Proclaimed in early advertisements as “The Big Honda”, Accord joined the Civic and eventually became America’s best-selling car. A Honda leader once described it as “the rice in our meal”. Fifty years on, crossovers surpass sedans for dominance in American driveways, but a fresh new hybrid by 2030 may elevate this sedan’s standing.
The Bigger Honda
By the mid ‘70s, Honda had developed a series of well-engineered and fuel-efficient small cars that America was growing to love. As the N600 begat the Civic, the Accord debuted as a more family-friendly version of its smaller sibling. The name symbolized Honda’s effort to achieve “accord” between people, society and automobiles.
Across eleven generations, Accord led Honda in assembling vehicles domestically and is the most awarded vehicle in Car and Driver 10Best history, earning its spot 40 times including the last 28 consecutively. It’s a family workhorse, but also an industry icon.
The Accord debuted in 1976 as a three-door hatchback packing a 68 horsepower 1.6-liter CVCC four-cylinder engine derived from the Civic. That may sound puny, but placed in a 2,000-lb. vehicle, it provided a better power-to-weight ratio than traditional V8-powered cars. It felt zippy. Three years later, Accord was available as a sedan with power steering, 3-speed automatic transmission and larger 72-horsepower engine. By 1981, drivers could enjoy leather seats, power windows and…a cassette deck.
Accord’s second generation that debuted for 1982 was larger with a restyled body, eventually enjoying 101 horsepower from a fuel-injected engine, but that wasn’t why it mattered. On November 1, 1982, the Accord became Honda’s first car to be assembled in the United States (Marysville, Ohio). A year later, Accord made its first appearance on Car and Driver’s 10Best list.
American Sales Leader
Probably my favorite Accord is the third generation that debuted in 1986 with squared forms, wider stance and retractable headlamps. My choir teacher and two fraternity brothers drove them seemingly forever. Engineers conjured racecar-inspired double wishbone suspension for impeccable handling. A new 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine developed 110 horsepower. The first Accord Coupe, designed in the U.S., debuted in 1988. By 1989, Accord was America’s best-selling car.
Honda made sure the larger Accord that debuted for 1990 looked much like its predecessor, though without the pop-up headlamps. There was a new 130 horsepower 2.2-liter engine for enhanced performance and a wagon joined for 1991.
Honda took a different track with an all-new model for 1994. Aero style with a high trunk lent BMW 3-Series proportions over a larger interior and 145 horsepower 2.2-liter engine. Accord added a 170 horsepower 24-valve 2.7-liter V6 in 1995. I recently saw one of this generation in my neighborhood with antique auto plates. It was unbelievable because the design aged so well.
Two of my best friends bought the all-new 1998 Accord, a larger car that was boxier with style that recalled models from the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. Shorter coupes were styled in the U.S.; sedans were designed in Japan. An uprated 2.3-liter four-cylinder delivered 150 horsepower while the 3.0-liter V6 increased output to 200 horsepower. Marysville produced its 5 millionth Accord in 1999. Accord regained best-selling car status in 2001.
Perhaps the outgoing generation didn’t look advanced enough because Honda threw away the style guide for 2003. Sleeker forms and arching rooflines provide better efficiency, but also roomier cabins. Under the hood was a 160 horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder or 240 horsepower 3.0-liter V6 engine. The first Accord Hybrid debuted for 2005 with 255 horsepower and improved fuel economy.
Safety, Performance and Style
Honda finessed the car’s lines with a new generation in 2008, but focused on underlying body structure to better protect passengers in crashes. Engines included a 190 horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder and 268 horsepower 3.5-liter V6. Accord regained the title of best-selling passenger car in 2010.
Building on hybrid success, Honda stepped up with the ninth generation for 2013. Styling was more refined, but the big news was the addition of a plug-in hybrid with 10-15 miles EV range in 2014. Marysville built its 10 millionth Accord the same year. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility arrived for 2016. By its 40th anniversary, over 12.9 million Accords had been sold.
Another step change occurred with the 2018 tenth generation. Elongated lines, chrome facia and wider stance looked sexier. Turbos arrive for 1.5- and 2.0-liter four-cylinder engines – as did the first 10-speed automatic transmission fitted to a front-drive car. Hybrids achieved 50-MPG. Adaptive suspension damping made its debut. Going steps further, CarPlay and Auto go wireless.
The current eleventh generation arrived for 2023 with understated styling that echoes today’s EVs, though they’re gas- or hybrid-powered. Interiors boast 12.3-inch screens, flatscreen gauges, and wireless phone chargers. Fun facts: Hybrids represent over 50% of model sales and 98% of Accords ever sold in the U.S. were built in the U.S.
Over fifty years, Accord advanced while remaining consistent. The 1976 debut model came with a $3,995 base price ($23,934 inflation-adjusted) and achieved 31/44-MPG city/highway. Today’s model starts at $28,395 and achieves 46/41-MPG city/highway as a hybrid. Considering it weighs twice as much, would embarrass Corvettes from the era, and is stocked with all the latest crash-avoidance systems, it remains an incredible value.
Honda Hybrid Sedan Prototype previews 2029 Accord
With EV sales stalling amid the pull-back of federal incentives, hybrids are gaining renewed interest. At a recent global business briefing in Japan, Honda previewed a new mid-size sedan it plans to introduce in North America.
Details are scant, but Honda claims it will improve hybrid fuel economy by more than 10% and reduce system costs by 30% to make the vehicles more affordable (and profitable). Electric all-wheel-drive will allow for precise and responsive control.
Honda also included updates on its advanced driver assistance system that will function from driveway to driveway including expressways and surface roads. Even if you enjoy driving the next-generation hybrid Accord, you may not have to.