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2013 Honda Accord Sedan Touring V6 6-Spd AT Review By Steve Purdy


PHOTO (select to view enlarged photo)
2013 Honda Accord Sedan Touring V6


By Steve Purdy
TheAutoChannel.com
Michigan Bureau


It has been some time since I’ve reviewed a Honda Accord and with a fresh version just out I looked forward to getting an idea of how it compares to the other front-wheel drive, mid-size sedans in its class, nearly all of which are fresh new products moving steadily up market. Having just spent a week, and plenty of miles on one, I’m impressed with its luxury, level of sophistication and competence.

Our test car is the top-of-the-line Touring model with V6 engine. We have no options because just about everything comes standard on this one, like: navigation, one-touch moonroof, leather, rearview camera, satellite radio, LED headlights and taillights, adaptive cruise control, power heated front seats, stylish 17-inch alloy wheels, - essentially what the salesman will call “all the bells and whistles.”

At $33,430 (without the $790 destination charge) it is priced about where most of its competitors are if you carefully match up content. And, what intense competition it has with the new Fusion, great entries from Hyundai and Kia, a sporty Nissan Altima, well-equipped Camry, and lots of others. The Accord comes is five trim levels with two powertrains in either coupe or sedan starting at $21,680 for the four-cylinder manual transmission car. Altogether they sell more than 300,000 Accords a year.

Nearly everything is new with this Accord including an up-to-date exterior design. While certainly derivative of the last generation car the styling exudes a fresh and airy approach. The front and rear jewelry with LED lighting wraps boldly around all four corners joining character lines on the flanks that add visual movement. Front and rear fascia suggest more aggression and strength than any past Accord. While it is not a head-jerking design it is attractive and modern.

Inside the new design feels more light and flowing while it incorporates all the connectivity and electronic technology we’re finding in most new cars. The controls and gauges make sense without overwhelming this low-tech tester. We found no annoyances in managing it all, and that’s stout praise as cars become more complex and complicated. On the highway we found the cabin amazingly quiet and serene. With an interior volume just fractionally smaller than the last generation it felt roomy and comfortable both in front and in the rear.

One unusual feature of this Accord is what they call a “right lane camera.” When you activate your right turn signal a camera with a wide-angle view captures an image down the right side of the car that will show any bicyclist or other obstruction that might be effected by your turn.

Under the hood of our test car is a sweet 3.5-liter V6 with 278 horsepower mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. Acceleration will satisfy all but the most demanding. At higher RPM it sounds as harmonic as one of the German engines. Rated at 21 mpg in the city, 34 on the highway and 25 combined on regular fuel, we easily managed 33.5 mpg on our mostly highway use this week. That seems to me excellent mileage for a car with nearly 300 hp.

Safety equipment matches anything in its class as well, with all the chassis dynamics and plenty of airbags.

We would not envy you if you are ready to shop this market – mid-size sedans – and you want to be thorough (Use the Find Your Perfect New Car App link above)because there are so many good candidates out there. But, we would surely recommend you keep this Accord, either 4- or 6-cylinder, on you shopping list.

© Steve Purdy, Shunpiker Productions, All Rights reserved