Honda Accord (ninth generation)

Overview

For the ninth-generation Accord, Honda appointed Shoji Matsui, who served as an engineer on the Accord platform from 1985 to 1996 as lead project manager. It is the first Honda vehicle to be completely developed under the administration of Honda CEO Takanobu Ito.

Accord Coupe Concept

Honda revealed the Accord Coupe Concept at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. In August 2012, the company released initial details pertaining to the 2013 Accord sedan, and production versions of both the sedan and coupe were fully unveiled in early September 2012. The Accord sedan went on sale on 19 September 2012 in the United States, with the coupe following on 15 October. Corresponding release dates in Canada for the sedan and coupe models are 24 September 2012 and 1 November 2012, respectively. In February 2013, the Accord was scheduled to enter the Russian market. In June 2013, the Accord hybrid and plug-in hybrid were introduced to the Japanese market, with the discontinuation of the Honda Inspire, serving as Honda's large sedan and one level below the Honda Legend.

Mechanical

The ninth-generation Accord offers the following powertrains: A new direct injected "Earth Dreams" 2.4-liter 16-valve DOHC four-cylinder engine rated at 185 hp (138 kW) to 181 lb·ft (245 N·m) of torque paired with either a six-speed manual or continuously variable transmission, an updated 3.5-liter 24-valve SOHC V6 mated either to a six-speed manual or automatic rated at 278 hp (207 kW) and 252 lb·ft (342 N·m), and a hybrid powertrain (named i-MMD) that integrates a 2.0 liter Atkinson Cycle gasoline engine with an electric motor and lithium-ion battery pack in North America. The Hybrid uses an electronic continuously variable transmission and is rated at 196 hp (146 kW) and 226 lb·ft (306 N·m). Both conventional and plug-in hybrid configurations are offered, both released in the U.S. market in the second half of 2013.

Honda has focused on ride quality, responsiveness, and ride comfort with a completely redesigned front suspension. The simpler and more ubiquitous MacPherson strut design introduced in the Acura TLX has been carried over into the Accord. Replacing the class leading and highly refined double wishbone front suspension, in use since the second generation Accord. The rear suspension retains the independent multi-link suspension. The costlier design is now only available on the top-tier Acura RLX. The new front suspension helps shave weight and free up room in the engine compartment. In addition to the safety concerns of Honda's Advanced Compatibility Engineering, there is focus on body stiffness and dynamic handling response by improving structural rigidity around the front strut tower and lower control arm. All but the LX trim, features a strut bar, All trims receive upgraded shocks front and rear. The Touring trim now comes with more sophisticated double piston shocks called "Amplitude Reactive Dampers", that have been recently introduced on several Acura models. These are typically found in European luxury cars.

The Accord's body now utilizes 55.8% high strength steel, a total of 17.2% are either of 780, 980 or 1,500 MPa yield strength types which were not used in the previous generation. The Accord's previous steel front subframe has been replaced with an aluminum and steel component that weighs 14 lb (6.4 kg) less and is manufactured using friction stir welding (hybrid models use an all-aluminum subframe and hood). Overall the body weight sheds 55 lb (25 kg) .

In North America, the 2016 Accord, now features Front brake disc diameter varies from 11.1 in(LX only), 11.5 in, or 12.3 in (Sport / Touring) depending on model and trim, while the rear discs measure 11.1 inches in diameter.

Trim levels

Two additional trim levels are added in North American markets, Sport and Touring. The Accord Sport Sedan is slotted between the LX and EX models and features a 2.4-liter 16-valve DOHC inline-four engine rated at to 182 lb·ft (247 N·m) of torque, 18-inch wheels and wider tires, dual exhaust, a decklid spoiler, fog lights, leather-trimmed steering wheel and seats, exclusive carbon-fiber-style dash trim, and steering wheel mounted paddle shifters on models equipped with the continuously variable transmission. Starting in model year 2016, the Sport trim featured LED daytime running lights, upgraded LED fog lights, as well as the 19-inch alloy wheels, wider and lower profile (235/40 R19 96V) tires, and bigger front brake rotors found in the Accord Touring Sedan, the lineup's flagship. The Touring trim is available with either four cylinder or V6 engines in Canada; U.S. Touring models are equipped with the V6 engine exclusively.

All Accords come with standard an 8-inch 480 x 320 pixel WQVGA resolution LCD screen, single angle backup camera, Honda's i-MID system which includes Bluetooth hands free calling with SMS texting and streaming audio, USB connector, dual zone automatic climate control and alloy wheels. The available navigation system adds a 6-inch touchscreen and the 8-inch screen uses a higher 800 x 480 pixel resolution WVGA display. A tri-angle (normal, wide and top view) backup camera and wide angle passenger blind spot side view camera are also available. New safety features include an optional forward collision warning system, lane departure warning system and blind spot monitor. Highline models (EX, EX-L, and Touring grades) offer Smart Key, LED daytime running lamps, headlamps, and tail lamps; and an adaptive cruise control system. The 2016 Honda Accord will be the first mass-market car that will be equipped with Apple CarPlay & the second car to also be compatible with Android Auto.

In the Australian market, the 9th generation Accord went on sale in June 2013. It is available with either a 2.4 L 129 kW (173 hp) four-cylinder or 3.5 L 206 kW (276 hp) V6 engine. Unlike the North American market Accord, a CVT transmission is not offered. Instead, the four-cylinder uses a carryover five-speed automatic, while the V6 receives a new six-speed automatic. It continues to be imported from Thailand.

In China, the 9th generation Accord went on sale in September 2013, as a 2014 model. It is available with a choice of 2.0L or 2.4L 4-cylinder engines, or a new 3.0L V6 engine exclusive to the Chinese market. The V6 produces 192 kW (257 hp) and 297 Nm torque. Transmission choices include a CVT for both 4-cylinder engines, or 6-speed automatic for the V6; a manual transmission is not offered. The Chinese market Accord features a unique front grill and bumper, incorporating more chrome and smaller, circular front fog lights. The rear features a different bumper with trapezoidal, rather than circular, exhausts.

In the Philippines the ninth generation Accord was launched in 2014 available in two trims the 2.4 S and 3.5 SV. The 2.4 S variant is available only with five-speed automatic while the 3.5 SV is available with six-speed automatic. The 3.5 SV features a 3.5 SOHC V6 engine, dual exhaust, sunroof and different designed wheels. All models receives daytime running lights, reverse camera with dynamic guidelines, active cornering lights, rain sensing wipers, touch screen panel, ECO assist button and LED Head/Tail lamps.

In Malaysia, the ninth generation Accord was launched in September 2013 and comes available in three trims; the 2.0 VTi, 2.0 VTi-L and 2.4 VTi-L. The 2.0 variants use an improved R20Z1 engine while the 2.4 variant uses the all-new Earth Dreams 2.4L engine. All variants are mated to a 5-speed torque converter gear box. The facelifted Accord was launched in September 2015 in the same three trims but with added features and equipment to each trim. It also comes with three new colours; White Orchid Pearl, Obsidian Blue Pearl and Lunar Silver Metallic. Honda announced it will introduce a 10th generation Accord for the 2018 or 2019 model year. As of February 2017 spy shots of the 10th gen Accord can be found on various auto blogs.

Accord Plug-in Hybrid

The production version of the 2014 Accord Plug-in hybrid was introduced at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show. The Accord PHEV pricing starts at US$39,780 and sales began in the U.S. in January 2013, with availability limited to California and New York. The Accord PHEV was introduced in Japan in June 2013 and it is available only for leasing, primarily to corporations and government agencies. As of December 2013, the Accord PHEV ranks as the third best selling plug-in hybrid in the Japanese market. A total of 1,030 units have been sold in the United States through May 2015.

Honda unveiled the platform for a mid-size plug-in hybrid electric vehicle at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show. The plug-in platform showcased Honda's next-generation two-motor hybrid system, which continuously moves through three different modes to maximize driving efficiency: all-electric, gasoline-electric and an engine direct-drive mode. The plug-in hybrid also uses regenerative braking to charge the battery. In all-electric mode, the vehicle uses a 6 kWh lithium-ion battery and a 120 kW electric motor. The all-electric mode achieves a range of approximately 10 to 15 mi (16 to 24 km) in city driving and a top speed of 62 mph (100 km/h). Fully recharging the battery will take 2 to 2.5 hours using a 120-volt outlet and 1 to 1.5 hours using a 240-volt outlet. Honda announced at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit that first US application of both a 2.4-liter direct-injected engine and two-motor plug-in hybrid system to be implemented on the Accord ninth generation, the 2013 Accord Plug-in Hybrid, with sales scheduled for late 2012 or early 2013. Production of the Accord Plug-in Hybrid began on 21 December 2012.

In September 2012 Honda announced that the 2014 model year Accord Plug-in Hybrid sedan will be built in Sayama, Japan. Honda also explained the plug-in will be available in a single highly equipped trim level based on the standard features of the Accord Touring. The 2014 Accord Plug-in Hybrid is scheduled for release in early 2013, and it will serve as the basis for the conventional hybrid version of the Accord Sedan that will go on sale by mid-2013. The production version will feature a 6.7 kWh lithium-ion battery pack to power a 124 kW electric motor mated with the new Earth Dreams i-VTEC 2.0-liter 4-cylinder Atkinson-cycle gasoline engine producing 137 hp (102 kW) at 6200 rpm, and together the total system output is 196 hp (146 kW), which surpasses that of the Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid (134 hp), Chevrolet Volt (149 hp) and future Ford Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid.

Honda expected the 2014 Accord Plug-in Hybrid to deliver an all-electric range of up to 15 mi (24 km) and a total driving range of more than 500 mi (800 km) based on the U.S. EPA tests as determined by Honda. The carmaker also expected the fuel economy for the Accord Plug-in Hybrid to exceed 100 miles per gallon of gasoline equivalent (MPG-e) (2.4 L/100 km; 120 mpg-imp equivalent), and also expects it to receive an Enhanced AT-PZEV rating from the California Air Resources Board (CARB).

The official EPA ratings for the plug-in hybrid are 13 mi (21 km) of all-electric range with a combined fuel economy rating of 115 miles per gallon of gasoline equivalent (MPG-e), the highest in its class. EPA ratings for operation in hybrid mode are 46 mpg_‑US (5.1 L/100 km; 55 mpg_‑imp) in combined city/highway cycle, 47 mpg_‑US (5.0 L/100 km; 56 mpg_‑imp) in city, and 46 mpg_‑US (5.1 L/100 km; 55 mpg_‑imp) in highway driving. The 2014 Accord PHEV is the first car in the U.S. to meet the new LEV3/SULEV20 emissions standards, and will get single-occupant carpool access in California.

In June 2015 Honda announced that the Accord Plug-in Hybrid will be discontinued after the 2015 model year, together with the Civic Hybrid and the natural gas-powered Honda Civic GX. This decision is due in part to Honda's ability to advance fuel economy through conventional engine technology. The company plans to launch of a new dedicated plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicle models after the introduction of Honda's next generation fuel cell vehicle in 2016.