A Closer Look: The All-New Honda Accord

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 The 2013 Honda Accord starts at $21,680 and is loaded with high-tech
standard features.

The release of the all-new 2013 Accord arguably marks the biggest launch in
Honda’s history, and the automotive giant is not holding anything back.
Coupled with a complete redesign and a whole slew of industry-leading
standard features, the ninth generation Accord is living up to the hype of
the media buzz surrounding its launch.

“The latest incarnation of the Accord represents the best value-per-dollar
of any vehicle on the market,” said Chris Kelly, who road tested the
all-new Accord for VehicleTests.com. “After seeing all the high-tech
standard features that come with the Accord, I got reverse sticker shock
because the car was so inexpensive with more technology and safety features
than a lot of luxury cars that are twice its price,” which is why
VehicleTests.com awarded the 2013 Honda Accord with its vaunted 5-Star
rating.

The 2013 Accord comes at starting price of $21,680 with an array of hi-tech
standard features, including a rearview camera and Expanded View Driver’s
Mirror. Other standard technologies include Bluetooth HandsFreeLink phone
interface, Multi-Information Display (i-MID), SMS text messaging function
and Pandora Internet Radio interface. These are just some of the reasons
for the high praise from VehicleTests.com, which produces independent
test-drive videos for consumers.

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Citing "reverse sticker-shock" based on the vehicle's high-tech features
compared to its affordable price, VehicleTests.com awarded the 2013 Honda
Accord a 5-Star rating.

“After I spent the whole day driving the new Accord, I found myself missing
the great features it has once I got back into my own car,” adds Kelly.
“You get used to those features really fast.”

One of the features to which Kelly refers is the new Honda LaneWatch
blind-spot display, which enhances visibility of the passenger-side roadway
thanks to a camera that displays what is in your blind spot on the i-MID
screen. The Lane Departure Warning system uses cameras to make sure the
vehicle is aligned within the lines on the roadway and alerts the driver if
he or she is drifting. There is also Forward Collision Warning, which
alerts the driver if he or she is closing in too fast on the car ahead.

This new technology, coupled with the 2013 Accord’s standard safety
features, also contributed to its 5-Star rating from VehicleTests.com. The
vehicle comes with four-wheel anti-lock braking system, a total of six
airbags, including front and rear head airbags and dual front side-mounted
airbags. In addition, the Accord has emergency braking assist, electronic
brake force distribution, both a driver and passenger head restraint
whiplash protection system, stability and traction control and tire
pressure monitoring. Additionally, the Bluetooth HandsFreeLink phone
interface and SMS text messaging function allows for hands-free phone
usage, which means less distracted driving.

The 2013 Accord comes in eight different trim levels, from the standard LX
to the EXL, including the all-new Sport and top-of-the-line Touring models.
Engine options include the 2.4L four-cylinder with 185 horsepower and the
six-cylinder with 278 horsepower, which is more horsepower than the Lexus
ES, BMW 328i or Mercedes Benz C Class. However, more power doesn’t mean
less fuel economy. Due to its new Earth Dreams technology, the 2013 Accord
offers better gas mileage than previous Accords that had less horsepower.

While the all-new Accord has a lot more horsepower, the cabin was extremely
quiet during the road test. “Normal conversation volume measures in at 65
decibels,” says Kelly. “The new Accord measures in at an exceptional 56
decibels. It was amazing to see the amount of soundproofing that Honda put
into the vehicle.” Under the hood of the 2013 Accord, you’ll find a thick
soundproofing mat, which helps keeps most engine noise away from the cabin.
However, Kelly says that the Accord also features additional rubber gaskets
around the edges, which provides even more soundproofing.

As part of its road-test, VehicleTests.com drove the vehicle for 50 miles
on the highway at 60 miles per hour with cruise-control, in order to test
the fuel economy — listed at 35 miles per gallon. Kelly and his team found
that the Accord they tested actually exceeded the listed miles per gallon
by a good amount. However, he could not disclose the actual figures for
legal reasons.

The American-made Honda Accord has been one of the best selling cars in
history, which is one of the reasons why it has boasted the highest resell
value of any car in its class and has won many resell value awards from
Kelley Blue Book and Edmunds.com. In fact, New York Honda dealers are
already celebrating its sales success - it is selling faster than any Honda
in history.

Based on early reception, this vehicle is receiving — including the high
rating from VehicleTests.com — it looks like Honda’s problem is not going
to be market share because customers know a deal when they see one. With
industry-leading standard features, a shockingly low MSRP and more
technology and safety features than many more expensive luxury vehicles,
Honda may have a challenge keeping up with the demand in the market place.

“The new Accord is selling faster than any Honda in history,” said Rob
Sabbagh, President of the Tri-State Honda Dealers Association.

Courtesy of New York Daily News