MOTOR RIVALS

For nearly four decades, the Accord has set the benchmark for vehicles in the midsize sedan class, historically the most popular class of vehicle with American car buyers. Accord is widely recognized as a segment-defining product, delivering class-leading interior space and superior ergonomics along with outstanding fuel efficiency, refined and responsive driving dynamics and top-class safety performance. As one important bellwether of its success, the Accord has been named to Car and Driver magazine's "10Best" list a record 29 times, a feat unmatched by any other automobile of any type.

In 2012 Honda launched a completely reengineered 9th-generation Accord as a 2013 year model. The 9th-generation redesign featured a spacious and airy passenger cabin wrapped in a tauter and tailored design with a smaller exterior footprint than the model it replaced. The Accord also delivered more sporting and refined road manners, a higher quality interior and a host of new technologies. It featured the first application of new direct-injected 4-cylinder engine technology, a new continuously variable transmission (CVT), and new two-motor hybrid system. The Accord Hybrid, featuring the two-motor system, launched with the highest EPA fuel economy rating of any midsized sedan in America. The 2013 Accord was also one of the first mainstream sedans in America to incorporate advanced driver-assistive features, including Lane Departure Warning and Forward Collision Warning.

The 2016 Accord marks a further advancement of the 9th-generation Accord lineup. Building on the foundations established by the 2013 model, the more sophisticated, sportier, yet highly fuel efficient 2016 Accord features a further refined design, a more rigid body and upgraded chassis, and upsized wheels and tires on select models. All 2016 Accords can also now be equipped with Honda Sensing™ as a standalone option on all trims except Touring, which features Honda Sensing™ as standard equipment. Further changes include the expanded use LED exterior lighting, and new premium features and technologies, including the first combined application of Apple CarPlay®1 and Android Auto1 to a Honda model and among the first high-volume cars to apply the two systems in the marketplace.

Additional new available features for 2016, depending on model and trim, include remote engine start, front and rear parking sensors, rain sensing wipers, rear seat heaters, and a 60/40 split and folding rear seat. The Accord Sedan and Coupe, depending on trim, also feature new exterior color and interior fabrics and decor; and the Accord Coupe adds a new line-topping Touring model to match its Sedan counterpart.

Exterior and Interior Design

The Accord Sedan and Coupe both get a major facelift for 2016. In place of the previous wrap-around front bumper is a more sharply creased and intricately structured front fascia, the lower portion of which tucks into large intake-like meshed areas that house new LED fog lights (Sport trim and above). For the Accord Sedan, a more sharply creased and contoured aluminum hood replaces the steel version on earlier models and meets up with a brighter, more pronounced front grille. The new more expressive face of Accord is complimented by a sharply sculpted rear bumper fascia and new LED taillight design. The Accord Coupe also boasts more sporting and aggressive front and rear fasciae, a new grille, and restyled headlights and taillights.

Body and Chassis Upgrades

The 2016 Accord's sportier design is matched by its improved dynamic performance. Accord body rigidity is increased for all models and is complimented by new high performance dampers, and a retuned electric power steering system that delivers even more linear and precise response. The Accord Sedan also gets a new aluminum hood, replacing the previous steel hood, benefitting both fuel efficiency and dynamic performance.

The Accord also gets new Straight Driving Assist technology that helps reduce the driver's workload when driving on a crowned or canted road surface (see Chassis section for more details).

All 2016 Accords can also now be equipped with Honda Sensing™, among the most comprehensive suite of advanced safety and driver-assistive technologies in the competitive class. Honda Sensing is offered as a standalone option on all trims except the Touring, which features Honda Sensing as standard equipment.

Display Audio with Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto1 Overview The Accord audio and digital experience is also significantly upgraded with the application of a new 7-inch touchscreen Display Audio interface (EX and above trims) featuring Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto, as well as newly available HondaLink Assist (e911) and HD Radio®. Smartphone pairing is now simplified with a single USB cable connection, no longer requiring an HDMI cable connection. The new Display Audio system serves as the interface for new Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto, offering a multitude of new functions and features, including smartphone-linked navigation (Apple Maps or Google Maps), audio streaming, voice-controlled SMS text messaging and more.

The lower 7-inch Display Audio touchscreen is paired with an upper 7.7-inch display screen and steering-wheel controls. The upper screen can display audio settings, turn-by-turn directions (from embedded navigation when so equipped or from Android Auto or Apple CarPlay® navi apps), time and trip information (e.g. range, trip distance), LaneWatch and Rearview Camera displays, incoming calls, SMS text messages, and parking sensor alerts.

Powertrains

The Accord Sedan and Coupe are offered with two advanced engines – a direct-injected 2.4-liter inline 4-cylinder engine, and a 3.5-liter V-6 that is the most powerful engine offered in a Honda sedan to date. Available transmissions include a sporty and fuel-efficient continuously variable transmission (CVT) for the 4-cylinder engines, unique 6-speed manuals for the 4-cylinder and V-6 engines, and a 6-speed automatic for V-6 models.

Advanced Safety Performance

In keeping with Honda's commitment to safety, the 2016 Accord features the Honda Sensing™ suite of advanced safety and driver-assistive technologies designed to expand the driver's situational awareness while sensing and responding to potential road hazards, including other vehicles, road obstacles and even pedestrians, even to the point of mitigating the possibility or severity of a collision

The 2016 Accord is expected to receive the highest safety ratings – a 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score from the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a TOP SAFETY PICK+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), including a GOOD rating in all crash modes.

The Accord incorporates Honda's next-generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure, designed to more efficiently absorb and disperse the energy from a frontal collision, along with new ultra-high-strength door rings designed to help better protect occupants.

Standard safety and driver-assistive features include four-channel anti-lock brakes (ABS) with Brake Assist and Hill Start Assist; Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) with Traction Control; an Expanded View Driver's Mirror; dual-stage, multiple-threshold front airbags, driver and front passenger SmartVent® side airbags and side-curtain airbags for all outboard seating positions; and Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). See the Safety and Driver Assistance section for more information.