Honda Accord Sedan

The Honda Accord is a series of automobiles designed and created by Honda since 1976. It is best known for its four door sedan, which since 1989 has been one of the top selling cars in the United States. It was given an 8.3 overall rating by U.S. News, which ranked it 8^th out of 19^th in its Affordable Midsize Car category, a ranking which was determined based on an analysis of 14 published test drives and reviews. The new Honda Accord appeals to a broad range of midsize car shoppers, and the redesign improved refinement and mileage while keeping the V-6 on the table. While the new look isn’t stunning, it looks great in close-ups and maximizes the greenhouse.

Performance

The Honda Accord’s performance was rated 7.4 by U.S. News. The car is smooth and composed, and handles very well, although several test drivers stated that the electric steering is numb. It has a four-cylinder engine with 185-horsepower and six-speed manual transmission, while the four-cylinder sport model has a bit more horsepower at 189. The four-cylinder model offers 27 mpg for city driving and 36 mpg for highway driving, while the V6 model with manual transmission offers 18 mpg for city driving and 28 mpg for highway driving. The Accord also has an ECON button, which allows drivers to maximize fuel efficiency. The Accord introduced a new suspension in this model, which test drivers say provides an extremely smooth ride.

Interior

The new Honda Accord offers chrome doors which replace the previous generation’s silver plastic. It also has more attractive door and dashboard materials that come with low-gloss wraparound panels. The interior was rated 8.0 by U.S. News. The Accord seats 5 and has leather-trimmed seats with heated seat capability in the front, and a power-adjustable driver seat. Although the car is smaller than the 2012 model, it actually has more cabin space, and the seat comfort is superb for even tall adults. Two adults should be able to fit comfortably in the backseat. The Accord comes standard with hands-free text messaging capability, a rear-view camera, auxiliary and USB audio jacks, Bluetooth, and Pandora Internet radio compatibility. The Accord has either 15.8 cubic feet of trunk space or 15.5 cubic feet depending on what the trim level is and the size of the subwoofer.

Pros/Cons

Most test drivers really enjoyed the manual transmission’s accurate and smooth shifts, which provide responsible handling and quick acceleration, although one said the clutch provided tiny feedback to the driver. The clean design of the interior and the high-quality materials have also been praised by critics, as has the increase in cargo space and overall space from the previous model. Reviewers have complained about the new electric power-assisted steering however, saying it feels stiff and numb. One of the biggest complaints is the fact that the rear seat cannot be folded down in split sections like most of the Accord’s competitors. Instead, the entire rear seat has to be folded down as one piece. This means if you have a large amount of cargo, you will not be able to have any passengers in the back seat.

Other Features

The Honda Accord comes with several optional safety features, including lane departure warning and forward collision warning. Another popular feature is the Honda LaneWatch. This feature uses a camera which is placed under the passenger side mirror. The camera allows the driver to see what is in their blind spot via the touch screen. The safety features of the Accord were given a 9.6 rating by U.S. News. Other safety features include driver and passenger front and side air bag, 4-Wheel ABS, daytime running lights, and child safety locks. According to the Honda website, the suggested starting price for a Honda Accord Sedan is $21 680.