Honda has revealed the 2018 Honda Accord and though it does not look vastly different from the current generation car, it is all new. We delve under the surface to list out the top five changes in the 2018 Honda Accord when compared to the current car.
This is the 10th generation of the Honda Accord and the platform has undergone vast improvements. With the use of more high-strength steel in the construction, Honda has managed to shave off more than 50kg of weight from the platform making the car lighter than before. On the other hand, the torsional rigidity has improved by about 25 per cent. The new car is slightly shorter than the previous Accord but is wider and rides lower than its predecessor.
Design
The 2018 Accord styling has been carried forward from the previous car but it has been tweaked for a sportier look. The split front grille is now a single unit and the LED headlamps have become slimmer. The profile is a remnant of the previous design but the sloping roof has been extended further back. This has helped designers push the rear seat further back which results in better leg room, in spite of the shorter length. The tail section has been completely revised and it now sports Civic-like C-shaped LED tail lamps.
Interior
The cabin design is all new and the most prominent change is the tablet-like display screen taking the centre-stage. Honda has done away with the dual-display setup and the dashboard has been completely redesigned. The instrument cluster now sports a binnacle instead of the three-pod layout and has a multi-information display screen between the two dials. The waterfall centre console gets dual-zone AC controls and an electronic parking brake. It gets all the creature comforts of the full-size sedan including power seats, power mirrors, electric sunroof et al.
Powertrains
The 10th generation Honda Accord gets all-new powertrains with the old 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and the 3.5-litre V6 options hitting the end of the road. The 2.4-litre mill is replaced by an all-new 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine that develops 192bhp of power and 260Nm of torque. It comes standard with a CVT automatic gearbox and a six-speed manual option as well.
The 3.5-litre V6 has been replaced by a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol developing 252bhp of power. While it has lower output than the V6, the four-cylinder delivers 370Nm of torque – that’s more than the V6 and from as low as 1500rpm. The 2.0-litre comes mated to a 10-speed automatic, a first in production sedans. You can also opt for the six-speed manual.
Suspension
The Honda Accord gets adaptive dampers for the first time in its history, but they are restricted only to the higher trims. The McPherson struts have been redesigned and gets aluminium control arms and an aluminium sub-frame in the front along with a multi-link setup in the back. The Accord also gets driving modes where the engine, steering, gearbox and suspension maps can be altered for Normal driving and Sport driving.
