photo by Kevin McCauley, Capturing the Machine.
Honda finished 2022 as the #1 brand with first- time and Gen Z buyers for the fifth straight year. Honda engineers aren’t resting on their laurels in the fight to retain this impressive statistic. The all-new generations of both Honda’s passenger cars and light trucks put the brand in solid position to retain popularity with younger drivers and draw in other demographic segments in, too.
With Accord sedans accounting for nearly 25% of all segment sales for Honda, the redesign of the 11th generation Accord is key to Honda’s future. The all-new Accord retains its sleek, sporty personality with a new exterior design and a high-tech interior. Available features include Honda’s largest-ever touchscreen and its first integration of Google Assist built-in (exclusive to the top-tier Touring trim level).
The lower-level LX and EX trims come with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine. All other trim levels come with a more advanced and responsive two-motor hybrid-electric system. Accord hybrid models, EPA-rated up to 48 mpg combined city and highway driving, will represent about 50% of Accord sales this year, Honda says, as a key step in the brand’s electrification strategy.
Even with the bigger 19-inch wheels on our Sport model Accord, EPA gas mileage rated at 44 mpg combined was excellent. Total system output for the front-wheel-drive Accord is rated at 204 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque. The ride was comfortable, the driving aids including adaptive cruise control worked well, and the trunk offered plenty of space. The 12.3 touchscreen was standard as part of the higher trim level. Since the Sport-L trim is second to the highest trim level (Touring), our tester did not feature the Google Assist. The only option on our tester was its Radiant Red paint, putting its price tag at a respectable $35,425 with delivery.
Another chance to test the 2023 Accord Hybrid and other recently updated Honda models at the recent Texas Auto Writers Association’s Auto Roundup further instills our confidence in Honda’s bright future.
