There were low points in the past few years when we doubted Honda, but Big H might be on its way back. The new, ninth-generation Accord
is a convincing reminder of the company’s core values and—considering
all Honda has been through, including an earthquake that smashed its
Tochigi R&D center and floods in Thailand that crimped production—a
triumphant return to form.
This latest
Accord is 3.5 inches shorter bumper to bumper and 0.9 inch tighter at
the wheelbase than its fleshy predecessor. Yet once again, Honda
conducts a master class in packaging. Against its porcine predecessor,
the 2013 car’s cabin dimensions vary hardly at all. The Accord still
feels like one of the biggest cars in the segment, with two roomy and
extra-comfortable front buckets and a back bench you and two friends can
stretch out on. Moreover, the capacious trunk is even larger, maximum
volume having increased by over one cubic foot.
The overhauled DOHC 2.4-liter four
falls under the somewhat nonsensical Earth Dreams marketing slogan;
more important, however, is that it represents Honda’s first whack at
gasoline direct injection for the North American market. Your only
automatic alternative to the six-speed manual with this engine is a
Honda-built continuously variable transmission (CVT) called the G-Design
Shift (Honda’s committee for cutesy names has been working overtime).
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