The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
2018 HONDA ACCORD
It’s not enough to just be a good car, it has to be a car that shrugs off the current utility-vehicle craze
It’s no secret that car buyers have gobbled up increasing numbers of utility vehicles, making regular family sedans a much harder sell. For 2018, the two gold standards of midsize sedans, the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, are both new and much improved. In June, Toyota rolled out its Camry in press previews and now it’s Honda’s turn to show off the next Accord. While we haven’t actually driven the new 10th-generation model yet, on paper at least, it appears to be a huge leap forward from what already was a solid offering. That’s important, given that Honda has sold more than 13 million Accords in the United States since 1976, and it has been the best-selling midsize sedan for the last four years. But Honda can’t afford to rest on its past successes, and it’s clear it isn’t playing it safe with the bold new redesign. The first and most obvious change is the appearance, which is much sleeker and more pleasing to the eye. The new Accord has a two more inches of room between the front and rear wheels, but it’s slightly shorter and lower, with a wider track (the space between the left and right wheels). The changes have benefits both practically and stylistically. Rear-seat passengers get nearly two more inches of legroom, the interior picks up 2.5 cubic feet in volume and the size of the trunk is increased. Total vehicle weight is down by 110-176 pounds, depending on trim levels, and that helps every aspect of performance. From a style standpoint, the new Accord is better looking than the model it replaces. Honda says it’s more upscale, and it certainly is more elegant, with better proportions to the space. The interior is improved, too, with redesigned seats, audio systems that have an actual volume knob and not touch buttons, and a new eight-inch touchscreen. Ergonomics are likely to remain flawless, as they have been in nearly every Accord. Three powertrains are available, although Honda no longer will offer a V-6. Instead, the choices are two turbocharged four-cylinder engines and a hybrid offering. The base engine displaces 1.5 liters and produces 192 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque. The default transmission is a continuously variable automatic (CVT), and you can order a six-speed manual transmission for the Accord Sport model. An optional turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder makes 252 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of replaces, torque. the Compared2.0 makes to 26 the less V-6 it horsepower but 21 more poundfeet. This engine comes with a new 10-speed automatic transmission, and it too can be had with a stick shift on the Accord Sport trim. Honda has not yet revealed detailed engine specs for the hybrid model. On the chassis front, the 2018 Accord has a lower center of gravity which, along with the aforementioned lower weight, means handling will be more nimble. For the first time, every Accord will come with what Honda refers to as its Two-Mode Driving System, which allows drivers to select either “Normal” or “Sport” modes. Not surprisingly, Honda has opted to include its Honda Sensing suite of safety and driver-assistive technologies as standard equipment across all trim levels. That means every buyer will get Collision Mitigation Braking System, Lane Departure Warning, Road Departure Mitigation,Low-Speed Follow Adaptive and Cruise Honda’s Controlnew Trafficwith Sign Recognition technology. Higher trim levels will offer additional features. In terms of trim levels, the 1.5-liter Accord will have six variants. The 2.0-liter model will be offered in five trims and there will be five hybrid trim, too. The outgoing Honda Accord is a wonderful car. Kudos to Honda for not simply playing it safe and just carrying over a modified Accord for 2018. The dramatic new design is a serious leap forward and should be a hit with buyers, even in this utility-crazed market.