We review the Honda Accord ES Plus (2013) from price to economy and all its features

NO firm can say their car is fit for a family until the Dorans have run the rule. Jon, Sheila, Jamie,20, and Christie, 18, and Alfie the labrador take no prisoners ...

The new ES Plus replaces the ES model and gets a host of extras, including 16in alloys, cruise control, privacy glass and leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear stick.

The car also gets the efficient 1.4 i-VTEC engine, and will cost from £14,495.

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It is just the latest Honda to make headlines on the consumer front.

The Accord may not have the badge prestige of the likes of BMW and Audi, but it is proving a popular alternative.

It is well built, solid and reliable. It may not be a looker, but on a long haul trip down south, it was smooth and comfortable.

Alfie gets plenty of room to roam, while Jamie and Christie were both impressed at how quiet it was on the road. In fact, the biggest noise was the racket they had blasting out of the sound system.

The Accord is not the most involving drive. The steering is precise but it is quite heavy in the corners.

There are two petrol engines — a 154bhp 2litre and a 198bhp 2.4 — or a 2.2litre turbodiesel. The diesel is very smooth — offering 52mpg and powerful enough for 0-60mph in 9.5 seconds and a top speed of 131mph.

Sheila likes practicality and the Accord works hard to fit the bill. The boot can handle a decent shop, although the opening is quite narrow.

Honda brand the Accord as their upmarket family car and that means a fairly hefty price tag of £27,605 for the 2.2 150 EX. That may seem a little steep compared with its rivals, but the running costs make it well worth a test drive.

Just don’t take your Alfie with you. Ours has perfected his ability to dive in muddy puddles. After he climbs all over the seats, the biggest challenge is trying to clean it.

What to look out for when buying a used Honda Accord
Honda consistently scores highly in consumer surveys for reliability and customer satisfaction. Customers are incredibly loyal to the Japanese firm and often replace one model with another, which is the best endorsement you can get.

That said, the diesel engine in the Accord has not got a squeaky-clean track record. In fact, all 2008-on 2.2 i-DTEC models were recalled in 2011 for “potential failure” caused by too-high oil levels and over-run — due to a control software glitch. Check that this has been addressed, with new software uploaded and new oil filter fitted.

The one to buy
Honda Accord Tourer 2.2 i-DTEC ES