LOS ANGELES: The new Honda Accord for North America has been unveiled.
According to American Honda Motor Co., Inc. the Accord has been America’s best-selling car over the last five decades, and the latest version is expected to re-energise the midsize sedan segment with an elegant and sophisticated design, and an available advanced hybrid-electric system that’s more responsive for a sporty, exhilarating driving experience.
Accord hybrid models are positioned at the top of the 11th generation Accord lineup and will represent about 50 percent of sales.
“The all-new 11th-generation Accord is essential to our lineup as a critical driver of brand loyalty, and with hybrid models representing 50% of sales, a key part of Honda’s electrification strategy,” said Mamadou Diallo, vice president of Auto Sales, American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
“This is our best Accord ever, a true benchmark in its class, offering an unbeatable combination of style, efficiency, performance and connectivity.”
The new 2023 Accord is longer and sleeker with premium proportions and a broad stance, further advancing the new Honda design direction with a low horizontal beltline and a long, powerful front end.
It backs up its sleek new looks with more confident and refined dynamics, improved responsiveness, and a more fun-to-drive personality.
Accord will be available in six trim levels, starting with the turbocharged LX and EX and topped by the hybrid-powered Sport, EX-L, Sport-L and Touring.
With 335Nm of torque from Honda’s new 4th-generation two-motor hybrid system, the 2023 Accord hybrids are the most powerful ever.
Inside, a new sporty and modern interior offers fine craftsmanship, high-quality materials and must-have available tech features including Honda’s largest touchscreen ever and Honda’s first integration of Google built-in for seamless on-the-go connectivity. Accord is also made more comfortable, with new front Body Stabilizing Seats that reduce fatigue on long drives.
Standard class-leading safety features include a new Honda Sensing safety and driver-assistive technology, next-gen front airbags, as well as new front knee airbags and rear side-impact airbags.
The body has grown 7cm longer.
A longer hood and a flowing fastback roofline create a premium silhouette. Along the roof line, Accord uses laser brazing technology, eliminating the need for roof molding for a smooth and clean roof line. Distinctive horizontal LED straight-line taillights accentuate Accord’s wide stance.
LX, EX and EX-L trims feature a black grille mesh, body-color side mirrors and standard 17-inch alloy wheels. Sport, Sport-L get even sportier styling with black side mirrors, a black rear spoiler and black 19-inch alloy wheels, while Sport-L models add a unique black rear diffuser. The top-level Touring features unique gloss-black 19-inch alloy wheels along with silver and black exterior trim for a sharp, high-contrast look. All 2023 Accords feature a 0.4-inch wider rear track for a broader stance and improved stability.
Accord will be available in eight exterior colours, three of which are new: Meteorite Gray Metallic, Urban Gray Pearl and Canyon River Blue Metallic.
The 2023 Accord has the most cargo room in its class, with all models providing 472 litres of boot space and standard fold-down rear seats.
All Accords can now receive quick and easy Over the Air (OTA) software updates to nearly all vehicle computer modules, enhancing functionality and capability.
Honda said suspension and steering updates make Accord more fun to drive, while simultaneously improving ride quality. A retuned four-wheel independent suspension provides a more engaging driving experience. New front suspension damper mount bearings and ball joints reduce friction to improve steering smoothness.
Accord also features an updated Honda Sensing suite of safety and driver assistive technologies enabled by a new camera with a wider 90-degree field of view and wide-angle radar with a 120-degree field of view.
This wide angle improves collision prevention performance via improved ability to recognise attributes of objects, such as a vehicles or pedestrians, as well as white lines, road boundaries like curbs, other vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, motorcycles, and road signs.
The wide angle also enables expanded control range for Accord at intersections.
Blind spot information (BSI) has been expanded, now with 25m of radar range. Also new is Traffic Jam Assist (TJA), which is a first for Accord. Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low-Speed Follow, and Lane Keeping Assist (LKAS) have been updated to feature more natural responses. Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR) is also standard, and Low-Speed Braking Control is available on Touring.
Accord features standard Rear Seatbelt Reminder and Rear Seat Reminder, the latter notifying drivers to check the rear seating area for children, pets or other precious cargo when exiting the vehicle. Expanded available standard security features now include a stolen vehicle locator, remote immobiliser, and a Find-My-Vehicle function.
Key 2023 Accord features:
> Sleek and sophisticated all-new exterior design
> 4th-generation two-motor hybrid system (Sport, EX-L, Sport-L, Touring) is more powerful, makes Accord more fun to drive
> Sporty, modern, spacious, and comfortable interior
> Standard 10.2-inch digital driver instrumentation display
> 12.3-inch colour touchscreen for top trims with wireless Apple CarPlay® & Android Auto™ compatibility (Sport, EX-L, Sport-L, Touring)
> Standard 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto compatibility (LX, EX)
> Honda’s first integration of Google built-in (Touring), including Google Assistant, Google Maps and Google Play capability with the latest apps and services
> New Over the Air (OTA) software updates to nearly all vehicle computer modules, enhancing functionality and capability
> Enhanced global Honda Architecture supports improvements in ride, handling and overall refinement
> Updated 1.5-litre Turbo engine (LX, EX) adds refinement and responsiveness while remaining fuel efficient
> Standard Honda Sensing system, plus Low-Speed Braking Control, Traffic Sign Recognition system (TSR), and new Traffic Jam Assist (TJA)
> Next-gen front airbags designed to reduce traumatic brain and neck injuries
> New standard knee and rear passenger side-impact airbags
Keyword: All-new 2023 Honda Accord for US debuts