2023 Honda Accord

Honda took many of the ideas from the smaller Civic and put them into the Accord. The dashboard is long and flat, with mesh covering the vents and metal accents on the dials for climate control. On top of this is a touchscreen. The Civic’s mesh pattern differs from the Accord’s, but both cars have a similar look. We like how the simple but helpful layout of the controls works in this slightly larger format while keeping their simple eye.

People say that a new design for the front seat will help them feel less tired on long trips. Even though I’ve only had a brief opportunity to sit in them, I find them extremely comfortable. The back seat is just as comfortable, with 40.8 inches of legroom. It resembles the backseat of a full-size sedan in that regard, but not in terms of headroom. Because of the Accord’s sloping rear profile, tall people will need to slouch a little to keep their heads from banging into the headliner while driving.

The most noticeable changes to the Accord’s interior are technology-related. The instrument cluster’s 10.2-inch digital display is standard, but the 12.3-inch touchscreen display is optional and standard on the top four trim levels.

The smaller 9-inch screens in Honda’s Civic, CR-V, and Pilot do a much worse job filling the dashboard and making it feel more modern than Honda’s giant screen ever put in a car (among others). Because of its larger size and built-in wireless connectivity, the screen is also compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The way this screen is set up is another thing we like about it. Some larger screens may make it hard for a driver to reach the far edge while driving, but I had no trouble doing so. A small ledge under the screen that you can use to steady your hand while using it is another thoughtful addition that makes everything much easier to use.

Surprisingly, only Touring models have a wireless charging pad, so they are the only ones that can give the driver a life without cords. Google built-in is a trick that can only be used on touring models. This means Google apps are now integrated into the operating system. If you sign in with a live Google account, Google Maps will sync your destinations with Google Assistant immediately. There are some benefits to having the system work so well with the rest of the car. For example, you can use voice commands to change the temperature or the way the seats are heated.

There’s also the Google Play store, where apps are made just for the car. The system is fast and easy to use, and the Google voice assistant is much better than Honda’s voice recognition.

All Accords can now get software updates over the air that make the car work better. Both the LX and the EX still have 7-inch touchscreens.

The features that help the driver have also been made better. Honda claims that the automatic emergency braking system’s radar and forward-facing camera now have a more extensive detection range and improved object detection at crossroads. The adaptive cruise control system now has a feature called “Traffic Jam Assist,” which lets it work in traffic until the car comes to a complete stop. Also, the blind-spot monitors can now see other vehicles from farther away than they could before.

Honda combines the gas and hybrid versions of the Accord into a single trim level, just like it did with the new CR-V. Because of this, the Sport, EX-L, Sport, and Touring trim levels are now only available with hybrid engines, while the LX and EX trim levels still have gas engine options. Marketing-wise, the “Accord Hybrid” is no longer available.

The only way to get an Accord will still be with front-wheel drive. This could be a problem for sedan buyers who want the all-wheel movement to make their cars more stable in the winter. The Kia K5 and the Toyota Camry have an all-wheel drive system as an add-on package option.

Before, the Accord had two gas-only engines: a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder as the base engine and a more powerful 252-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder that came standard on the Touring and was an option on the Sport. The 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine is still the base engine for the LX and EX. It has replaced the more powerful engine, which is no longer available. It makes 192 hp and 192 lb-ft of torque when paired with the vehicle’s continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).

The hybrid models have a hybrid system that has been updated. It has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors. The Accord Hybrid generates 204 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque from its hybrid powertrain. This is eight hp less than the model from last year but 15 lb-ft more torque.

We recently tested this powertrain in the CR-V Hybrid and found that while it works well in the city, it gets loud and clunky when going up and down hills or speeding up to highway speeds. We will know what we think about the Accord in this configuration when we test-drive it. Honda also says that fuel economy numbers will be out soon, but we expect them to be about the same or a little less than the 47 mpg combined of the last-generation Accord Hybrid.

To get the full benefit of the 2023 Accord’s redesign, the top-tier Touring trim is where it’s at. It’s too bad that none of the other models can be charged wirelessly and have fewer multimedia features. Honda says that sales of the new Accord will start in January 2023. Check back with Invoice Pricing in the days before that for more information, driving impressions, and other things.