View Poll Results: What do you like Better?
Accord Concept Rims and Bodykit
54
73.97%
2004 Acura TL A-Spec Bodykit and Rims
19
26.03%
Voters: 73. You may not vote on this poll
Honda: Accord News
09-07-2012, 03:16 PM
#3201
Three Wheelin'
Honda is going to sell a sh#t load of these.
I've liked everything I've seen thus far...until I got to...uh...
W T F
Why, WHY, do hybrids have to be sooo damn UGLY?? I understand aerodynamics, but c'mon. C'MON.
That front fascia was not designed, it was decorated (still not as bad as the gasping carp)
I've liked everything I've seen thus far...until I got to...uh...
W T F
Why, WHY, do hybrids have to be sooo damn UGLY?? I understand aerodynamics, but c'mon. C'MON.
That front fascia was not designed, it was decorated (still not as bad as the gasping carp)
09-07-2012, 03:24 PM
#3202
Senior Moderator
Join Date: May 2003
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Makes my wife's CR-Z even sexier 
09-07-2012, 03:26 PM
#3203
You'll Never Walk Alone
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jun 2005
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Honda is going to sell a sh#t load of these.
I've liked everything I've seen thus far...until I got to...uh...
W T F
Why, WHY, do hybrids have to be sooo damn UGLY?? I understand aerodynamics, but c'mon. C'MON.
That front fascia was not designed, it was decorated (still not as bad as the gasping carp)
I've liked everything I've seen thus far...until I got to...uh...
W T F
Why, WHY, do hybrids have to be sooo damn UGLY?? I understand aerodynamics, but c'mon. C'MON.
That front fascia was not designed, it was decorated (still not as bad as the gasping carp)
09-07-2012, 04:52 PM
#3205
Team Owner
So it seems that Hybrid gets the LED headlight. So if you wallet is deep enough, a swap is still possible with some re-wiring.
I do not like any current Honda/Acura. But this new accord is a good improvement over the crap they produced in the past decade.
I am just confused with some of the features they put in the Accord, i think it is excessive. Good for Honda, bad for Acura.
Not that i will ever consider buying an Accord for myself, but if you like Accord, this is the best one since 1997.
I do not like any current Honda/Acura. But this new accord is a good improvement over the crap they produced in the past decade.
I am just confused with some of the features they put in the Accord, i think it is excessive. Good for Honda, bad for Acura.
Not that i will ever consider buying an Accord for myself, but if you like Accord, this is the best one since 1997.
09-08-2012, 06:43 AM
#3206
Safety Car
Accord
Americans really like Honda Accords. Even with a new model just weeks away from showrooms, more retail buyers took delivery of new Accords last month than any other car in the country.
So it's safe to say that expectations are pretty high for the redesigned Accord you see here, a more-than-meets-the-eye rethink that brings with it a degree of innovation we haven't seen out of Honda in a while.
For 1, value is finally part of the deal. Once-stingy Honda is now including alloy wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, Bluetooth and a high-resolution 8-inch screen with a backup camera as standard on the entry-level $21,680 Accord LX. Clearly, change as afloat at an automaker that made buyers pay extra for air conditioning and a radio just a few short years ago.
This reinvigoration extends beyond just “on paper” changes. Although the 2013 Accord might have the same overall shape as its predecessor, the 2 are substantially different in person. A simpler, more elegant design permeates the Accord both inside and out, and even though the look isn't wholly original – we see lots of Hyundai Genesis, for example – it is far more cohesive than before.
Underneath, Accord now stretches more than 2 and a half inches shorter, a welcome change since the outgoing model was nearly a full-size sedan. In addition, the double wishbone front suspension setup has been shelved in favor of a more sophisticated MacPherson strut setup.
In the engine room, Accord ditches its outgoing motors in favor of 2 all-new units and 1 that has been thoroughly revised.
Most Accords will be motivated by a new 2.4-liter 4-cylinder developed under Honda's new “Earth Dreams” eco-friendly engine program. With direct injection and Honda's VTEC variable valve timing system, the 2.4 puts out 185 horsepower and 181 lb-ft. of torque. A new Sport trim level adds dual exhaust for an extra 4 ponies.
Eschewing a trend away from manuals, a 6-speed stick shift is standard, while an all-new CVT (with paddle shifters on Sports) is optional.
The CVT/4-cylinder model is rated by the EPA at 27/36 mpg, which is impressive but still trails the 38 mpg Nissan Altima overall.
Upmarket Accords offer a revised 3.5-liter V6 that, with the new addition of VTEC and a carryover cylinder deactivation system, cranks out 278 horsepower and 252 lb-ft. of torque. The V6 is mated only to a 6-speed automatic in sedans, but the coupe offers a 6-speed manual.That cylinder deactivation system reaps rewards on the highway, where the sedan is rated at 34 mpg. City consumption, at 21 mpg, is more V6-typical.
Exclusive to sedans is a new plug-in hybrid powertrain for the late-introduction Accord PHEV. Capable of motivating the Accord on solely electric power for around 10-15 miles, the hybrid is actually reasonably peppy at 196 horsepower and 226 lb-ft. from a combination of gas and electric motivation powering a CVT. EPA figures for the Accord PHEV are due out closer to its on-sale date early next year.
The Accord PHEV's battery takes up a good deal of its trunk space, though a quick charging system means the battery is full in less time than it takes to enjoy lunch as long as the sedan is plugged into a 240V outlet.
A bevvy of Accord trim levels are on offer, but we think the entry-level LX ($21,680) and step above Sport ($23,390) (which adds 18-inch alloy wheels, a dual exhaust and a few leather bits inside, but no chassis changes) represent the Accord's high-value sweet spot. On those models, selecting the CVT adds $800. Notably, navigation is not available until you step up to the $29,995 EX-L with navigation model.
Inner trappings
This latest Accord might not set the standard for style in the segment the way the Kia Optima does, but its cabin is undeniably a comfortable place to whittle away the miles.
Accord's interior is fresh and upmarket, with the new screen mounted high on the dashboard commanding the most attention. That screen's presence clears up the button-heavy dashboard of the outgoing Accord. Further improving matters is a general upgrade in materials quality throughout. Our only kvetch is that we would like to see more than 2 interior shades on offer.
Higher-trim versions with a new HondaLink infotainment system have a second, smaller touchscreen mounted on the center of the dashboard (which is pictured in the photo gallery), where it is framed by a metallic gloss black panel. Generally, the system is intuitive, but we would have preferred traditional switches for commonly-used functions like radio presets. At least Bluetooth pairing was a cinch.
Accord's excellent packaging was retained, meaning the new car has more usable space than its predecessor despite the smaller overall dimensions.
On the road
Accords have long been notable for their slightly more enthusiast-oriented driving dynamics and this latest model appears to continue that tradition.
Firm but nonetheless compliant suspension tuning and higher-effort electric power steering impart a feeling of confidence on the road lacking in softer or less precise rivals like the Hyundai Sonata and Chevrolet Malibu. Though the steering is a little dead right on center, effort builds predictably and, ultimately, the Accord proved a delight to toss around the curvy roads we encountered outside of Santa Barbara, California.
The 6-speed manual will account for a low take rate, and that's a shame since it could set the standard for the segment. Luckily, the CVT isn't a bad companion either. Set to become Honda's highest volume CVT ever, this unit did its best to keep the Accord within its power band without the elastic feel that plagued some earlier units by other automakers. We're still not used to the concept of not feeling shifts, but this ranks up there with the Nissan Altima's unit as 1 of the best efforts in the industry.
Power comes on strong and buttery smooth with either engine, but we did notice a bit more thrum at idle than we expected with the 2.4-liter. The V6 remains robust and torquey, not to mention a bit more refined than before. Similarly, the extra cog in the V6's conventional transmission made this a stellar combination. Our time in a V6/6-speed manual coupe was limited, but we found it to be capable if considerably less sporty than the 2 door proportions might suggest.
We also didn't get much seat time in the Accord PHEV. What little driving experience we did have showed it to be a robust performer. Notably, the PHEV has a steering wheel-mounted button to allow drivers to decide just when they want to use only battery power. In other words, drivers can use EV mode around town, where they'll get more miles out of it, and stick in normal hybrid mode otherwise.
EX ($24,405) and above models – that's 1 step above Sport – include an all-new blind spot monitoring system dubbed LaneWatch that, instead of flashing orange lights to warn drivers, uses a camera integrated into the passenger-side outside mirror. When a driver signals that he wants to turn right, the camera fires up and displays a live image of the blind spot in the upper dashboard screen. The camera can also be kept on at all times, presumably for passenger amusement. While there's undoubtedly some value in this system to salespeople looking to close a deal, we think a radar-based system with flashing lights is far less distracting.
Still, it's that kind of outside-of-the-box thinking that catapulted Honda to the top years ago – and it's finally back all throughout the 2013 Accord.
Leftlane's bottom line
After the disappointingly redesigned Civic arrived last year, we were prepared for the worst with this latest Accord. Fortunately, Honda has done more than just assuage our concerns: It has built a genuinely good vehicle that very well might put Honda at the top of its class.
Substantially upgraded inside, outside and underneath, the 2013 Accord pushes all the right buttons, especially in its new high-value lower specification models.
2013 Honda Accord sedan base price, range, $21,680 to $33,430.
09-08-2012, 09:20 AM
#3208
Safety Car
EX & Touring Models Only
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Ken1997TL (09-08-2012)
09-08-2012, 12:22 PM
#3209
Sounds like a pretty upbeat first review of the Accord. It also sounds like Honda got the CVT right, though I can't wrap my head around the idea of a paddle shifters with a CVT.
On another note, I thought this was a pretty useful article, especially the pictures of the new and old model side by side:
http://wot.motortrend.com/refreshing...rd-245369.html
Just seeing the pictures of the new model by itself you don't really see much different, but the changes become apparent when compared to the old model. It truly is nothing more than a nip here and a tuck there, but it makes a big difference.
On another note, I thought this was a pretty useful article, especially the pictures of the new and old model side by side:
http://wot.motortrend.com/refreshing...rd-245369.html
Just seeing the pictures of the new model by itself you don't really see much different, but the changes become apparent when compared to the old model. It truly is nothing more than a nip here and a tuck there, but it makes a big difference.
09-08-2012, 12:27 PM
#3210
at fabric pattern. It's like something out of the 80's
09-08-2012, 12:39 PM
#3211
EX ($24,405) and above models – that's 1 step above Sport – include an all-new blind spot monitoring system dubbed LaneWatch that, instead of flashing orange lights to warn drivers, uses a camera integrated into the passenger-side outside mirror. When a driver signals that he wants to turn right, the camera fires up and displays a live image of the blind spot in the upper dashboard screen. The camera can also be kept on at all times, presumably for passenger amusement.
At least you don't have to turn your head anymore to check out that hot chick you just passed. Just flick the right turn signal instead.
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speedemon90 (09-08-2012)
09-08-2012, 04:18 PM
#3212
Suzuka Master
09-09-2012, 02:07 PM
#3213
To all the Honda corporate snoops out there.... thank you for continuing to offer manual transmissions in your cars. It gives me a lot of hope and also makes me interested in your cars. I'm sure the same could be said for others who share the same passion for driving.
At the same time... is the sedan offered in a V6 + 6MT combo? The lane change camera is very cool too.
At the same time... is the sedan offered in a V6 + 6MT combo? The lane change camera is very cool too.
09-09-2012, 02:33 PM
#3214
Whats up with RDX owners?
iTrader: (9)
My brother has an 08 V6-6 coupe, and he really likes the new sedan. He asked if he can get the 6MT, and I said only with the 4 cylinder. He was very disappointed.
09-09-2012, 04:03 PM
#3216
Whats up with RDX owners?
iTrader: (9)
LLN says pricing is $21,680 to $33,430, with the Touring model being the highest (I would assume). I'd expect the EX-L Navi to be around $27k, since they mentioned earlier in the article that the EX starts at $24.4k.
09-09-2012, 04:43 PM
#3218
Whats up with RDX owners?
iTrader: (9)
According to LLN. I dont know how official those numbers are though.
If they are accurate, $33k for the loaded Touring is not bad at all - on paper of course.
If they are accurate, $33k for the loaded Touring is not bad at all - on paper of course.
09-10-2012, 06:23 AM
#3219
from TOV
09-10-2012, 11:05 AM
#3220
2013 Honda Accord Press Release
2013 Honda Accord Adds Thousands of Dollars in New Standard Features with an MSRP Starting Under $22,000
Pricing for all-new Accord remains consistent with outgoing model
09/10/2012 - TORRANCE, Calif.,
The dynamic all-new 2013 Honda Accord Sedan will debut at U.S. dealers nationwide on September 19, with a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) ranging from $21,680 for the well-equipped Accord LX to $33,430 for the luxurious Accord Touring model, plus a destination and handling charge1 of $790 per vehicle. The Accord Coupe will go on sale October 15 with a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) starting at $23,350 for the sporty LX-S model plus a destination and handling charge1.
The all-new Accord adds thousands of dollars worth of standard features and technologies with average pricing across the sedan lineup increasing by less than $300. The price of the most popular Accord LX (4-cylinder) trim is up by only $200.
The 2013 Honda Accord has been fully redesigned from the ground up to deliver new levels of refinement, sophistication, fuel efficiency and fun-to-drive performance in the midsize segment. Every new Accord is equipped with alloy wheels, and standard features now also include a rearview camera, an Expanded View Driver's Mirror, Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink®, USB/iPod® integration, Pandora® internet radio compatibility, SMS text message function, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a 160-watt AM/FM/CD audio system.
"The 2013 Accord excels in all areas with sophisticated design, a luxurious interior, world-class dynamic performance, class-leading standard features and legendary Honda quality, all at a tremendous value for the customer," said John Mendel, executive vice president of sales, American Honda Motor Co. Inc., "2012 is the year of the midsize sedan, and the new Accord will once again solidify Honda's position at the head of the pack."
New to the Accord Sedan lineup for 2013 are the Sport and Touring models. The Accord Sport targets younger buyers with the addition of 18-inch alloy wheels, fog lights,10-way power driver's seats, a decklid spoiler, dual chrome exhaust finishers, paddle shifters (on CVT models), a stiffer tower strut bar and exclusive suspension and steering tuning. Positioned between the Accord LX and Accord EX, the Sport model is equipped with the 2.4-liter direct-injected all-aluminum VTEC® engine paired to either a 6-speed manual or Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). The Sport model is value priced with a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $23,390 plus a destination and handling charge1.
The luxurious and technology-packed Accord Touring is equipped with a powerful V-6 engine and 6-speed automatic transmission. Equipped with Honda's first application of LED headlights and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), the Accord Touring sedan is priced with a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $33,430 plus a destination and handling charge1.
The 2013 Accord lineup is powered by a wide array of new Earth Dreams™ powertrains, which includes the first U.S. application of Honda's next-generation 2.4-liter direct-injected VTEC 4-cylinder engine. The 2013 Accord Sedan and Coupe will also offer a more powerful and efficient Earth Dreams VTEC V-6. Three transmissions are available, including the first-ever application of a continuously variable transmission (CVT) on 2.4-liter 4-cylinder models, a six-speed automatic on V-6 models, and 6-speed manual transmissions on 2.4-liter 4-cylinder models and the 3.5-liter V-6 Coupe.
The 2013 Accord successfully balances fun-to-drive performance with fuel efficiency. Accord Sedan 4-cylinder models paired to the CVT earn an impressive 27/36/30 mpg2 city/highway/combined EPA fuel economy ratings (an increase of 3/2/3 mpg compared to the previous model) and the V-6 models achieve class-leading EPA fuel economy ratings of 21/34/25 city/highway/combined mpg2 (an increase of 1/4/1 compared to the previous model) making it the most fuel-efficient gasoline-powered vehicle in the V-6 midsize sedan class.
Other new Accord technologies include the first application of the all-new cloud-based HondaLink™ system featuring Aha™, which lets drivers put away their smartphones and still stay connected to the people, music and social media they love. Also debuting on the 2013 Accord is Honda LaneWatch™ blind-spot display, which uses a camera integrated with the passenger-side mirror and the vehicle's 8-inch color display to provide for an enhanced view of the passenger-side roadway. LaneWatch is standard equipment on EX and above versions of the Sedan, and EX-L versions of the Coupe.
Celebrating 30 years of Accord production in the United States, the all-new 2013 Honda represents the expanding capabilities of Honda in North America. The Accord is produced by Honda of America Mfg. Inc. in Marysville, Ohio, using domestic and globally sourced parts. Its engines are produced at Honda plants in Anna, Ohio and the transmissions are produced at Russells Point, Ohio, and in Tallapoosa, Georgia. The Marysville Auto Plant earned a Silver Plant Quality Award from J.D. Power and Associates in its 2012 Initial Quality Study.
The 2013 Honda Accord is covered by a 3-year/36,000-mile Limited Vehicle Warranty, a 5-year/60,000-mile Powertrain Limited Warranty, and a 5-year/unlimited-mile Corrosion Limited Warranty.
Pricing for all-new Accord remains consistent with outgoing model
09/10/2012 - TORRANCE, Calif.,
The dynamic all-new 2013 Honda Accord Sedan will debut at U.S. dealers nationwide on September 19, with a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) ranging from $21,680 for the well-equipped Accord LX to $33,430 for the luxurious Accord Touring model, plus a destination and handling charge1 of $790 per vehicle. The Accord Coupe will go on sale October 15 with a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) starting at $23,350 for the sporty LX-S model plus a destination and handling charge1.
The all-new Accord adds thousands of dollars worth of standard features and technologies with average pricing across the sedan lineup increasing by less than $300. The price of the most popular Accord LX (4-cylinder) trim is up by only $200.
The 2013 Honda Accord has been fully redesigned from the ground up to deliver new levels of refinement, sophistication, fuel efficiency and fun-to-drive performance in the midsize segment. Every new Accord is equipped with alloy wheels, and standard features now also include a rearview camera, an Expanded View Driver's Mirror, Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink®, USB/iPod® integration, Pandora® internet radio compatibility, SMS text message function, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a 160-watt AM/FM/CD audio system.
"The 2013 Accord excels in all areas with sophisticated design, a luxurious interior, world-class dynamic performance, class-leading standard features and legendary Honda quality, all at a tremendous value for the customer," said John Mendel, executive vice president of sales, American Honda Motor Co. Inc., "2012 is the year of the midsize sedan, and the new Accord will once again solidify Honda's position at the head of the pack."
New to the Accord Sedan lineup for 2013 are the Sport and Touring models. The Accord Sport targets younger buyers with the addition of 18-inch alloy wheels, fog lights,10-way power driver's seats, a decklid spoiler, dual chrome exhaust finishers, paddle shifters (on CVT models), a stiffer tower strut bar and exclusive suspension and steering tuning. Positioned between the Accord LX and Accord EX, the Sport model is equipped with the 2.4-liter direct-injected all-aluminum VTEC® engine paired to either a 6-speed manual or Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). The Sport model is value priced with a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $23,390 plus a destination and handling charge1.
The luxurious and technology-packed Accord Touring is equipped with a powerful V-6 engine and 6-speed automatic transmission. Equipped with Honda's first application of LED headlights and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), the Accord Touring sedan is priced with a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $33,430 plus a destination and handling charge1.
The 2013 Accord lineup is powered by a wide array of new Earth Dreams™ powertrains, which includes the first U.S. application of Honda's next-generation 2.4-liter direct-injected VTEC 4-cylinder engine. The 2013 Accord Sedan and Coupe will also offer a more powerful and efficient Earth Dreams VTEC V-6. Three transmissions are available, including the first-ever application of a continuously variable transmission (CVT) on 2.4-liter 4-cylinder models, a six-speed automatic on V-6 models, and 6-speed manual transmissions on 2.4-liter 4-cylinder models and the 3.5-liter V-6 Coupe.
The 2013 Accord successfully balances fun-to-drive performance with fuel efficiency. Accord Sedan 4-cylinder models paired to the CVT earn an impressive 27/36/30 mpg2 city/highway/combined EPA fuel economy ratings (an increase of 3/2/3 mpg compared to the previous model) and the V-6 models achieve class-leading EPA fuel economy ratings of 21/34/25 city/highway/combined mpg2 (an increase of 1/4/1 compared to the previous model) making it the most fuel-efficient gasoline-powered vehicle in the V-6 midsize sedan class.
Other new Accord technologies include the first application of the all-new cloud-based HondaLink™ system featuring Aha™, which lets drivers put away their smartphones and still stay connected to the people, music and social media they love. Also debuting on the 2013 Accord is Honda LaneWatch™ blind-spot display, which uses a camera integrated with the passenger-side mirror and the vehicle's 8-inch color display to provide for an enhanced view of the passenger-side roadway. LaneWatch is standard equipment on EX and above versions of the Sedan, and EX-L versions of the Coupe.
Celebrating 30 years of Accord production in the United States, the all-new 2013 Honda represents the expanding capabilities of Honda in North America. The Accord is produced by Honda of America Mfg. Inc. in Marysville, Ohio, using domestic and globally sourced parts. Its engines are produced at Honda plants in Anna, Ohio and the transmissions are produced at Russells Point, Ohio, and in Tallapoosa, Georgia. The Marysville Auto Plant earned a Silver Plant Quality Award from J.D. Power and Associates in its 2012 Initial Quality Study.
The 2013 Honda Accord is covered by a 3-year/36,000-mile Limited Vehicle Warranty, a 5-year/60,000-mile Powertrain Limited Warranty, and a 5-year/unlimited-mile Corrosion Limited Warranty.
Last edited by AZuser; 09-10-2012 at 11:07 AM.
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civicdrivr (09-10-2012)
09-10-2012, 11:32 AM
#3221
Whats up with RDX owners?
iTrader: (9)
The EX-L sedan with navi is pushing $30k...
09-10-2012, 11:39 AM
#3223
Senior Moderator
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09-10-2012, 12:10 PM
#3224
You'll Never Walk Alone
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Join Date: Jun 2005
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It actually reminds me of the Insight and CR-Z....
I think the Touring model also gets LED headlights.
I like how Honda is putting that many features in the Accord now. People used to complain how Honda is behind the pack when it comes to features. I guess it's bad for Acura temporarily but I'd imagine in the near future, Acura models will be better equipped so that there's no internal cannibalization from the Accord. Few things that come to mind that Acura can offer are SH-AWD, Sport Hybrid SH-AWD, AC seats, panoramic roof, double wishbone suspension, etc.
So it seems that Hybrid gets the LED headlight. So if you wallet is deep enough, a swap is still possible with some re-wiring.
I do not like any current Honda/Acura. But this new accord is a good improvement over the crap they produced in the past decade.
I am just confused with some of the features they put in the Accord, i think it is excessive. Good for Honda, bad for Acura.
Not that i will ever consider buying an Accord for myself, but if you like Accord, this is the best one since 1997.
I do not like any current Honda/Acura. But this new accord is a good improvement over the crap they produced in the past decade.
I am just confused with some of the features they put in the Accord, i think it is excessive. Good for Honda, bad for Acura.
Not that i will ever consider buying an Accord for myself, but if you like Accord, this is the best one since 1997.
I like how Honda is putting that many features in the Accord now. People used to complain how Honda is behind the pack when it comes to features. I guess it's bad for Acura temporarily but I'd imagine in the near future, Acura models will be better equipped so that there's no internal cannibalization from the Accord. Few things that come to mind that Acura can offer are SH-AWD, Sport Hybrid SH-AWD, AC seats, panoramic roof, double wishbone suspension, etc.
09-10-2012, 12:15 PM
#3225
You'll Never Walk Alone
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By the way, here are some test numbers from Motortrend and InsideLine.
V6 6MT
0-60mph: 5.6s
1/4 mile: 14.0s@101.4mph
V6 6AT
0-60mph: 5.7s
1/4 mile: 14.3s@98.1mph
I4 CVT
0-60mph: 7.5s
1/4 mile: 15.8s@91.2mph
I4 6MT
0-60mph: 6.8s
1/4 mile: 15.3s@93.2mph
http://www.insideline.com/honda/acco...full-test.html
http://www.insideline.com/honda/acco...full-test.html
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...t/viewall.html
V6 6MT
0-60mph: 5.6s
1/4 mile: 14.0s@101.4mph
V6 6AT
0-60mph: 5.7s
1/4 mile: 14.3s@98.1mph
I4 CVT
0-60mph: 7.5s
1/4 mile: 15.8s@91.2mph
I4 6MT
0-60mph: 6.8s
1/4 mile: 15.3s@93.2mph
http://www.insideline.com/honda/acco...full-test.html
http://www.insideline.com/honda/acco...full-test.html
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...t/viewall.html
09-10-2012, 12:19 PM
#3226
Senior Moderator
I would have liked to have seen the Sport equipped better. Basically an EX or EX-L Sport would have been perfect. A Sport with Leather, Smart Entry, Moonroof and optional Nav would be perfect IMO. With the success of the Camry Sport I can see how that trim level may be adjusted or possibly grow in the near future.
For a difference a $1400 or so, do we really need an EX-L Navi? Just bundle everything in the Touring and offer another variation of the Sport.
For a difference a $1400 or so, do we really need an EX-L Navi? Just bundle everything in the Touring and offer another variation of the Sport.
Last edited by dom; 09-10-2012 at 12:26 PM.
09-10-2012, 01:28 PM
#3227
Safety Car
AutoBlog
It's been a rough couple of years for Honda fans. Those of us who filed willingly behind the big H banner in days gone by have found ourselves making excuses for the death of the S2000, the inadequate mileage and compromised driving characteristics of the Insight hybrid, and the unworthy successor to the CRX throne, the CR-Z. But surely we could forgive Honda a few transgressions. After all, this is the manufacturer that my generation cut its driving teeth on. Hordes of us can recite engine, transmission and chassis codes at length and on command the way our fathers knew Chevrolet big-block VINs by heart because, after all, this is a manufacturer we love.
But with the addition of ungainly and uninteresting products like the Accord Crosstour, many of us couldn't help but take the company's missteps personally. When the 2012 Civic rolled out, even Consumer Reports, a publication that routinely hails Honda products as more crucial to living a fulfilled life than a quality washing machine, infamously didn't recommend the compact. Was our favorite automaker intentionally trying to piss us off? If so, it was working.
So when Honda announced the arrival of the 2013 Accord, we approached the reveal with measured skepticism. Like a dog suffering under the feigned throw-the-ball trick, we had no interest in going down the now familiar path of excitement and disappointment. This time around, Honda was going to have to prove it still knew how to build a competitive car.
Competitiveness starts with stylishness, which is something the Honda design department seems to have struggled with of late. Fortunately, the 2013 Accord is a remarkably good looking vehicle. Designers have managed to revitalize the exterior without making the sedan unrecognizable, which is important for a model that's sold 11 million units in the U.S. alone since Honda began manufacturing the Accord here some 30 years ago. Engineers shortened the new generation by 3.6 inches, which has done much to take the heft out of the design. With abbreviated overhangs front and rear, the new Accord doesn't look as portly as its predecessor, and that's a huge step in the right direction.
Up front, the 2013 model can't help but look attractively aggressive thanks to its swept headlamp arrays and inset fog lamps. Of course, the chicken-wire mesh lower grille of our Sport trim tester helps in that department, too. All in all, the front clip seems to have cribbed from the Acura design playbook of 2004, which is by no means meant as a slight. We dig it.
That aforementioned Sport trim is one of 2 new lines in the Accord stable. Higher up the chain, buyers will now find Touring models available on the order sheet. Snugged between the lowly LX and slightly nicer EX, the Sport trim delivers a range of aesthetic adjustments outside that include the 18-inch wheels you see here, as well as a deck lid spoiler and a whopping 4-horsepower nudge in grunt from the direct-injection 4-cylinder engine under the hood. Be still our beating hearts. The interior also gets a 10-way power adjustable driver's seat and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with paddle-shifters on CVT-equipped models. Honda says the new trim line is an effort to lower the age of the average Accord buyer.
Viewed broadside, it's easier to get a glimpse of the sedan's massive passenger cell and expansive greenhouse. Honda managed to maintain the Accord's cavernous cabin and actually expand trunk volume while clipping the vehicle's overall length thanks to some packaging cleverness, and the result is a bit of a bubble roof. Surprisingly enough, the 2013 Accord has managed to maintain its slim A and C pillars even in the face of harder-to-ace roof-crush safety tests by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Given how readily engineers have come to embrace chunky arches, the thin lines are a welcome sight.
Step to the vehicle's rear, however, and the design begins to look awfully familiar. The sedan's stern has more than a little Hyundai Genesis in the mix thanks to a set of sweeping tail lamp arrays that reach around the rear quarters. It's difficult to tell the 2 machines apart in a quick glance, especially when the Accord is wearing the dark silver paint of our tester. We aren't typically fans of faux chrome, but the bright strip along the trunk deck didn't hurt our feelings as it serves to tie the aft to the side sill treatment and front grille. The Sport trim serves up a set a dual exhaust outlets that deliver a nice burbly note on start up, which is a nice trick for the 4-cylinder.
I'll admit, I actually sighed with relief when I plopped myself into the driver's seat. After wincing my way through the schizophrenic Picasso dash of the ninth-generation Civic, I was prepared for all manner of cabin travesties inside the 2013 Accord. Instead, I was met with a mature and attractive instrument panel without an overabundance of buttons. Snappy faux brushed-metal accents separate control clusters for the climate controls and stereo, though higher trims get a new touch-screen interface for the media system. All models get a huge 8-inch LCD display to handle video from the standard rear-view camera, as well as a new optional blind spot camera system.
LaneWatch is a new piece of safety tech that uses a small camera in the passenger-side mirror to keep an eye on the vehicle's blind spot. Hit the right turn signal when changing lanes and the 8-inch display immediately switches to the side-view feed, complete with helpful distance markers to let you know if it's clear to get over. You can also leave the feed on all the time or turn it off completely if you find it too distracting. Make no mistake, this tech is going to show up on every car on the market very soon. LaneWatch is standard on EX models and above, and while our Sport tester did not come equipped with the gear, we shot a quick video of the tech in action on an EX model. Check it out below.
Otherwise, the 2013 Accord offers comfortable seats with plenty of adjustment as well as lots of head room and leg room for both front and rear passengers. The sedan gives front passengers 42.5 inches of leg room and rear occupants 38.5 inches. That's an extra inch in the way back compared to the 2012 model, and gives the Accord an extra 2.4 inches of leg room in back over the also-new 2013 Nissan Altima. The Altima makes up that gap up front, however, with an extra 2.5 inches of leg room for front occupants. Even so, buyers opting for either sedan would have to struggle to feel cramped inside. Even with full-grown adults up front, there's ample room in the rear for jolly-green passengers.
Honda has also stretched the rear cargo area 1.1 cubic feet by re-engineering the trunk floor. The flat load surface combines with a redesigned trunk spring mechanism that intrudes on the rear space by just 1.2 inches. The old hardware required 3.9 inches of travel to function properly.
In the engine department, Honda has finally stepped out of the last century by gracing its volume model with a direct-injection 2.4-liter 4-cylinder. The lump is good for 185 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 181 pound-feet of torque at 3,900 rpm in standard trim. Our Sport model made 189 horsepower at the same revs while turning out 1 more pound-feet of torque at the same engine speed. The base numbers mark a jump of 7 horsepower and 20 lb-ft of torque over the 2012 model. More importantly, Honda managed to pull 27 miles per gallon in the city and 36 mpg on the highway from machines equipped with the new CVT gearbox.
For comparison's sake, the old 5-speed automatic delivered 4 mpg less in city driving and 2 mpg less on the highway. Models boasting the 6-speed manual of our tester, meanwhile, get along with 24 mpg city and 34 mpg highway – a jump of one mpg in both categories. The Accord loses out to the Ford Fusion and Nissan Altima in highway fuel economy by 1 and 2 mpg, respectively, but ties the Ford and falls one mpg behind the Nissan in combined driving.
Like Honda engines of old, the 4-cylinder loves a good caning with plenty of pull well into redline at just under 7,000 rpm. Likewise, the 6-speed manual feels fantastic, proving Honda hasn't forgotten how to make a gearbox that's both tactile and accurate without being too course. Clutch throw is a bit on the soft side, but appropriate for a family hauler with aggressive pretentions. As nice as the 6-speed manual is, we were more impressed by the CVT. Make no mistake, there are few acronyms in the automotive vernacular that can send us wincing quicker than that of the continuously variable transmission, but this band box isn't a curse on driving.
At mid to 3-quarter throttle, engineers have programmed simulated steps to make the CVT behave like a standard automatic transmission. The idea was to expunge any of the notorious "rubber band" sensation from the drivetrain. Smother the carpet with the throttle, however, and the CVT will put the engine where it makes the most power and hold it there in perpetuity. Not a bad compromise.
No matter which transmission buyers settle on, they'll be greeted with a car that feels incredibly quick for the segment – quicker than competition like the Toyota Camry. Jumping up to interstate speed takes no effort, and launches from a dead standstill are executed with just a little torque steer at very high rpm. We imagine most drivers will never get there. Brakes are crisp and linear with good initial bite, which help give the 2013 Accord a confident feel. At highway speeds, though, the Honda continues to struggle with road and wind noise. The company's engineers say they've done plenty of work to quiet the cabin down, but it falls well behind competitors like the Volkswagen Passat and Chevrolet Malibu.
But what the Accord lacks in cabin civility, it largely makes up for in driving dynamics. The new generation bows with a MacPherson strut design up front and an independent multi-link set up in the rear, giving the sedan enough compliance to comfortably overcome broken and uneven pavement without sacrificing handling. Unfortunately, engineers also saddled the new model with electronic power steering, and while the system is precise enough for our needs, it also feels incredibly synthetic. The driver gets very little in the way of feedback from the steering wheel, diluting an otherwise excellent driving sedan in the pursuit of better fuel economy.
Buyers looking to step into a 2013 Honda Accord will need to cough up $21,680 for an LX model with a 6-speed manual gearbox, though stepping up to the CVT will add an extra $800 to the bottom line. LX guise includes Bluetooth, a rear-view camera, USB connection and dual-zone climate control as standard equipment. Our Sport tester, meanwhile, carried a base price of $23,390, and all prices exclude a $790 destination fee. At $1,710 over the base LX, the Sport is a good value given the aesthetic adjustments inside and out. With the excellent manual gearbox, a little extra pep and a set of attractive wheels, this is likely the Accord we'd have for daily duty.
So where does all this put the 2013 Accord in the mid-sized fray? Coming into this model year, the Accord's place among the segment's top 3 sellers was Honda's to lose, but the next-generation sedan has the chops to ensure long-time Honda buyers will drive away from the dealer with a machine worthy of the badge on the hood. This is the Accord as we know it best. While there is no revolutionary engineering on hand, the model delivers plenty of power, solid fuel economy, lots of space and a compelling drive for accessible money.
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09-10-2012, 01:41 PM
#3228
Safety Car
Car & Driver
Specifications >
VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan
BASE PRICE: LX, $22,470; Sport, $24,180; EX, $25,395; EX-L, $28,785; EX-L V-6, $30,860; Touring, $34,220
ENGINES: DOHC 16-valve 2.4-liter inline-4, 185–189 hp, 181–182 lb-ft; SOHC 24-valve 3.5-liter V-6, 278 hp, 252 lb-ft
TRANSMISSIONS: 6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic, continuously variable automatic
DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 109.3 in
Length: 191.4 in
Width: 72.8 in Height: 57.7 in
Curb weight (C/D est): 3200–3600 lb
PERFORMANCE (C/D EST):
Zero to 60 mph: 6.5–7.7 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 15.0–16.4 sec
Top speed: 120–130 mph
FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city/highway driving: 21–27/34–36 mpg
There were low points in the past few years when we doubted Honda, but Big H might be on its way back. The new, ninth-generation Accord is a convincing reminder of the company’s core values and—considering all Honda has been through, including an earthquake that smashed its Tochigi R&D center and floods in Thailand that crimped production—a triumphant return to form.VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan
BASE PRICE: LX, $22,470; Sport, $24,180; EX, $25,395; EX-L, $28,785; EX-L V-6, $30,860; Touring, $34,220
ENGINES: DOHC 16-valve 2.4-liter inline-4, 185–189 hp, 181–182 lb-ft; SOHC 24-valve 3.5-liter V-6, 278 hp, 252 lb-ft
TRANSMISSIONS: 6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic, continuously variable automatic
DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 109.3 in
Length: 191.4 in
Width: 72.8 in Height: 57.7 in
Curb weight (C/D est): 3200–3600 lb
PERFORMANCE (C/D EST):
Zero to 60 mph: 6.5–7.7 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 15.0–16.4 sec
Top speed: 120–130 mph
FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city/highway driving: 21–27/34–36 mpg
This latest Accord is 3.5 inches shorter bumper to bumper and 0.9 inch tighter at the wheelbase than its fleshy predecessor. Yet once again, Honda conducts a master class in packaging. Against its porcine predecessor, the 2013 car’s cabin dimensions vary hardly at all. The Accord still feels like one of the biggest cars in the segment, with two roomy and extra-comfortable front buckets and a back bench you and two friends can stretch out on. Moreover, the capacious trunk is even larger, maximum volume having increased by over one cubic foot.
The overhauled DOHC 2.4-liter 4 falls under the somewhat nonsensical Earth Dreams marketing slogan; more important, however, is that it represents Honda’s 1st whack at gasoline direct injection for the North American market. Your only automatic alternative to the 6-speed manual with this engine is a Honda-built continuously variable transmission (CVT) called the G-Design Shift (Honda’s committee for cutesy names has been working overtime).
The 2.4-liter is quieter at idle than some other direct-injection engines with their clattering high-pressure injectors, particularly Hyundai’s. And the Honda likes to rev, sounding healthy and full throated at its 6400-rpm power peak. But it’s the CVT’s tuning that makes the Accord feel fleet. The typical rubber-band delay has been minimized, and the throttle responds curtly when you ask for acceleration (although sometimes with some audible transmission whine at high revs). In mountain snakers as well as on city streets, the CVT works so efficiently that it all but disappears, and you never notice the lack of a manual control. Of course, we’d prefer the optional six-speed stick, with its tightly spaced gates and short throws—but, finally, a belt-and-pulley transmission we can live with!
Somewhere between 15 and 20 percent of Accord buyers opt for a V-6, and for them, the 3.5-liter goes up slightly in horsepower to 278. But the news with this engine is its lighter weight due to items such as plastic cam covers and work on the Variable Cylinder Management system that increases the time the engine runs on 3 cylinders. In motion, the cylinder cutout is completely transparent, and the V-6 does what it’s supposed to: provide more sophisticated and effortless propulsion.
Once again, only in the Accord coupe can you pair the V-6 with a 6-speed manual—a 6-speed conventional auto is the only box in 6-cylinder sedans. Out of corners, the car is a “1-tire fire” as the open differential sets the less-taxed wheel spinning madly. But it’s a very hot setup in 8-tenths driving, especially given that it’s front-wheel drive.
That’s because the Accord drives as if it were constructed of old-fashioned Honda “lightweightium.” It’s not the lightest car in its segment, but it feels it. The steering, the brakes, and the suspension work in harmonious balance to make the Accord seem agile and springy. Yes, instead of control arms, it now has struts in the nose, but so does a Porsche Cayman. The Accord hustles through turns with fog-free steering and little complaint from the tires and never seems to be working very hard. You wanted a mid-size family sedan that feels as if it were made of recycled CRXs? Here’s your car.
Lessons from the distressed Civic have been learned, and the Accord feels nicely appointed, with softer materials and better sound insulation. The dash is done to Honda’s familiar template of large, maxi-print gauges and many, many small buttons. You can pile on navigation and the associated extra panel of controls, which will be familiar to current-gen owners, or save your money and make do with a deep drawer hidden behind a somewhat clumsy-looking plastic door.
Our favorite option is a clever blind-spot camera that Honda calls LaneWatch. Mounted at the bottom of the passenger mirror, the camera switches on whenever you activate the turn signal or push the manual control button at the end of the turn-signal stalk. Another techie option is LED headlamps, Honda’s first and available on the top trim level. A regular hybrid model returns to the lineup, but not until next summer, some months after its plug-in variant arrives at dealerships. We’ve already driven a prototype of the latter.
With a flat roof and highly conservative rake to its glass, the Accord remains unapologetically a mid-size family car. You can complain about the design’s lack of sizzle but not its practicality. The door openings are wide, the step-over sills are narrow, and the beltline is kept unfashionably low to create huge glass portals. If people don’t see you because your vehicle is plain, at least you will see them.
There are more Accord models than ever. To chase younger buyers, there’s a 2.4-liter Sport trim with larger, 18-inch rims; a dual-tip exhaust; a rear spoiler; fog lights; and paddle shifters on cars equipped with the CVT. At the top end is the new Touring, a V-6–only model that is sort of a Honda Avalon with leather, adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, a thumpy stereo, and so on.
Regardless of trim level, the new Accord proves that Honda wants to be Honda again.
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Legend2TL (09-10-2012)
09-10-2012, 01:58 PM
#3230
AZ Community Team
What impressive for the CVT is it's EPA MPG numbers are better everywhere over the 6MT.
09-10-2012, 02:01 PM
#3231
Senior Moderator
Join Date: May 2003
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We got the 6MT for the CR-Z despite the lower fuel economy numbers.
6th gear isn't all that tall and the CVT will be able to provide the highest 'gear' on those flat highway stretches. Thats the neat trick about a CVT, providing the most efficient ratio within a range based upon load and speed.
09-10-2012, 02:29 PM
#3232
AZ Community Team
Doesn't surprise me
We got the 6MT for the CR-Z despite the lower fuel economy numbers.
6th gear isn't all that tall and the CVT will be able to provide the highest 'gear' on those flat highway stretches. Thats the neat trick about a CVT, providing the most efficient ratio within a range based upon load and speed.
We got the 6MT for the CR-Z despite the lower fuel economy numbers.
6th gear isn't all that tall and the CVT will be able to provide the highest 'gear' on those flat highway stretches. Thats the neat trick about a CVT, providing the most efficient ratio within a range based upon load and speed.
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F23A4 (09-10-2012)
09-10-2012, 02:57 PM
#3234
Whats up with RDX owners?
iTrader: (9)
Im.....actually excited to see the new Accord in person.
09-10-2012, 03:00 PM
#3235
Whats up with RDX owners?
iTrader: (9)
By the way, here are some test numbers from Motortrend and InsideLine.
V6 6MT
0-60mph: 5.6s
1/4 mile: 14.0s@101.4mph
V6 6AT
0-60mph: 5.7s
1/4 mile: 14.3s@98.1mph
I4 CVT
0-60mph: 7.5s
1/4 mile: 15.8s@91.2mph
I4 6MT
0-60mph: 6.8s
1/4 mile: 15.3s@93.2mph
http://www.insideline.com/honda/acco...full-test.html
http://www.insideline.com/honda/acco...full-test.html
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...t/viewall.html
V6 6MT
0-60mph: 5.6s
1/4 mile: 14.0s@101.4mph
V6 6AT
0-60mph: 5.7s
1/4 mile: 14.3s@98.1mph
I4 CVT
0-60mph: 7.5s
1/4 mile: 15.8s@91.2mph
I4 6MT
0-60mph: 6.8s
1/4 mile: 15.3s@93.2mph
http://www.insideline.com/honda/acco...full-test.html
http://www.insideline.com/honda/acco...full-test.html
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...t/viewall.html
The V6 6AT and the I4 CVT are 6.1s and 7.8s to 60 from a standstill.
09-10-2012, 06:40 PM
#3236
Three Wheelin'
If 34mpg hwy in the CVT V6 is actually achievable (big "if")...
...then color me very impressed...
My 3.7L V6 in my 2010 Mazda6 gets 25mpg hwy...that's a 9mpg improvement.
...then color me very impressed...
My 3.7L V6 in my 2010 Mazda6 gets 25mpg hwy...that's a 9mpg improvement.
09-10-2012, 06:49 PM
#3237
Fahrvergnügen'd
My '98 328i gets about 30mpg with a 5MT on the highway but probably weighs 500lbs less
09-10-2012, 07:52 PM
#3239
You'll Never Walk Alone
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Age: 37
Posts: 9,493
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You can find more about it here:
http://www.insideline.com/features/h...nd-trucks.html
Last edited by iforyou; 09-10-2012 at 07:54 PM.
