2013 Honda Accord: All new and all good!

After spending a long time perched at the summit of the mid-size sedan category, the Honda Accord has kept a low profile for the last few years. Sure, people recognized its good qualities, but it was criticized for lacking “flavour.” Engineering seemed to have trumped passion. For 2013, the Accord has been given a facelift – so impressive is the transformation that it has already earned a number of prestigious awards. That’s proof positive that the ninth generation of the Accord is back on the right track, much to Honda’s relief.

There are no new configurations this year; the same two trims, namely the coupe and the sedan, are still offered. Sales of the two-door version were lukewarm, but Honda decided to stick with it. After all, aficionados liked the Accord Coupe and this new generation is just as well done.

• Also: Honda Axes Euro-Spec Accord
• Also: A Recall For The Honda Accord

More compact

The 2013 Accord gets a brand new chassis that’s lighter and 40% more rigid thanks to widespread use of aluminum. The engineers’ choice to replace the double-wishbone with a MacPherson strut front suspension is justified by the reduction in weight, greater comfort and quieter ride. And quiet it is, with the Active Sound Control system mitigating engine noise in the passenger compartment. Also, with a reduced length and wheelbase, it’s also more compact. This simultaneously makes the vehicle more stylish and puts an end to the trend toward bigger and bigger models.

The new Accord is still easy to recognize, but the changes are significant enough to upgrade its appearance. The front end includes most of the new elements, including a modified grille that is somewhat reminiscent of that of the Volkswagen Passat. It more angular lines and flat roof remain, but this style greatly improves function and onboard visibility. The addition of the trendy LED daytime driving lights enhances the car’s look and character.

Several mechanical changes

While certain manufacturers offer only four cylinders in this segment, Honda continues to offer an array of engines, including some new ones. They have scrapped the old four-cylinder engine in favour of a much more modern 2.4-litre appearing for the first time in Canada. Equipping the base versions of the Accord, this engine sets itself apart with its direct injection technology. It develops 185 horsepower and 181 lbs.-ft. of torque, numbers that are slightly higher than the old engine’s. It goes without saying that this new engine’s goal is great fuel economy and, to help accomplish this objective, Honda is introducing another first: a continuously variable transmission. This gearbox work miracles in terms of fuel consumption, but nothing is perfect, so you’ll have to accept a little less driving pleasure. People who just can’t stand this type of transmission – you know who you are – will be delighted with the six-speed manual, an option not offered by the competition.

The 3.5-litre V6 is back with a few modifications aimed at reducing fuel consumption and increasing output. This year, the horsepower is up by 7 to 278, while the torque, at 252 lbs.-ft., is also superior. However, everything is delivered over a lower gear range, which means brawnier accelerations. This engine also offers Variable Cylinder Management that deactivates three of the six cylinders in certain situations.

Inside

Although the car has slimmed down considerably, you wouldn’t know from the space on board. Honda managed to keep – and in some cases increase – the available room. It feels like one of the most spacious models in the category. And always a sure-fire crowd-pleaser, the loading capacity of the trunk has been increased (a cubic foot or 28.3 litres). Then again, the lack of a split rear bench is lamentable; you have to lower the whole seat, thereby limiting what you can and can’t do. They also did a nice job with the dashboard. Its dials, buttons and controls are large, but the overall presentation is softer and more elegant. The most common controls are easy to access and the sound system is less tedious to manage.

On the road

We test drove the Accord equipped with the new 2.4-litre four-cylinder, the engine most likely to equip the majority of the models sold. You’ll like this engine’s ultra-quiet ride and the enthusiasm that it brings to the car which, after all, isn’t exactly a sub-compact. Admittedly, it doesn’t have the V6’s torque, but throughout our test drive, we never felt that it lacked power. We were especially happy about its fuel economy, which is a primary concern for many drivers.

The ride is quiet and the soundproofing is adequate. The only unpleasant sound you’ll hear in the passenger compartment comes from the CVT. When you press the accelerator suddenly at high revs, the engine howls like a snowmobile. Ah, the joys of a CVT!

The new power steering, another space- and weight-saving trend, turned out to be pleasant. The engineers succeed in instilling it with a sense of control, without being either too light or too firm. Our favourite option, brand new on the market, is the LaneWatch system. When you activate the right turn signal, the screen displays the entire right side of the car (a camera faces back from the rearview mirror). You won’t miss much in the blind spot with this system. Why doesn’t it have the same system on the left? Well, ergonomics dictate that you shouldn’t have to look at a screen on your right side when you want to move to the left.

Sales are down in the mid-size sedan category and the competition is fiercer than ever, so it’s not easy to succeed. But with good value and excellent quality, the new 2013 Accord definitely still has what it takes to impress.