Redesigned 11th Gen Honda Accord 2023 Unveiled

 

Although SUVs and crossovers are the new trend and killing conventional sedan sales, still some very important models for certain brands remain strong, and the car makers are not losing hope in them. If Toyota has a Camry, Honda has an Accord. Around two weeks ago, Honda North America teased an all-new 11th-generation Honda Accord 2023, and today the company revealed the first official details and pictures of the production model. Honda defined the new generation as “Sporty, modern, smart, and comfortable.”

Exterior of Honda Accord 2023

As we predicted from the teaser images, there is a new hexagonal wide and bold front grill and more upright fascia. Like we have seen on all the recent Honda vehicles like the Civic, CR-V, or the new Pilot, Honda has adopted a completely new design direction with a clean body but bold, strong, and sophisticated. Straight front bonnet line with lower and horizontal profile, longer hood, and again thanks to pushed back and pulled down A-pillar similar strategy we have seen on the other newer Honda models.

Then there are new LED headlights which are a standard feature. On the side profile, there is a continuous character line from front to back, which creates a sense of motion, as per Honda. Last but not least, On the side profile, like the previous generation Accord, the roofline slopes B pillar onwards and creates a fastback design with a shorter trunk.

On the rear, Honda incorporated slim LED tail lights with a light bar in between, which also lights up and gives a premium look. There is an integrated trunk spoiler, a newer bumper design with a lower and horizontal profile, and a very simple, elegant rear end. Honda will offer 225/50 with 17″ alloys as standard, while the upper trims will get 235/40 profile tires with 19″ alloy wheels. Overall, the company implanted the same design theme for Honda Accord 2023 as seen for the new 11th gen, which is “Thin & Light.”

Honda mentioned that the new Accord is based on the enhanced global platform and is most likely an improvement of the previous generation. It is also important to note that the new generation is 2.8-inch longer than the last generation, although the wheelbase remains identical. However, the rest of the dimensions are similar to the 10th generation.

Interior of Honda Accord 2023

As for the interior, this looks heavily influenced by the new Civic. At the time of the launch of 11th gen Civic, Honda mentioned that the design ideology implemented in the Civic would be reflected in all the upcoming Honda models, which is true. Like Civic,

Honda Accord 2023 is adopting MM philosophy which means “Man Maximum / Machine Minimum”; this results in more cabin space and less space for components. The interior has a simplistic and minimalistic approach but is still super intuitive. The new interior idea is to be less distracting and more functional. Meanwhile, the strategic placement and angle of the A-pillar have resulted in the lower cowl (the point where the dashboard and the windshield meet); this improved the vehicle’s openness and provided a much wider open view of the road ahead.

The new dashboard design has simple slim-down horizontal orientations, and like the Civic, we have concealed air vents covered with a metal mesh pattern that goes along the vehicle’s width on the dashboard. As per Honda, the interior uses high-quality materials, especially all the touchpoints like the gear lever, dashboard, side door panels, and steering wheel. Additionally, all surfaces which can pick fingerprints or smudges are used with material that eliminates it to give a cleaner look every time driver enters the car.

There is a new simpler three-knob dual-zone climate control interface, again similar to the new Civic. There is a new seat design with newly designed seat frames for improved comfort and stability. The central console design has been improved for function and use, while newly designed cup holders and gear level is seen. Furthermore, typical convenience features, including a sunroof, power driver and passenger seats, leather or fabric seating surfaces with available power, and heated functionality, are available depending on the trim level.

Infotainment System 

Furthermore, Accord now comes standard with a 10.2-inch fully digital and configurable instrument cluster, while a 7-inch infotainment system is standard on base two variants. Upper variants get a 12.3-inch touchscreen system, the largest in the history of Honda. The head unit has Google integration built in. It also gets over-the-air updates not only for head-unit functionalities but also to vehicle computer modules and enhancing functionality and capabilities.

Also, there is an option for 12 speaker Bose premium Audio system On top variant, which is specially engineered and tuned for the model with Bose Centrepoint technology, Surround stage digital signal processing, and a subwoofer. As for overall interior space, there is an improvement of only 0.4″ in legroom on measuring tape, but Honda packaged interior components more ergonomically, improving the experience in the rear seats. Overall the interior gives a modern, uncluttered, dynamic, and Sporty premium look.

Mechanicals 

Well, nothing much is different here from the previous generation but with a slight disappointment for Accord fans. The base standard engine remains similar to the previous generation, and this is the familiar 1.5 Turbocharged VTEC engine. However, Honda mentioned improvements like an upgraded direct injection system, a new cold-active catalyst, a high-rigidity crankshaft, and an oil pan to reduce engine noise. The engine still makes similar power output to the previous generation, and it is 192hp at 6000rpm while torque figures are 260Nm between 1,700 & 5,000rpm. As always, CVT comes as the standard transmission. This engine will be available on the lower three variants of the 11th gen Accord.

For the 9th generation Accord, a 3.5L V6 engine was available, which was taken away on the 10th. For the 10th generation model Accord was offered with a 2L Turbocharged engine with 252hp and 370Nm of Torque, and it was offered with a 10-speed Automatic. Unfortunately, Honda has now killed the 2L option for the 11tn generation, and it is unclear if Honda plans to put that engine back in action.

Like the 10th generation, the Hybrid version is still available and will actually be offered as the standard engine in the top three variants of the 11th generation Accord. The 2L powers the hybrid variant naturally aspirated Atkinson cycle 4-cylinder engine in combination with Honda two-motor hybrid setup, which is mounted side by side. The setup has a combined output of 204hp & 335 Nm of torque. It is pertinent to mention that the Hybrid version of the 10th generation Accord used to make 212hp but with lower torque figures of 314Nm. MacPherson Strut on the front while Multi-Link suspension on the rear is standard, with an improved steering column and tuned steering system. Honda promised an improvement in overall driving and handling.

Safety 

As for Safety, Honda made a lot of improvements and additions in both active and passive safety features and equipment. The Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure in the new Accord is enhanced for better occupant safety with a new upper A-pillar structure, a side frame, and a lower firewall structure. Stiffer components are used at all critical locations, including side impact protection. 

All versions of Accords will be equipped with 10 Airbags, including the next generation of Driver and Front Passenger Front Airbags, designed with a doughnut-shaped cradle in the center on U-shaped deployment to reduce brain injury by better controlling head motions in certain types of crashes. This is the world’s first such airbag design with such a feature. The new Accord is also the first with a rear passenger-side airbag.

Moreover, Honda Active safety system, Honda Sensing, has been enhanced with improved driver-assistive technologies. The system comprises lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, auto headlights, adaptive cruise control, low speed follow, and steering wheel assists. Meanwhile, traffic sign recognition comes with updated software, and hardware sensing comes as standard in all versions of Accord. There is a new camera with a wider 90-degree field of view and wide-angle radar with a 120-degree field of view. This helps recognize the attributes of objects like road markings, pedestrians, cyclists, pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcycles, road signs, etc. The new wide-angle camera helps at the intersection for improved active safety systems.

Price 

Honda has yet to reveal any pricing, but the new generation will go into production in Ohio soon, with sales starting early next year. However, the expected base price is around $29,000, while fully loaded Touring might touch $41,000 in the United States. In the US for the last 46 years, Accord has remained the benchmark for the sedan market since its first generation’s launch.

Pertinently, Honda Accord remained in the top 10 best cars by the famous “Car & Driver” magazine 31 times. Statistically, Honda has sold almost 14 Million units in the US since its first generation. It means Honda sold one Accord every 2 minutes for the last 46 years. Historically, Accord is the first model Honda started manufacturing outside Japan in the US almost 40 years ago in 1982.

So, Pakwheels & Honda fans, what’s, are your thoughts on the new generation Accord? Share in the comments.