2016 Honda Accord: Modern And Reassuring

Updating the Accord always seems to pose a problem for Honda. Since it’s the segment bestseller and has been loved by consumers for nine solid generations, the Japanese automaker has to be very careful about what they do it. On the one hand, too few updates can push buyers to look elsewhere for a more modern vehicle. But on the other hand, too many changes could scare off their loyal fan base.

The Accord was treated to a mid-career refresh for 2016. Since the current gen came out in 2013, Honda’s engineers chose to keep things simple and focus on the sedan’s safety and connectivity features.

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In essence, they kept the same winning recipe and just adjusted the seasonings.

Plastic surgery

To tip buyers off that the 2016 model has been updated, Honda revamped its style. It’s now more in line with their other recent models, like the Pilot and the newly unveiled Civic. LED daytime running lights were added, the front grille is narrower and the hood has a new shape. On the Accord sedan, the hood is made of aluminum, which cuts its total weight by 8.1 kilos. Meanwhile, the Accord coupe doesn’t get aluminum even thought is front treatment is essentially the same as the sedan’s (despite the fact that they don’t share the same body panels). It does, however, come with a striking chrome bar in the middle of the front grille.

You have to look beyond the exterior to find more differences: the 2016 Accord’s chassis is now more rigid, the dampers are of better quality and some of the steering components have been replaced to improve handling.

Advanced technology

But the most impressive changes were made inside the vehicle. The 2016 Accord includes Honda’s most recent infotainment system, which is not only smoother and more intuitive than before (though it still hesitates when you tap a button—yes, “tap” because the physical buttons were unfortunately replaced by a touch screen), but it also comes with all Android Auto and Apple CarPlay apps.

Even if you’re not a techie, you know that there is a merciless war raging between smartphones. Apple is trying to keep the market stronghold with the iPhone, but a handful of other firms—like Samsung and LG—are countering with the Android architecture. In an attempt to gain an edge over Apple, they’ve been paying serious attention to connectivity. As a result, many automobile manufacturers only support one type of smart phone—but Honda works with both. Score! Whatever your device, you can control its features via the Accord’s touchscreen.

The advantages of this system are huge. First, you can use Google Maps instead of a GPS to get you where you want to go. It’s more precise and uses the same pinch-to-zoom technology as your phone. Plus, if you enter a destination on your computer when logged into your Google account, it will pop up automatically, so you won’t have to enter it manually while driving.

To talk to the “person in your phone,” whether it’s Siri or Google Speak, all you have to do is press a button on the steering wheel. You can call a contact or do a quick map search because these systems are trained to recognize their owner’s voice – but they are lightyears ahead of the voice recognition system that came standard on the Accord in the past.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were designed to be safe. Even though they reproduce your phone’s display on the screen—with big, easy-to-see buttons for all apps—they won’t let you use other, potentially distracting features. No YouTube videos while driving! You can also send and receive texts using this screen, and the virtual assistants will read them to you or type out whatever you dictate.

Last but not least, the 2016 Accord can be equipped with the Honda Sensing suite, which is essentially a collection of safety features. We’re especially glad that lane-departure warning has been added, as it was previously only offered on Acura products. The collision-mitigation braking system is also part of this suite, but we chose not to put it to the test!

Oh yeah, the engines!

The engines are the same as before. The base trim sedan comes with a 2.4-litre four-cylinder (paired with a CVT or six-speed manual), but the more well-to-do versions come with a 3.5-litre V6 combined with a six-speed automatic transmission.

Honda made the right decision in not changing the Accord too much. By emphasizing safety and connectivity, the Japanese manufacturer continues to appeal to drivers seeking reliability and comfort. That’s the card the Accord has been playing for a long time, and it’s a recipe that shouldn’t be messed with.