2023 Honda Accord: Will the New Generation Be the Last?

In what has been Honda’s “Year of the Crossover” with the debut of the next-generation HR-V, CR-V and Pilot, the Japanese automaker still chose to introduce two major cars that each target very different customers—the super-sporty and powerful Civic Type R as well as the sophisticated and family-friendly Accord.

The latter, now in its 11th generation, comes at a time when sales of midsize sedans are freefalling. It typically has five-year cycles (2008, 2013, 2018, 2023), but will this particular type of car be popular enough toward the end of the decade to keep it alive?

For sure, it’s hard to imagine a world without the Honda Accord. By the way, the Marysville, Ohio plant celebrated 40 years of Accord production on November 1, 2022. What exactly is in store for 2023?

Contemporary Design and Technology

Standing about 9 cm longer and 4.5 cm wider than its predecessor, but with an identical wheelbase and height, the redesigned Accord looks more robust. Certainly, the new hexagonal grille with triangular mesh design and the restyled LED headlights up front are arguably more attractive. On the sides, where 17- and 19-inch wheels are available, the profile is similar and retains a character line that runs all the way to the rear. The new taillights are reminiscent of German sedans, while the Accord Sport stands out with various black accents.

What you won’t see but will inevitably feel is the revised architecture offering increased chassis rigidity with stiffer body supports and new front brace bars. The suspension and steering have been improved, too, which bodes well for dynamic handling.

Now, when it comes to the interior, the 2023 Accord is radically changed and takes a page from Honda’s latest models, including the horizontal mesh insert that effectively conceals the air vents. The company brags about class-leading interior volume (2,911 litres without a sunroof) and rear-seat legroom (1,037 mm). Let’s not forget the 473-litre trunk.

Drivers will appreciate the new, more comfortable front seats, configurable 10.2-inch digital instrument panel and new centre touchscreen that measures 7 or 12.3 inches depending on the trim level. It also has a simplified menu structure and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The top-of-the-line Accord Touring marks Honda’s first integration of Google built-in, including Google Assistant, Google Maps and Google Play.

Focus on Hybrid Power

Honda expects hybrid models to eventually account for 50 percent of total Accord sales. That’s why only the base EX model returns with a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine that continues to generate 192 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque. The Accord Sport and Touring both drop the turbocharged 2.0-litre mill in favour of a fourth-generation hybrid system that combines an Atkinson-cycle, 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with a pair of electric motors. Output is rated at 204 horsepower along with 247 pound-feet of torque, but fuel consumption ratings have yet to be announced.

Is that a good move by Honda? Most Accord competitors offer a much more powerful alternative. Additionally, the 10-speed automatic transmission is gone, leaving just a CVT to handle “shifting.” If it makes you feel any better, the unit has been upgraded for reduced noise and includes Step-Shift programming that simulates gear changes at full throttle. Meanwhile, safety is enhanced with an updated Honda Sensing suite of driver assistance technologies.

Of course, pricing will be the key for the new 2023 Honda Accord to be successful. If the latest HR-V and CR-V are good indicators, prepare for some significant hikes.