This Is the 2018 Honda Accord

The Ohio-built mid-sized sedan will be available with an engine lifted from the Civic Type R and—get this—a volume knob.

byChris Tsui|
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Say hello to the all new, tenth-generation, Honda Accord. As promised, the Japanese automaker delivered the official unveil of the mid-sized sedan's "most dramatic remake ever" via YouTube live stream this morning and design-wise, it looks to be a larger, slightly more conservative rendition of the current Civic.

Up front, we have the obligatory chrome mustache sitting atop a pair of slim, Jewel Eye headlamps. Down the side, the Accord trades in its previous, stubbornly three-box design for a more sloping roofline unashamedly reminiscent of the Audi A7 and its contemporaries. I believe the Germans go as far as classifying them as "coupes," but Honda has committed no such heresy here. (Speaking of coupes, Honda says a two-door variant of this Accord is not coming.) Around back, we have a set of C-shaped tail lamps and some slender-looking, visibility-friendly D-pillars despite its fastback-inspired design.

Honda said the new Accord is lower, wider, and two inches longer between the wheels while being shorter overall. Its stronger, sportier stance along with a lighter, more rigid body apparently make for the most fun-to-drive Accord to date.

On the inside, Honda has outfitted the Accord with an interior eerily similar in layout and quality to the Mazda 6—which is no bad thing. Apparently inspired by concert halls, the new cabin continues the trend of infotainment screens mimicking a mounted iPad and also retains Honda's penchant for low cowls, thin A-pillars, and thus great outward visibility. 

The new seven-inch infotainment system is said to be sharper and more intuitive than before. It features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and—get this—brings back the goddamn volume knob. Those who opt for the top-of-the-line Touring trim get a new, six-inch heads-up display that can deliver turn-by-turn navigation in addition to acting as an additional speedo and tach.

Oh, and for the first time ever, the Accord will come with a button dedicated to switching from 'Normal' to the 'Sport' driving mode, hardening up the steering, automatic transmission settings, throttle maps, adaptive dampers, and easing up on the active sound deadening. Just like the one on the Civic Si. 

As previously revealed, the new Accord will be available with three engine options. The base 1.5 turbocharged four-cylinder, good for 192 horsepower and pound-feet of torque, can be mated to either a CVT or a six-speed manual. If fuel efficiency is your passion, a new, two-motor hybrid model is available and according to Honda, boasts the exact same cargo and interior dimensions as the gas cars. Last but definitely not least, the 2018 Accord can be had with the 2.0-liter turbo lifted—but detuned—from the friggin' manic Civic Type R making 252 horses and 273 lb-ft in this application. That mill can either be paired with a ten-speed auto (the first for a front-wheel-drive car) or a six-speed manual. An honest-to-God family sedan with three pedals and the engine from a Type R? Yes, please.

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The Honda Sensing suite of active safety sensors, warnings, and alerts now come standard on all Accord trim levels. This includes adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, collision mitigation braking, lane and road departure warnings, a new traffic sign recognition function, the works. 

The Marysville, Ohio-built 2018 Honda Accord promises to the be the most fun-to-drive, strongest, most efficient, quietest, safest, and overall greatest Accord ever made. How prone its battery is to bursting into flames remains to be seen.

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