Honda Accord Sedan

The Honda Accord has grown from a compact to a mid-size—and now full-size, model—over its 35 years. The Accord was first a hatchback, but a sedan model was introduced after a few years and quickly became the more popular body style in the U.S.  Today the Accord lineup consists of Accord Sedan and Accord Coupe models.

As a model, the Accord has been a longtime U.S. best-seller and has been built in Ohio since the early 1980s. In recent years, comparison shoppers have also considered the Chevrolet Malibu, Hyundai Sonata, Nissan Altima, and Toyota Camry, among others.

In general, no matter which era of Accord you're considering, Accords have always been a little sportier-feeling to drive than the Camry or most other mid-size sedans, even if their engines haven't been any more powerful. Accord interiors have also typically been a highlight for their simplicity yet nice, tactile controls. Even through that late-1990s and through the past decade, Accords with the four-cylinder engine were satisfying and quite refined, unlike some of the base fours in rival models.

Even though the Accord has been redesigned at regular intervals, its design has clearly evolved. Third-generation (1986 through 1989) Accord models had hidden, flip-up headlamps and a very advanced, sophisticated appearance for their time, and they're likely to be the oldest used Accords typically available. From the 1990 model year on, the Accord broke free from its equivalent model in Japan and became significantly larger in the U.S. to address American expectations. Since then the Accord has been redesigned several more times, with the four-cylinder growing slightly, to 2.4 liters, and a V-6 joining the lineup beginning in 1995—which eventually grew to 3.0 liters.

From 2005 through 2007, a Hybrid version of the Accord was produced. Pairing Honda's 3.0-liter V-6 with a version of Honda's mild hybrid system, the Hybrid could get to 60 mph in just 6.7 seconds and performed quite well, though real-world fuel economy was always disappointing—only slightly better than the normal V-6 version.

The Accord grew slightly yet again for 2008, when it was last redesigned, becoming more detailed inside and out at that time and really setting a bold look. It hasn't changed significantly since then. This generation of Accord offers 2.4-liter four-cylinder engines, making 177 or 190 horsepower, or a 3.5-liter V-6 making 271 hp, plus a longer feature list than ever and excellent safety ratings.

Two other body styles are available today. An Accord Coupe gets the same engines and features as the sedan, but with its own distinctive roofline and styling cues, especially in back. Through the mid 1990s a wagon version of the Accord was offered, but it was eventually discontinued due to slow sales.

For 2010, Honda introduced the Crosstour, a five-door tall-hatchback version with a slightly higher seating level than the sedan. It's only offered with a V-6, and we've rated it considerably lower than the sedan due to its heft (up to 650 pounds more than the sedan), low gas mileage, and unimpressive safety ratings. Honda later introduced a four-cylinder version of the Crosstour, which was a slow seller at first, and detached it as a separate model outside of the Accord lineup.

Over the past several model years, the current Accord lineup has changed very little otherwise; although for 2012 Honda upgraded the navigation system, with a big eight-inch screen plus Zagat ratings, improved voice recognition, and a rearview camera system, and made a USB port standard across the lineup.

An all-new Accord is due for 2013. While the appearance of the 2013 Honda Accord family is expected to be evolutionary, Honda has promised an all-new line of direct-injection engines, plus a new eco-focused hybrid model.