Since its debut in 1976, the Honda Accord has gone on to become a best-seller and find a loyal following among commuters and road trippers alike. As a midsize sedan, it strikes a great balance between fuel economy and spaciousness. An efficient engine and aerodynamic shape help each gallon of gas go a long way, but it’s not quite as compact as the Civic, so drivers are more comfortable behind the wheel and can more easily carpool, fit plenty of groceries inside on errand runs, and bring friends along for the ride on the weekend.
The 2023 Honda Accord marks the first year of the model’s eleventh generation. While a lot of the Accord’s features will already be familiar to long-time fans of the brand, there’s also plenty that’s fresh and new. If you’re considering getting a new car for your daily commute, then you’ve come to the right place. We’re going to take a look at what this new generation of Accord has to offer, so you can decide whether or not it’s right for you.
Exterior
Just looking at the 2023 Accord, it’s easy to see that its styling is more modern than the outgoing model. The upright grille gives the car a bold appearance, and standard blacked-out LED headlights are both functional and fashionable. Of course, there are some things about the Accord that simply already worked and didn’t need changing. It continues to feature a sleek silhouette with a long hood and an aerodynamic roofline. The Accord’s stylish exterior can help you make a good impression on your co-workers and bosses since it looks professional and elegant.
Interior
Of course, the interior is likely to be the main focus for most commuters since they’ll be spending so much time there. The seats on the new generation have been upgraded to provide better support and reduce fatigue, so you can tackle longer drives without getting tired and sore. The dashboard surfaces are designed to reduce glare and reflections, so you won’t get distracted or temporarily blinded, even if you have to drive during sunrise or sunset. Thin pillars won’t obstruct your view too much, and the quieter cabin makes it easier to listen to your music or take calls while en route.
The Accord has been made longer for the 2023 model year, making the cabin more spacious than it was previously. This gives the front row more hip room and the back row more leg room, letting everyone stretch out a little more. Styling changes include a honeycomb mesh trim that hides the air vents, a unique touch that’s already been added to other Honda models, like the Civic and CR-V.
Powertrain
The Accord’s two most affordable trim levels (LX and EX) still come standard with a traditional powertrain, specifically a turbocharged 1.5L 4-cylinder engine that provides 192 horsepower. This engine is similar to the one available on the 2022 Accord but has been tweaked for the new generation, now offering better emissions performance. The CVT transmission has also been upgraded to respond more quickly so that you can feel even more confident and in control behind the wheel. The EPA-estimated fuel economy rating has gone down slightly for this basic powertrain (dropping from 33 MPG to 32 MPG combined), probably because the curb weight has been slightly increased by the increase in the car’s length. But since the average 2023 vehicle gets only 28 MPG combined, according to the EPA, the basic trims still save you from pain at the pump when compared to other models.
If you’re looking for optimal fuel efficiency, then you’ll want to opt for a hybrid Accord. While a hybrid powertrain was an option for the previous generation, the 2023 lineup makes it even more prominent. The hybrid system is now the standard powertrain for all four higher-tier trims: Sport, EX-L, Sport-L, and Touring. Since the hybrid system received an even more extensive upgrade than the traditional powertrain, its EPA-estimated figures have improved for the new generation, despite the Accord’s extra length. The Sport/Touring hybrid has gone up from 43 MPG combined in 2022 to 44 MPG in 2023, and the non-Sport/Touring hybrid has gone up from 47 MPG to 48 MPG. That means that the most eco-friendly option is a full 20 MPG more efficient than the average 2023 vehicle, according to the EPA.
Brand new for this generation of the Accord, the fourth-generation two-motor hybrid system was first introduced in the 2023 CR-V hybrid and pairs the motors with a 2.0L 4-cylinder engine. Overall, the powertrain provides 204 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque (compared to 232 lb-ft of torque for the 2022 version). Those changes will mean that acceleration is a bit faster, which is good news for commuters who take the highway to work, but will probably not be especially noticeable to the average driver.
One change that will be more likely to affect everyone behind the wheel of an Accord is the update to the selectable drive modes. The 2022 Accord hybrid used a three-mode system with Econ mode for optimized efficiency, Sport mode for thrilling driving dynamics, and EV mode for fully electric-powered driving over short distances. For the 2023 model, the system now has four options: Normal, Sport, Econ, and Individual. Sport and Econ are essentially the same, while Normal strikes a balance between efficiency, performance, and driver comfort. With Individual mode, the driver can customize settings to their liking. While many probably won’t know what to do with this feature, those who do want to take more control over their driving experience now have the freedom to do so. EV mode is missing from the lineup, but since it was only able to be used for short distances before, most commuters probably won’t notice its absence.
Technology
Digital instrumentation comes standard across the lineup, making everything easy to read and customizable with user-selectable functions. The digital layout also makes it easier for Honda to alter the display based on the Accord’s powertrain. For instance, hybrid models have a digital power flow meter instead of the tachometer, so you can keep track of how much fuel you’re using as you drive. All trims are able to receive over-the-air software updates, too, so you can take advantage of technological upgrades that are developed after you’ve already purchased your Accord. The top-tier Touring trim now comes with Google built-in, so you can use features like Google Assistant, Google Maps, and Google Play without needing to connect a smartphone.
Safety
Rush hour is a tricky time to drive, even when you’re not tired on a Monday morning or exhausted after a long day’s work. So commuters will be happy to hear that the Honda Sensing system of safety and driver-assistance tech has been upgraded for the 2023 Accord. A new front sensor camera has a 90-degree field of view, and the radar has a 120-degree field of view, while both could sense only 50 degrees on the previous generation. With wider angles in their sights, these sensors are able to provide better data to the collision-prevention systems like pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking. Traffic Jam Assist and Traffic Sign Recognition have been added to Honda Sensing, while features like adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist have been updated for improved functionality. Like the 2022 Accord before it, the 2023 Accord has been named a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Bring on the New 2023 Honda Accord
While many of the individual changes made to the Accord for the eleventh generation are small, they add up to make a big difference, especially to folks like commuters who are in their car almost every day. Even minor styling changes can make a difference in how pleasant a daily commute is, and bigger changes like the larger cabin and upgraded front seats are sure to be noticed by long-time Accord drivers. Looking at all of the improvements made for this model year, it’s easy to see why many people are excited to get behind the wheel.
