nose doesn’t look as modern as the newer cars’ more rounded front ends. In fact, overall, the Accord is now starting to appear old-fashioned when compared to the more elegant Mondeo and Passat.

Electrically operated, the tailgate rises to reveal a 626-litre boot. Pop-out hooks and a 12V socket enhance the load bay’s flexibility, and while it’s narrow between the arches, the area is 1,305mm wide either side.

While the cabin is dated, you can’t say the same about the technology on offer. For £2,000, you can add Honda’s Advanced Driver Assist System (ADAS); this includes adaptive cruise control and lane keep assistance.

While it’s been beefed up with stiffer struts, the simple design is unchanged. Pull a lever on the seatback, and the headrest flips down and the seatback lifts. It’s quick, easy and you don’t have to remove the headre

There’s a big well under the Accord’s boot floor because Honda supplies foam sealant rather than a spare wheel. The large cubby earns extra points given that it can be locked to keep hidden valuables safe.