2023 Honda Accord Officially Unveiled- Better or Blander than Before?

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Honda has officially unveiled the eleventh-generation of the Accord. Looking more conservative than its predecessor, the 2023 Accord features a more traditional black mesh grille flanked by LED headlights. They’re joined by a more curvaceous front bumper that features a wide intake, which helps to emphasize the car’s width.

Full details will be released closer to launch, but the model comes standard with body-color side mirrors and 17-inch alloy wheels. Sport trims are distinguished by black mirrors, a black rear spoiler, and black 19-inch alloy wheels, while the Sport-L adds a unique black diffuser. The range-topping Touring also has black accents and black 19-inch wheels, but they’re joined by silver flourishes for a “sharp, high-contrast look.”

In terms of size, the 2023 Accord measures 195.7 inches (4,971 mm) long, 73.3 inches (1,862 mm) wide, and 57.1 inches (1,450 mm) tall with a wheelbase that spans 111.4 inches (2,830 mm). That makes the new model 2.7 inches (69 mm) longer than its predecessor.

The new interior adopts a Civic-like cabin with a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster and a 7-inch infotainment system with wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. However, higher-end trims – including the Sport, Sport-L, EX-L, and Touring – get a larger 12.3-inch infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Under the hood, the Accord LX and EX have a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that features updated VTEC variable valve lift technology, an upgraded direct-injection system, a new cold-active catalyst, a high-rigidity crankshaft, and a revised oil pan to reduce engine noise. Despite the changes, the engine continues to produce 192 hp (143 kW / 195 PS) and 192 lb-ft (260 Nm) of torque. Though, the 2.0L 252hp inline-four has been discontinued without replacement.

Like the outgoing model, the new Accord will be built outside of Flavortown, Ohio, and production will likely commence in a few months.

From Carscoops

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Of all the cars ever made, this is certainly one of them.

Seriously, it's just so mundane and uninspiring. I mean I'm old enough to remember when Honda put some effort into designing the Accord instead of just loading generic_car1.jpg and offering it in 10 shades of monochrome with an overpriced red and blue option no one would buy.
 
Blander and Better

Honda was never, ever known for overtly expressive styling before like 2015. They've always been modestly but handsomely styled cars with well resolved details. Look at every Accord generation from 1976 to 2017 - all of them somewhat stately and with varying degrees of handsomeness. The last one was, IMO, an anomalous abomination with a front end that is indescribably confusing and just a mess - what is that chrome beak/unibrow thing? I am so glad they are trending back to calm, straightforward styling - and this includes interiors too. This could be a direct successor to the very handsome 9th-Gen Accord (as well as displaying distinct lineage to the equally handsome 4th and 6th gens) and we can pretend the 10th gen didn't happen.
 
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Look at every Accord generation from 1976 to 2017
You mean the 2012 Honda Accord Coupe that was such a stunning knockout punch of stylistic exceptionalism that BMW copied it 1:1 with the 4 series and then put a 3 foot tall Pontiac grille on the front? And then that one that kind of looked like an NSX from the back. And then one of them had flipups and a shooting brake.





All the Camry ever had (until the current car) was two rear windshield wipers.
 
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1990 was the design that made a big step up to make it classy. Guess they're trying to revisit that.
 
Blander and Better

Honda was never, ever known for overtly expressive styling before like 2015. They've always been modestly but handsomely styled cars with well resolved details. Look at every Accord generation from 1976 to 2017 - all of them somewhat stately and with varying degrees of handsomeness. The last one was, IMO, an anomalous abomination with a front end that is indescribably confusing and just a mess - what is that chrome beak/unibrow thing? I am so glad they are trending back to calm, straightforward styling - and this includes interiors too. This could be a direct successor to the very handsome 9th-Gen Accord (as well as displaying distinct lineage to the equally handsome 4th and 6th gens) and we can pretend the 10th gen didn't happen.
I actually thought the 10th gen looked fantastic up front. I felt it had real presence. It was everything from the C-pillar rearward that made me wondering what happened to the designer's inspiration. The way the C-pillar flowed into the trunk (a lot of cars are similarly seal-shaped out back these days), and the taillights were awful. 9th gen looked very handsome on the outside, but I could never get over the fact that the interior reminded me too much of the Odyssey's.

As a huge Accord fan, this new one is almost painfully uninspiring on the outside and I hate that they all but copy-pasted the Civic's interior. It's not even that it's a bad interior, either, I quite like it, but every model in their lineup doesn't need to be identical inside. The Accord, imo, is supposed to feel a solid step up in quality over the Civic, and there is none of that here. It looks like they probably just upgraded the material slightly on the top half of the dashboard. Or maybe I just need to see one in person; after all that controversial new BMW grille (the car one, not the SUV) looks better to me in person than in the press photos.

Also, the dropping of the V6 was bad enough, and now it's looking like they even ditched the CTR-based turbo 2.0L. It's sad to see. I hope they offer a more powerful engine later on.
 
I actually thought the 10th gen looked fantastic up front. I felt it had real presence. It was everything from the C-pillar rearward that made me wondering what happened to the designer's inspiration. The way the C-pillar flowed into the trunk (a lot of cars are similarly seal-shaped out back these days), and the taillights were awful. 9th gen looked very handsome on the outside, but I could never get over the fact that the interior reminded me too much of the Odyssey's.

As a huge Accord fan, this new one is almost painfully uninspiring on the outside and I hate that they all but copy-pasted the Civic's interior. It's not even that it's a bad interior, either, I quite like it, but every model in their lineup doesn't need to be identical inside. The Accord, imo, is supposed to feel a solid step up in quality over the Civic, and there is none of that here. It looks like they probably just upgraded the material slightly on the top half of the dashboard. Or maybe I just need to see one in person; after all that controversial new BMW grille (the car one, not the SUV) looks better to me in person than in the press photos.

Also, the dropping of the V6 was bad enough, and now it's looking like they even ditched the CTR-based turbo 2.0L. It's sad to see. I hope they offer a more powerful engine later on.
Also a big Accord fan (though not as much as you probably :lol: ). Very nearly bought a 9th gen coupe. To each his own, but I thought the 10th gen was way overstyled and suffered from thoughtless looking details - like the hood panel gap just intersecting the headlight at an arbitrary location, and again, the unibrow that I find just confusing to look at (not as bad as the version on the catastrophically ugly 3rd-gen Insight though). The interior was nice though.
 
Plus, the front is like "Tell me you like the Passat, without telling me you like the Passat."

Maybe that can be said for many cars in this segment.
 
I like it. It's not the greatest, but at this point the benchmark is 'not another crossover'. And I prefer this over the BMW approach.
 
You mean the 2012 Honda Accord Coupe that was such a stunning knockout punch of stylistic exceptionalism that BMW copied it 1:1 with the 4 series and then put a 3 foot tall Pontiac grille on the front?
Well now I can't unsee that.
 
Overall, I'm pretty impressed by the new Accord. It's a generally good looking car, both exterior and interior wise. The styling is not particularly bold or groundbreaking, but it says a lot about the overwrought state of car design that something pretty bland like this looks so refreshing and appealing. It really is a breath of fresh air these days – no crazy, excessive creases, lines at weird angles that terminate nowhere, loads of fake vents, or tacked on LED strips, and all the windows even seem to be made of actual glass instead of shiny black plastic. Even crazier, the grille of the new Accord is actually smaller than the outgoing model! As for the interior, it's nothing majorly above that of the 10th generation, but the presence of physical controls, lack of a domineering infotainment screen, and sleek overall trim is certainly a plus. Honda seems to have understood that the typical, overwrought car designs do not appeal to every customer and that the "safe" approach of this, and the Civic, CRV, and the new Pilot that was unveiled a few days ago, will be a strategy that pays off for them.

As for those underwhelmed that the 2.0T has been dropped, I wouldn't be too surpised. The 2.0T sold below expectations accounting for only 20% of Accord sales. It seems perfectly reasonable that the Accord, a largely staid, comfort-oriented sedan, lacks a sporty trim or a more punchy engine. There's really no reason for Honda to offer a quicker Accord when one could opt for a TLX and not spend a tremendous amount more. Besides, there is still a possibility that later in the generation, better/quicker powertrains will be available.
 
I could see a plug-in hybrid accord with AWD and around 300hp occupying the sporty end of the Accord lineup. Fast accords have always, mostly, been about onramp acceleration rather than handling (I mean, you can't expect much in the handling department with a heavy V6 engine hanging out in front of the only driven wheels, which was the configuration for nearly all of the sporty Accords) so the excess weight wouldn't exactly be a detriment, and as we've seen with the Rav4 PHEV they can be pretty darn quick in a straight line. I fully expect an HR-V PHEV and probably a CR-V PHEV to come in the next few years, so doing an Accord seems to make sense.
 
Honda has officially unveiled the eleventh-generation of the Accord. Looking more conservative than its predecessor, the 2023 Accord features a more traditional black mesh grille flanked by LED headlights. They’re joined by a more curvaceous front bumper that features a wide intake, which helps to emphasize the car’s width.

Full details will be released closer to launch, but the model comes standard with body-color side mirrors and 17-inch alloy wheels. Sport trims are distinguished by black mirrors, a black rear spoiler, and black 19-inch alloy wheels, while the Sport-L adds a unique black diffuser. The range-topping Touring also has black accents and black 19-inch wheels, but they’re joined by silver flourishes for a “sharp, high-contrast look.”

In terms of size, the 2023 Accord measures 195.7 inches (4,971 mm) long, 73.3 inches (1,862 mm) wide, and 57.1 inches (1,450 mm) tall with a wheelbase that spans 111.4 inches (2,830 mm). That makes the new model 2.7 inches (69 mm) longer than its predecessor.

The new interior adopts a Civic-like cabin with a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster and a 7-inch infotainment system with wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. However, higher-end trims – including the Sport, Sport-L, EX-L, and Touring – get a larger 12.3-inch infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Under the hood, the Accord LX and EX have a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that features updated VTEC variable valve lift technology, an upgraded direct-injection system, a new cold-active catalyst, a high-rigidity crankshaft, and a revised oil pan to reduce engine noise. Despite the changes, the engine continues to produce 192 hp (143 kW / 195 PS) and 192 lb-ft (260 Nm) of torque. Though, the 2.0L 252hp inline-four has been discontinued without replacement.

Like the outgoing model, the new Accord will be built outside of Flavortown, Ohio, and production will likely commence in a few months.

From Carscoops

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Looks like an uninspired VW
 
Honda really has their ups and downs. The current Accord is weirdly aggressive for Honda but looks sporty and is sporty. Great looking car, if slightly gaudy. But then they're like woooaaahhhh nelly, stomp the brakes, we've gone too far. Let's make the next one miserable.

Does it look more premium? Yes. Does it look boring and sad? Also yes. All of Honda's latest creations bar the Civic Hatchback absolutely scream Volkswagen which for a long time has been the definition of bland. German brands are supposed to be bland. Honda is supposed to be clever and interesting.

It also looks positively massive while the current Accord hides its size very well. I'd much rather be seen in the current car than this one because I love the sporty vibe.
 
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IMO all the new redesigns Honda has been doing the past year are great. I am disapointed there are no more manual offerings for Accords and the K20 is going away though.
 
Does it look more premium? Yes. Does it look boring and sad? Also yes. All of Honda's latest creations bar the Civic Hatchback absolutely scream Volkswagen which for a long time has been the definition of bland. German brands are supposed to be bland. Honda is supposed to be clever and interesting.
I can't recall anything too clever or interesting about the previous Accords. It's the reliable toaster with inoffensive looks. This is like the 2000 Accord of 2023.
 
I owned a then new 2001 Accord LX 5-speed. I saw why people bought them. It did everything without fault. However, couldn't see myself buying one of these. To me, it looks too much like other cars to be an Accord.
 
I can't recall anything too clever or interesting about the previous Accords. It's the reliable toaster with inoffensive looks. This is like the 2000 Accord of 2023.
The current generation has a pretty gnarly exterior design.
 
I'm not sure I get what Honda is doing with the new Accord. If that's what the Accord is, why would you buy one over a CR-V which looks better and has pretty similar driving characteristic and has so much more utility? With the old Accord you could say that it delivers a unique driving experience. I feel like they should have offered this as "base" and "touring" with the 2.0 Hybrid eCVT and "sport" and "sport touring" with the 2.0T. As it is, I don't really understand the point of the 1.5T option...it's not better than the Hybrid at anything...it's almost like they just need to sell that engine to satisfy some production scale criteria. It's kind of a weird choice from Honda, but perhaps the market is just screaming at them that nobody is buying fun-ish sedans anymore.
 
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