The outgoing Honda Accord was a great car. Nicely-styled and packing a burly optional two-liter turbocharged engine, it could be a wonderfully well-built sleeper or a sensible family sedan depending on trim. Now there’s a new Accord, and Honda seems to have made it even better, provided you’re not the stoplight-to-stoplight sort.
On the outside, the new Honda Accord is very minimalist and refined, definitely punching above its price grade. Honda’s done away with the beluga-style fivehead introduced on the current Civic, and the Accord’s all the better-looking for it. Around back, a heckblende-style tail lamp treatment ties the rear together nicely, while the rear emblem is a sensible size for once. Job well done, Honda.
As for powertrains, the big two-liter turbocharged motor shared with the Acura RDX is gone for 2023. For Honda Accord buyers, now it’s just a choice between a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder on LX and EX trims, and a two-liter naturally-aspirated four-cylinder hybrid powertrain on Sport, EX-L, Sport-L, and Touring trims. That hybrid powertrain cranks out a stout 247 lb.-ft. of torque, which really seems like plenty in a midsize sedan, but the 1.5-liter turbo motor doesn’t sound like a bad choice either.
Let’s take a closer look at the hybrid powertrain that should make up the bulk of Accord sales, because it’s a bit weird compared to what Toyota offers in the Camry Hybrid. On paper, it sounds almost undriveable in the real world. Sure, 204 horsepower doesn’t sound bad at all, but peak torque of 247 lb.-ft. doesn’t hit until 5,000 rpm and keeps on going to 8,000 rpm. Moreover, the final drive ratio is 3.895:1, much longer than you’d typically expect from a Honda. This is because the Accord Hybrid has no gearbox, a bit like the Koenigsegg Regera. Here’s how it works.
Instead of a gearbox, the Accord Hybrid has two electric motor-generators. Upon setting off from a standstill, the Accord Hybrid operates on electric power from its relatively small battery pack. Once up to suburban road speeds or once the battery’s depleted, the engine kicks on, but not to provide power to the wheels. Instead, the engine acts as a generator, a bit like on a BMW i3. Now, here’s where the really fun bit happens. Mash your foot through the carpet, and the Accord should kick into a power mode of sorts, where a lockup clutch sends the engine’s output to the front tires with assistance from one motor-generator. Since the only thing sitting between the engine and the final drive ratio is the lockup clutch, it basically has a single-speed gearbox. As for the other motor-generator, it works as a generator to send power into the Accord’s battery pack. While this isn’t exactly a new system, it’s still a rather fascinating approach to hybrid power that results in some very screwy numbers on a spec sheet.
If you’re a fan of sticking with the lower LX and EX trim levels, the 190-horsepower 1.5-liter engine should be perfectly fine. While some lament the character of this engine in the Civic Si, it was perfectly fine in the old Accord. Once you take away sporting pretense and just ride the torque curve in everyday driving, 192 lb.-ft. of torque between 1,700 and 5,000 rpm is more than adequate.
On the inside, higher-trim models get a big 12.3-inch screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with gorgeous light leather that plays well with Honda’s current “Simplicity and something” interior design language. Sure, the shifter’s a bit crooked, but everything else looks properly put-together. Then again, Honda’s reasoning for the crooked shifter is to fit big cups in cupholders to the right of the gear knob, so even that’s fairly sensible. Mind you, I do have a gripe when it comes to equipment. While wireless phone mirroring is standard on Sport and higher trims, wireless charging is locked to the top-spec Touring model. Sure, portable wireless charging pads aren’t expensive these days, but that’s all the more reason to offer a wireless charger on more of the lineup.
Speaking of the lineup, let’s go on a little trim walk. The base LX comes fairly well-equipped with a 10.2-inch digital cluster, ten airbags, volume and tuning knobs, and 17-inch alloy wheels. Step up to the EX, and the driver’s seat becomes powered, a sunroof lets in some crisp autumnal air, the seats are heated, and the climate control is dual-zone. If it were my money on the line, the EX is the trim I’d probably buy as it has all the toys I want, comfy 50-series sidewalls, and shouldn’t be as expensive as higher-spec models.
Next up is the Sport, the first hybrid in the Accord lineup. In addition to the hybrid powertrain and the big 12.3-inch infotainment screen, it gets 19-inch alloy wheels, special cloth upholstery, alloy pedals, leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear knob, black side mirrors, and a black spoiler. As for the EX-L, it’s basically an EX with the big screen, leather, a power passenger seat, rear USB-C ports, and a hybrid powertrain, while the Sport-L is just a Sport with leather, a power passenger seat, and a unique diffuser-style element.
Finally, we get to the father of all Accords, the top-spec Touring model. On the tech front, it gets wireless charging, a heads-up display, Google built-in, and a 12-speaker Bose stereo that should be fine for the segment. Add in cooled front seats, heated rear seats, and unique 19-inch alloy wheels, and that’s as loaded of an Accord as you’re going to get.
While pricing hasn’t yet been released for the new 2023 Honda Accord, expect word on it really soon given an on-sale date of early 2023. While not everyone will love the disappearance of the hot two-liter turbocharged engine, it’s nice to see a fresh midsize sedan on the market. Will the Accord hold onto the crown as America’s best-selling passenger car? With tastes of older buyers shifting towards crossovers and tastes of younger buyers shifting towards smaller cars, it’s hard to say. Still, it looks like a very promising entry into an underrated segment.
All photos courtesy of Honda
I want to go buy one just to reward Honda for being the first off the Angry Train.
It looks like they just swapped badges with a Passat.
I was going to say this. They took a Passat and Hondified it. Everything is smooth and flush and devoid of any personality. The best way to describe it is “a car”.
The 9th gen was the best looking, IMO. Handsome and yet sporty without being overly-aggressive. 10th gen was a step down with the neanderthal brow, but at least it looked unique. This one would be a hard pass based on looks alone from me.
The 2.0t was my favorite part of the current Accord, looked lovely and had punchy torque steer power to boot, now it just looks too plain and safe for me. (Im younger though). Was gonna wait out getting a new car till this came out if it still had the 2.0t but I’ll just splurge on a daily drivable jdm car that shares parts with usdm models instead i guess.
Last two daily drivers have been V6 Accords. They are very good cars.
I have a Clarity Plug-in Hybrid with a similar connection between the engine and the wheels. Having paid for a transmission rebuild on an old minivan, I like not having a traditional transmission. Hopefully this new arrangement reduces repair costs in the long run.
Man, the 2.0T is what sold my wife on this car. It’s head and shoulders above the old V6 and sounds like it’d be far better than the hybrid as well. Good thing we shouldn’t have to shop for a replacement soon.
Perhaps we’ll see the 3 year run of the 2.0T/6M in the “nostalgic, semi-collectable regular car” niche in the future.
I maintain that in a more stealthy way, the Ford Fusion was a design game-changer in the same way the Taurus was back in its day. It really started this sedan look.
The Accord is certainly good looking b/c it has the same overall look and proportions as the Fusion, and especially that raked fastback-ish rear window.
I’m disappointed that the 2.0L is gone, but it doesn’t mean a faster option is off the table. Maybe next year? What really disappoints me is the loss of the Hybrid base version. Requiring large wheels and black cloth (Sport) or leather (the rest) is not great. This car was on my list of future maybe cars, but without a low cost, non-black, hybrid model, I might have to look elsewhere.
I looks like a Japanese interpretation of the extremely handsome but very reserved current generation Volkswagens.
I think it’s great. Although I won’t buy a VW due to reliability and longevity fears, I appreciate both VW and Honda keeping affordable cars looking classy.
It sort of reminds me of the first generation Hyundai Genesis. Not that it looks like it, but that it sort of looks like a generic luxury car that was designed for use in a video game or something that didn’t want to pay for the license to use an actual car.
That said, I like it. Family sedans don’t need to look like sport sedans.
Looks like an Impala with an ugly face. Not lovely.
The amount of q-tips I’ll need to clean the honeycomb on the dash. *shudder*
I’d rather spend a little more and get a Crown. This is clean, but it’s soooooo generic, which is my biggest gripe with the current crop of sedans…particularly Japanese ones. We love to have on crossovers for being NPC mobiles but to me this is just as much of one. As is the Camry.
Out of all the cars out there, this is definitely one of them. I think the current Civic looks better, but it still looks like a video game rendering of a car when the devs don’t have the rights to use real ones. Hopefully the Acura version (TLX) looks a little more alive, and that they continue with the V6 option. I’m still not totally sure what to think of all the performance hybrid trims Japanese manufacturers are moving towards.
But like I said…I’d rather spend a little more and have a Crown. At least it’s unique and interesting even if it’s a bit weird. Blending into the background gets dull quick.
I’m guessing the take rate for the 2.0 wasn’t great on the current generation. If you’re paying extra to go above the base engine, you might as well get the hybrid that combines extra power with fantastic gas mileage.
That looks like a 2015 vw, wth man. Japanese manufacturers have been leaving me quite cold with their new cars, I guess Korea is taking the crown eventually
Sorry, first time I post and I messed up, it was meant to be a standalone (¿?) reply
So no more button shifter, huh? Honestly, this is probably all the better for it cause I never understood the ‘decluttering’ aspect of freeing more space in the cabin when it’s integral to the car.
I like it, my fear though is that like every other latest Honda, it’s a little bit heavier, slower, and less great on gas than the ones that came out in the mid-late 2010s. And to be honest, I like the somewhat wild style of the last generation Hondas as they became excellent cars that way.
Rip 2.0T.
It’s unoffensive for sure. I usually like smooth, non-aggressive angles style on my sedans, but this just seems excessively lazy design. It’s a shame, I thought the previous generation was one of the best Accord designs ever, this one falls very mid-pack for me. Inside, that crooked shifter would drive me crazy- I’d almost rather have the pushbutton setup from my bride’s ’20 RDX- I’d definitely rather have that drivetrain back. I’ll reserve judgement until I get a chance to drive the hybrid.
I think it’s gorgeous and they’re going to sell a shitload of them. Very sad about the 2.0. 🙁
I’ll give them credit for still making a “car”, since regular ol’ cars are dying. It is a clean, simple, pretty boring design.
Surprising so many trim levels. Sport-L takes over for the Sport Special Edition, but it’s interesting they kept the LX here, after dropping it on the Civic and CR-V (and Pilot). Plus, they have both EX and EX-L; EX is all but dropped on most Hondas – even the current Accord dropped it at the mid-cycle refresh – Civic only offers the EX on the sedan. But, with the Sport going hybrid, guess that is more in line with the CR-V then to still have 2 regular ICE powered trims including the EX.
I really like the new Pilot and CR-V and I like minimalist, and some of the best-looking Accords have been restrained in styling, but this looks…less substantial than the current one somehow.
It might be the color too, this red may not suit it. There’s a blue one on Honda’s press site that, although heavily CGI and staged at night, looks nicer.
As an owner of a 9th gen, I was definitely looking forward to the 11th gen bringing even more exciting powertrain offerings to upstage the existing 2.0t… Replacing that entirely with a hybrid option is quite disappointing.
I think it looks fantastic (far better than the current car) but the loss of the 2.0T is disappointing. 209hp in a top trim/powertrain mid-size? What is this, 2001? Maybe we’ll get an Accord Si with more power at some point.
Wonder if this means the 2.0T is not long for this world on the Acura side; the hybrid could be the new “base” motor for the TLX.
It’s so fucking boring, you might as well be in a coma.
I’ll take this over whatever the hell Toyota is doing any day, no question. There isn’t an angle inside or outside where this Honda doesn’t make its competition look hilariously overdone.
https://www.autoblog.com/buy/2022-Toyota-Camry-TRD_V6__4dr_Front_Wheel_Drive_Sedan/photos/
You don’t *have* to buy the TRD version you know.
And as long as Toyota offers the V6, it’s automatically superior in my book, no matter how it looks.
V6 almost certainly has to be gone in the next-gen Camry, I think. Crown above it is hybrid/turbo-hybrid, 2023 Highlander dropped it for a turbo 4…
Sienna too. It’s a shame, the 2GR is one of the all time great V6s.
And gone from the next Tacoma most likely too.
Well,that’s a car!!
I am still glad I got a 2017 before they killed off the V6. Sadly I couldn’t find a 6/6 coupe to replace my totalled one.
It really is a breath of fresh air these days – no crazy, excessive creases, lines at weird angles that terminate nowhere, loads of fake cents, or tacked on LED strips, and all the windows even seem to be made of actual glass instead of shiny black plastic
Seriously, Honda is killing it. I’m so done with these overwrought designs from Toyota/Lexus and Hyundai/Kia etc. Why does an Accord look more stately than the new 7 series? Shit is getting out of control. I see a little bit of 1st get A7 in that roofline/D pillar too. The only way they could make it better is if they gave it a liftback, which seems like a no brainer (looking at Cadillac too on the CT5, what a missed opportunity).
Are those buttons on the dash?!?!?!?!?
And the Civic Si and Integra should get that 250 hp 2.0T that is being killed off here.
It seems like Honda is using the hybrid to replace the 2.0T on the Accord.
That said, Honda should offer the Civic Type R’s 300 hp 2.0T on the Accord (and other cars, too)
The TLX has the 2.0T as well, at 272hp or so.
Yikes, I have to disagree about the author’s assessment of the styling. IMO, it’s horribly boring, and you could hardly come up with a more uninteresting design if you tried. It looks like a rental car, and that’s what it will be.
One day, the world’s top scientists will invent a car that is simultaneously a) simple enough for internet commenters to stop complaining that its design is busy and overdone, and b) complex enough for internet commenters to stop complaining that its design is simplistic and boring.
At the moment, it is theorized that such a design exists only on a Venn diagram comprising two toroidal mobius hyperboloids intersecting in 7-dimensional quantum turboencabulary space.
I think room temperature fusion will be easier to solve than getting internet commenters to agree on any new car design.