2013 - 2017 Honda Accord
Performance |
4 |
Ride |
4.5 |
Handling |
4.5 |
Interior |
4 |
Reliability |
4 |
Safety |
5 |
Value |
4 |
Honda Accord, Page 2
Redesigned for 2013, the 9th generation of the Honda Accord won the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada’s (AJAC) Canadian Car of the Year Award. It is a midsize car that’s offered in coupe and sedan body styles, with seating for five (4 more comfortably in the coupe). Overall it is a strong competitor in the segment, with good fuel economy, composed driving dynamics and an attractive interior. Although not a standout in any one category, Accord’s strength seems to be that it is a good performer across a variety of categories with no glaring weaknesses.
Key changes this year included updated engines that offer improved power and efficiency. A four-cylinder engine and a six-speed manual transmission are standard. Also, Accord’s first ever continuously variable transmission (CVT), is available with the base engine. A V6 is available and comes with a six-speed automatic transmission on most trims. All models are front wheel drive. Other changes include the availability of LED headlights and enhanced driver assistance features, such as the new Honda LaneWatch blind-spot display.
Strengths |
Weaknesses |
Cabin quality Safety Ride/Handling balance Generous standard features
|
One-piece fold down back seat Electronics learning curve Seat comfort |
The 2013 Accord came in sedan and coupe body styles, with a four-cylinder or V-6 engine. Transmission choices on the I-4 models included a 6-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission (CVT) which feels much like a normal automatic, mimicking gear changes. On the V-6 models, a 6-speed automatic transmission was available, and the sporty V6 coupe also was available with a 6-speed manual transmission. Coupe buyers have few alternatives these days without heading into the compact or luxury segments, and again Honda showed it's independent thinking with an attractive, large coupe in the Gran Touring tradition. Like the sedan, the Accord Coupe is trimmer, but the interior is more spacious compared to the previous version, offering usable rear-seat room for two adults and trunk capacity larger by 50L.
New trims include “Sport” to capture younger buyers and, at the top, a “Touring” version. Sedan trims are the LX, Sport, EX, EX-L and Touring; the coupe comes in LX-S, EX and EX-L trims. Even a base Honda Accord LX is well-equipped, with features such as an 8-inch color display with rear-view camera, dual-zone automatic climate control, 16-inch wheels, and a 160-watt AM/FM/CD stereo with Pandora Internet radio compatibility. Sport models add a power driver's seat, 18-inch alloy wheels, and a slight increase in horsepower. EX models include a power moon roof and the LaneWatch system. EX-L models get leather surfaces, upgraded audio, heated front seats, and lane-departure warning. At the top is the Touring model with a standard V6 engine, forward collision warning, LED headlights, and adaptive cruise control.
The 2013 Accord is an all-new vehicle that builds on the outgoing model, offering less bulk but more interior space. It is shorter in length by 90mm (3 inches) on the sedan and about one inch on the coupe compared with the 2012 model. Honda used higher grades of steel for the 2013 models, resulting in improved durability and rigidity, as well as a lighter overall weight. The smoother sheet metal gives the new Accord a trimmer, sleeker look; its proportions and shape are noticeably more appealing. The coupe sports a slightly higher rear deck than the sedan. Sport models are meant to attract slightly younger buyers with its more aggressive appearance that includes 18-inch wheels, spoiler and dual exhaust pipes.
Build quality is great and material selection is top notch; same for fit and finish. The Accord’s new instrument panel makes use of better quality plastics and brighter trim to improve appearance.
Among the biggest changes, on select models, was a LCD screen in the middle of the dash, below an 8-inch screen. The bottom screen is touch-sensitive for controlling features like audio and phone. The upper screen remained menu-driven, controlled by a large dial positioned at the bottom of the center stack. As before, it displays navigation, rear- and side-view camera images, and the new LaneWatch feature. Mastery of these new controls and displays will take time as the non touch screen often requires you to go through multiple display screens to get to what you want.
An assortment of new information and entertainment features were added. In addition to hands-free Bluetooth phone and audio operation, the new Accord featured a new SMS text messaging feature that allows incoming text messages to be read aloud and the driver to respond with short factory pre-set replies while driving. As well, e-mail messages can be received and sent.
Perhaps the most advanced feature is Honda’s new HondaLink web audio service. Users download apps to their iPhone or Android smartphones and use them to access web-based music, information and entertainment services. The first app available in Canada is the AHA web-based infotainment service allowing users to download any of its 30,000 channels of available news, music, and entertainment – and then play them through the HondaLink audio system. Once downloaded, the driver can control stations using the audio touch screen. The trend seems obvious: a car’s audio/video system is becoming an extension of the owner’s smart phone.
When introduced, the Accord's dash led the segment. |
Plenty of room for two in the back; three do okay. |
The seats were fully redesigned for the new Accord and get mixed reviews for comfort and support. Uncomfortable seats have been a complaint on Accords since the 2008 model year. On the top trims, leather seats are available as are driver’s power lumbar and height adjusters – unfortunately, the front passenger seat doesn’t have them. Seat heaters are standard in both the front and rear outboard seats, and a new side airbag design allows the front seatbacks to be heated (previously only the seat cushion was heated).
The visibility in this car is reportedly excellent with no overt blind spots. The roof pillars are very slim giving you a great view everywhere. The backup camera has a 180 degree view which is helpful if you are parked between two large vehicles and are backing up. The new blind spot camera offers additional visibility on the right side of the vehicle when making turns.
The 2013 Accord is slightly smaller on the outside than the previous model but somehow offers more rear legroom and slightly more headroom and shoulder room despite a significant 79 L (2.8 cu. ft.) reduction in passenger cabin volume. The Accord’s published interior passenger volume of 2,922 L (103.2 cu. ft.) is less than many of its major mid-size competitors.
The Accord sedan’s trunk has increased in size by 31 L (1.1 cu. ft.) to 447 L (15.8 cu. ft.) and the fully lined trunk with a flatter floor will hold four golf bags. The bad news is that sedans come with a single folding seatback with a rather narrow, tight opening instead of the 60/40 split seats other cars offer. This allows a passenger to sit in back when carrying longer cargo like hockey sticks or skis which seems important in a ‘family’ sedan. The Accord coupe's trunk weighs in at 388 L (13.7 cubic feet), which is pretty impressive for a coupe.
Engine and road noise are minimized because the 2013 Accords feature Active Noise Control and Active Sound Control, which use two microphones, a processing unit and four speakers to analyze undesirable noises entering the cabin and counter them with out-of-phase audio signals. More desirable noises, however, such as the sporty engine note, are actually enhanced. Continued on page 2
Honda Accord, Page 2