Before Honda's Accord Tourer came along, I was wondering when a car maker was going to come up with an estate that was both stylish and practical. Until this model arrived, many family buyers either chose something practical like a Mondeo Estate or opted for a sleeker 'hatchback with a backpack' like an Audi A4 Avant. Lots of manufacturers claim to be able to offer estate cars with the best of both worlds but I've found that almost all disappoint, if not aesthetically, then against the tape measure. So I was keen to judge this one. I'll leave assessment on the styling to you, but most will probably feel more than comfortable with an Accord Tourer gracing their driveway. It has a distinct look - especially in current post-facelift guise. What's not up for debate is the hefty load-carrying capacity.

My family found the Honda reasonably spacious - but not overly so. Checking the statistics reveals why: the wheelbase of the Tourer has been increased by only 50mm over that of its saloon stablemate and the increase in overall body length is only an extra 85mm. No use expecting a van-like loading bay then. Still, a load volume of 576 litres with all the seats in place is no mean achievement for this class of car - that's over 100 litres more than the more ordinary Renault Laguna Sport Tourer can manage for example. This has been achieved through changing the design of the 5-link rear suspension so that both dampers and springs are positioned separately. As a result, the width between the wheel housings is dramatically increased. The total volume of 921 litres with the rear seats folded is rather less impressive, but compensation does come in the form of a clever 'One Motion' system for easy access of what space there is. The idea is that collapsing everything into a folded position should be a simple, quick, one-action, one-handed operation. I've found that's not usually the case. To access all of the load space, you have to detach the rear head restraints and pull up the rear seat cushions before folding the rear backrest forward. It's a fiddly, time-consuming operation. Thankfully, the Honda is quite different. Positioned on top of the 60:40-split rear seat backs are the operating catches, one either side of the car. To fold either seat section, you simply pull the lever forward, which simultaneously releases the seat back lock and automatically flips the headrest forward via an interlocking cable. You then continue to pull the seatback forward and, since this is interconnected with the seat base via a sliding linkage, the effect of this action is to flip the seat base up automatically into a vertical position behind the front seat. Since the headrest is flipped forward, it comfortably clears the seat base. There's no messing about with seatbelts and anchor points either, since everything is integrally designed into the seat mechanism. Easy. Mind you, as Honda well knows, the 'One Motion' system will be called into operation quite rarely (one reason why the relatively low total 'seats folded' luggage capacity of this car shouldn't hurt sales too much). Buyers in this sector attach greater emphasis to the size and versatility of the estate compartment itself. Fortunately, considerable thought has been given to this too. Take the 49-litre compartment set into the rear half of the luggage floor. It's covered with a flush-fitting lockable lid that rises automatically 45 degrees so that you can easily access the contents. On either side of this compartment are two further lids that cover additional storage space. There are a couple of tricks missed here though: the tailgate glass doesn't open for easy storage of smaller items and the loading floor doesn't slide out on rollers for easy access.

just three engines are available at present - a 154bhp 2.0-litre, a 188bhp 2.4-litre and a 138bhp CTDi diesel - means that a gap opens up at the bottom of the range once occupied by the 1.8-litre models. All the engines are sprightly performers with competitive CO2 emissions and decent economy. The 2.0-litre averages 38.2mpg whilst even the 188bhp 2.4-litre model can manage 31mpg and the diesel churns out a stunning 52mpg. Certain Honda trademarks continue - the gearchange is excellent but the electrically assisted steering takes a little getting used to. Accords have never had the best reputation for motorway refinement, but the latest car is a good deal better than its somewhat raucous predecessor. It's still not what you'd call whisper quiet though, the wing mirrors, the tyres and the engine all making themselves heard at speed.

I liked the Accord Tourer. No, it's no the most spacious medium-sized estate you can buy but, if you want a modicum of style in your luggage carrying life, it's an alternative you shouldn't ignore. 12th February 2008