The midsize sedan segment has always been one of the most popular segments in the automotive industry. Although recently surpassed by the flood of new SUVs available on the market, it still finds consistent demand from the market. At the top of the midsize sedan segment we find the Honda Accord, the perennial favorite. Ever since its introduction back in the late 70s, the popularity of the Honda Accord has been rapidly growing.
Practical, affordable, reliable, good looking and packed full of features and technology – everything a car should be and then some! The most recent 2018 Honda Accord one ups previous versions and separates it even further from the competition. The 2018 Accord gets an updated interior and gains some width while losing some height and weight in the process.
PERFORMANCE AND DRIVE
The standard engine on all the lower trims of the 2018 Honda Accord is a 1.5L four cylinder churning out 192hp with 192 lb-ft of torque, making it one of the most powerful 1.5L engines available. It’s paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) or a six speed manual with a short throw in the Sport trim. The engine itself is willing to rev and has plenty of pep, which is why I suggest the Sport trim with the manual if you’re a driving enthusiast. The CVT is great for most situations but it can never be as engaging as the manual. As a daily driver however, the CVT still makes the most sense for the majority of buyers.
Although the much loved V6 has been done away with for 2018, it’s instead replaced with a 2.0L turbocharged four cylinder for the Sport and Touring models. The new four cylinder turbo engine has a lot going for it with 252hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. It’s also paired to the new 10-speed automatic transmission offering incredibly quick and silky smooth gear changes. This new engine feels much quicker than the V6 it replaces because of the increased amount of torque, providing a stronger and faster acceleration for the 2018 Accord. Losing two cylinders also equates to less weight at the front, improving overall performance.
The wider, shorter and lighter 2018 Honda Accord provides a much improved driving experience. This driver’s car shines in the handling department. It’s eager to turn and has no signs of showing understeer. The steering wheel offers a lot of great feedback and you can place the car incredibly precisely on the road. The adaptive suspension is a great upgrade, adding both comfort and sportiness, whichever one you’re in the mood for.
ELEGANT EXTERIOR
Upon first glance of the 2018 Accord’s exterior, I have to say that this is by far and away the best looking Accord to date. The long, sleek and low body showcases everything the first Accords were not. It’s almost as though it combines the best of Europe and Japan, with design elements to appeal to every market it enters.
The front end of the 2018 Honda Accord proudly wears the current corporate fascia. While still instantly recognizable as a Honda, you can definitely differentiate it from the sedan lineup. The front keeps the same overall headlight design, but shrinks the grille a bit to expand the big opening in a V-shape downward. With LED technology the lights look incredible, especially at night.
The rear of the 2018 Accord showcases c shaped tail lights similar to the Honda Civic, but shorter and sleeker. The sloping roofline, dual wide exhaust and accent lines all add to the elegant yet sporty exterior appearance.
QUALITY INTERIOR
Despite the sloping roofline, the 2018 Honda Accord hasn’t compromised the interior space at all. Because Honda has dropped the overall height of the car and placed the slope of the roof further back, rear passengers get as much headroom and legroom as they did in the previous Accord. Actually scratch that, because 2018 Accord offers a longer wheelbase, passengers in fact get a tiny bit more legroom.
The materials inside the cabin are superb and not surprisingly, the fit and finish is even better. Even the base LX comes with a ton of equipment and luxury, but if you want the best of the best, you have to go for the EX-L or the Touring. The premium ten-speaker audio system alone is well worth the upgrade, and that’s on top of the LED lights, the remote starter, the power moonroof and the 8-inch touchscreen you get with the higher trims.
FINAL THOUGHTS
While the older Accords were kings of the midsize sedan segment for a reason, the newly redesigned 2018 Accords are able to build upon an already successful design. With the most handsome exterior to date, a quality interior and more efficient yet powerful engines, the 2018 Accord is primed to make a huge splash in the market with an entry level price of $26,490. This driver focused car performs like a dream and transports passengers in luxury.
