sedan

REVIEW: 2016 Honda Accord Touring


We’ll just put this right out front – this is not your grandfather’s Accord anymore. As one of the United States’ top selling vehicles year over year, how do you improve something that’s already great? With new sporty looks & other visual tweaks for 2016, I think Honda’s got the job under control.

We took a drive in Honda’s 2016 Accord Touring sedan, thanks to our friends at Honda of Tenafly. With a powerful 3.5-liter V6 producing 278 horses, the get-up-and-go factor on this lightweight, mid-sized sedan is prevalent – getting up to 60mph in under 6 seconds. With a smooth shifting 6-speed-automatic transmission (only available on V6 models), the Accord Touring was a treat to drive. Although the Accord Touring comes standard with 19″ sport black-accented wheels, the ride was not very rough, all while taking turns like a champ.

The interior is complemented with leather-trimmed seats and a leather wrapped steering wheel, audio system with 7 speakers, a 7-inch touchscreen audio display with Honda’s Satellite-linked Navigation, Voice Recognition & Multi-View Rear Camera. Technology and other creature comforts include SMS Text Messaging functionality, USB audio interface, push-button start, Honda LaneWatch (camera mounted on passenger-side mirror), heated front and rear seats. Also included in the Touring is Honda’s Sensing Package, which has features like Collision Mitigation Braking System, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning and Road Departure Mitigation.

On the outside, the car has 19″x8″ sport alloy wheels, LED headlights with auto-high beam, LED fog lights, rain sensing wipers, heated power door mirrors with turn indicators, LED taillights, remote start, front and rear parking sensors and rear decklid spoiler.

Overall, this was a stellar car and it definitely makes our recommended vehicles list. With the styling & power of a sports sedan and the comfortable ride of a luxo-barge, it combines the best of both worlds. If you’re looking for a fun sedan with plenty of room, that’s both fuel and budget efficient, you’ve found your match – at just under $35,000.

Pros: Great deal of technology and safety features, smooth ride, quick acceleration, great styling cues

Cons: Great deal of technology, torque steer

 

QUICK FACTS:

Base Price: $34,680 || Price as Tested: $34,680

Vehicle Layout: Front-engine, front-wheel-drive, five-passenger, 4-door sedan

Engine: 3.5-liter, 6-cylinder, 278-hp,  252 lb-ft torque || Transmission: 6-speed automatic, with sport mode

Curb Weight:  3,605 lbs || Length/Width/Height: 192.5/72.8/57.7 inches

0-60:   5.6 seconds || EPA City/Highway Fuel Economy: 21/34 MPG

 

RATING: 8.3/10

Exterior: 9

Interior: 7

Acceleration: 8

Braking: 9

Ride: 8

Handling: 8

Gearbox: 8

Audio: 8

Tech: 9

Value: 9

We’d like to thank Herbie Rosario and Arthur McCracken at Honda Of Tenafly for getting us into the 2016 Honda Accord Touring. For all of your Honda needs, go check out Honda of Tenafly in Tenafly, NJ and online at www.hondaoftenafly.com. Make sure you tell them Greg and Dave sent you!

 

REVIEW: 2014 Kia Cadenza

Kia has, yet again, set the bar high for luxury automakers with the 2014 Cadenza. With a car that’s under $40,000, you can be rolling with the same features (and then some!) as a $70,000 luxury car.

Thanks to Tenafly Kia, we were able to really get a feel for the Cadenza — with its’ sleek Aurora Black exterior and Black Nappa leather interior. With a 3.3L V6 engine producing 293 horsepower and 255 lb-ft. of torque and a 0-60 time of just over 6 seconds, the Cadenza is able to keep up with many of the larger sedans on the road today.

On the outside, you’ll find front LED positioning lights, heated power folding mirrors with turn signal indicators, LED tail lights, back-up warning & camera and stylish 18″ wheels.

When you step inside through the red illuminated door plates, you’re greeted by a slew of luxury and technology. The Infinity Surround Sound Audio system, accompanied by Kia’s UVO eServices system, made it easy to enjoy the standard Sirius/XM satellite radio and Bluetooth wireless technology. The navigation system was easy to see and use thanks to the 8″ display and the heated seats kept you warm. Our car was also equipped with the Luxury Package, which includes a panoramic sunroof with power sunshade, HID headlights with adaptive lighting, the Nappa leather seats, a power driver’s seat cushion extension, ventilated driver’s seat, heated rear seats, heated steering wheel, power tilt steering wheel, integrated memory system, power rear sunshade and a Supervision meter cluster with 7″ color LCD for the speedometer and additional information.

Driving the car was a real treat, as well. Anyone who lives in New Jersey or the New York City Metropolitan area knows that this area is littered, I mean LITTERED, with potholes. The Cadenza had a very surprisingly smooth ride and absorbed those potholes like it was its’ job. There was very little road noise and overall, it was very enjoyable driving it.

At an as-tested price of just over $39,000, you really can’t get a better deal than that.

 

Pros: Really smooth ride, great amount of tech, interior was very comfortable and stylish, looks like a $70,000 sedan, panoramic sunroof was a great touch

Cons: Could use a little more power since it’s nearly two tons

 

QUICK FACTS:

Base Price: $35,100 || Price as Tested: $39,030

Vehicle Layout: Front-engine, front-wheel-drive, five-passenger, 4-door sedan

Engine: 3.3-liter, 6-cylinder, 293-hp,  255 lb-ft torque || Transmission: 6-speed automatic

Curb Weight:  3,789 lbs || Length/Width/Height: 195.5/72.8/58.1 inches

0-60:   6.2 seconds || EPA City/Highway Fuel Economy: 19/28 MPG

 

RATING: 8.4/10

Exterior: 9

Interior: 9

Acceleration: 8

Braking: 7

Ride: 9

Handling: 8

Gearbox: 8

Audio: 8

Tech: 9

Value: 9

A big thank you goes to Tenafly Kia — ranked in the top 3 Kia dealerships nationwide for Customer Sales Satisfaction. For all of your Kia needs, speak to Keith Yasso at Tenafly Kia and tell them Greg sent you. Check them out at www.tenaflykia.com.