There’s a new Honda Accord on the market — and it will be a test of the sedan’s future in the US

The 2018 Accord.
Motor
Authority

Enthusiasm for sedans may be waning across the globe, but they
still represent an important segment in the United States. And
one of the most popular is the Honda Accord which in 2016 managed
to rack up 345,225 sales, making it the ninth most popular
nameplate in the country.

On Friday, Honda took the wraps off a new generation of the
Accord, the nameplate’s 10th. The new mid-sizer goes on sale this
fall, as a 2018 model.

Honda describes the design as being next-generation, though there
are clearly some influences from the handsome 10th-generation Civic. This can be
seen both inside and out. Compared to the outgoing model, this
new one is 2.16 inches longer, 0.39 inches wider and 0.59 inches
lower, providing it with a sporty stance.

Also borrowed from the Civic is the car’s platform. The new
modular design from Honda is lighter and stiffer than anything
previously used by the automaker for its regular fleet and should
benefit the Accord’s dynamic qualities considerably.

The 2018 Accord arrives with three powertrain options, with drive
going to the front wheels only for all of them. The base
powertrain is a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-4 delivering 192
horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque, and it’s available with
either a CVT or 6-speed manual. Above this is a 2.0-liter
turbocharged inline-4 with 252 hp and 273 lb-ft. This engine is
related to the unit in the Civic Type R and can be had with
either a 10-speed automatic or 6-speed manual.

Honda also confirmed a new Accord Hybrid will arrive pairing a
2.0-liter inline-4 with a two-motor hybrid system, though specs
won’t be confirmed until closer to the market launch. What we
know is that the system continues to forgo a conventional
automatic transmission and the engine can directly drive the
wheels at times. In that sense it’s a bit like a Koenigsegg, but only kind of.

Additionally, a new, more compact intelligent power unit (IPU),
containing the hybrid battery pack and its control systems, is
now mounted under the rear floor instead of in the trunk,
preserving both cargo space (16.7 cubic feet and the flexibility
of a 60/40-split and folding rear seat, standard on all models
and trims.

There’s loads of tech in the cabin, too. A 7.0-inch screen
features in the instrument cluster and is joined by an 8.0
touchscreen in the center stack for infotainment. The 2018 Accord
also comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone
integration as well as the next-generation of HondaLink
telematics with new capabilities including emergency roadside
assistance, remote locking/unlocking and engine start, stolen
vehicle tracking, remote diagnostics, geofencing, speed tracking
and more.

And for safety, Honda is offering its Honda Sensing suite of
electronic driver aids. The package includes automatic emergency
braking lane departure warnings, and adaptive cruise control.
Certain trim levels will also be available with blind spot
monitors, front and rear parking sensors, and cross-traffic
monitors.

Production of the entire Accord range will take place at a plant
in Marysville, Ohio. Sadly, the automaker has confirmed that the
Accord Coupe won’t be making a return.

For more on the Honda Accord, read the in-depth reviews
at The Car
Connection.

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