My 7th Gen 2.4 was in for it's annual service today. A fairly big one with most fluids and filters replacing as well as cleaning and re-greasing brakes and other bits and bobs. Nice surprise when I arrive, there's a 61 plate 2.2 i-DTEC waiting for me as a courtesy car. Racked up about 100 miles of country driving and A-Road with the Mrs and boy in the car. Put the car through it's paces somewhat.
The cabin is incredible. I love the 7th gen, but there a little niggles I have after 3 years that have all been ironed out with the 8th Gen. Things like the snug-ness of the seats, the position of the sat nav screen (now shielded from sunlight), the angle/height of arm rest in relation to the gear stick, the size/feel of the steering wheel and more. I was truly bowled over with how nice the car was to sit in and use. And the reversing camera
! How great is that! Also the back seats have lots more room and fitting the boy's child seat, and subsequently fitting the boy into the child seat was so much easier. There was more head room and leg room for sure and the rear doors felt larger. Really nice cabin indeed. Only grumbles are a few too many bleeps and things. Like pulling up to park, the Mrs undoes her seatbelt and it starts beeping like crazy. The little lights telling me to shift up/down all the time, that's annoying too.
The handling too was superb. I mean it really feels smaller than it is. It sticks to the road like glue, like a little hot hatch, or a rear wheel drive car and you can really chuck it around. It's a little stiff on bumps, but it's more than worth it for the cornering benefits gained from the stiffness.
Overall, I was seriously impressed. What a great car. The only let down for me was the engine. The 2.2 was a versatile and responsive engine, but just didn't have that oomph or sizzle that you get from the 2.4 petrol. The torque was great though. Could really hammer it off roundabouts and stuff. Really helped keep the car grounded through the bends. But like I said, just lacked that certain something for me. The mileage wasn't bad. A consistent 41mpg, which I calculated, for me, would mean 2 and a half tanks less a year compared to my 2.4. Not worth the saving in my opinion if I'm honest. The extra fuel is worth the fun for my amount of driving. If I did more motorway stuff though, I'd probably have one.
So to conclude, for my tastes, the 8th gen 2.4 must be an absolute monster of a machine B) . A real treat to drive and if the handling is the same and all the toys are the same, it is a car that seriously punches above it's weight (and price bracket).
Just a shame it looks like it's trying to be a German car . I still think the 7th Gen tourer with tinted windows, nice alloys and subtle lowering is one of the nicest looking cars on the road and for me, the 8th Gen doesn't look as nice. But still, what a great car, could definitely see myself owning an 8th gen 2.4 in the future. Nice one Honda.
The cabin is incredible. I love the 7th gen, but there a little niggles I have after 3 years that have all been ironed out with the 8th Gen. Things like the snug-ness of the seats, the position of the sat nav screen (now shielded from sunlight), the angle/height of arm rest in relation to the gear stick, the size/feel of the steering wheel and more. I was truly bowled over with how nice the car was to sit in and use. And the reversing camera
! How great is that! Also the back seats have lots more room and fitting the boy's child seat, and subsequently fitting the boy into the child seat was so much easier. There was more head room and leg room for sure and the rear doors felt larger. Really nice cabin indeed. Only grumbles are a few too many bleeps and things. Like pulling up to park, the Mrs undoes her seatbelt and it starts beeping like crazy. The little lights telling me to shift up/down all the time, that's annoying too.The handling too was superb. I mean it really feels smaller than it is. It sticks to the road like glue, like a little hot hatch, or a rear wheel drive car and you can really chuck it around. It's a little stiff on bumps, but it's more than worth it for the cornering benefits gained from the stiffness.
Overall, I was seriously impressed. What a great car. The only let down for me was the engine. The 2.2 was a versatile and responsive engine, but just didn't have that oomph or sizzle that you get from the 2.4 petrol. The torque was great though. Could really hammer it off roundabouts and stuff. Really helped keep the car grounded through the bends. But like I said, just lacked that certain something for me. The mileage wasn't bad. A consistent 41mpg, which I calculated, for me, would mean 2 and a half tanks less a year compared to my 2.4. Not worth the saving in my opinion if I'm honest. The extra fuel is worth the fun for my amount of driving. If I did more motorway stuff though, I'd probably have one.
So to conclude, for my tastes, the 8th gen 2.4 must be an absolute monster of a machine B) . A real treat to drive and if the handling is the same and all the toys are the same, it is a car that seriously punches above it's weight (and price bracket).
Just a shame it looks like it's trying to be a German car
. I still think the 7th Gen tourer with tinted windows, nice alloys and subtle lowering is one of the nicest looking cars on the road and for me, the 8th Gen doesn't look as nice. But still, what a great car, could definitely see myself owning an 8th gen 2.4 in the future. Nice one Honda.
