The 8th Generation Accord: Not Just a Larger Version of the Previous Model
Recently, members of our test drive team finally got to try out the much-anticipated 8th generation Accord. The reason for this anticipation dates back to last year's Guangzhou Auto Show when Fushoujie, the executive vice president of Guangzhou Honda, declared: "In the past, the Accord was the benchmark for pricing; now it is the benchmark for class." Thus, we had been eagerly looking forward to experiencing this mid-to-upper-class sedan's "class benchmark."
While we were anxiously awaiting its arrival, various claims began circulating within the industry — "The new Accord's biggest feature is its larger size" and "The most noticeable aspect of the new Accord is its more aggressive appearance."
Is that so? Honda, known for emphasizing technical prowess, surely doesn't believe that relying solely on exterior design will be enough to continue the previous Accord's success in the fiercely competitive global market?
After the test drive, all our previous doubts vanished. The 8th generation Accord brought us not just a larger size and striking appearance but also many other new features.
Exterior Design: A Harmonious Balance of Extravagance and Restraint
There has long been a perception in the industry that Japanese cars tend to have restrained and detail-oriented exteriors. However, the first sight of the new Accord truly surprised us. Its design strikes a harmonious balance between extravagance and restraint.
In terms of dimensions, the 8th generation Accord, with a length of 4945mm, nearly rivals the C-segment vehicles, being 91mm longer than the previous generation. It is 1845mm wide, 24mm wider than the old model; its height is 1480mm, 27mm taller than before; and its wheelbase is 2800mm, 62mm longer than the previous model. In terms of classification, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the 8th generation Accord has moved from "mid-size" to "large," providing ample space and comfort. Particularly, the rear legroom has increased by 35mm compared to the previous generation, making the space between the front seats and the dashboard feel even more spacious. Furthermore, the width of the front central armrest has increased by 70mm to 230mm, allowing almost simultaneous use by both passengers without any sense of constraint. The increase in wheelbase further enhances the vehicle's stability and handling.
From an aesthetic perspective, what struck us was the departure from the previous smooth lines. Following the concept of "robust and powerful," the new Accord appears significantly more rugged. Specifically, two parts of the new Accord leave the deepest impression regarding its rugged appearance: the front fascia and the body side line.
The new Accord's front fascia design exudes a more spirited look with angular headlights, grille, and flared fenders showcasing a dynamic and efficient demeanor. Especially noteworthy is the deep recessed waistline running from the front to the rear, described by some as resembling a stroke in Chinese calligraphy, strong and forceful. We, however, feel it resembles the marks left by an artist's chisel. Combined with the recessed lines on the hood and the shape of the outer rearview mirror housing, the new Accord exhibits an artistic quality akin to a sculpture.
Changing perspectives reveals different feelings, truly embodying the saying "seen horizontally as ridges and vertically as peaks." From the front, the square HID headlight combination and fog lights beneath, along with the trapezoidal grille and lower square air intake, form the heavy and stable front face of the new Accord. If viewed from the front side, the extension of the headlight combined with the recessed lines on the hood and the deep waistline immediately gives the new Accord a commanding presence.
This may well be the key reason why the new Accord maintains a steady yet dynamic character.
Interior: Technology Achieves Satisfaction
No one can deny the effort put into the interior of the new Accord. Just from the T-shaped dashboard, the front and rear seats, and the interior materials, one can feel the integration of technology, comfort, and enjoyment.
The new Accord adopts Honda's current common wing-style T-shaped dashboard, divided into an upper information area and a lower control area, designed more ergonomically. The 8-inch embedded color LCD screen contains GPS navigation, trip computer functions, and can be conveniently operated via one-touch multifunction buttons. Additionally, it features a 40GB hard disk sound navigation system that eliminates the inconvenience of reading navigation discs and automatically records played CD tracks.
For seating comfort, the 8-way electric adjustable heated seats provide excellent support, improving shoulder support for drivers and passengers. Large round shoulder supports increase space and visibility for rear seat passengers.
Moreover, the 8th generation Accord significantly reduces the use of PVC materials. For the underbody coating and internal plastic parts, thermoplastic wax and other eco-friendly materials are used to minimize environmental pollution. The interior of the 8th generation Accord also considers health by drastically reducing the content of harmful VOCs (volatile organic compounds).
These details indicate that the new Accord does not take lightly the need to satisfy consumer demands for driving comfort and operational convenience.
Furthermore, from the interior style, we can see the same essence reflected in the new Accord's exterior. The underside of the front end of the wing-style T-shaped dashboard features two chrome metal strips similar to the curvature of wings, giving the interior a modern and technological feel. Meanwhile, at the transmission lever near the dashboard, on the four-door armrests, and around the rear air vents, walnut wood covering materials are installed, adding a sense of stability. The coexistence of chrome metal strips and walnut wood trim again demonstrates that while the new Accord emphasizes modern dynamism, it remains steadfastly committed to maintaining a dignified character.
① Front fascia highlights the unity of steadiness and extravagance
② Waistline and rearview mirror sculptural marks are impressive
③ Square headlights are unique
④ Wing-style T-shaped dashboard is aesthetically pleasing
⑤ Chrome metal strips and walnut wood decorations are harmoniously unified
Engine: Emphasizing Both Power and Fuel Economy
During this test drive, we tested the 2.4L EXL Navi version. The car is powered by the newly upgraded Honda i-VTEC dual overhead camshaft engine, with a maximum power output of 132kW and a maximum torque of 225N·m. Compared to the engine equipped in the previous generation Accord, the power has increased by 8%, the torque by 4%, while fuel consumption has decreased by 8%.
From this, it is evident that Honda places great emphasis on engine technology upgrades alongside fuel economy. After all, the Accord model was born during the oil crisis of the last century.
During the test drive, under conditions where wind speed and related factors were not excluded, we recorded an average time of 14 seconds for acceleration from 0 to 100km/h. On non-congested urban expressways, the average fuel consumption of the vehicle was 9.8L/100km.
Based on these data points, we have good reason to believe that the new Accord's power system performs quite admirably.
Additionally, it is worth noting that the 8th generation Accord introduces a 3.5L version, equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine. This engine utilizes Honda's latest VCM technology, which is the first application of VCM in a non-hybrid Accord model. Previously, the VCM system switched between three-cylinder and six-cylinder modes, but the VCM system in the 8th generation Accord can automatically switch between three-cylinder, four-cylinder, and full six-cylinder modes depending on acceleration, starting, climbing, etc., greatly reducing fuel consumption. The maximum power of this 3.5L V6 engine reaches 206kW, reportedly the most powerful Honda engine to date, with fuel consumption reduced by 7% compared to the previous generation Accord 3.0 model.
With power increasing and fuel consumption decreasing, the new Accord clearly emphasizes both power and fuel economy.
Control: Emphasizing Driving Fun and Riding Comfort
Regarding driving stability, the 2800mm wheelbase lays a solid foundation for the car's performance in this category. Compared to the previous generation Accord, the new Accord's wheelbase has increased by 62mm. This means that the new Accord gains greater assurance in straight-line driving stability. Its minimum turning radius is 5.7 meters. For a new Accord with a wheelbase as long as 2800mm, this is quite remarkable. Even a comparable class vehicle with a wheelbase of 2775mm only has a minimum turning radius of 5.5 meters.
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