Honda targets Camry, Sonata with radically redesigned Accord

Rasheed Bisiriyu

The 10th-generation Honda Accord has been unveiled in Detroit, United States with new turbo engines of a 10-speed transmission and a revitalised infotainment system.

While the 2018 Honda was being launched last week, auto analysts said it was obvious that its targets were the old rivals, the latest editions of Toyota Corolla and Hyundai Sonata.

The new Honda was said to have received major design changes, adopting a more chiselled appearance and borrowing elements from the Civic.

A report by an industry journal, Autoweek, says the unveiled mid-sized sedan is about the “most dramatic remake ever” as it comes with a new combination of a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline four and the world’s first front-drive 10-speed automatic transmission.

“Everyone else will dig the sporty looks and neat features, like the optional LED head and fog lights. Practically speaking, there’s also more rear legroom and trunk space,” it states.

The vehicle, the reviewer notes, has a longer wheelbase and wider stance, yet shorter overall length and lower height, adding that Honda has added more aggression in both appearance and physics to the latest Accord.

Exterior

Detailed description of the external features is provided in a review by MotorTrend, another auto journal. It says, “You’ll see some of the biggest changes in the new grille. The silver bar has moved up the grille and overlaps significantly with the headlights. Below the bar, the grille narrows like a funnel in a unit that appears integrated, unlike the previous Accord that featured a clearer separation between the upper and lower grilles. The headlights on the 2018 Honda Accord are narrower, and the hood is chiselled and low to the ground, establishing an aggressive presence.”

It also says, “In the rear, pretty much everything has changed. For one thing, the 2018 Honda Accord features C-shaped taillights just like the new Civic. Like the front end, the rear is low to the ground, and it also features an upswept deck-lid. No longer is there silver garnish adorning the rear. Look for rectangular, integrated exhaust units replacing the traditional round tailpipes on the old model. The licence plate frame has changed, and the lights below the taillights are also positioned higher on the new model.”

Interior

For the inside features, it notes that Honda has outfitted the Accord with an interior eerily similar in layout and quality to the Mazda 6-which is no bad thing.

“Apparently inspired by concert halls, the new cabin continues the trend of infotainment screens mimicking a mounted iPad and also retains Honda’s penchant for low cowls, thin A-pillars, and thus great outward visibility,” it states.

The new seven-inch infotainment system is said to be sharper and more intuitive than before. It features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and brings back the volume knob.

According to the reviewer, for the first time ever, the Accord comes with a button dedicated to switching from ‘Normal’ to the ‘Sport’ driving mode, hardening up the steering, automatic transmission settings, throttle maps, adaptive dampers, and easing up on the active sound deadening.

Engine

The automaker says new Accord will be available in three engine options. The base 1.5 turbocharged four-cylinder, producing 192 horsepower and pound-feet of torque and can be mated to either a CVT or a six-speed manual.

“If fuel efficiency is your passion, a new, two-motor hybrid model is available and according to Honda, boasts the exact same cargo and interior dimensions as the gas cars.

The 2018 Accord will also be available with the 2.0-litre turbo lifted-but detuned-from the friggin’ manic Civic Type R making 252 horses and 273 lb-ft in this application.

Comparing the performance of the new Accord with the 2018 edition of Camry and Sonata, a reviewer, Cnet, says the Camry is the horsepower king, with 301hp against the Accord’s 252hp and the Sonata’s 245hp.

“The Accord stays on top for torque, though, at a meaty 273. Again, no fuel economy estimates from Honda, but the Camry wins by 1mpg on the highway (33), and the Sonata wins by 1mpg in the city (23)” it states.

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Honda targets Camry, Sonata with radically redesigned Accord

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