2012 Honda Accord Sedan 2.4L i-VTEC CVT (185 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Honda introduced the ninth generation of the Accord for the North American market in late 2012 for the 2013 model year, and the car boasted an impressive range of upgrades over the previous generation.

After selling more than 11 million units of the Accord since the introduction of this nameplate in 1976, the automaker proved that it really knew its customers. It listened to them and provided them with a mid-size sedan that boasted a roomy cabin, smooth engines, and low running costs. All these came in a package with a proven record of reliability that gave its owners a comfortable peace of mind. In addition, the Japanese automaker learned how to make a better hybrid system that dramatically improved fuel efficiency. However, it also had some downsizes, at least on paper.

The design language of the 2013 Honda Accord followed in the footsteps of its predecessor but evolved. Its sharp-looking rectangular LED headlights were adorned by pearl-like LED daytime running lights that underlined them. The big chromed trim around the hexagonal-shaped grille that sported the brand’s badge might not have been everybody’s cup of tea, but it sure gave the car an upscale look, even though it wasn’t an Acura. On the lower side of the bumper, Honda placed a second air intake with a trapezoidal shape that was flanked by a pair of scoops for the available LED fog lamps.

Honda’s design team wasn’t fond of other automakers that tried to design their vehicles like four-door coupes. Instead, it followed its principles of creating a tall greenhouse with flat and generous window areas. However, the sculptured ascending lines on the sides of the 2013 Honda Accord Sedan created a dynamic image for one of America’s favorite family vehicles. The door mirrors sported turn signal lamps. At the same time, the one on the passenger side also featured a rearview camera to cover the blind spot. The ninth generation of the Accord also came with large taillights, with the upper area reserved for reversing lights, while the lower was for parking and braking, all with LEDs.

Customers were greeted inside by comfortable, mild bolstered seats at the front and a split-folding bench seat in the back wide enough for three adults. The dashboard was long and housed an eight-inch multi-information display placed in the middle, above the center stack. Fronting the driver was a rounded-shaped instrument cluster where the speedometer took center stage and was flanked by the tachometer on the left and by the fuel level and coolant temperature gauges on the right. The center stack housed a thumb-like knob for the infotainment system and a few buttons around it. Below them, in a distinct area, Honda placed the HVAC control panel.

Under the hood, Honda hasn’t made visible progress since the 2.4-liter inline-four engine offered slightly less power than its predecessor but improved fuel efficiency. In addition, it was paired with either a six-speed manual or a CVT. The 3.5-liter V6 was up a few ponies over the 2008 model year. However, both versions got better acceleration times than the eighth generation. Starting in 2013, the car also got a plug-in hybrid version, which proved to provide excellent fuel efficiency. A significant difference was for the suspension. The 2013 Honda Accord Sedan dropped the front double-wishbone system used for decades on its predecessors and adopted the McPherson strut-type one.