Honda Accord: Benchmark for family sedans

Roseville, Calif. – For overall value, nothing has essentially changed with the Honda Accord. It still delivers reliability, performance, comfort, good gas mileage, and great resale capability.

Honda has historically produced a great vehicle in the Accord, which has been the benchmark for midsize sedans for many years. What one gets from an Accord is that consistent reliability that has characterized this vehicle for much of the past three decades.

⤥ Summer Fun Starts Here ⤦

⤥ Summer Fun Starts Here ⤦

⤥ Summer Fun Starts Here ⤦

⤥ Summer Fun Starts Here ⤦

Accord’s running mate through much of this time frame has been the Toyota Camry, another acclaimed family-friendly midsize sedan. Despite their overall dominance, many rivals are pushing this pair. That’s not meant to denigrate the Accord or Camry; it just illustrates that the two Japanese automotive superpowers are no longer as dominant.

The primary competition includes the Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, Chrysler 200, Nissan Altima, Mazda6 and Ford Fusion.

Introduced in 1976, the Honda Accord arrived with very little fanfare – it was a modest two-door hatchback. For 2016, the Accord comes in numerous trim models as both a coup and sedan. The lineup also includes a pair of hybrids – a standard one and plug-in model (which are not reviewed here).

The Accord went through a redesign three years ago, becoming the ninth generation. The Accord is now slightly smaller and lighter than previous models. That went against Honda’s normal redesign playbook for its high-volume selling sedan/coupe.

In previous revamping years, the Accord would typically be bigger, longer and heavier. More bulk was obviously not part of the latest redesign scheme.

Refreshed for 2016, the Accord has added some exterior changes. The new look altered the grille, headlights and also resulted in restyled bumpers. LED foglights were added to several of the models.

Expect reliable performance from all the Accords. Three of the models feature a 2.4-liter, four-cylinder that generates 185 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. The V6 Accords have a 3.5-liter engine that produces 278 horsepower and 252 pound-feet of torque. The V6 is quick, accelerating from 0-60 mph in 6.1 seconds.

Honda also made a number of interior changes this year. A 7.7-inch display offers a variety of information and provides Apple and Android smartphone integration, which is a first for Honda. The Accord continues to provide impressive interior room and comfort, and the sedan trunk is a spacious 15.8 cubic feet.

2016 Honda Accord

• Performance: 2.4-liter, four-cylinder, 185 horsepower; 3.5-liter, V6, 278 horsepower
• Mileage estimate range: 27-37 mg; 21-32 mpg
• Price: $22,105 to $34,580
• Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles; drivetrain 5 years/60,000 miles; corrosion 5 year/unlimited; roadside assistance: 3 years/36,000 miles

The Accord delivers a refined ride that gives any driver an added feeling of confidence behind the wheel. The feel is almost sporty and there’s little apprehension when taking a corner a little faster than the speed limit. The braking is solid and the Accord has practically no noise issues.

Although the 2016 Honda Accord is slightly different than previous models, it remains a very desirable family-friendly sedan that continues to deliver tremendous value.