First Impressions

The 2018 Honda Accord drives into a market where SUV’s are taking an ever bigger slice, while direct rivals are raising the stakes. But ever since it arrived here in 1976, the Accord has been a worthy opponent. 

This 10th generation midsize sedan undergoes major engineering and design changes. Sitting on a new chassis, the Accord features a lighter, stiffer body. It’s lower, wider, and shorter with a longer wheelbase. The overall result is better handling with a more comfortable ride.

Honda is all-in on turbo-4’s with both 1.5 and 2-liter engines. The larger of the two shares a great deal of hardware with the Civic Type R. We drove both engines, spending most of our time in a Touring trim with a 2-liter hooked to a smooth new 10-speed automatic. With 252 hp, driving the winding roads of New Hampshire was quite fun, but the base 192 horsepower 1.5 liter also measured up well.

Inside a very quiet cabin, Honda has pulled back the A-pillars and made them narrower for a wider open view. 

Infotainment is now easier to use with both volume and tuning knobs. And the Honda Sensing safety suite is now standard.

So while SUV’s are stealing the spotlight, the 2018 Honda Accord proves sedans can still get our attention.

The 1.5-liter turbo Accords are in dealerships now starting at $23,570. The 2.0-liter version arrives in November and hybrid in early 2018.