Midsize sedans used to be a no-brainer for families seeking capable transportation. These days, crossovers have stolen some of their thunder, but there are still plenty of good reasons for investing in a talented family sedan.
For decades, the Honda Accord has been a top seller among midsize four-doors. Historically, the Accord’s appeal has rested on its combination of overall competence and reliability.
With the 2018 Accord, Honda recognizes that business as usual may not be enough to quell the crossover juggernaut. The manufacturer updates the Accord with a redesign that’s intended to conquer hearts and change minds.
Many crossovers have a look that’s sportier and sexier than that of the typical staid family sedan, so the tenth-generation Accord sharpens its claws with a sheet-metal overhaul that provides a more assertive appearance. The Accord also steps things up a notch when it comes to interior room. Its wheelbase increases by 2.16 inches, and this enables this five-seater to deliver big rewards when it comes to passenger volume. To satisfy your cargo needs, the current-generation Accord outdoes its predecessor by providing a larger trunk.
There are also notable changes under the hood, with new engine and transmission choices.
All these upgrades help make a familiar choice even more compelling. But the 2018 Honda Accord is not free of flaws.
We take a look at 8 great traits offered by this redesigned family hauler…and we also bring you up to speed on a weakness you should know about before making a buying decision.
The Accord’s selection of powertrains kicks off with this 1.5-liter engine good for 192 horsepower.
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A car offering a broad powertrain lineup makes it easier for you to find a choice that’s a perfect fit for your situation. Whether your priority is performance or fuel economy, a model with a decent selection of power plants gives you the ability to cherry-pick the engine that best meets your needs.
With the 2018 Accord, buyers have a choice of three engines. Base models come with a turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine good for 192 horsepower and 192 lb.-ft. of torque. Next up is a turbocharged 2.0-liter power plant with four cylinders, 252 horsepower and 273 lb.-ft. of torque. A hybrid powertrain is also offered, and it pairs a 4-cylinder engine with a pair of electric motors to provide total output of 212 horsepower.
Long stems will feel right at home in the Accord’s second row, thanks to its generous legroom.
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It’s easy for single drivers to make rear-seat legroom last on their list of priorities, but drivers with families don’t have that luxury. If you’re a parent to lanky tweens or teenagers, they won’t be shy about letting you know if their legs feel cramped and constricted in the back seat.
The 2018 Honda Accord gives its rear-seat passengers legroom that is very easy to live with. Relative to the outgoing model, the Accord’s second-row legroom increases by almost 2 inches. This gives those seated in the back a spacious 40.4 inches to stretch their stems.
Trunks in the midsize-sedan segment don’t get much bigger than the Accord’s. There’s 16.7 cubic feet of cargo space on board.
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Spacious cargo capacity is a must-have for family travel. Crossovers lead the pack here, but some sedans have enough room on tap to meet the needs of you and your loved ones.
For 2018, the Accord gets improvements that make its trunk one of the roomiest in the midsize-sedan segment. Whether you choose a hybrid or a gas-only Accord, you’ll enjoy cargo capacity of 16.7 cubic feet.
If you need to haul outsize items, the Accord is available with a 60/40-split folding rear seat that helps you to easily tackle this chore.
Those who like shifting their own gears will appreciate the Accord’s available manual transmission.
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In recent years, manual transmissions have gone the way of Blockbuster video stores and dial-up internet. This is a natural side effect of diminished demand, with most drivers preferring vehicles that are able to automatically shift gears.
Still, while their numbers are few, there remains a passionate contingent of drivers who prefer the control provided by a stick shift. If you’re one of those drivers, the 2018 Accord has your number: A short-throw 6-speed manual transmission is available.
The Accord also offers a 10-speed automatic and a continuously variable transmission.
The Accord keeps you safe by providing standard features like forward collision warning and traffic sign recognition.
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If you’re on the hunt for family transportation, it’s essential to choose a model that offers a useful range of driver-assistive technology. By working to prevent accidents, these features go a long way toward protecting the safety of you and your loved ones when you’re behind the wheel.
Honda’s new Accord comes with a robust array of driver-assistive amenities, and many of these features are provided as standard equipment. All Accord sedans come with a rearview camera, traffic sign recognition, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and road departure mitigation.
The list of available active safety features includes rear cross-traffic alert and a blind-spot information system.
Accord drivers enjoy a wide range of available technology features, and Bluetooth connectivity and handsfree text messaging are standard.
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Every year, the bar is raised a bit higher when it comes to the technology content offered by mainstream vehicles. Features that used to be reserved for luxury models are now commonly seen in even the most affordable transportation choices.
The 2018 Accord offers a wealth of amenities for those with a yen for the most modern technology. Base models come with handsfree text messaging and Bluetooth phone and streaming audio. Available features include a wireless device charger, a WiFi hotspot, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration.
Frugal engine choices are available for Accord owners who are seeking to save money at the pump.
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Whether it’s a short commute to your kid’s school or a long cross-country road trip, family vehicles spend a lot of time in active duty, and this can cause them to rack up many miles. If you choose a vehicle with good fuel economy, you can avoid paying a steep cost at the pump for your travels.
Fuel efficiency is one of the Accord’s strengths, and gas-only models have an EPA rating of up to 30/38 mpg city/highway.
Fuel-economy ratings aren’t yet available for the hybrid.
With ample standard content and an accessible price, the Accord provides impressive value.
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With a base price of $23,570, the 2018 Accord comes with accessible pricing. This is even more impressive when you consider the long list of standard content that this model provides.
The Accord comes standard with driver-assistive features that are offered as costly options on some rivals. Generously equipped and affordably priced, this Honda is a strong choice if you’re a driver seeking to stretch your buying dollars.
While the Accord scores points for offering a nice selection of engines, there’s one power plant that you won’t find in the lineup: a V6. The V6 engine option was dropped for the 2018 model year.
This is sad news for buyers who crave the extra power that a V6 provides. A V6 engine is offered by the Accord’s longtime nemesis, the Toyota Camry.
The 2018 Accord is nicely equipped to meet the needs of modern families.
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The Accord has been a top seller among midsize sedans for decades now, but it doesn’t take its success for granted.
With ample legroom, lots of cargo capacity, and a satisfying assortment of standard driver-assistive technology, the 2018 Accord has what it takes to woo family-car shoppers in this briskly competitive segment.
While sedans may be losing some customers to crossovers, the Accord clearly doesn’t intend on giving up any ground without a fight.
