The latest generation Honda Accord comes on the scene with more than its fair share of media generated controversy. Too big, too refined, too edgy of design, and too expensive! Yet, there’s little arguing the fact that Honda breached the sub-premium compact segment mold with Accord. Price point is just the leading line in this story.
Follow us today...
For 2018 you won’t find a 3.5 Liter V6 under the hood of Accord. And, the coupe is no more. Granted, I don’t always agree with the powers to be at Honda, but then again, they didn’t ask me. In an age of insanely high future forward emission reduction standards, heightened safety standards, and an ever evolving car buying public that looks more to today’s car for convenience and personal electronic connectivity, than basic transportation or pure-driving-sport -- Accord nails both.
Honda drives 2018 Accord to a segment realm most often occupied by a handful of domestic and import midsize premium sedans. Honda makes no bones about it, not only is North America’s # 5 automaker looking to retain generational return buyers, but unabashedly goes after Audi, BMW, and yes, Toyota Camry.
With a beginning MSRP of $23,570, one can purchase a rather well equipped turbocharged 1.5 L 2018 Honda Accord 4 door sedan. And even at the the entry level, buyers will find the award winning Honda Sensing ™ suite of active safety accident avoidance and driver assist technology. This is the most powerful and tech rich Honda sedan ever marketed in North America. From there, it only gets better.
Honda drops a 2018 Honda Accord Hybrid Touring in the driveway
I’m that car guy down the block that has a new car crossover or SUV parked in his driveway weekly. It’s a bit confusing to the neighbor's -- car dealer, gangster, a slightly obsessed Autophile, yes! For the second week in July I took possession of a fresh from the factory, new car smell 2018 Honda Accord Hybrid Touring. This car is stunning by any maker’s standard, off the charts for Honda Accord. The initial visual is only second to the set of the seat and the first push of the gas pedal -- in this case electric, most if not all of the time.
Frankly, unless you personally experience the drive and ride dynamic of what Honda proudly and rightfully tags its “Best Accord Ever,” you will never fully understand the importance of this car in the evolution of the Honda brand.
Too big, too refined, too expensive, nonsense!
5 years ago I would not have compared Honda Accord to Audi or BMW. It fell more into the Camry, Focus, Sonata segment. Long the best retail seller in North America’s midsize 4 door sedan segment, someone at Honda corporate O.K.’d the uptick supersizing of Accord, without increasing the MSRP beyond reason. Granted, some old-school Honda fans don’t get it. And that’s O.K., for them Civic remains a compelling value.
This old school Honda fan appreciates Accord’s new found persona, refined drive and ride dynamic, segment topping initial quality, exceptional fuel efficiency, cabin quiet and increased horsepower and torque. But wait, there’s more.
For 2018, buyers will discover a redesigned 6 speed manual and automatic transmission, a 1.5 L and 2.0L turbocharged VTEC 4 cylinder gasoline engine, and an available 2-motor gasoline electric hybrid. This is the most powerful fuel efficient lineup in Accord history.
2018 Honda Accord Hybrid Touring Astounds
Honda engineering and design goes to extreme measure in mainstreaming Honda Accord Hybrid, long the benchmark in electrified midsize sedan evolution. To drive and experience Honda Accord Hybrid Touring is to dismiss the longstanding dominance of turbocharged or big displacement internal combustion engine performance.
Dropping into Accord Touring's redesigned power adjusted seat, catching the windshield mirrored head-sup display, then peering to your right for a scan of Accord’s rightfully placed dash mounted tablet-like monitor puts you in a driving environment not generally associated with Honda Accord. Depressing Accords drive-by-wire accelerator, after toggling Accord into sport-drive-mode is addictive. Simple put, 2018 Honda Accord offers 3 exceptional drive-train options, and much more. I recommend an Accord test drive to anyone considering the lease or purchase of a midsize 4-door sedan.
Follow us today...
Thanks for the article. I've
Thanks for the article. I've owned 2 Accords, a Prelude, CR-V, and several Civics over the years. And I like the new styling of the 2018 Accord, even though it is now missing the V6 and coupe model. I remember looking into getting the electric Fit or plug in hybrid Accord, but you had to pre-qualify for the Fit, and there were no actual cars at our local dealers. I actually got a formal invitation to test drive the cars a month later, but I had already gotten a Chevy Volt instead.
It looks like Honda is approaching it's Accord hybrid the right way this time, by not being a big deal, just another version of the Accord. And I think that they will sell many of them this time. Although if I was looking at one today I would be tempted by the Clarity hybrid plug in instead. The plug in Clarity (like the Volt) has enough battery range to be driven strictly off of electricity most of the time, and after the federal and state subsidies, the Clarity PHEV might be around 2-3K less than the Accord Hybrid. Still, from what I've seen and heard about the new Accord, it should be a big hit in the market that it has dominated for so many years.
Welcome Dean. Yes, depending
Welcome Dean. Yes, depending on your state of residence, HOV lane needs, etc, Clarity PHEV may be the better choice for you. Clarity brings the best of both worlds to the market with a unique body style, exceptional drive dynamic, and a plug-in-EV option. I appreciate your comment. Honda engineering hits the ball out of the park as to 'normalizing' Auto electrification. Thanks for dopping in. P.