On the end of 2022, Honda celebrated 40 years of setting up the Accord inside the US. The 2023 model locations us inside the eleventh know-how of the nameplate’s lifespan. Nonetheless, the Honda Accord should evolve to remain associated in a world of crossovers, hybrids, and all-electric automotive hype. To take motion, Honda is leaning carefully into hybrid and infotainment tech on prime of the Accord’s typical recipe of sturdy comfort and monetary sensibility. Sadly, and following on from the dearth of the V6 and coupe fashions, sportiness isn’t a giant part of the recipe anymore – nevertheless this isn’t primarily a foul issue when Honda has that sewn up with the Civic.

A hybrid focus means all fashions moreover the lower two rungs on the 2023 Accord’s trim ladder operate {an electrical} motor. The non-hybrid fashions use a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine making 192 horsepower, whereas the remaining use a 2.0-liter gas engine paired with two electrical motors to generate 204 horsepower. The model new know-how can be longer, choices new styling out and in, and large updates to the infotainment system. Following our first drive with the Accord Hybrid, we requested Honda for a Sport-L Hybrid model to analysis over a few days, as that may seemingly be the sweet spot for a lot of patrons.

Styling: An identical Silhouette, Further Sort

In our first drive analysis, we talked concerning the off-kilter kind. From most angles, the Accord seems to be like like a easy commuter and family vehicle, nevertheless from the aspect and rear quarter, there’s one factor odd regarding the once more third we nonetheless can’t put our finger on. It’s like an optical illusion the place the rear seems to be like every utterly proportioned and too massive on the same time.

Opinion aside, the Accord retains the similar silhouette as sooner than, nevertheless it is wider and sleeker with the perimeters polished out. The hood is longer, and beneath it, there’s an lively grille shutter that closes up at better speeds to reinforce aerodynamics. Normal, it seems to be like edgier and additional sporty than the ultimate incarnation, nevertheless even on the Sport trim, that isn’t exactly the case.

Inside: Civic-Esque

Speaking of the Civic, that’s the place we first seen the mesh dashboard accent all through the width of the within, and it’s now a motif all through Honda’s range. Like the rest of Honda’s vehicles, it gives the within an aesthetic actually really feel, nevertheless which is able to placed on off over time with the piano black plastic Honda has insisted on moreover using. The switchgear is a step up in actually really feel over the sooner know-how, and it’s clear Honda has focused on eradicating muddle whereas making the widespread controls simple to hunt out.

It’s a good place to spend a commute in, and rear passengers get an excessive amount of legroom. The driving force and entrance passenger get new seats, which we cherished on the first drive event over the course of some hours, and we didn’t get tired of them by this full week’s use. Annoyingly for these of us that keep in scorching states, heating and air circulation on the seats are solely on the market on the best trim. Our tester was a Sport-L model, which sits underneath the best trim. Moreover somewhat bit annoyingly, blind spot monitoring is a $550 selection all by the range. That’s one factor we want automakers to make commonplace.

Infotainment: A Giant Enhance

The underside gas-powered fashions get a lots smaller seven-inch touchscreen, nevertheless the entire hybrid fashions get a 12.3-inch coloration touchscreen housing Honda’s infotainment system. A faster processor makes the system snappy, and the interface is intuitively laid out using daring icons. Nonetheless, you might should go for the best trim to get the very good Google built-in operate which appears on totally different autos on the mid-level. The good news, though, is that whereas the best Touring trim will get a concert-quality Bose Audio system with 12 audio system, the Sport-L trim comes with a 180-Watt eight-speaker system which we predict is finest to our more-trained-than-average ears.

Drivetrain: Holding the Bundle Collectively

Honda is pushing hybrid with good function. All-electric autos are nonetheless for early adopters and embrace a certain amount of ache. Gas has skyrocketed in worth, and petroleum companies are going to use us all one of the best ways to the highest of the gravy apply, which is now coming into sight. The smartest switch for drivers correct now could possibly be to go hybrid or plug-in hybrid.

Honda suggested us its targets had been to create a fuel-efficient drivetrain that’s moreover refined. The result is 46/41/44 mpg metropolis/freeway/blended for the Sport, Sport-L, and Touring hybrids. The EX-L fares even larger with a 51/44/48 mpg rating. In all trims, though, it’s a smoother and quieter experience than the sooner Accord Hybrid model. The 204 horsepower, backed up with 247 lb-ft of torque, is totally ample, nevertheless wouldn’t match the ‘Sport’ inside the trim title in observe.

On The Road: Family Bliss

The Honda Accord is an excellent occasion of why a crossover isn’t primarily essentially the most appropriate selection. Within the occasion you don’t want the extra flooring clearance, a well-put-together sedan similar to the Accord goes to supply a better driving experience – besides you step into BMW or Mercedes territory and the worth tags that embrace them. Whereas the Accord Sport -L isn’t quick, neither is it one in all Honda’s better-handling autos, it’s primarily essentially the most refined to drive as a regular human being. The suspension does a splendid job of night time out corrugated roads and taking the sting correct off of big bumps, the cabin is quiet, which is one factor Honda has struggled with for a really very long time with the Accord. To reduce that noise, Honda hasn’t merely thrown insulation on the disadvantage: As an alternative, even the wheels designs have noise low cost in ideas.

Normal, it looks like an Accord – nevertheless larger. And by no means merely spherical metropolis. We put some miles on the freeway, then labored our method by canyon and desert roads, along with a portion of Route 66 that isn’t maintained. At no degree was there any stress. The steering is weighted correctly for the city and freeway, and the CVT transmission is simple; the fake gear shifts aren’t noticeable besides you might be looking out for it. The journey is just as agreeable, and vitality is ample for freeway ramps, nevertheless there’s little further for having pleasing.

Must You Buy A Honda Accord Sport Model?

Whereas the model new Honda Accord Hybrid fashions are the proper Accords so far, the accolade pertains to its commuter and family vehicle standing. Earlier Accord householders will acknowledge the scarcity of freeway noise coming into the cabin, the updated infotainment, the model new entrance seats, and the gasoline monetary system – which gives as a lot as a pleasing enhance over autos a know-how or so outdated. Last-generation householders maybe mustn’t rush to maneuver right into a newer know-how besides they’re all paid off and utterly completely satisfied to maneuver on.

Put up in direction of totally different sedans within the similar dimension range, there is no straight reply. The Accord isn’t a clear section chief, nevertheless it is up there. Would we advocate it over a Camry Hybrid? It’s too strong of a reputation besides it’s good to eke out these extra few MPGs. The underside line is that the model new Accord is an excellent family hauler and commuter sedan, and need over opponents shall be subjective and sure current themselves in back-to-back examine drives.