The all-new 2023 Accord brings elegant A7-like styling, along with a more efficient and potent hybrid powertrain, but it won’t be available with a powerful gas engine.
The mid-size sedan segment isn’t thriving, with most automakers abandoning it entirely. But it looks like Honda thinks sedans still have a lot to offer and wants to change the game with the 2023 Accord.
Honda has been particularly busy in the past few years, launching the all-new Civic, CR-V, Pilot, and now the Accord. Although the sedan might not sell as well as Honda’s crossovers, it should beat with refinement and handling.
With a cleaner exterior design that gives a more sophisticated look, the 11th-gen Accord looks sharper than its predecessor. Dare we say, it’s one of the best-looking sedans currently on sale, giving off some Audi A7 vibes in the back and boasting a very keen-looking front fascia. Next to the 2023 Accord, the Camry, or any of its competitors, would look much less intricate.
The 2023 Accord runs on standard 17-inch wheels, though the 19-inch wheels of the higher trims work much better with the new styling.
Sadly, you can’t combine the premium looks with a powerful engine — Honda dropped the 2.0-liter turbo. ICE enthusiasts will need to be satisfied with the 1.5-liter turbo, which produces a healthy 192 hp and 192 lb-ft of torque and pairs with a CVT.
But the 2023 Accord is all about electrification; the hybrid boasts a 2.0-liter naturally-aspirated Atkinson engine and two electric motors, all working together to produce 204 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid is more powerful and will have vastly better fuel economy (mpg numbers aren’t still available) and two additional driving modes (Sport and Individual) over the gas model’s ECON and Normal.
Honda offers a total of six trims — two non-hybrid and four hybrids. LX and EX are non-hybrid trims, whereas Sport, EX-L, Sport-L, and Touring are hybrid only. The automaker said that it predicts that 50% of the sales will be hybrid, so the emphasis on hybrid trims would make sense.
The 2023 Accord sits on a new platform and is 2.8 inches longer than the predecessor, but the wheelbase remains the same. Honda says the chassis rigidity is now improved, thanks to stiffer body supports, while a retuned suspension comes with damper mount bearings and ball joints. Overall, the new model should be better to drive while providing better ride quality.
Inside, the 2023 Accord looks similar to the new Civic and CR-V, with the ventilation openings hidden behind a mesh-like trim in the middle of the dashboard. On the top, you’ll find a 12.3-inch touchscreen, the largest of any Honda, but entry-level models only get a tiny 7-inch display. Regardless, the cabin looks smart and upmarket enough, particularly compared to its closest rivals.
Pricing and other details are still unavailable, but we expect a price increase over the current Accord’s $25,470 starting price.
Gallery: 2023 Honda Accord
