For decades, the Honda Accord has been one of the brand’s most consistently produced and purchased models among their entire lineup. Production of the Accord began in 1976 and continues their present day 10th generation mid size sedan that was recently awarded a 2020 IIHS Top Safety Pick+. The vehicle is easily one of Honda's most popular, playing second to only the Honda Civic. The Honda Accord presented a family alternative with a less sporty exterior and more interior space. Today the Honda Accord utilizes a ton of modern elements that represent the knowledge that Honda automotive engineers possess. The evolution of the vehicle has undoubtedly been exciting, and exploring its history compared to today demonstrates substantial development among the brand. Premier Honda in New Orleans is proud to be part of such an innovative brand.
The Honda Accord was first introduced in May 1976 and originally started as a three door hatchback but soon started it's sedan beginnings a year later. The Accord began to take real shape as the vehicle we know today in its second generation where it's usage as a sedan began to take hold in North America, Europe, and Japan. Like many vehicles throughout the 80s and 90s their exteriors were defined by boxy features, sharp corners, and only minor amenities in the way of luxury due to limited technology. By the early 2000s the Accord began to find its modern shape and many of its features still continued today. The sharp corners of the body at the head and taillights were smoothed out in a futuristic then 7th generation Accord. From 2002 to 2006, the Accord began to increase in size in America while the Japanese and European models stayed compact. In 2005 we even saw the first hybrid model. From 2010 onward, the Accord saw more consistent features. The changes included an enlarged front grill, a body defined by modern lines and contours; on the inside there were more options for upholstery, touch screen capability, and more.
From the beginning of the Accord’s production to the most recent lineup, Honda has marketed their vehicles as being highly fuel efficient, environmentally friendly, safe, and highly accessible based on its price point. Although the vehicle has evolved vastly since 1976, these components remain the same and have earned numerous awards as well as being a top seller for the Honda brand.
Being a leader among midsize sedans, even at its beginning years, Honda took strides to give its drivers the best mechanical specifications while maintaining its accessible price point. True to form, even of today's Honda Accords, the vehicle was marketed as highly fuel efficient. This gave the Accord a leading edge among many automakers at the time due to the oil crisis of the 1970s. At its release, the Honda Accord was powered by a 68 horsepower 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine.
By 1985, the Accord began production in America in a factory in Marysville, Ohio. The Accord sedan that year was the first Japanese car to be built in the United States. The last year for the Honda Accord wagon was in 1997 for their fifth-generation release. This generation signified two major milestones for Honda, which introduced the V-Tec 2.2L 4-cylinder engine and soon after followed by the first V6 engine for the Accord. For generations following, the Accord continued to grow in size as well as power, and the vehicle saw increases to 268 horsepower by 2012. Today many Accords are available in hybrid models with a 212-horsepower, dual motor powertrain with e-CVT transmission. These vehicles can reach up to 48 miles per gallon.