Honda Accord: smaller sedan coming in mid 2013

By Tim Beissmann
August 09th, 2012

FIND DEALS

Honda has released the first official images of the 2013 Honda Accord, revealing a new mid-sized sedan that is shorter and lighter than before and features new a new drivetrain family.

The revamped ninth-generation Accord has been designed to go head-to-head with the world’s popular medium cars, directly targeting the Toyota Camry, Hyundai i45, Ford Mondeo and Mazda6 with its more compact proportions and the promise of improved fuel economy.

The new Honda Accord sedan will be roughly 70mm shorter than before, which Honda says makes it easier to park and creates a “sportier driving character”, while smarter interior packaging means there is actually more passenger space in the cabin and more room for luggage in the boot.

Launching in the US in the coming months, Honda Australia says the new Accord sedan will arrive in local showrooms in mid-2013. The North America-only Honda Accord Coupe, also revealed overnight, will not be sold here.

The exterior styling represents an evolution from the Japanese brand’s current design language, but remains conservative and familiar with simple, rectangular lines and an understated grille, headlights and tail-lights.

The Accord will feature the first generation of the brand’s ‘Earth Dreams’ engine family, designed to offer improved performance, reduced consumption and lower emissions.

US industry journal Automotive News reports the base engine will be a 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with around 135kW of power and 240Nm of torque. The four-cylinder engine will be teamed exclusively with a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

Honda has also redesigned the car’s 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine, setting its sights on becoming the class leader in efficiency while also offering more power than before (the current model produces 202kW/339Nm). The engine will come with the option of six-speed manual and automatic transmissions.

Honda Australia’s Melissa Cross confirmed the local Accord line-up would continue to include both four- and six-cylinder engine options when the new model arrives next year.

A plug-in hybrid powertrain will also be added to the international line-up sometime after the initial launch, and is believed to be a chance for our market further down the track.

LED daytime running lights, headlights and tail-lights will be available depending on the trim level and market, while Honda has previously confirmed the new Accord will also be available with forward collision warning technology, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning and a reversing camera.

Despite new car’s tighter dimensions, Cross said Honda Australia still plans to market the new Accord as a large car, taking on our traditional family sedans, the Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon.

Accord sales have declined rapidly this year, plummeting 83 per cent to just 266 year-to-date. Sales have picked up since May, however, after Honda Australia slashed prices across the range by up to $4300, offering the entry-level Accord VTi for $29,990 driveaway

Sponsored Ads

JD

i would get this over the camry any day
- pixxxels
  
  Yeah me too. But not over the Falcon or Commodore, which it is apparently competing against.
  - matt
    
    can you not read?
    - pixxxels
      
      …what?
      
      “Cross said Honda Australia still plans to market the new Accord as a large car, taking on our traditional family sedans, the Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon.”
BP

Looks pretty good and better than the current-gen model. Don’t know if it’ll sell though…
Kampfer

Look nice but it’s pretty much same size as current Euro. When first Gen Euro for sales it was quite a bit smaller than full size Accord. Now will Euro bigger and Accord smaller how Honda Australia going to market them will be interesting.
- tin
  
  it’s larger inside than the current accord, and the euro is going to be axed.
Able

That is horrid… It looks like a Hyundai Genesis at the rear and looks like it was designed in the mid-2000′s at the latest.

Honda, this is NOT good enough!
- Phil
  
  Why? USA Accords are for ultra conservatives.
  - legnib
    
    Not sure if it will fair as well with the “ultra conservatives” over here though. We’ll have to wait for Legnab to weigh in the matter of whether this is “overstyled” or not.
LN

Unlike the Civic and City, it does not look very bland and boring.

It certainly looks much better and less boxy then the current gen model.

Interested to see what features it comes with.
Alex

The rear is very Hyundai Genesis sedan eh?
- KIAK9
  
  was about to say! what’s happening to the japps
  - JamesB
    
    The copied becomes the copier!
    - bd
      
      Not really unusual in Honda’s case when it comes to taillight design.
      
      Acura MDX/RDX – Audi
      CR-V – Volvo D-pillar taillights
      Previous gen Civic – Audi
      Outgoing Accord – Bangle 7 reflector strips
      - Rtjjygtrh
        
        what about a civic reminds about anything audi?
        I dont get it
3D4

Is it just me or anyone else think that currently all japanese manufacturers trying to find themselfs in design? And I reckon they don’t try very hard…. Just look at this thing..
PS

There are a lot of details on the side and on the bonnet that I can’t really make out from the pics… gotta see it in 3D. Overall, I think it’s getting curvier than the current boxy ones.
Dwah

the rear looks like the legend somewhat
MisterZed

Looks like they’ve finally re-added LED tail-lights which have been absent since 2007. The front, however, looks too similar to the current model.
- DAVIDZ
  
  and led’s are so important because?
  
  bit like a 6/7/8/9 speed auto, a total wankfest
  - MisterZed
    
    Why are halogen headlights important? Why don’t we go back to lovely yellow incandescent globes? It’s called progress.
    - Logan
      
      You’re all playing for second. Lasers are where it’s at. BMW knows it.
Pauly

Will we be getting the Coupe?
- Raphinion
  
  Re-read the article:
  
  “The North America-only Honda Accord Coupe, also revealed overnight, will not be sold here.”
  That is a shame.
Norm

Ugh. This is beyond ordinary. Is this really the company that brought us the brilliant Accord Euro all those years ago? The clever Jazz – the cool concept HRV…Honda…come back!!
- matt
  
  nothing of what you have mentioned is what id call reminiscent of honda’s greatness
Ox

*yawns*
Phunken

Reverting back to the noughty design style… hope the Euro won’t inherit this boring trait… Optima is still the best looker in class.
- MisterZed
  
  2nd best, after the i45.
  - DAVIDZ
    
    not even biased
    
    a hyundai better than a honda,,,,,what drugs u on?
    - MisterZed
      
      Where in my post did I say Hyundai better than Honda? I said the i45 looks better than the Optima.
      - JamesB
        
        Admittedly, Hyundais look better than Hondas now, except the Accord Euro.
      - Luke Brinsmead
        
        That’s because the Euro Accord was designed for a European palate and the Accord was designed for the American all-you-can-eat palate.
    - bd
      
      So the fact that the Elantra and Sonata have beaten out the Civic and Accord in numerous comparison test doesn’t matter?
      
      And does Honda even offer a RWD luxury or sports car?
  - M.
    
    The i45 has the most over-designed front end on any car currently available. In two years time, it will look more ridiculous than it already does.
    - Yetiman
      
      So true, is a car version of “Kim Kardashian”.
  - bd
    
    The Optima looks better than the i45 and has the auto design trophies to back it up.
    - MisterZed
      
      i45 also won awards including an Australian design award in 2010.
Schn

Was expecting something a bit more striking. I remember older Honda’s where they had a bit more cool factor to them. It seems to have faded lately. I really like the interiors of the Accord though. But, the exterior is a bit of a let down. The tail lights reminds me of their early 2000 model Honda Accords, and the Hyundai Genesis. The front is well, essentially more of a face lift, than whole new generation.
ray

smaller is better, i’d consider this and new Mazda 6 which grows larger somewhat
PS

There are rumours that Honda is discontinuing Accord Euro, I hope that’s not true…. But if so, then they’d better bring the Coupe model here.
- Jimmy
  
  i guess you like very big doors
  - JamesB
    
    Why discontinue the only car keeping Honda in contention?
    - KC
      
      Exactly. You only need to go out on the street and count how many Euros you see a day compared to the Accord.
      
      IMHO, offer just the Euro with the option of either 2.4l and 3.5 V6 and let customers have a choice of either a luxurious or sporty ride. And drop the Legend. That car is as rare as hen’s teeth.
      - Guest
        
        The Legend has just been discontinued.
      - MisterZed
        
        Where’d you hear that? They just put a new 6-speed auto in the Legend this year.
      - M.
        
        That isn’t the case. The Legend is still very much a current vehicle and will continue to be. Whether or not Honda Australia will continue to import them beyond this model is another story. …
- matt
  
  have not heard the rumors but… well it fits….. why was the euro created? coz the accord had turned into a huge FWD boat for the americans and it simply isnt what europeans would buy…. this “accord” really does make the euro redundant again. why would there be a need for 2 “accords” the same size?
  - MisterZed
    
    The Europeans have had their own version of the Accord way before the Euro came out. The 1993 Accord was the first generation which had different versions depending on the market. It also had nothing to do with size as all 3 versions were basically the same size at the time. Since then, the American version has grown but it has nothing to do with why the Euro was created.
SSV

I’m not totally convinced that the Accord drive will actually notice the “70mm shorter” dimension when parking at bowls.
Andre

No diesel as offered in the UK = fail.
CVT = fail.

And before the diesel knockers start — currently 3c per litre cheaper than unleaded where we live —-
- anon
  
  opinions opinions opinions = fail
- M.
  
  PASSENGER CARS DON’T NEED DIESEL ENGINES! 4WD’s, maybe. Utilities, yes. But med-large FWD passenger cars? NO!
Shak

Its pretty attractive. Not OTT like a Sonata, but not sleep inducing like a Camry. I guess you could call it handsome. Honda really dont want to mess with the styling of a car which essentially built their US sales tally for them. All in all it looks like it will continue to dominate the sales charts in its class in the US, which lets not forget is the primary target for this car. if Honda sell a couple thousand around the rest of the world it’s just a bonus for them.
Clem

Why No KERS? WHY???? Mazda has got iLoop.
Antmindel

Its not as good looking as the current Accord Euro,but it is certainly WAY better looking than the current very dull Accord,so I am sure Honda will do very well with it.
M.

This IS a nice looking car. It’s not ugly, fussy, boxy, or over-designed like many of the korean’s (i45). It’s stylish, sophisticated, a bit muscular, and has an aerodynamic look and those great sweeping lines along the side. This design WON’T date horribly in a few years time, and it will give owners years of safe, trouble-free, efficient and comfortable motoring. There is absolutely nothing wrong with not being overly bold with the styling; it’s called appealing to the masses and trying not to offend anyones taste. Think of brands like Lexus, BMW, Audi; their designs aren’t overly bold, complicated or fussy, but rather they’re understated, sophisticated, and the badge speaks for itself. No matter what the readers of this site seem to thing, the Honda badge still has a fantastic reputation as a quality manufacturer in Australia. There is absolutely NO doubt that Honda make better quality cars than Hyundai or Kia, and whilst they might be just as reliable in the first few years, when it comes to the Koreans; time will undoubtedly tell a different story.

With a new generation of engines, Honda’s fantastic build quality and reliability, and this classy exterior design; The new Accord deserves to be a success.
- Dash
  
  I agree with this 100% this new accord is a fantastic looking car and looks well proportioned. I would definitely buy a v6 version!
MisterZed

Oh yes, at 4895mm long this car is so much “smaller” lol.
Overtherontheleft

yawn yawn yawn yawn, it will prob sell well, more yawning
EuroDan

When can we expect to see a new Accord Euro? The current version has been out since 2008 and no mention despite the Accord update being known for over two months.
Antmindel

I think the next Euro should be out early 2014,as that will be 6 months after the regular Accord,and thats whats happened with the previous 2 generations.
It will be a 5 and a half year life cycle for the current CU2 model,same as the previous CL9.

It has been rumoured that it will be the same car as the 2014 Acura TLX,which is to replace the current Acura TSX and TL models.

That will also be the Honda Spirior for China,Accord Euro for Ausrealia and New Zealand,and Accord for other parts of the world.

It has to be brilliant again,as its arch rival Mazda 6 has just been revealed,and looks stunning
- MisterZed
  
  You’re wrong. 1st gen Euro came out here June 2003, 2nd gen in June 2008. Thats a 5 year cycle, not 5 1/2. As for the full-size Accord, the latest model came out in Feb 2008, so the Euro followed 4 months later, not 6. However, there is no “rule” that the Euro follows any amount of time later – in 2003, the Euro actually came out before the new Accord (by 2 months). It’s simply that in 2008, Honda Australia chose to import the full-size Accord early in the year, rather than in the middle of the year.

Car Advice

Honda Accord: smaller sedan coming in mid 2013

Sponsored Ads

Advanced Options