I'VE just come back from a week's holiday in Ireland, for which Honda found me one of their rather good Accord GT Tourer estates.
And what a perfect machine for the break it was - economical and quick all the way to the relaxed and excellent Irish Ferries crossing and with more than enough zip for me to enjoy the wonderful Irish roads.
In 2.2 diesel form, the Honda is quiet and very refined, but I was disappointed in the 39 miles per gallon average - a full nine less than the official government figure.
However, it is comfortable and agile, with a great feel through the corners on some twisty mountain roads and it pulls from very low revs without any of the rumble other diesels give.
The suspension handled rough Irish road surfaces very easily and when we got stuck in traffic in Dublin, the car was happy to trickle along in first gear to save all that stop-start.
Interior
GT trim gives you lovely leather plus almost every other conceivable extra as standard. It has excellent voice recognition sat nav, rearview camera, bluetooth hands free and dual zone climate control.
The driving position is superb and the steering wheel has most of the controls you need mounted on it.
FAST FACTS
Honda Accord Tourer 2.2 i-DTEC ES GT 5dr
Price: £23,250
Mechanical: 150ps, 2,199cc, 4cyl diesel engine driving front wheels via 6spd manual gearbox
Max speed: 132mph
0-62mph: 9.3 secs
Combined mpg: 47.9
Insurance group: 10
CO2 emissions: 157g/km
BiK rating: 21%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 90,000 miles, 3yrs paint, 12yrs anti-rust
Marks: 9/10
Main rival: Audi A4 Avant