Watch out Toyota, the new Accord is Here!
by Robert Moore, onIt’s been 41 years since Honda introduced the Accord to the compact market and, in that time, it has been through 10 generational shifts, with the most recent occurring for the 2018 model year. And it came quite quickly as well, considering the ninth-gen model only ran a total of four years – a very short life cycle for a car as raved about as the Accord. For 2018, however, Honda has tried to fix all of the sedan’s little shortcomings, and it has done a pretty good job. Highlights of the new-gen model include two new, turbocharged, four-cylinder engines (sorry, folks – no V-6 this time around) to go with a new 10-speed automatic transmission, an all-new chassis design, heavily revamped interior, and a reworked body. It also sees the use of more ultra-high-strength steel than any other Honda in production today, which should make for a safe vehicle.
However, it’s not all peaches and cream. While there’s been a lot of work done inside and under the skin, the Accord doesn’t seem to live up to the hype. Not that I’m saying it’s an ugly car by any means (it’s actually quite attractive from most angles), but what’s going on up front with that big, open grille? My initial thoughts are that there’s a piece of gloss black trim missing from the front end. But, then again, looks aren’t everything, so maybe it’s not so bad – I’ll leave that decision up to you. For now, we need to find out if it has what it takes to compete against the new Toyota Camry and Hyundai Sonata, so let’s dive on in and figure it out.
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2018 Honda Accord
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Year:2018
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Make:
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Model:
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Engine:inline-4
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Transmission:10-speed automatic
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Horsepower @ RPM:192 @ 5500
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Torque @ RPM:192 @ 1500
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Displacement:1.5 L
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Top Speed:155 mph (Est.)
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Price:
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car segment:
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size:
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Purpose:
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body style:
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Overall:8.3/10
Official video
Exterior
The front end is dominated by the jewel-eye headlights that are connected across the nose via a gloss-black trim and the massive, wide-mouth grille that sits below.
The silhouette of the Accord really hasn’t changed much with this generation; however, it’s looking German as hell, and the angle of the C-pillars give the car a new, fastback-like appearance. The front end is dominated by the jewel-eye headlights that are connected across the nose via a gloss-black trim and the massive, wide-mouth grille that sits below. This is also where one of my only gripes about this generation comes into play, as the front end looks a lot like It should have some gloss black mesh or some kind of insert in place over the grille. The area is even recessed so it would really level things out. Luckily, Honda decided not to go with the big fake vents as we saw on some of the Civic models, and instead went with much smaller units that are led into the front lip by a nicely executed accent and have integrated fog lights. The hood gets a couple of muscular lines, but nothing out of the ordinary.
Move over to the sides, and you’ll find two heavily defined body lines – one just below the waistline and one down by the side skirts.
Move over to the sides, and you’ll find two heavily defined body lines – one just below the waistline and one down by the side skirts. The upper body line has a distinct curve to it and feeds from the front lights to the rear. The curve isn’t too extreme, but it accents the curved roof quite well. Down below, the doors and side skirts have a weird tongue-and-groove look to them, while the side skirts get a black trim insert that matches that up front and that of the rear fascia, linking the front to the sides and rear.
The front fenders are muscular in comparison to the rear quarters, which is a little odd, but not too outlandish while the jagged waistline toward the rear adds a lot of character to what would be an otherwise rounded and bubbly car. On a side note, the edges of the roof are actually elevated just a bit over the center roof portion – this should indicate strength reinforcement in this area, but also goes along visually with the look of the hood and the rear end quite well too.
The taillights mimic the design of the front corner intakes, and have a 3D look to there, extending considerably far away from the body at their center point.
Around back, this thing really has a German look to it, and that’s pretty amazing for a car that falls into the affordable category. The taillights mimic the design of the front corner intakes, and have a 3D look to there, extending considerably far away from the body at their center point. The lens is split between the rear deck and the rear quarters. It’s a relatively clean look, but it’s also very limiting in the way it’s designed, so revised taillights down the road may be a difficult task. Down below on the fascia, that trim strip that ties the front and sides to the rear transitions into a reflector in each corner. At the very bottom, a pair of chrome exhaust outlets finish off the exterior package. All told, it’s really not that bad and is actually quite attractive if you ignore the front end.
| Wheelbase (Inches) | 111.4 |
| Length (Inches) | 192.1 in. |
| Height (Inches) | 57.1 in. |
| Width (Inches) | 73.2 in. |
New Honda Accord vs. Old Honda Accord
Interior
The Interior of the Accord has been revamped dramatically, bringing about an all-new look that’s both pleasing to look at and very upscale.
The Interior of the Accord has been revamped dramatically, bringing about an all-new look that’s both pleasing to look at and very upscale – this isn’t your Grandma’s Accord anymore. There’s even a bit of a German touch thanks to the floating nature of that eight-inch infotainment display that appears to hover ahead of the center stack. When the Accord first debuted, I said it reminded me of a futuristic etch-a-sketch, and I still stand by that, but it’s not necessarily a bad thing at all. It’s surrounded by a rather smooth dash with just a light forward in it, providing a clean look while the vents integrated into the face of the dash serve almost as a bridge between the upper and lower dash areas. And, because of the way the dash is designed, the door trim panels can still extend along the sides while still maintaining that wrap around cabin appearance – nice.
The two-tone design of the interior adds a lot of character here and allows for the center portions of the door trim panels, the nose of the dash, and the top of the center console to all take on the same color as the upholstery. All of these areas also look to be soft touch surfaces (likely only on upper trim levels) which really makes it a tough competitor. The seats take on an all-new stitching pattern, while the door trim panels get an all-new layout. The center console is void of a traditional shifter, making way for a push-button-style shifter system. With the front console lid closed and the cup holders empty, it’s clear that this is one clean center console. Most of the old buttons and controls have been refined and/or moved to either the steering wheel or the infotainment system, leaving just the shifter buttons and the HVAC system controls.
It’s a very attractive cabin, but what helps bring it up to par with the rest of the market is the technology hidden about below the skin.
The rear end shares the same story as the front with the door trim panels mimicking those up front and the rear bench seat taking on a similar stitching pattern. It’s a very attractive cabin, but what helps bring it up to par with the rest of the market is the technology hidden about below the skin. First off, every new Accord gets HondaLink – basically Honda’s version of GM’s OnStar – that allows remote locking and locking and remote start via a smartphone. Phone connectivity happens via the usual Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The eight-inch infotainment display is supplemented by a seven-inch display in the instrument cluster while Touring trim models get a six-inch head-up display that can be customized with certain information, including navigation. It’s also the trim level that gets that 4G LTE internet connection and a Wi-Fi hotspot as well as over-the-air system updates.
There are several audio systems for the taking, but it depends on what trim level you’re willing to pay for. At of the time of this writing, there’s no way to upgrade a lesser model to a different audio system, so if you want high-quality sound, don’t even think about the entry-level model. Why, you ask? Because the entry-level LX trim gets just four basic speakers and 160 watts of power. Your grandmother farts louder and with more power than that.
Move up to the Sport or EX trims and you’ll get four extra speakers for eight total and 180 watts of power. Finally, the Touring and EX-L trims offer up the best audio Honda has for the accord at the moment with a total of 10 speakers and 450 watts of power – that’s a huge increase over the 180-watt system of the trim level just below. Lower trim levels get a single USB port while EX and above models get dual, 2.5-amp ports for your charging pleasure.
2018 Honda Accord Interior Specs
| Headroom (front/rear) (Inches) | 39.5/37.3 |
| Legroom (front/rear) (Inches) | 42.3/40.4 |
| Shoulder Room (front/rear) (Inches) | 58.3/56.5 |
| Hiproom (front/rear) (Inches) | 55.3/55.0 |
| Cargo Volume (cubic feet) | 16.7 |
| Passenger Volume (cubic feet) | 105.6 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 |
When it comes to interior dimensions, the Accord wins hands down in almost every category against the Camry, with the exception of hip room, in which the Camry wins by 0.1 inches in the front but loses by 0.3 inches in the rear. Otherwise, the Accord is larger all of the way around, taking headroom by almost an inch, leg room by more than an inch in the front and by 0.7 inches in the rear, and shoulder room by nearly an inch, as well. On the other hand, you’ll also find that the Hyundai Sonata actually comes in first in a few different places. It beats out the accord in headroom by nearly an inch in the front and rear while it beats it out in legroom by 3.2 inches up front. Rear legroom, however, was sacrificed with the Accord winning out by 3.4 inches. The Accord has just a bit of extra shoulder room up front while both models offer the same in the rear. For hip room, the Sonata breaks even with the accord up front but offers up an extra 1.1 inches in the rear. Clearly some mixed results and, if you absolutely have to have the most room possible, you’ll want to go with the Hyundai as it has a total of 106.1 cubic-feet of passenger volume, 0.5 cubic-feet more. It does lose out on cargo volume, though, falling 0.4 cubic-feet short.
Drivetrain
The 10th-gen Accord will not be offered with a V-6 – just two different four-cylinder engines.
Honda may have skipped on the big fake vents and overly aggressive design outside, but it did look to the Civic for some inspiration, and it comes in the form of what powers the new Accord. The V-6 was a poor seller, accounting for just a small percentage of sales, so there is no V-6 option this time around. You read that right; the 10th-gen Accord will not be offered with a V-6 – just two different four-cylinder engines. There’s is a hybrid powertrain in the works, as well, but we just don’t know anything about it quite yet.
If you’re considering one of the lesser trim levels, like LX, you’ll find a turbocharged, 1.5-liter under the hood that’s good for 192 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque. You’ll push out full horsepower at 5,500 rpm and full torque is available at a low 1,500 rpm. There are no other performance figures available yet, and you shouldn’t expect to win any races at all, but the engine does bring direct fuel injection, dual overhead cams, and a mono-scroll turbo with an electronic wastegate into the equation – this translates to better fuel economy and lower emissions.
Moving up to the higher trim levels will get you a little more go juice from a 2.0-liter four-cylinder. This engine uses the same fuel system, valvetrain, and turbo systems, but delivers 252 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque (come on, these figures aren’t that bad, right?) With this engine, you won’t feel full motivation until 6,500 rpm, while torque comes in at 4,000 rpm.
Finally, there is the Accord hybrid. It’s far too established in the market for Honda to drop it did like it did the Coupe and V-6, so know that a hybrid system should be available by the time the 2018 Accord hits showrooms. It will make use of a 2.0-liter four-cylinder (unlike the engine we just discussed this one displaced 1,993 cc as opposed to 1,996cc) and utilizes multi-point injection. An electric motor with a lithium-ion battery will also (obviously) be in the mix. We don’t know what kind of system output we’re looking at quite yet, but it will likely be somewhere in the 270 horsepower range.
So, what about shifting duties? Well, I’m glad you asked. The lesser models equipped with the 1.5-liter will get Honda’s less-than-stellar CVT transmission as standard equipment, but it can be optioned with a six-speed manual, so do yourself that favor and get three pedals. Going with any model that rocks a 2.0-liter will get you a new 10-speed automatic. Sport trims with this engine can be equipped with the six-speed manual as well, but you might want to give that 10-speed a try – it just might be worth giving up three pedals for.
| Engine Type | In-Line 4-Cylinder with Mono-Scroll IHI RHF5 Turbo and Electric Wastegate | In-Line 4-Cylinder with Mono-Scroll IHI RHF5 Turbo and Electric Wastegate | In-Line 4 Cylinder |
| Engine Block/Cylinder Head | Aluminum-Alloy | Aluminum-Alloy | Aluminum-Alloy |
| Displacement | 1,498 cc | 1,996 cc | 1,993 cc |
| Horsepower (SAE net) | 192 HP @ 5,500 RPM | 252 HP @ 6,500 RPM | TBA |
| Torque (SAE net) | 192 LB-FT @ 1,500-5,000 RPM | 273 LB-FT @ 1,500-4,000 RPM | TBA |
| Fuel Injection | Direct | Direct | Multi-Point |
| Bore and Stroke | 73.0 mm / 89.5 mm | 86.0 mm x 85.9 mm | 81.0mm x 96.7mm |
| Valve Train | 16-Valve DOHC | 16-Valve DOHC i-VTEC® | 16-Valve DOHC i-VTEC® |
| Hybrid Battery | Lithium Ion |
Pricing
When it comes to pricing, Honda doesn’t have a whole lot of wiggle room considering this segment is so competitive when it comes to affordable cars. With current pricing kicking off at $22,45 for the entry-level LX and climbing to as much as $30,995 for the range-topping EX-L V-6 ($29,605 to $35,955 for the Hybrid model) I wouldn’t expect to see pricing increase too much at all, with entry-level models seeing an increase of no more than $250 and upper trim levels increasing by as much $750.
| Trim Name | MSRP | EPA Ratings (city/hiwy/combined) | |
| Accord 4D 1.5L Turbo L4 | LX CVT | $23,570 | 30/38/33 |
| Sport 6MT | $25,780 | 26/35/30 | |
| Sport CVT | $25,780 | 29/35/31 | |
| EX CVT | $27,470 | 30/38/33 | |
| EX-L CVT | $29,970 | 30/38/33 | |
| EX-L CVT w/ Navi | $30,970 | 30/38/33 | |
| Touring CVT | $33,800 | 29/35/31 | |
| Accord 4D 2.0L Turbo L4 | Sport 6MT | $30,310 | TBA |
| Sport 10AT | $30,310 | TBA | |
| EX-L 10AT | $31,970 | TBA | |
| EX-L w/ Navi | $32,970 | TBA | |
| Touring 10AT | $35,800 | TBA |
Competition
Toyota Camry
There’s no shortage of competitors in the midsize sedan market, but the Toyota Camry will always be the primary competitor of the Honda Accord. Also new for the 2018 model year, the Camry comes to showrooms with an all-new design that’s sportier than ever with the best interior the Camry has ever had. Along with its new looks and fresh interior comes a set of redesigned drivetrain options that includes a 2.5-liter four-cylinder, 3.5-liter V-6 and a hybrid unit. The four-cylinder is expected to deliver 178 ponies and 170 pound-feet while the V-6 will offer more like 280 ponies and 260 pound-feet. Both engines mate to an eight-speed, Direct Shift automatic. The hybrid, which has yet to see any disclosure of expectations will make use of a CVT transmission and is expected to “achieve class-leading fuel economy.” Pricing for the Camry, but expect it to start out right around $24,000 in entry-level form.
Find out more about the Toyota Camry here.
Hyundai Sonata
Honda and Toyota aren’t the only ones doubling down on their mid-sized contenders. While they have been putting in work on the Accord and Camry, respectively, South Korean manufacturer Hyundai was busy churning out a major update for the seventh-gen Sonata. Set to roll into showrooms later this year as a 2018 model, the Sonata gets an all-new look outside that’s in-line with the competition. Form meets functionality inside where the interior has been reworked and balanced. It also gets updated suspension to improve ride quality. The Sonata can be had with a 1.6-liter good for 178 ponies, a 2.4-liter good for 185 ponies, or a 2.0-liter that’s good for 245 ponies. Pricing for the 2018 model year has yet to be announced, but you can expect the Sonata to start out from $22,500.
Learn more about the Hyundai Sonata here.
Conclusion
Let’s not beat around the bush here – the new Accord is fresh. It has an all-new cabin, new looks, new drivetrains, and a chassis and suspension. Will it be enough to give the Accord the fighting chance it deserves against the Camry and the Sonata? It’s still a little too early to tell, but unless you’re a real stickler for numbers, you won’t notice much in terms of interior space or exterior dimensions. When you considering the drivetrains available, the new looks, and that fresh interior – plus the fact you can still get three pedals – it will at least be a fair fight when the 2018 models start hitting showrooms. I’m still pretty sure Honda forgot part of the grille up front, though, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see a small facelift come into play in the next few years. If not, the aftermarket could do well by introducing a grille insert to address the serious lack of mesh up front.
But, what do you think about the new Accord? Could you see yourself rolling it as the new family whip or do you think it’s hideous? Let us know in the comments section below..
Press release
Honda today showcased a new direction for America’s retail best-selling midsize sedan1 with the world debut of a more stylish, sporty and premium 2018 Honda Accord that launches this fall. The world debut event held today in Detroit can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/honda.
The 10th-generation Accord is new from the ground up and features a lighter and more rigid body structure, an advanced new chassis design, two all-new, high-torque direct-injected and turbocharged engines, the world’s first 10-speed automatic transmission for a front-drive car and a new generation of Honda’s two-motor hybrid technology, along with a host of new safety, driver-assistive and connected-car technologies – all wrapped in a more sophisticated, sleek and athletic design with top class interior space and comfort.
"We are redefining the Honda Accord for a new generation of buyers by bringing something unexpected that challenges the idea of what a mainstream sedan can be," said Jeff Conrad, senior vice president of the Automobile Division of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "Even as we advance core values like great driving dynamics, safety performance and efficiency, the distinctive design of this all-new 2018 Honda Accord will help it appeal to both head and heart in equal measure."
Next-Generation Accord Design and Packaging
In reimagining the Accord for its 10th-generation rebirth, Honda designers and engineers went back to the fundamentals of proportion and stance with a sporting and athletic appearance, like a sprinter in the blocks. The approach reinvigorates classic Honda design principles, such as a low and wide body, expansive visibility and sporty seating position, and then translating them into a thoroughly modern, sporty and premium Accord sedan design.
The new Accord features a longer wheelbase (+2.16 inches), a lower overall height (-0.59 inch) and wider (+0.39 inch) body, wider wheel tracks (+0.20 in. front, +0.79 in. rear), a shortened overall length (-0.39 inch) and lower, sportier seating position (-1.0 inch front and -0.79 inch back). A sweeping greenhouse positioned farther back on the body completes the new stance and proportion of the next-generation Accord. The combined effect of these changes is a more premium look, highlighted by shorter overhangs, a bold front fascia, a long and low hood, and a visual center of gravity moved closer to the rear wheels.
Viewed head-on, the new Accord’s greenhouse also angles in more dramatically from the window sills to the roof, further emphasizing the wide lower body, while inside the cabin the seats have been moved slightly inward that contributes to improved hip, shoulder and head room while enhancing occupants’ freedom of movement. Also, the longer wheelbase allowed designers to move the second-row seats substantially rearward, giving Accord almost 2 extra inches of rear leg room to offer one of the most spacious rear seating areas in its class. Overall passenger volume is increased by 2.5 cubic feet to 105.7 (based on LX). Trunk space has also been increased by nearly one cubic foot on the 1.5-liter and 2.0-liter engine powered Accords and by 3.2 cubic feet on the Accord Hybrid to a top level 16.7 cubic feet (+0.9 cu.ft.).
Elegant and modern exterior detailing compliments the Accord’s new, more dynamic design. The bold and upright front fascia is highlighted by Honda’s signature chrome wing front grille positioned above a large main air intake and flanked by available 9-lamp full-LED headlights and LED fog lights. The chiseled hood features a distinctive and aggressive raised center, and the deeply sculpted body sides enhance the visual length and strength of the lower body.
Further, a new laser brazing process that joins the dramatically arching roof to the body side panels creates a clean appearance with no garnish over the rain channels. The similarly low and wide rear view is finished off with an upswept decklid, distinctive LED light-pipe taillights and cleanly integrated dual exhaust ports. Overall aerodynamic efficiency is improved by approximately 3 percent (based on EX trim) to make it the most streamlined Accord yet.
Elegant and Tech Savvy Cabin
The 2018 Accord also boasts a larger, more premium and tech savvy interior that compliments its athletic and elegant body design, delivering a level of quality and premium feel that belies Accord’s mainstream sedan status.
The new Accord features a panoramic forward view that is enabled by its lower cowl and by front roof pillars that are 20 percent narrower and moved rearward relative to the driver’s seating position. The new soft-touch instrument panel features an ultra-thin profile and three-tier design with a strong upper deck that describes a continuous arc from its outboard section through the side door sills, giving a sense of strength and visual continuity.
A more intricately contoured sport inspired steering wheel with deep-set thumb rests and available paddle shifters compliment the Accord’s more sophisticated and sporty performance capabilities. Meticulous attention to the tactile and visual quality of surface materials and decorations communicates modernity and soft-spoken elegance throughout the cabin.
The inboard positioning of the seats provides for improved freedom of movement and is complimented by longer, wider and more deeply padded arm rests, front and rear; while the Accord’s newly designed seats feature taller shoulder bolstering for a more premium appearance and improved lateral support. New high-accuracy seat padding with variable firmness improves seating comfort and support. The driver’s seat now has available 12-way power adjustment with height-adjustable lumbar support, and passenger comfort is further enhanced by available new heated and ventilated front seats and by improved available rear seat heating with both seat bottom and seat back heating elements.
The tech-savvy and easy-to-use 2018 Accord cabin also features an all-new HMI that includes an ultra-slim 7-inch TFT driver’s meter and a new 8-inch Display Audio touchscreen interface with physical volume and tuning knobs and more intuitive, smartphone-like features and functionality including customizable app tiles and home-screen shortcuts, along with Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ compatibility. The Accord also will offer 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.
Touring trims of both 1.5-liter and 2.0-liter models also feature a new 6-inch driver’s Head Up Display with selectable information, including speed, engine rpm, turn-by-turn navigation, and Traffic Sign Recognition. Additional new or improved connected-car technologies available on the 2018 Accord include wireless device charging, automatic Bluetooth® phone pairing with Near Field Communication technology, 4G LTE in-car Wi-Fi, and Wi-Fi-enabled over-the-air system updates.
Audio systems vary by trim, starting with 4 speakers and 160 watts on LX, 8 speakers and 180 watts on Sport and EX trims, and 10 speakers and 450 watts on EX-L and Touring trims. All models feature USB charging ports (two 2.5-amp ports on EX and above) along with Bluetooth connectivity.
Accord Performance: Turbocharged and Electrified
The 2018 Accord takes an entirely new approach to performance by featuring three advanced new powerplants – two direct-injected and turbocharged 4-cylinder engines and the third generation of Honda’s two-motor hybrid powertrain technology. The 2018 Accord also features a new Honda-developed 10-speed automatic transmission (10AT) with the 2.0-liter turbo engine, the first of its kind for a front-wheel-drive car, and an available 6-speed manual transmission for both turbocharged engines.
The new 1.5-liter, 16-valve DOHC direct-injected turbo with dual Variable Timing Control (dual VTC) produces a peak 192 horsepower (HP) at 5,500 rpm and 192 lb-ft. of torque from 1,500 to 5,000 rpm, up from 185 HP at 6,400 rpm and 181 lb.-ft. at 3,900 rpm on the existing, normally aspirated 2.4-liter model. The new 1.5-liter turbo is mated to a Honda continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) or, in Sport trim, to a CVT or a 6-speed manual transmission (6MT).
The Accord can also be equipped with a new 2.0-liter 16-valve DOHC direct-injected turbo with i-VTEC® valvetrain paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission or, in Sport trim, to the 10AT or an available 6MT. The new 2.0-liter turbo, sharing much of its design with the race-bred 2017 Civic Type R, produces 252 HP at 6,500 rpm and 273 lb.-ft. of torque from 1,500 to 4,000 rpm, compared to 278 HP at 6,200 rpm and 252 lb.-ft. at 4,900 rpm for the 3.5-liter V6 that it replaces.
Both turbocharged engines utilize a host of new technologies, including high-efficiency low-inertia turbos, variable valve timing, low-pressure-loss air intake and high-accuracy direct injection, to deliver immediate and powerful response along while still anticipated to receive top level fuel economy ratings. The two new automatic transmissions – the CVT for the 1.5-liter engine and new 10AT for the 2.0-liter engine – take greater advantage of available torque while maximizing quietness and efficiency during highway cruising. The redesigned CVT has an 11 percent lower ratio compared to the current version for more powerful launch performance, while the new 10AT is 22 lbs. lighter, has a 68 percent wider overall ratio range with a 43 percent lower first gear, and a 17 percent taller top gear compared to the current Accord’s six-speed automatic.
Production of New Accord Hybrid Returns to Ohio
An all-new, even more refined and fuel efficient Accord Hybrid will be again built in Marysville, Ohio after a couple of years of production in Japan, and will be powered by the third-generation of Honda’s innovative two-motor hybrid technology, offering improved power delivery with no compromise to interior or cargo space and packaging.
The new hybrid powertrain will utilize a 2.0-liter Atkinson cycle engine with greater than 40 percent thermal efficiency, the highest for any mass-produced Honda engine, paired with Honda-developed electric motors that are the first drive motors in the world to use magnets containing no heavy rare-earth metals. As before, the Accord two-motor system operates without the need for a conventional automatic transmission.
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 cu.-ft.) and the flexibility of a 60/40-split and folding rear seat, standard on all models and trims. Detailed specifications on the 2018 Accord Hybrid, including power and fuel-economy ratings, will be release closer to launch.
New Approach to Body and Chassis Design
The 2018 Accord’s new body structure is lighter and more rigid, utilizing 29 percent ultra-high-strength steel, the most extensive application of this weight-saving material in any current mass-produced Honda car. Overall, the new Accord employs 54.2 percent high strength steel (above 440 MPa).
Key body features include the latest generation of Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure with crash stroke front frame, tailor-tempered rear frame members for improved crash-energy absorption, and the extensive use of structural adhesives for increased rigidity, cabin quietness and weight reduction. Total vehicle weight is down between approximately 110 to 176 pounds, depending on trim, while body torsional and bending rigidity are improved 32 and 24 percent, respectively, aiding ride quality, cabin quietness, and dynamic performance.
Mated to the new body is a more sophisticated new chassis design. The 2018 Accord’s lighter chassis features a new Macpherson strut front suspension with L-shaped aluminum control arms mounted to an all-aluminum front subframe. The new setup better isolates and manages varying road inputs, improving handling precision, ride quality and cabin quietness along with outstanding high-speed stability and control. The new, more space-efficient rear suspension is a multi-link design mounted to a more rigid, floating rear subframe. Fluid-filled compliance bushings at all four corners further improve ride comfort and absorption of road irregularities, and all new Accords also feature, for the first time, an Adaptive Damper System with the ability to adjust shock absorber damping force every 1/500 of a second, providing for a more compliant and controlled ride in all driving situations.
The new Accord has a 10 mm lower center of gravity. The adoption of lighter-weight turbocharged engines and other body design changes reduce the vehicle’s moment of inertia, resulting in crisper turn-in and steering response. All models now have near optimal FWD weight distribution of approximately 60/40 (front/rear). Accords with the new 2.0-liter i-VTEC turbo and 10AT check in at approximately 61/39, a significant improvement versus the current V-6 and 6AT Accord.
All new Accords will now come equipped with a Two-Mode Driving System featuring Normal and Sport settings, allowing the driver to dial-up/down the vehicle’s sporty reflexes depending on the driving environment. The system engages with multiple chassis and drivetrain components, including the new dual-pinion variable-ratio electric power steering (EPS), automatic transmission, drive-by-wire throttle, adaptive dampers and Active Sound Control system, to provide the driver with an expanded range of driving characteristics. An ECON mode is also available that helps improve fuel efficiency by modifying throttle mapping and HVAC operation.
Along with the first application of structural adhesives to Accord, cabin quietness is further enhanced by a comprehensive sound-insulating package that includes full underbody covers, which also aid aerodynamics, front and rear fender and engine compartment insulators, alloy wheels with Honda-proprietary resonator technology, sound-absorbing carpet, acoustic laminated windshield glass – plus front door acoustic glass on EX and above – and a new, three-microphone Active Noise Control system.
Advanced Safety and Driver-Assistive Technology
For 2018, all Accords will feature the full suite of Honda Sensing® safety and driver-assistive technologies as standard equipment. Honda Sensing includes Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS™), Lane Departure Warning, Road Departure Mitigation, Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow and new Traffic Sign Recognition. Additional available driver-assistive technologies include Blind Spot Information, front and rear parking sensors, Cross Traffic Monitor and Driver Awareness Monitor; and all models feature a Multi-Angle Rearview Camera with dynamic guidelines.
Standard advanced active and passive safety systems include Vehicle Stability Assist with Traction Control, Anti-lock brakes with Electronic Brake Distribution, Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), advanced front airbags, driver and front-passenger side airbags and new driver and front-passenger knee airbags. The Accord targets top U.S. government (NCAP) and IIHS collision safety ratings.
Accord Models and Trims
More detailed information will be provided closer to launch, but the 1.5-liter powered Accord will be available in six trims – LX, Sport, EX, EX-L, EX-L Navi and Touring. The 2.0-liter model has four trims available, which are Sport, EX-L, EX-L Navi and Touring. And the new Accord Hybrid will be available in five trims – Hybrid, EX, EX-L, EX-L Navi and Touring. Sport trims for both 1.5-liter and 2.0-liter engine variants will now feature available short-throw 6-speed manual transmissions.
Accord Manufacturing
All variants of the 2018 Accord will be produced at Honda’s Marysville, Ohio auto plant2, at which the company is investing with numerous enhancements to further advance quality and efficiency, including the introduction of additional technologies and processes. Accord was the first vehicle from a Japanese automaker to be made in America and has been in continuous production at the Marysville Auto Plant since November 1982, with cumulative U.S. production exceeding 11 million units over 35 years.
The 2018 Accord’s 1.5-liter and 2.0-liter turbo engines will be produced at Honda’s Anna, Ohio engine plant, and its CVT transmission will be manufactured at the company’s Russells Point, Ohio plant.
The all-new, Honda-designed 10-speed automatic transmission will be produced at the company’s Tallapoosa, Georgia plant2. Honda recently announced a combined $149 million investment in the Russells Point and Tallapoosa plants to facilitate production of the new 10AT. Additional details concerning new manufacturing technology and investments will be announced closer to launch.
