Today Honda released pictures of its new Accord, the car it hopes will not just take the brand back to the top of the mid-sized segment, but also buck the trend and lead to absolute sales rise in a segment that has been suffering from customers migrating for the last few years.
So, does the new Accord stand a chance? The omens are certainly good – unlike the previous, evolutionary generation, the new car is a clear ground-up effort, with new technology, sleeker design and the promise of a more sporting drive. Building on the lessons it learned when developing the latest Civic, Honda has given the new Accord a much sportier look, with an aggressive front, complete with the controversial chrome brow, a flowing fastback roofline and large wheels that give the new car a good stance. Sure, the rear looks a little bit like the back end of the Volvo S90, which I view as a bit unfortunate as it is in my opinion the least successful aspect of the big Swede’s styling, but otherwise Honda must be applauded for pushing the design envelope on what used to be a mundane family sedan.
The good news continues inside, where the design and quality seems match that of Honda’s upscale brand, Acura, especially with the large touch-screen and the elegant low-gloss wood lookalike present in the picture below.
Completing the models renewal is a new set of engines (for the Accord), all-turbocharged, which should promise good shove and a decent fuel economy.
