2018 Honda Accord Stylishly Redesigned for Midsize Sedan Market
2018 Honda Accord is joining the latest styling trend to sweep the slumping midsize sedan market with its 10th generation Accord.
New spy photos show that when the redesigned 2018 Honda Accord hits dealership lots, it will have more of fastback profile which is expected to go on sale by fall 2017.
While the exterior of the next Accord is still largely a mystery, photos reportedly showing the updated car undergoing testing appear to suggest a lower-slung fastback design not unlike the redesigned Honda Civic. At this time, it appears likely that the updated Accord will gain the brand’s new corporate grille that adorns the larger Pilot crossover and Ridgeline truck.
In terms of engines, the big news is the expected addition of the automaker’s 1.5-liter 4-cylinder turbo as the model’s new base engine. In addition, there is reportedly a strong possibility that the car will also gain a larger 2.0-liter turbocharged mill that may end up replacing the current 3.5-liter V6.
Power output figures have not yet been revealed, but we know that the smaller Civic with 1.5-liter turbo makes 174 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque. For reference, the current Accord uses a base 2.4-liter naturally-aspirated 4-cylinder engine making 185 hp with 181 lb-ft. Will the turbos achieve efficiency in the Accord at the expense of power and driving enjoyment? That remains to be seen.
Expect Honda Sensing active safety technology to continue to be a key piece in marketing the sedan as a safe and reliable family car. Features like forward collision warning, automatic braking, active lane-keeping and adaptive cruise help earn the current car a coveted IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating on well-equipped models. This follows a trend among automakers to offer beefed-up safety on top-spec models to earn top safety scores on bestsellers to remain competitive.