SOME estate cars are roomy, others sporty, luxurious or stylish. From sensible workhorses to sporty holdalls, they all struggle to meet conflicting goals of style, space, practicality and pace.

Now joining the party is Honda's Accord Tourer, billed as "one of the most thoroughly executed estates" on the market.

The Tourer will build on the position established by its saloon sibling. It, too, will be aimed at the more discerning, executive end of the market.

Two unique features make it a particularly attractive proposition and distance it from its competitors. First, it has a power tailgate that can be fully opened and closed at the press of a button. It also features an ingenious rear seat which can be folded flat to open up the luggage area in a simple and quick, one action, one-handed operation.

The Tourer has a wheelbase and overall length stretched by 50mm and 85mm respectively, compared with the saloon. It also has its own unique multi-link rear suspension, which can support a class-leading load volume, with all seats in place, of 576-litres rising to 921 litres with the rear seats folded.

Aside from the automatic tailgate opening, one action rear seat and rear screen wash/wipe - all standard on all UK models - equipment levels mirror those of equivalent four-door models. All Tourers feature alloy wheels, dual zone climate control, outside temperature indicator, six-speaker CD audio systems and blackout 3D dashboard illumination. Front, side and the largest side curtain airbags in the class are also standard throughout.

Other equipment, depending on the model bought, includes powered sunroof, electric windows, powered, heated door mirrors, rain sensors, headlamp washers, twin Isofix child seat mounts, CD tuner, satellite navigation, cruise control and leather upholstery. Both passenger and pedestrian safety feature strongly in the Tourer, the same as found on the Civic, Stream, Jazz and CR-V. These include an unobstructed area beneath the bonnet (allowing it to deform on impact), bonnet hinges and front wing mounting brackets that compress under impact, energy-absorbing front bumper and energy-absorbing wiper pivots.

Power for the Tourer is provided by the 155PS 2.0-litre mated to a five-speed gearbox, and 190PS 2.4-litre petrol engines with six-speed manual transmissions, or a five-speed automatic with sequential (clutchless manual) shift. Both engines use DOHC i-VTEC technology to deliver consistently high output across all engine speeds without the penalty of high fuel consumption and emissions.

Acceleration times range from 8.4-seconds to 11.5-seconds, depending on whether manual or auto.

Sales of the Tourer start next month when it will go head-to-head against such rivals as the Volkswagen Passat Sport, Audi A4 Avant. Ford Mondeo Estate Ghia and Volvo V40 estate.

The Honda range comprises four distinct models graded 2.0-litre SE, 2.0-litre Executive, 2.4-litre Type S and 2.4-litre Executive. Carrying a £1,000 premium over their saloon equivalents, the new models span the price range £17,495 to £22,095, with sequential shift automatic transmission (available on all models bar the Type S) adding £1,000 extra.

Both 2.0-litre and 2.4-litre petrol engines provide performance matched to economy, and lower CO2 emissions, ideal for reduced Benefit In Kind taxation for the business user.

Insurance group ratings for the Tourer mirror those of the saloon, recommended as Group 11 for 2.0 litre and Group 14 for the 2.4 models, while depreciation forecasts have the Tourer worth £500 more than its saloon equivalents over three years or 60,000 miles.

Updated: 11:05 Friday, April 11, 2003