The popularity of the venerable mid-size four door sedan may be waning, but the 2018 Honda Accord proves that manufacturers aren’t giving up on this style of car any time soon.
The growing demand for SUV/crossovers in the past decade or so has cast a pall on the ubiquitous four-door sedan.
While some manufacturers have simply cut back, or given less energy to existing models, Honda seems to have poured considerable time and effort to make the Accord the benchmark of the segment.
This is the 10th generation of the Accord, a model first introduced as a two-door hatchback in North America in 1977. It followed up with a four-door sedan version a year later.
The popularity of the Accord led to Honda building a plant in the U.S. to supply the North American market, although Canadians still saw Japanese-built vehicles.
Over the years, the hatchback vanished and was replaced by a coupe. At one time, there was even a four-door station wagon version.
But through it all, the four-door version endured.
The latest version is shorter and lower, but wider than the model it replaces. It also weighs less than its predecessor.
The most striking change is in the front, where it now looks more like an Acura, with a row of LED headlights. Many manufacturers have opted to make their vehicles appear more and more aggressive, but Honda has instead opted to go for understated elegance.
While the 2018 is within millimetres of the Toyota Camry and Mazda6, the major difference is in vehicle width. The Accord is now 66 millimetres wider than either of its Asian competitors.
That gives Honda an edge in seat width and, more importantly, comfort.
Although the wheelbase is now 55 millimetres longer, the Accord is actually 27 mm shorter. With shorter front and rear overhangs, the 2018 visually seems longer than before.
Back seat passengers benefit the most from the extra millimetres, of course.
The Honda engineers weren’t idle, either. Despite the reduction in overall vehicle length, they still managed to carve 473 litres of cargo capacity — up from 439 previously — in the trunk.
The only complaint is that the sharply raked rear window narrows the driver’s view out the back more than before.
But the best seat in the house remains in front, where drivers will enjoy an expansive cabin laid out before them.
The instrument nacelle features a high-resolution screen on the left that accurately mimics an analog tachometer, or shows various displays.
The 8.0-inch centre infotainment screen features a return to knobs — and a knob for the audio volume in particular. Although mounted on the top of the centre stack, the screen visually floats above the rest of the dash.
I drove the Touring model, the top-of-the-line, which benefited from contrasting stitching on the leather seats and warm wood trim highlighted by subtle chrome highlights.
If you are typically attracted to Hondas for their mastery at affordable performance, you are in for a treat.
First off, Honda now offers the Accord with two turbocharged engines, a 1.5- and a 2.0-litre (the V-6 is no longer available).
The second bit of news is even more exciting: You can equip your Accord with a six-speed manual transmission, even in the more powerful engine.
I drove a 2.0-litre with a 10-speed automatic.
With 273 foot-pounds of torque, the Honda Accord practically leaps from a stop when the pedal is depressed. Keep in mind that this is the same engine (albeit detuned) as the one found in the Civic Type R.
With 252 horsepower, the 2018 is actually less powerful that last year’s V-6-equipped Accord, but the new car is also more than 80 kilograms lighter.
The automatic transmission on the 2.0-litre is different than the one offered on the 1.5. The more powerful engine gets a 10-speed torque-converter unit, while the smaller engine is mated to a continuously variable transmission. The CVT is more fuel-efficient, but ultimately, a lot less fun.
As expected, the driver can control the cogs via steering-wheel-mounted paddles.
The automatic gear changer may take a bit to get used to. The traditional gearshift is notably missing. In its place are pushbuttons on the centre console between the front seats.
But start up the engine, take an unhurried drive along your favourite stretch of road and you will instantly recognize (or remember) that famous Honda engineering.
The engine is smooth and able, pulling to high revs without complaint or hesitation. Although I ached for the manual transmission, the 10-speed automatic was such a sweetheart that even I could come to love it.
The V-6 Accord might have been more powerful, but the turbo four feels more refined. Indeed, almost all European sports/performance sedans have a similar engine under their hoods.
Remember I noted earlier on that the Accord now looks like an Acura? The fact is that it now rides just as well as its luxury brethren, without forgetting its more affordable background.
Honda has been building quality, affordable vehicles for more than four decades. It has been building fun-to-drive vehicles for about the same time.
The 2018 Accord embodies a combination of the two attributes — a four-door sedan that is still at the top of its game.
THE SPEC SHEET
Type: Mid-sized four door sedan, front engine, front wheel drive
Engine: Turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder, 252 hp at 6,500 r.p.m., 273 lb.-ft. of torque at 1,500 to 4,000 r.p.m.
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Dimensions (mm): Length, 4,882; width, 1,906; height, 1,450; wheelbase, 2,830
Curb weight (kg): 1,562
Price (base/as tested): $38,790/ $40,670 (includes $1,780 freight and PDI and $100 AC tax)
Options: Nil
Tires: 235/40 R19 on alloy wheels
Fuel type: Regular
Fuel economy (L/100km): 10.8 city/ 7.5 highway
Warranty: Three years/60,000 km new car, five years/100,000 km powertrain and three years/unlimited km roadside assistance
