2018 Accord debuts with two turbo engines and no coupe
Honda has pulled the wraps off the 10th-generation Honda Accord. It’s lighter, more efficient, roomier and promises to be quicker than its predecessor, but you’ll notice a couple of omissions for 2018.
First of all, the Accord is no longer available with a V-6 engine. Instead, Honda’s familiar 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder serves as the base engine, replacing the outgoing 2.4-L four cylinder. Producing 192 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque, it is paired to a CVT (or a six-speed manual, on certain trim levels).
For those seeking more kick, the Accord is also available with a detuned version of the Civic Type R’s 2.0-L turbo-four. It produces 252 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, and it’s paired to either a 10-speed automatic transmission, or like the base engine, a six-speed manual. Although it’s slightly down on power compared to the V-6, the turbofour produces much more torque, and much sooner, at 1,500 rpm.
Also helping is the use of more high-strength steel and aluminum throughout the chassis, lending to a 50- to 80-kilogram weight loss, depending on the trim level.
Honda will continue to offer a hybrid variant, using a 2.0-L Atkinson-cycle in-line four paired to the requisite electric powertrain bits. Exact details are still under wraps, but Honda says the new Accord hybrid’s 40 per cent thermal energy efficiency is the highest of any mass-produced engine across the globe, and the electric motors are kinder to the planet by not using any rare earth metals. This time around, the battery pack is under the floor, meaning the rear seats can still fold flat and trunk space is unaffected.
Outside, the 2018 Accord is a significant departure over its predecessor. The new fastback styling is certainly reminiscent of the Civic, while the slightly longer wheelbase offers more rear-seat legroom. LED lighting all around completes the look.
Step inside and the cabin features vastly improved materials and a new layout, striking a good balance between modern instrumentation and traditional controls — and the volume knob is back! An eight-inch touch screen handles infotainment duties — now with 4G LTE Wi-Fi — and a six-inch head-up display is available on upper trim levels. Convenience features include a remote starter, available heated and cooled front seats, and heated rear seats.
Naturally, a list of active safety features is available with the 2018 Accord. Honda Sensing is standard across the lineup, which includes automatic braking, a lane-departure warning system, adaptive cruise control and road-departure mitigation, along with a rear-view camera. If you want a blind-spot monitor, parking sensors and cross-traffic alert system, those will cost extra.
Pricing and availability haven’t been announced yet, but North American-spec Accords will continue to be built at Honda’s Marysville, Ohio, plant. Oh, and the second major change to the 10th-generation Accord lineup? Pour one out for the Accord coupe, because it won’t return for 2018.