One of the most iconic cars to have arrived at the American shores – the Honda Accord – gets a much-needed upgrade for 2023. The 2023 version of the Honda Accord gets a new drivetrain, sleeker looks, premium interiors, and better tech under the hood. More importantly, it's a sedan, a dying breed!
A sedan offers more space than a hatchback, more premium interiors than an SUV and hatchback, better drivability and aerodynamics than an SUV, and surely more fuel efficiency than an SUV. Throw in a peppy engine to a sedan, and you can amp up the fun element.
For example, the 2022 Honda Accord comes with three engine options – a 1.5-liter one, one 2-liter, and a hybrid variant. The power in these engines range from 192HP to 252HP. These figures are more than one can ask for to use daily.
These sedans behave very well on the crowded city roads during peak office hours, but floor that pedal to know what beasts they can turn into. We take a closer look at one of the most famous midsize sedans to figure out if this Honda manages to revive the "fun" in this slowly diminishing segment.
The Accord Is Keeping Up With The Time
The Honda Accord knows the American market better than most of the cars we see these days. In 1982, the Honda Accord became the first car from a Japanese manufacturer to be produced in the United States of America. With times changing, the Honda Accord changed too, which is why it has stayed one of the best-selling cars in the American market from the time of its arrival over 40 years ago.
Honda has not revealed much about the all-new 2023 Honda Accord, but according to the teaser, there is a lot to speculate on and get excited about. Taking the design cues from the existing Civic and the 2023 CR-V, the 2023 Honda Accord promises to elevate the fun quotient that the existing Accord is known for.
The rear of the new Honda Accord is refreshingly new and does not remind you of the existing Accord in any way. The taillights of the 2023 Honda Accord now stretch across the entire boot except for a Honda logo in the middle. The front looks sharp with sleeker looks and a bigger grille.
The 11th generation of the Honda Accord will have a new hybrid powertrain to choose from apart from the existing options. Honda has added the largest touchscreen – 12.3 inches – they could make to go with the new interiors of the new Accord. This touchscreen will be powered by Honda’s integration of Google services for better connectivity and a smoother experience.
We will have to wait for a few more days before the 2023 Honda Accord breaks cover, and all the details are officially out. But considering that the 2023 version is not going to be a major upgrade over the existing Honda Accord (unlike the 2023 Toyota Corolla), it will surely be a fun car.
The 11th Generation Accord Is Every Step In The Right Direction
Considering the sales figure as the benchmark of the popularity of a car, the Honda Accord has always been among the top players for ages now. In the first half of this year, Honda sold almost 1,00,000 units of the Accord in the United States.
Players like Honda and Toyota know the trends of the market more than most, and this helps them to tap into the right sentiment year after year. With the arrival of the 2023 Honda Accord at the dealerships in early 2023, we do not doubt that Honda will once again make the Accord a force to reckon with not only in the midsize-sedan segment but also among other categories.
Are midsize sedans still relevant in today’s world?
Oh, totally. Yes, the SUV market is booming and some cars provide much more than a usual sedan, but the midsize sedans are not going anywhere anytime soon. Some views might differ, but a midsize sedan offers much more utility and fun than, let’s say, an SUV or a hatchback.
Most of these sedans (like the Honda Accord here) can exit a corner faster than the speed at which they enter it. Thanks to the design and the lower center of gravity, a midsize sedan stays planted even when you are redlining in every gear. The more grounded drive is also a boon during the long hauls on the highways. Some of these sedans take the thrill a bit too far with their RWD abilities, but that segment is rare and not-so-cost-effective.
The fact that an average sedan is more affordable than an average SUV in the American market makes it a very serious contender to the more expensive SUV segment. Yes, a sedan cannot do what an AWD or a 4x4 SUV can do, but neither an SUV do what a sedan can. The minimal drag, the faster speeds, the extra adrenaline, and more death-defying abilities make a sedan a universal performer for everyone in the family.
Source: Honda