2005 Honda Accord Sedan US 3.0L V6 Hybrid 5AT FWD (257 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Honda introduced the seventh generation of the Accord for the North American continent in 2002, and in 2006, it refreshed it for the 2007 model year.

The Japanese automaker celebrated the 30th Anniversary of the Accord nameplate and decided to improve the already successful mid-size sedan. Unfortunately, at that time, Honda was better at creating new models than upgrading the existing ones, so it took a keen eye for detail to differentiate the facelifted from the non-facelifted model. However, the engineering department was running on full steam and introduced a hybrid version of the car in an attempt to lower emissions. It was the beginning of the electrification for many automakers, and Honda already had some experience in that area and had to prove it.

At the front, the automaker kept the same triangular-shaped headlights as the non-facelifted model. However, the 2007 Honda Accord Sedan had clear lenses over the HID bulbs. Furthermore, the upper grille was decorated with chromed trims, making the car look more upscale. The lower bumper was new. It featured a reversed trapezoidal-shaped air intake with rounded corners and was flanked by a pair of side scoops, which made the mid-size family-oriented vehicle look sportier.

From its profile, the clean-looking bodywork was a success among customers. However, the automaker didn’t bother to offer body-colored door handles and mirrors across the range. The VP grade, which was the lowest, sported black ones. Above it, all the 2007 Honda Accord Sedans came with body-colored ones. There were new options for the wheels, though, including a 17-inch set available for the V6-powered vehicles. A significant difference was at the car’s back. There, the automaker added reworked taillights featuring LED brake lights.

Inside, even the base model featured buttons on the steering wheel. The instrument cluster behind it had the same LED illumination system as the 2003 model year but had a new design for the dials and the red needles. Honda also created a new dashboard with a brown-beige combination instead of the dull black and tan one that was used previously. The bolstered front seats promised to keep their occupants in place during high-speed cornering maneuvers. In addition, the center stack housed the gear selector (or the gear stick, depending on the options). In the back, the flat-folding bench seat was standard across the range, while a fold-down rear seat armrest with a pass-through was available at extra cost from the second grade up.

While the design department looked like it wasn’t too busy on reshaping the car, the engineering one was busy improving the engines. The base version, powered by a 2.4-liter four-banger, gained six additional ponies. At the same time, the 3.0-liter V6 powerplant gained another four hp. All grades but the top EX-L V6 were available with a five-speed manual transmission and an available five-speed automatic. In contrast, the highest grade was offered exclusively with a six-speed manual gearbox.