On Tuesday, Honda teased its completely redesigned 2023 Accord sedan, indicating that the upcoming 11th-generation version of this long-time bestseller will “bring back the excitement.”
While that might sound like a strange dig at its own current product, it could be a matter of where Honda sees that excitement. Honda promises “enhanced hybrid performance” in the upcoming Accord and stated that it will include Honda’s largest touchscreen, a 12.3-inch display. A photo appeared to tease design cues carried over from the latest Civic and CR-V.
The current generation of the Accord made its debut in 2018 with a more luxurious cabin, significantly improved driving and handling, and a 2.0-liter turbo-4 that replaced the previously available V-6. Manual transmissions were offered for some versions, but Honda discontinued them after 2020.
Honda had already updated its Accord Hybrid’s drivability for 2021. In a test of the 2021 Accord Hybrid, we found it to be more confident in its responses, with a steady acceleration feel that we likened to electric vehicles.
As reported in our review of the 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid, the automaker has redesigned its two-motor hybrid system so that its motors are no longer on the same axis. This allows packaging advantages but, more importantly for that excitement factor, a broader torque curve and stronger acceleration response, although we’re not as keen on the artificial steps Honda added when the gasoline engine plays the role of a generator.
This new arrangement bowed in the European-market Civic Hybrid and seems to be sweeping through the lineup. Honda hasn’t confirmed that the setup will also make its way to the Accord, but it’s likely.
The Honda Accord 2023 lineup will debut next month.
