The current generation Honda Accord has been with us since 2012 as a 2013 model and interestingly, Honda gave the sedan a pretty big facelift recently, despite only being two years old.
Usually, cars are refreshed half-way through their generational lifespan, so this one comes to us as a bit of a surprise.
What’s in store? Well, besides the obvious new wheels, the Honda Accord sedan receives new Acura-like headlights, along with a redesigned chrome front bumper, and front fascia. The rear gets some new tweaks as well with new LED taillights and revised rear fascia.
The interior still retains its two-screen setup, though with the system gains Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, making it the first Honda model to receive the connectivity.
Mechanically however, the Accord sedan remains unchanged with its “Earth Dreams” motors, a base 2.4L naturally-aspirated four-banger with Honda’s latest CVT, or [thankfully] the choice of a six-speed manual. The potent J-Series 3.5L V6 is still available for those craving power, but interestingly, Honda says that the updated V6 comes with the choice of a six-speed automatic OR manual. But interestingly, the outgoing Honda Accord Sedan with the V6 was only available with a six-speed automatic, and it’s been that way since the seventh generation model of 2007-2007, for whatever the reason (they say low demand).
Should the new 2016 Honda Accord sedan be offered with a V6 and six-speed manual combo, this would be a pretty big deal for those who are fans of the Accord V6 sedan and the manual transmission. They never offered this combination on the last, eight generation model and to see it return would give the Honda Accord a huge advantage for driving enthusiasts over its competition. We highlighted the clause in the press release after the jump to make sure we’re not seeing things.
We’ve reached out to Honda to clarify this point and will update this post accordingly.
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Honda Introduces the Highest Tech Accord Yet in High Tech’s U.S. Hub—Silicon Valley
Jul 23, 2015
– MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.
Upgraded 2016 Accord features one of the first applications of both Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ in a volume-produced vehicle
More dynamic styling, including first 19-inch wheels on Accord
Honda Sensing™ safety and driver-assistive tech available on all trims
New 7-inch Display Audio touchscreen interface
Honda introduced a refreshed 2016 Accord loaded with advanced technology in Silicon Valley today, the first time the company has launched a new vehicle in the U.S. tech hub. Coming to market in August, the 2016 Accord will be the first Honda model and among the first high-volume cars in the marketplace to feature both Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™. These and other major upgrades to technology and features make it the most high-tech Accord ever.
The 2016 Accord Sedan and Coupe receive dynamic new styling, a new Display Audio touchscreen interface, and Honda Sensing™, the most comprehensive suite of safety and driver-assistive technologies in the midsize car class. The 2016 Accord also adds HD Radio®, heated rear seats, front and rear parking sensors, and a number of other new features and technology to be revealed in coming weeks. Details on the Accord Hybrid will be announced at a later date.
“Where else to introduce the most technologically advanced midsize sedan, the 2016 Accord, than in Silicon Valley,” said John Mendel, executive vice president of the Automobile Division, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “Customers want their vehicles to be more intelligently integrated with their smartphone-powered lives, and we are committed to delivering that experience starting with Accord, retail car buyers’ most popular vehicle the past two years.”
Exterior and Interior design
The 2016 Accord gets a major facelift with sportier, more sophisticated styling, front and rear. In front is a more sharply creased and intricately structured bumper fascia with outside edges that tuck into intake-like meshed areas that house new LED fog lights (Sport trim and above). A new aluminum hood features sharper character lines that meet up with a brighter, more expressive front grille. In the rear, the Accord gets restyled LED taillights and a similarly aggressive rear bumper fascia redesign.
While all models feature restyled wheels, the Accord Sedan (Sport and Touring trim) and Coupe (Touring, new for Coupe) get new, larger 19-inch wheels and tires. The Touring sedan also gets a new rear deck spoiler. All models, Coupe and Sedan, feature the expanded use of LED lighting – LED taillights for all models, LED headlights for the new Touring Coupe, and LED daytime running lights (DRLs) for Sport and above trims.
Honda Sensing™
All 2016 Accords also can now be equipped with Honda Sensing™, among the most comprehensive suite of advanced safety and driver-assistive technologies in the class. Honda Sensing includes a Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS™) with Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Keeping Assist (LKAS), Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) with Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), and is available as a standalone option on all trims with the exception of Touring, where Honda Sensing is included as standard equipment.
Also, all 2016 Accords feature a standard Multi-Angle Rearview Camera and Expanded View Driver’s Mirror and, for the first time, new auto high-beam headlights (Touring trim) that enhance nighttime visibility and driving convenience by defaulting to the high-beam setting and automatically switching to low beams when an oncoming vehicle is detected.
Display Audio with Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™
The Accord audio and digital experience also is significantly upgraded with the application of a 7-inch Display Audio touchscreen interface featuring Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, on EX and above trims, as well as available HondaLink™ Assist (e911) and HD Radio. The intuitive and easy-to-use capacitive touchscreen lets users swipe, tap and pinch—just like on a tablet or smartphone—to control the vehicle’s audio system, display settings and other advanced features.
Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ are designed to support seamless smart phone integration and offer a multitude of new functions and features.
Apple CarPlay® takes the things you want to do with your iPhone while driving and puts them right on your car’s built-in display. You can get directions, make calls, send and receive messages, and listen to music right from the touchscreen or by voice via Siri. Supported apps include Phone, Messages, Maps, Music and compatible third party apps. Apple CarPlay® is compatible with iOS 8.4 or later and iPhone 5 or later.
Android Auto™ was designed to give drivers a simple, intuitive way through touch and voice to minimize the potential for distraction so the driver can stay focused on the road. Compatible with Android 5.0 and higher, Android Auto features Google Maps, Google Now, messaging, music and numerous popular apps.
To take full advantage of these new systems and features, the 2016 Accord’s new 7-inch Display Audio touchscreen is paired with an upper 7.7-inch high-resolution display screen and steering wheel-mounted controls. The upper screen can display audio settings, turn-by-turn directions, time and trip information, LaneWatch™ and Rearview Camera displays, incoming calls, SMS text messages when stopped, and parking sensor alerts.
Upgraded Features
The Accord value proposition is further bolstered by new standard and available features: Accord EX and above trims (Sedan and Coupe) with automatic transmission get remote engine start, 7-inch Display Audio touchscreen and HD Radio. SiriusXM satellite radio and Homelink remote, previously on EX-L and Touring, are now standard on EX and above trims. Sport and above trims in the sedan lineup also get a new 60/40 split and folding rear seat, previously a one-piece folding design. The Accord Sedan in Touring trim gets heated rear seats, front and rear parking sensors and new rain-sensing windshield wipers.
Advanced Powertrains
The Accord will continue to be offered with two advanced Honda engines: a direct-injected (DI) 2.4-liter inline i-VTEC™ 4-cylinder and a 3.5-liter VTEC™ V-6 that is the most powerful engine offered in a Honda sedan to date. Available transmissions include a sporty and fuel-efficient continuously variable transmission (CVT) for the 4-cylinder engines, unique 6-speed manuals for the 4-cylinder and V-6 engines, and a 6-speed automatic for V-6 models.
About Honda
Honda offers a complete lineup of Honda cars, trucks and service through a network of more than 1,000 Honda dealerships within the United States. Eight Honda auto plants in North America have the capacity to produce 1.92 million automobiles each year using domestic and globally sourced parts. In 2014, more than 97 percent of the Honda and Acura automobiles sold in the U.S. were produced in North America.
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– By: Chris Chin