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2016 Honda Accord US facelift detailed, Australian debut unclear

The American arm of the Japanese car maker has revealed an updated version of its top-selling Honda Accord range.


Externally, the updated Accord sedan features a revised front- and rear-end design, with the biggest changes taking place up front. A chunky, chromed and winged grille takes pride of place and is topped by a new aluminium bonnet.

Top-spec models feature new all-LED headlights, while the front bumper has been reshaped with more scalloped surfaces, and LED fog lights on some variants.

At the back, the tail-lights has received a more subtle redesign with BMW-style LED light tubes and LED elements standard across the range. Other changes include revised brightwork and refashioned bumpers.

The top-of-the-line models pictured here also feature new alloy wheels paired with 19-inch rubber, a boot-lip spoiler and other minor changes for a sportier look.

Under the skin, all models in the 2016 US Accord range are claimed to be more rigid thanks to new stiffeners, reinforcements at the front and a brawnier rear bulkhead.

Top-spec models are fitted, for the first time, with amplitude reactive dampers and new hydraulic subframe bushings for a more comfortable ride. Standard across the US range is Straight Driving Assist, which uses the car's adaptive steering system to make it easier for driver's keep tracking straight on canted or crowned roads.

The Accord's infotainment system is now available with a larger 7.0-inch touchscreen display, and also supports both the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring standards.

Most US-made Accords will be powered by either a 2.4-litre Earth Dreams direct-injection four-cylinder engine or a 207kW/342Nm 3.5-litre V6. Both engines can be paired to different six-speed manual gearboxes, although most buyers will opt for either a CVT in the four-pot or a six-speed auto with the V6.

At present, Australia-bound Accords use a port-injected 2.4-litre engine with 129kW of power and 225Nm of torque. In the US, the newer Earth Dreams engine develops 138kW/245Nm in regular variants and 141kW/246Nm in the Sport.

It's not known at this stage whether the visual updates applied to the North American model will flow through to the version of the Accord sold down under, which is sourced from Honda's Thai operations.

The company has a history of rolling out different updates and facelifts to its core models across different markets. For example, in the US, the current-generation Civic received an extensive makeover, with more chrome and a higher-end look, in response to early criticism. The facelift for the same generation car in other markets featured fewer visual changes.

When the revised American Accord first surfaced, Honda Australia told Car Advice that the Android Auto and Apple CarPlay would start appearing in the local range "in the next year or so".

As for this facelift coming to Australia, Honda Australia spokesperson Melissa Cross could confirm only that plans for a local update are still to be locked in.

"The Accord has had spec upgrades both this year and last," Ms Cross said. "We've also introduced the hybrid to the Accord range, so this is all for the time being."

Click here to see more photos of the facelifted Honda Accord.

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