Long-term sustainability may best describe Honda's venerable Accord. With a well
earned reputation for quality and durability, Accord reached notable achievements in
2015, ranking as the third-best-selling car in the U.S. It's been a top-three fav each year
for most of the past two decades.
At the close of 2015, Accord's bronze finish translated to 355,557 sold units. Toyota's
mid-size Camry and compact Corolla nabbed gold and silver spots respectively.
While seemingly common place today, Accord was a trailblazer of sorts, setting the
table for future built-in-America templates. In 1982, Honda christened its Marysville,
Ohio facility; the first auto assembly plant built from the ground up on American soil by
an Asian manufacturer. On November 1 of that year, a four-door Accord rolled off the
$250 million assembly line.
Since then, other Eurasian suiters have followed Honda's 'transplant' path including
Toyota, Nissan, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen and most recently Volvo (last year
announcing construction of a new assembly complex near Charleston, South Carolina),
all opening high-tech production hubs.
American Honda Motor Co., which includes the luxury Acura division, reported record
sales in 2015 (1,586,551), surpassing now second-place 2007 calendar year totals by
three percent.
Unlike many mid-size competitors, Accord offers sedan body styles along with a not-so-
common coupe offering. This review spotlights the sedan. Accord also offers the choice
of four and six cylinder engines. Some mid-size rivals have scaled down, choosing to
focus solely on four bangers.
The 2013 model year saw a 9th-generation Accord debut of which our 2016 tester is
based upon. Expect a goodly number of mid-cycle updates, most noticeable from the
outside. Both front and rear fascias receive new designs with the front boasting a
truncated bumper and air dam/intake area now incorporating LED fog lights. The narrow
front grille includes Honda's capital "H" logo front and center. A lighter weight creased
and contoured aluminum hood replaces a steel version. In back, a new tail light design
benefits artistically from light emitting diodes (LED).
Sedan trim levels include LX, Sport, EX and EX-L (coupled with the four-cylinder
engine) and EX-L and top-tier Touring (with more potent 3.5-liter V-6). The multi-point
fuel-injected V-6 cranks out 278 horses and mates with a conventional gear-specific six-
speed automatic transmission. Also with every V-6, variable cylinder management,
shutting down half the cylinders during less-stressed situations, such as open road
highway travel.
Our 'Sport' tester featured the in-line 2.4-liter four cylinder tuned for 189 horses; four
more than LX, EX and EX-L four cylinders. While a six-speed manual comes standard
in Sport, LX and EX, Honda provided an optional continuously variable transmission
(CVT), also optional in LX and EX. A CVT shifts just like any conventional automatic
transmission (no foot clutch needed) but extends fuel economy through an infinite
number for forward gear ratios.
Sport trims also include the largest-sized Accord tires available, 19-inch alloys and
larger front brakes enhancing quick stops. Active sound control creates a sportier tune
when accelerating. It's also the sole four-cylinder Accord featuring dual exhausts.
For those seeking top-notch fuel economy from a naturally aspirated (non-
turbocharged), non-hybrid mid-size sedan, Accord delivers with 27 mpg city and 37
highway in four cylinders mated with CVT. Our Sport trim with CVT generated slightly
less (26 mpg city and 35 highway) due to engine tweaking. Regular, 87-octane fills the
rather spacious 17.2 gallon tank.
Honda offered a gas-electric hybrid Accord, available in all 50 states, during the past
couple of years. Don't expect any in the 2016 model year as Honda shifts
manufacturing from Ohio to Japan with an expected return to dealers in the 2017 model
year.
Accord rides with soft manner thanks in part to tweaked-for-2016 dampers delivering a
more precise and liner response. New stiffeners increase body rigidity create a smooth
experience as contrasted with the likes of more sport-tuned mid-size sedans such as
the Mazda 6 or Ford Fusion. Accord incudes a dashboard 'eco' button for optimal fuel
usage. Also, CVT transmissions prioritize economy over performance.
The lowest priced Accord, a four cylinder LX with six-speed manual transmission starts
at $22,205. Our tester, a four-cylinder Sport with CVT and optional Honda Sensing
checked in at $26,065 before an $835 destination charge.
Honda Sensing includes active hi-tech safety features as lane keep assist, radar-
sensitive variable speed cruise control and collision mitigation braking system.
Taller-than-average side windows and large rear glass provides drivers with excellent
perception in every direction. All trims include a low-tech but highly effective "expanded
view driver's side mirror" with outboard vertical bevel helping enlighten the left-side blind
spot.
A 7.7 inch non-touch, deep-set display screen resides just east of the tri-gauge
instrument panel with an extensive top-side brim to minimize potential sun glare.
Satellite and HD radio are not available in Sport or LX trims. Top trims include a dual
screen display with second seven-inch touch screen used largely for interacting with
audio needs.
Our Sport trim opted for a less flashy, but functional quad push pad with center
twist/push dial and adjacent volume control dial. As per usual, secondary volume and
station preset options get summoned via push-button options at 9 o'clock on the manual
tilt-and-telescope steering wheel.
The ventilation system operates with a line of well-marked push buttons (words and
icons) suitable for choosing fan direction, speed, front and rear window defrosting and
air conditioning. Dual temperature selections (standard in all Accord sedans) are also
button-centric with red 'up' and blue 'down' arrows.
Portable electronics enjoy their own personal space and USB/iPod port connections in a
shelf under climate controls, out of sight when desired by a retracting cover. Below is an
open, deep-set region with 12-volt outlet. A second 12-volt outlet and plug-port are
available in the center console arm rest/storage bin.
Generous mid-size proportions allow for three second row riders. Trunk volume
measures 15.8 cubic feet, average for the segment. For extra piece of mind, all Accord
sedans continue offering compact spare tires. Backrests fold down with a 60/40 split
semi-flat onto second-row cushions once upper trunk dual pull tabs unlatch the backs.
The overly sensitive 'collision mitigation braking systems' flashed amber-colored, video-
game-like 'B-R-A-K-E' illustrations within the instrument panel when detecting possible
front impacts. Unfortunately, when gliding to a conventional stop in the normal flow of
suburban traffic, the B-R-A-K-E warning illuminated all too often. Short, normal and long
sensitivities can be programmed into the system via the multi-purpose window, and the
system switches off via a dashboard button.
Not in our tester but optional in other Accord trims is Lane Watch, a wonderful, safety
nuance with easily digestible feedback. A tiny camera mounted on the right side-view
mirror provides real-time streaming of blind spot activity when summoning a right turn
via the steering column stalk. Pushing a button at the end of the turn stalk provides a
constant video feed from that camera's perspective until pressed off.
2016 Honda Accord
Price as Tested: $26,065
Engine: inline 2.4 four-cylinder
Horsepower: 189
Overall Length: 192.5 inches
Wheelbase: 109.3 inches
Overall Height: 57.7inches
Overall Width: 72.8 inches
Curb Weight: 3,369 pounds
Fuel economy: 26 mpg city, 35 mpg highway
Assembly: Ohio
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