Athough it does not seems, the last time Honda sold the Accord in Europe was in 2015, when the production of the eighth generation of the Japanese sedan ended. Europe was orphaned of one of the most traditional sedans on the market. The reason you already suppose: the collapse of the market for general saloons, which have suffered the very hard challenge of SUVs and crossovers. However, the Honda Accord has continued to be sold in Asia or the United States, where one of its main markets is located.
Since the European Honda Accord will no longer be sold, three different generations of the Accord have followed each other across the pond. It is important to emphasize that the Accord has undergone a divergent evolution, American being larger, roomier and more comfort-oriented than Europeans. In fact, for the Americas, the Honda Accord is built locally in Marysville, Ohio, alongside similarly focused products like the Honda Pilot. The news is that yesterday the eleventh generation of the American Honda Accord.
Among its most direct rivals, the Chevrolet Malibu or the Toyota Camry, in addition to the Hyundai Sonata.
And the sad thing is that Europe has turned its back on sedans, because the new Honda Accord looks sensational. Its design is clean lines, even simple, but with personality, especially in its radiator grille and front optics. The profile lacks breaks but has a well-defined waist line. The rear has optics that run through the car from side to side. It’s a matter of taste, but all in all, I think this new Honda Accord has a design that could use some more personalityat the cost of alienating its public potential.
One way to see how different general sedans are across the pond is to know their dimensions. The Honda Accord Mk11 measures 4.97 meters long, 1.86 meters wide and 1.45 meters high. Its wheelbase is 2,830 mm, and it is 69 mm longer to increase the space available in the rear seats. The cabin of the Honda Accord has a very high-tech look, has noticeably improved perceived quality, and has a clear family resemblance to recent brand launches such as the Honda Civic.
There is a great emphasis on ergonomics, and physical controls are retained for systems such as air conditioning or aerators.
The instrumentation is digital (10.2 inches) and the infotainment system screen is 12.3 inches, being the largest ever equipped in any vehicle of the brand. In terms of mechanics, the 2.0 turbo engines available in the United States are lost in favor of an engine 1.5 VTEC Turbo 195 hp as an access step, and a dual-motor hybrid mechanics as the top of the range. This mechanism lacks a gearbox and has a 2.0 Atkinson cycle engine as a power generator for the two electric motors that are responsible for propulsion.
The hybrid version has 207 hp combined power and 335 Nm of maximum torque. The consumption of this version has not been announced, but hand in hand with a very aerodynamic bodywork, they will surely be very contained. What’s more, a vehicle like this would make sense in Europe even to reduce the brand’s average emissions, whose European range is also hybrid. The 2023 Honda Accord will go into production next year, and don’t hold your breath: it is practically impossible for it to reach Europe.
