Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Wagons/Estates, Euro, Acura, Honda
Euro Accord Tourer wins Red Dot Award for design
Click above for gallery of the Euro-spec Honda Accord
Honda's Euro-spec Accord Tourer (a.k.a. wagon) has taken home the the 51st international Red Dot Award for high quality design, marking the third time that Honda has managed to win this award. Back in 2001, the S2000 brought home the trophy and in 2006, it was the current-generation Civic nabbing the honor. The Red Dot Award for design is a big deal in international circles, and while there are awards for products in 11 categories, there's only one Transportation award. Honda winning three times, including two-in-a-row, is remarkable.
While our Accord is a different animal entirely, the Euro-model Accord is available here, albeit in sedan form only, as the 2009 Acura TSX. It's amazing that an award-winning design as classy and elegantly understated as that of the European Accord could share so much in common with the polarizing lines of the redesigned 2009 Acura TSX.
Gallery: 2009 Honda Accord - Euro spec
Gallery: 2009 Acura TSX
[Source: Car Pages]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Chris 7:13AM (3/27/2008)
Looks very good.
But its a wagon and that is why its not here, over in the US we convince ourselves that Crossovers are not really wagons.
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smarkle 7:31AM (3/27/2008)
Why-oh-why don't Americans like wagons? This is absolutely the best-looking version of the TSX/Euro Accord -- and it's more useful to boot! Are we sure the focus groups are telling the truth? Maybe everyone truly harbors a secret love for wagons, but they're too embarrassed to admit the truth. I say to America: Stand up! You're not alone! I too love the wagon!
icu812ru469 9:10AM (3/27/2008)
We don't like wagons because we're stupid and like our big SUVs. We don't care much about fuel efficiency because our gas is so cheap relative to other countries, but now that we're starting to catch up in price, we're now starting to feel the pinch. Perhaps in a few years we'll get smarter and Honda/Acura can bring the wagon version over here too. With a 2.4 turbo diesel giving 58 mpg of course.
Taylor 11:24AM (3/27/2008)
We don't like wagons because that's what our moms drove us around in as kids. They are considered soccer-mom cars. And no man would be caught dead driving a prototypical "mom" vehicle. In the US, wagons are considered a little more gay than a minivan.
smarkle 7:26AM (3/27/2008)
Other than the grille, how exactly are the new TSX and Euro-spec Accord different? I merely glanced at both galleries, but I think the differences must be fairly subtle -- they certainly don't jump out at me. Granted the new Acura grille is fairly hideous -- but I'm not sure that alone is enough of a reason to praise the Accord but slam the TSX: "It's amazing that an award-winning design as classy and elegantly understated as that of the European Accord could share so much in common with the polarizing lines of the redesigned 2009 Acura TSX."
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500 12:11PM (3/27/2008)
Um, the TSX isn't available in a wagon. That's the big deal here.
Tony 1:09PM (3/27/2008)
Have to agree - the main difference is the grill (other than the wagon not being available here). Acura should offer a more sporty and aesthetically pleasing accessory replacemment grille as a dealer option. The new TSX grille is too heavy handed - too much bling.
FSM 8:16AM (3/27/2008)
now that's a sexxxxxxxxxxxy wagon
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FThorn 8:25AM (3/27/2008)
Looks like a Saab meets Dodge Journey.
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bob cobb 8:40AM (3/27/2008)
God thats hot. Americans are stupid. Bring that thing over here with a diesel and Id consider it
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Jim in Tampa 8:44AM (3/27/2008)
This would be parked in my garage if it was available in the US.
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Disgruntled Goat 9:00AM (3/27/2008)
Bleech. Americans don't like wagons for a lot of reasons:
1. Your dad drove a Country Squire back in the 70's.
2. Economy cars sold in the US over the past 35 years are almost defined as being wagons/hatchbacks. Americans don't like "economy" anything.
3. All else being equal, most people find the sedan form to be more pleasing to the eye than the wagon.
4. A sedan with a locking trunk offers far more security. I drive with my $1500 set of golf clubs in my car and a trunk is far more secure than in plain sight in the back of a wagon where they're a mere brick-toss away from being stolen.
So now you know.
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DKB_SATX 1:04PM (3/27/2008)
4. Any modern wagon has a cargo cover that hides the cargo compartment. Anyone who wants to break into your car just to see what might be in the trunk/under that cargo cover won't have much more problem getting into a trunk than into a wagon.
3. Most Americans like "American Idol" and think McDonald's is great food, too.
1. Actually my mom had the wagon, and it was a '73 American Motors Hornet Sportabout. White, with blue plastic seats, a straight 6 and a 3-speed on the column. That particular car has no bearing on why I like my 250 hp AWD sportwagon.
I realize I'm not the typical American buyer, but then neither is the Miata driver. More high-quality wagons would be a good thing, because I'm not buying some tippy-tall "crossover."
Mike Homeniuk 9:32AM (3/27/2008)
"It's amazing that an award-winning design as classy and elegantly understated as that of the European Accord could share so much in common with the polarizing lines of the redesigned 2009 Acura TSX."
Say what? The classy & understated Euro Accord is a carbon copy of the "polarizing" TSX.....
Now if you meant the TSX grill is polarizing, well that's understandable.
BTW, the wagon rocks. (I'd like one with a diesel)
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pedro 9:32AM (3/27/2008)
The Accord Touring is certainly svelte, and joins the line of wagons that are better looking than their sedan counterparts (eg current BMW 5 series wagon), but the sedan is just as polarizing and ungainly as the TSX. Acura tried to jump up to A4 size and ended up just plumping up the formerly crisp lines into a chubby bunny.
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FSM 9:50AM (3/27/2008)
Get off the diesel kick you guys, diesel will not become popular in this country, it costs too damn much. So much so that the exhorbitant price of the car and the slightly better mileage do not compensate for the difference in $/gallon compared to 87 unleaded.
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RobAFromNC 10:27AM (3/27/2008)
Man, the Euro Accord styling is 1000 percent better than the US version. I HATE the US version!
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S1500 11:12AM (3/27/2008)
"xxx Honda, how can I help you?"
Hi, I'd like to get the Euro-Spec accord wagon, please
"Sorry, we don't sell them in the US"
That's okay, go right ahead and order one up. Blue please
"I said we don't sell them in the US"
Don't worry! Totally cool with me. Blue, B L U E color please.
*click*
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500 12:19PM (3/27/2008)
Wow that is one hot-looking wagon. Bring it over here, and I would seriously consider buying a Japanese car for the first time (have owned three German cars, two British Cars, a French car, and three American cars, not counting my wife's rides.)
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Disgruntled Goat 1:14PM (3/27/2008)
Wow, after driving three German cars, two British Cars and a French car, something Japanese would be quite an epiphany (no, you really DON'T have to take your car to the shop once a month to keep it running).