But looking at it from a more practical angle, a few annoyances stand out. The front seats are very comfortable, true, and they accommodate two medium-size adults. But the rear seats? Even ten-year-olds complained about them! They’re cramped, and foot- and knee-room is kept to an absolute minimum – in short, you have to have Nadia Comăneci’s flexibility to get into these forgotten crannies.
Same story trunk-wise. With its 210 litres, it’s the least spacious of the class – it’s even 34% smaller than the Genesis coupe’s already far-from-exemplary trunk. In addition, it has a high sill and is weirdly contorted inside. Stick with the bare essentials if you’re planning a road trip.
Of course, you can sacrifice the rear seats (pretty much useless in any case) and increase cargo area by folding the asymmetrical seat backs down. To do so, simply locate the two narrow nylon tabs that gracelessly hang down far inside the trunk.
Finally, while front and side visibility is perfectly adequate (thanks to the large mirrors), you don’t see much at all out back. The rear camera becomes crucial to avoiding accidentally remodelling your bumper. Unfortunately, to benefit from said camera you have to shell out an extra $3,150, as the feature, exclusive to the 3.5 SR, is part of the optional Technology package.
A better road performer?
With 270 ponies, you expect some sporty driving. The slightest throttle pressure brings the fiery engine to life – and kills front traction if you overdo it. An issue that is common with the Honda Accord V6 coupe.
The multivave V6 produces so much torque that it’s often better to get things rolling in second gear rather than first. That’s the best way to avoid any unpleasantness resulting from the short clutch throw. In fact, drivers looking for a smooth ride should unhesitatingly opt for the automatic transmission.
The suspension offers a pleasant compromise between comfort and stiffness, with limited roll. That sort of compensates for the electronically assisted steering that barely provides any feedback at all. The less-than-perfect driving position does nothing to alleviate this irritating fact, as the telescopic steering wheel has few adjustment possibilities and the shifter is far from the driver’s hand.
All these inconveniences will no doubt come a distant second for those buyers looking to purchase an image. And good for them. Because driving enthusiasts, especially the purists, are better off looking elsewhere.
Same story trunk-wise. With its 210 litres, it’s the least spacious of the class – it’s even 34% smaller than the Genesis coupe’s already far-from-exemplary trunk. In addition, it has a high sill and is weirdly contorted inside. Stick with the bare essentials if you’re planning a road trip.
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| With 270 ponies, you expect some sporty driving. (Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com) |
Of course, you can sacrifice the rear seats (pretty much useless in any case) and increase cargo area by folding the asymmetrical seat backs down. To do so, simply locate the two narrow nylon tabs that gracelessly hang down far inside the trunk.
Finally, while front and side visibility is perfectly adequate (thanks to the large mirrors), you don’t see much at all out back. The rear camera becomes crucial to avoiding accidentally remodelling your bumper. Unfortunately, to benefit from said camera you have to shell out an extra $3,150, as the feature, exclusive to the 3.5 SR, is part of the optional Technology package.
A better road performer?
With 270 ponies, you expect some sporty driving. The slightest throttle pressure brings the fiery engine to life – and kills front traction if you overdo it. An issue that is common with the Honda Accord V6 coupe.
The multivave V6 produces so much torque that it’s often better to get things rolling in second gear rather than first. That’s the best way to avoid any unpleasantness resulting from the short clutch throw. In fact, drivers looking for a smooth ride should unhesitatingly opt for the automatic transmission.
The suspension offers a pleasant compromise between comfort and stiffness, with limited roll. That sort of compensates for the electronically assisted steering that barely provides any feedback at all. The less-than-perfect driving position does nothing to alleviate this irritating fact, as the telescopic steering wheel has few adjustment possibilities and the shifter is far from the driver’s hand.
All these inconveniences will no doubt come a distant second for those buyers looking to purchase an image. And good for them. Because driving enthusiasts, especially the purists, are better off looking elsewhere.
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