Hi Accordlover. I think Honda and many other car Co's make cars specific for certain markets. And the UK market is very very competitive. We can buy anything here!! And in the mid size saloons here (and in EU) petrol cars don't sell well.. Whereas from what I read, the choice is far more limited in the US. And pitched against a larger proportion of big vehicles the Accord sells much better..
Dunno about the pass through? it does have an arm rest, I can see it through the window! I rarely use the Accord these days prefering to use the ZX 99% of the time. But when it stops raining and daylight returns, I will go look see exactly what the fittings are, and report back..