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Big H’s critical sedan takes a decisive quarter-step forward visually.
Honda has started unveiling the redesigned 2013 Accord sedan, the company’s four-door moneymaker, by releasing two photos and a skosh of info. We already know a fair amount about what to expect from the new car—including details on its conventional engines, hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains, and infotainment technology—much of which we summarized when we spied both the coupe and sedan.
As for the new photos, you probably howled the same thing we did when you saw them: “It looks the same!” Still, that’s hardly a surprise—the concept that dropped at this year’s Detroit auto show resembled a slightly tarted-up contemporary Accord coupe and the aforementioned spy shots revealed that the general shape would carry over.
At least the new Accord eschews most of the current model’s clumsier detailing, including the bustle tail and bulging lamps. A more upright grille and a hood with a slight bulge lend the front end a more purposeful look, while the sides are slightly more sculpted. Out back, the taillights now extend to the trunklid, making the Accord’s hindquarters look wider and lower. The headlights are sleeker and a strip of LED daytime running lights will be available on more posh models, which also can be fitted with full-LED exterior lighting. (The rear view also shows that Honda will adopt the Touring name; it currently uses that badge on its top-spec Odyssey and Pilot models.) It’s worth mentioning that LED headlights aren’t currently available in the mid-size-sedan segment; the tech still is largely the province of luxury cars.
Honda did not release any hard figures along with these images, but claims the new Accord has more interior and trunk space than before despite being shorter in overall length. The company also says the car will be “sportier.” Ignoring its visual similarity to the current one—altered dimensions or no, the resemblance is so strong that it’s hard to call the new look even evolutionary—we’re keen to find out if Big H speaks the truth. Only the four-cylinder version of the once all-conquering Accord made our 2012 10Best Cars roster, and it’s suffered losses in recent comparison tests.
We’ll drive the new Accord—and probably see its interior, too!—in the near future, so watch this space for our impressions.
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