autoevolution
 

HONDA Accord Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

Generations: 13
First production year: 1981
Engines: Gasoline, Hybrid gasoline, Hybrid, Mild hybrid, Diesel
HONDA Accord photo gallery

Honda introduced the 11th generation of the Accord for the U.S. market in 2022, and despite all odds, it made a downsize on its engine lineup, but in a good way.

The Japanese vehicle was already the best-selling car in America for more than five decades, and what started as a humble three-door hatchback became a favorite family vehicle. Unlike other carmakers from the same segment, the Accord always had a sporty side, but without being a true sports sedan, and that helped it sell in high numbers.

The 2023 Accord's front fascia resembled the one used for its smaller sibling, the Civic. Its grille featured a wide hexagonal shape, and the narrow LED headlights sported the daytime running lights on their upper side, like eyebrows. From its profile, the elongated silhouette revealed an arched roofline over the greenhouse. Honda kept the third side windows behind the rear doors, but the back of the cabin wasn't that sloped anymore and moved onto a more conventional, three-box-shape design. Finally, at the back, the 2022 Accord had corner-mounted taillights that were extended over the trunk's lid.

Inside, the Japanese automaker followed the same idea seen in the same era Civic, with a grille that ran across the entire dashboard. Atop the center stack, the Accord featured a standard 7" infotainment display with an option for a 12.3-inch unit. Fronting the driver, the 10.2" instrument panel was fitted as standard. Like on its predecessors, the bolstered front seats provided some side support. At the same time, in the back, the bench was capable of offering enough room for three adult-sized occupants.

Apart from the base version, powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline unit, the Accord was also available with an improved hybrid system. The electrified versions were powered by 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle engines paired with two electric motors.

full description and technical specifications
gasoline engines:

HONDA Accord 1.5L CVT (192 HP)

hybrid gasoline engines:

HONDA Accord 2.0L Atkinson (204 HP)

HONDA Accord  photo gallery

The first generation of the Honda Accord was released back in the 1976 and it seems that Honda followed the same recipe to win the public’s hearts: affordable and wonderful.

The 2020 mid-size sedan was completely redesigned to have an aggressive styling, and the biggest role was played by the full LED headlights that were angled towards the center grille.

Integrated in the front bumper were also the fog-lamps along with functional side air curtains.

It seems that Honda paid great attention to details by placing several chrome inserts along the body of the Accord, inserts that perfectly matched with the nice alloys.

The back of the Accord was a clean one, with no trunk lid spoiler.

Inside the 2020 model we could find a cozy, classy cabin, mostly due to the nice combination of materials, such as soft leather with wood textures.

The powered front seats were both heated and cooled and had 2 memory settings. An 8-inch touchscreen display was available, and it was designed to help the driver see better due to its inclination.

The Accord offered wireless charging, USB ports in the front, Apple CarPlay and Android auto and a head-up display.

Safety wasn’t left out and the Accord was equipped with the latest safety technology available such as blind spot monitoring, lane keep assist and others.

The rear passengers would be happy to sit on the comfortable seats, as well as rest their arms on the soft armrest equipped with cupholders.

The only downside for them would’ve been the lack of climate control, USB port and probably the 12V socket.

full description and technical specifications
hybrid gasoline engines:

HONDA Accord 2.0L i-VTEC (212 HP)

HONDA Accord photo gallery

The tenth generation of the Accord left the European customer in tears since it wasn’t available there. Honda built it specifically for the U.S. market and, since it was not constrained to have the same platform as its Old Continent sibling, it could make it larger.

While other carmakers started to increase their engine sizes to provide more power and refinement, the Japanese carmaker changed its register. The 2017 Accord was available only with four-cylinder engines and as a hybrid.

Its exterior design matched the carmaker’s new design language, with a deep black grille at the front and narrow, sharp, swept-back headlights. Its look was closer to the Civic sedan in terms of proportions but different in terms of size. The greenhouse featured a sloped C-pillar with a long rear windscreen and a short trunk lid. Depending on the trim level and options, the carmaker added a lips spoiler at the back.

The car’s interior revealed a high-tech approach, with buttons for the gearbox instead of the regular lever. On top of the center stack, Honda placed a floating screen for the infotainment unit. Its wide, comfortable seats provided adequate side support, while the long wheelbase offered plenty of legroom for the rear passengers.

Under the hood, the carmaker offered three power plants: a 1.5-liter turbocharged-four, a 2.0-liter turbocharged-four, and a 2.0-liter hybrid. A ten-speed gearbox was available for the second engine version, while the former and the latter were available with a CVT.

full description and technical specifications
HONDA Accord photo gallery

Impressive fuel economy, a superb exterior design, and a rewarding performance, all in one package named Honda Accord.

Honda appears to have known the exact recipe for a top-selling family sedan, as the Accord had been around for more than 30 years.

For 2015, the Accord came in two body styles, a midsize sedan and a coupe.

The sedans were available in 4 trim levels: the LX, Sport, EX, EX-L and the EX-L with Navigation. If equipped with the 3.5-liter V6, the Accord came in three trims: EX-L, EX-L with Navi and Touring.

The base trim levels was well equipped, with features including 16-inch alloys, dual-zone automatic climate control, power accessories, cruise control, Bluetooth connectivity, a rearview camera, an 8-inch infotainment display and many others.

Stepping up to the Sport trim, the Accord was equipped with a punchier engine, 18-inch alloys, a rear spoiler, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

The EX trim level included the LX features and added 17-inch alloys, heated mirrors, keyless entry, keyless go, a sunroof and a blind-spot monitoring system.

A more luxurious trim, the EX-L added leather upholstery, heated front seats, enhanced safety with forward collision and lane-departure warning system, as well as an upgraded 7-speaker audio system and a 6-inch touchscreen display. Smartphone integration was also standard using the HondaLink with Aha.

Obviously, with EX-L with Navi added a navigation system with voice recognition.

Besides the safety features mentioned and available with the upper trim levels, the LaneWatch blind-spot feature was a more advanced system that instantly displayed a wide view of the passengers side when the driver actioned the right turn signal.

full description and technical specifications
HONDA Accord photo gallery

The ninth generation of the Honda Accord for the U.S. market was different than the one offered in the European market, which looked more like an American Acura. But the 2012 Accord was a piece of evolution.

It was smaller than the previous generation, which was already too big for a mid-size sedan. Actually, the eight-generation Accord was rated as a large sedan by the EPA due to the interior volume. So, the Honda stepped back a few inches from the length. The Accord has to be on the podium of the mid-size sedans, not somewhere on the bottom of the large-sedans.

The outside look has been changed by a bit, not too much but enough to differentiate it by its older brother. The new front fascia featured a raked grille and narrower headlights when compared to the 8th generation.

Inside, there was a new dashboard, that looked more like the 9th generation of the European Accord with the same place for the infotainment unit and its controls. The navigation and voice-commands were part of the equation. Due to the decrease in size, the interior room was not as big as in the 8th generation, but it was enough for five adults.

The powertrain was upgraded. For the four-cylinder engine, the Accord was available with an intelligent CVT gearbox that had few preset gears and mimics an automatic gearbox. But it was more efficient. It was more efficient even than the 6-speed manual transmission offered for the Accord. The V6 version though was available with a 6-speed automatic only. For those concerned about the environment, a hybrid and a plug-in hybrid were available.

full description and technical specifications
HONDA Accord Sedan US photo gallery

The Honda Accord gained customers over time thanks to a very good balance between performance, comfort, and reliability. The 2008 model succeeded to add more features and was improved in every corner.

To achieve better comfort, the 2008 Accord took some elements from the Acura premium brand and blend it nicely inside the cabin. The smooth, naturally aspirated engines, offered enough power and decent fuel consumption.

The outside look was more refined when compared to its predecessor. The large grille with three horizontal slats design was continued on the sides with the headlights. The ascending lines on the sides made the car look more dynamic. But the overall look wasn't aggressive at all.

Inside, there was a lot of inspiration from the Acura. The navigation system, the leather seats, or the good finishes were all part of a complete package. The electrically adjustable front seats had an option for heating. The dual-zone climate control unit was easy to reach and with clear dials. For the infotainment system, the big round knob was placed on the center console, not between the seats as other car manufacturers.

For the drivetrain, Honda installed suspension that could give good handling but also good comfort for its occupants. It didn't have adjustable damper settings. The standard transmission for the four-cylinder engines was a 5-speed manual with a 5-speed automatic as an option, while the V6 engines were mated to a 5-speed automatic only.

full description and technical specifications
HONDA Accord Sedan US photo gallery

The 2003 Honda Accord range received several new improvements in 2005 for the 2006 model. This was motivated on the Accord's 30th anniversary. It was also known as generation 7.5.

The Accord was one of the best selling models in the U.S. for any brand. Its sales performances in the mid-size segment were big and it offered qualities that other car-makers couldn't match in terms of performance, reliability, and comfort. The seventh (and a half) generation of the Accord was no exception and it was gifted with more features and amenities. In Canada, the Accord was the top-selling mid-size sedan on the market.

The exterior was slightly changed, with new headlights and taillights. A new set of light-alloy wheels was included on the list, while the 17” ones were fitted as standard on the V6 version. The overall appearance remained the same with the rounded front end and a straight deck lid in the back.

Inside, the 2005 Accord featured a new navigation system that featured a new processor, more memory, and several new features including restaurant information from Zagat. A revised maintenance minder system was also added which gave owners reminders for scheduled maintenance such as oil changes based on operating conditions.

For the drivetrain, the V6 engine was offered with a 6-speed manual for the first time. The 2.4-liter inline-four cylinder unit gained few more horsepower and a Drive-by-wire accelerator. The top of the range hybrid version was the first V6 hybrid vehicle on the market and it featured a cylinder deactivation system. It was mated to a standard 5-speed automatic instead of a CVT.

full description and technical specifications
HONDA Accord Sedan US photo gallery

Between 2003 and 2007 the seventh generation of the Honda Accord was different than the one offered on the European continent. It was a fierce contender into a crowded market segment.

The Accord reliability and quality set it apart in the hotly contested market of the mid-size sedans. In 2003, the Accord reached its seventh generation. Its main characteristics were not based on a special design. That was the Acura territory. The Accord design was rather bland, but its value resided on different attributes.

The exterior featured triangular, curved, headlights. The wide taillights were extended over the trunk lid. A new set of light-alloy wheels was included on the list, while the 17” ones were fitted as standard on the V6 version. The overall appearance remained the same with the rounded front end and a straight deck lid in the back.

Inside, the 2003 Accord featured a navigation system, which was not very common on the market. A revised maintenance minder system was also added which gave owners reminders for scheduled maintenance such as oil changes based on operating conditions. One of its key-attributes was the comfortable interior, fit for five adults. The base model came with a cd-player and few comfort features. It wasn't until 2004 when the base mode received dual-airbags. Depending on the trim level, the Accord was fitted with volume controls on the steering wheel.

The 2003 Accord was the first to meet the Californian emission standards (SULEV) for the 2.4-liter engine. Another engine on the lineup was the 3.0-liter V6, which was mated to a standard 5-speed auto. In 2004, the Accord was fitted with a new hybrid version, but only a few non-facelifted vehicles were fitted with that.

full description and technical specifications
HONDA Accord Sedan US photo gallery

Honda decided to split the Accord lineup into three distinct versions, depending on the market where it sold them: Asian, European, and American.

The North American had a distinct look and was available with different engines than its European or Japanese siblings. Still, it retained some of the underpinnings, so the automaker didn't have to completely redevelop the platform, thus lowering production costs. In addition, by making it in its factory from Marysville, Ohio, it shortened the distribution chain.

Even though it was developed during the bio-design era, the U.S. Accord followed a different path. It didn't adopt the curved lines and smooth corners, but it dared to show a clean look with flat panels and angular headlights. Its two-slat grille where the carmaker's logo took center stage. On the lower bumper, Honda placed an additional grille that increased the cooling area. At the back, the NSX-inspired taillights were extended from the quarter panels to the trunk's lid.

Inside, there was a minimalist design styling for the dashboard. On the center stack, Honda placed the HVAC controls above the radio, with clearly marked buttons, easy to understand and operate. The curved instrument cluster sported a big speedometer in the middle flanked by the tachometer on the left and the fuel and temperature gauges on the right. Thanks to the long wheelbase, the carmaker could create a decently-sized cabin with enough room for the rear-seated passengers.

Under the hood, the Honda didn't bother to provide too many engine options, so its customers had to live with just three, although all of them were very good. Both manual and automatic transmissions were on the table, depending on the version.

full description and technical specifications
HONDA Accord 4 Doors photo gallery

Honda introduced a mid-life cycle refresh for the European Accord's fifth generation in 1996 and brought slight exterior changes and improved its features.

Starting with the fifth generation, the U.S. Accord and its European cousin with the same name were different. While they shared some underpinnings, their design was completely different. The European version was longer and featured a sloped rear window with a smaller glass area between the C- and the D-pillars. Its overall shape was designed to fit the European customer's tastes.

The facelifted version featured a new front fascia. As an element of distinction, the hood was curved toward the bumper and incorporated the grille. Its headlights were slightly more prominent than on the non-facelifted version and featured a curved shape instead of angular ones from the 1993 model year.

Inside, Honda installed a new CD-player fitted as standard instead of cassette-players, hidden behind a swing-up lid on the center stack. The carmaker installed a dual-airbag system to protect its occupants, and it improved the anti-theft systems. Other than that, it kept the same materials for the seats, and there were no modifications for the interior space.

Under the hood, the Japanese carmaker introduced a new engine range that started with a 1.8-liter and moved up to a 2.2-liter, which became the top version. The latter replaced the older 2.3-liter that the Accord shared it with the Prelude. Understanding the importance of a diesel engine, Honda installed a 2.0-liter turbo-diesel paired to a five-speed manual.

full description and technical specifications
HONDA Accord 4 Doors photo gallery

Honda introduced the fifth generation of its successful range Accord in 1993 with different European and American versions.

After a successful fourth generation, which was sold with a similar shape in the U.S. and the rest of the world, the fifth generation started to differentiate between European and American market Accords. It was based on the same platform as its predecessor, but with completely new styling. Also, Honda kept some engines from the fourth-generation.

On the outside, the long, horizontal headlights were curved and resembled the Honda Prelude front fascia, with a tiny grille where the carmaker couldn't fit the H badge, so it moved it on the hood. From its sides, it looked like a hatchback due to its sloped rear window. Also, from the profile, it was easy to spot the small window behind the rear doors. It was the first time when Honda made the Accord like that.

Inside, the carmaker kept the same materials used on the fourth generation and the same seats, but with more headroom for the rear passengers' thanks to the slightly higher greenhouse. The dashboard featured a design with a tilted center console and a rounded instrument cluster in the front. Another improvement was the replacement of the steering wheel that featured a standard airbag for the entire range.

Under the hood, Honda installed the same F20 engine family as its predecessor, paired with a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic. The most potent version was a 2.3-liter engine carried over from the third generation Prelude.

full description and technical specifications
HONDA Accord 4 Doors photo gallery

Honda designed the fourth Accord generation as a world car and sold with slight changes globally, and its success relied on fuel-efficient engines, light bodywork, and agile handling.

The Accord IV (CB) shared its platform with the sporty Prelude and carried over the entire suspension, including the optional four-wheel steering system available as an option or fitted as standard on specific versions. Even though Honda made it as a family sedan, it soon proved to be a sporty vehicle thanks to its low gravity center, long wheelbase, and independent suspension in all corners.

The slim front side with narrow, horizontal headlights and small grille ensured the car a sporty look. Its flat hood and raked windshield made it looks like a sport sedan rather than a family car. Honda even offered it as a two-door coupe on specific markets named CC instead of CB.

Inside, the cabin offered four comfortable seats with enough legroom for all passengers. Apart from the base trim level, the other two featured standard air-conditioning, four power-windows, and power-mirrors. Its slim pillars ensured excellent all-around visibility for the driver.

The technical platform was unusual for a car from those times, featuring double-wishbone front suspension and multi-link in the rear. Honda installed speed-dependable power-steering as standard on all models. The carmaker developed a new engine range for it; the F-series ranged between 1.8-liter and 2.2-liter and paired them as standard to a five-speed manual. The 2.2-liter versions were available with an option for a four-speed automatic. It was the last Accord available with carburetor engines on specific markets. Even though Honda already installed VTEC engines on the Civic and Prelude ranges, it didn't offer one for the Accord. Its four valves/cylinder engines featured one overhead camshaft, not two.

full description and technical specifications
HONDA Accord 4 Doors photo gallery

Introduced in 1981 for the Japanese, European, and North American market, the second generation of the Honda Accord was the first car in the world to offer an option for a navigation system, long before the GPS era.

The second generation of the Accord came after five years on the market for the first generation. It was a time when the Japanese carmaker tried to catch up with the rest of the carmakers and rushed new models into production. Soichiro Honda considered that facelifts were too minor for the profound changes and upgrades he wanted on its cars. It was the same with the Accord.

Designed from scratch, the second generation of the Accord still kept the basic shape and lines of its predecessor. It was still available as a three-door hatchback and four-door sedan. It was the first Accord built in Honda's plant from Marysville, Ohio.

Inside, the carmaker considered that the dashboard had to take minimum space from the driver's view and placed it low, flat from door to door. It provided some storage space in front of the passenger, while the driver got an instrument cluster with a large speedometer and tachometer and two small dials for the fuel level and water temperature. On the center stack, the carmaker provided as an option the Electro Gyrolocator. It was more of a roadmap printed on a thin film projected on a 6" monochrome screen. While it was not that accurate, it could still provide information about the road ahead.

For the four-door version, the carmaker extended the wheelbase and provided more legroom when compared to the first generation of the Accord. Even though there were only seven centimeters (2.8") more, these made a difference for rear passenger comfort.

full description and technical specifications