What’s beneath the Accord’s hood?

As it did with the latest introduction of the redesigned CR-V, Honda is mashing together the Accord gasoline and hybrid versions into just one trim composition. That suggests the LX and EX trim degrees feature a gasoline powertrain, while the Activity, EX-L, Sport-L and Touring all make the shift above to hybrid ability only. From a internet marketing perspective, there isn’t really an “Accord Hybrid” any more.

The Accord will continue to be entrance-wheel-generate only. This could be a downside for sedan customers needing all-wheel generate to support out with wintertime traction. For reference, the Kia K5 and Toyota Camry both offer accessible all-wheel travel.

Previously, there have been two gas-only engines obtainable for the Accord: a foundation turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder and a far more impressive 252-horsepower 2.-liter four-cylinder that was optional on the Sport trim and normal on the Touring. That upgraded engine is gone, but the turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder carries on as the foundation motor in the LX and EX. It is paired with a consistently variable automatic transmission (CVT) and makes a matching 192 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque.

Less than the hood of the hybrid versions is an up-to-date hybrid technique that characteristics a 2.-liter four-cylinder engine and a pair of electric powered motors. Whole method output is 204 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque, down 8 hp but up 15 lb-ft of torque in excess of last year’s Accord Hybrid.

We have examined this powertrain recently in the CR-V Hybrid and uncovered that the procedure operates well in metropolis driving but gets a minor loud and unrefined when heading up and down hills or accelerating up to highway speeds. Our closing impressions will have to hold out until finally we get at the rear of the wheel of the Accord with this set up. Honda also suggests the gas economic system figures are forthcoming, but we’d guess that they are going to close up coming in at or a bit down below the 47 mpg merged of the past-era Accord Hybrid.

How’s the Accord’s interior?

The Accord can take on several of the themes Honda introduced in the smaller sized Civic. There’s a extended, flat dashboard that is topped by a touchscreen with steel accents on the local climate regulate dials and mesh around the vents. The Accord receives a different mesh sample than the Civic’s, but the in general aesthetic is identical. It really is a uncomplicated appear that interprets very well in this a bit larger format, and we like the understated but beneficial structure of the controls.

Up entrance, a new seat style is mentioned to reduce tiredness on lengthier drives. I’ve only sat in them briefly, but so considerably I’d price them as pretty comfortable. In the same way snug is the back seat, which possesses a gargantuan 40.8 inches of rear legroom. In that regard it feels like the back again seat of a full-sizing sedan, but in headroom it does not. The Accord’s sloping rear profile cuts down into the cabin and if you’re on the taller aspect, you can have to slouch down a bit to maintain your head from bouncing into the headliner when the vehicle is in motion.

How’s the Accord’s tech?

The most noteworthy interior variations for the Accord occur on the engineering front. A 10.2-inch digital display for the instrument cluster will come conventional, but the more substantial story is an obtainable 12.3-inch touchscreen display that will come conventional on the leading 4 trim levels (aka the hybrid types).

This is the greatest screen that Honda has ever place in a automobile, and it does a much better position of filling the dashboard and producing it really feel modern day than the smaller sized 9-inch screens identified in the Civic, CR-V and Pilot (amongst some others). The much larger screen also provides on regular wireless connectivity for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone integration. A single much more thing we like about this display: It truly is placed flawlessly. At times the greater screens can be challenging to get to for the driver, but I was ready to very easily arrive at the far edge of the display from my driving placement. There is certainly also a smaller ledge under the screen for you to stabilize your hand when making use of the screen, one more contact that just helps make it all substantially simpler to use.

Strangely, only Touring designs provide a wi-fi charging pad, so only these designs can thoroughly furnish the driver with a twine-free existence. Touring styles also completely get just one other trick: Google designed-in. This is a fancy way to say that Google applications are now designed into the program natively, and you can login with an present Google account and your places will load into Google Maps and sync with the Google Assistant. There are rewards to possessing the program built-in like this into the vehicle’s ecosystem. You can, for example, use the Google Assistant’s voice commands to set the local weather manage or the heated seats.

The Google Engage in retailer is also there, with the skill to obtain apps that have been exclusively developed for use in-motor vehicle. In apply, the process is super snappy and effortless to use, and the Google voice assistant in distinct helps make for a greater working experience than Honda’s voice recognition by a significant margin.

LX and EX designs make do with only a 7-inch touchscreen, but all Accords now obtain the capability to receive in excess of-the-air software updates that can upgrade the car’s features.

Driver support options have also been upgraded. The ahead-dealing with camera and radar that electric power the automated crisis braking now have a wider field of see and provide greater object detection at intersections, Honda claims. The blind-spot screens can detect other motor vehicles farther absent than prior to, and the adaptive cruise command method now options Website traffic Jam Assist, which allows the method to perform in visitors down to a end.