?2016 Honda Accord EX-L Sedan?
A further advancement of 9th Generation Accord

The highly popular Honda Accord has been around for nearly four decades and it was the first Honda model and the first vehicle from a Japanese auto manufacturer to be built on U.S. soil. The Honda Accord has been in continuous production at the company?s Marysville, Ohio plant utilizing both domestic and globally sourced parts since November 1982. The Accord has also been produced in the company?s plants in East Liberty, Ohio; Birmingham, Alabama; and in El Salto, Jalisco, Mexico. To date, Honda has produced more than 10 million Accords in North America for sale in both domestic and global marketplaces.

The completely reengineered 9th generation Accord was introduced in 2012 for the 2013 model year. That first 9th generation Accord featured a spacious and airy passenger cabin wrapped in a tauter and tailored design with a smaller exterior footprint than its predecessor, while also delivering more sporting and refined road manners, a higher quality interior and an impressive inventory of new technologies. It featured the first application of new direct-injected 4-cylinder engine technology, a new continuously variable transmission (CVT), and a new two-motor hybrid system.

That was then, and this is now, with the 2016 Honda Accord raising the mid-size sedan bar even higher, building on the 2013 Accord?s foundation with a more sophisticated, sportier and refined design, a more rigid body structure and upgraded chassis componentry, while maintaining a high fuel efficiency level. All 2016 Accords may now be equipped with Honda Sensing? as a standalone option on all trims levels except the Touring, which features Honda Sensing? as part of its standard fare.

The Honda Sensing? Advanced Safety and Driver Assistive Technologies include: Collision Mitigation Braking System with Forward Collision Warning; Lane Keeping Assist; Road Departure Mitigation with Lane Departure Warning; and Adaptive Cruise Control with Low Speed Follow feature. Additional changes include the expanded use of LED exterior lighting, with new premium features and technologies, including the first combined application of Apple CarPlay?1 and Android Auto1 in a Honda model.

Other new 2016 available features, depending on model and trim, include remote engine start, front and rear parking sensors, rain sensing wipers, rear seat heaters, and a 60/40 split and folding rear seat. The Accord Sedan and Coupe, depending on trim, also offer new exterior color and interior fabrics and decor.

The Honda Accord Sedan has received a major facelift for 2016. A more sharply creased and intricately structured front fascia, the lower portion of which tucks into large intake-like meshed areas that house new LED fog lights (Sport trim and above) replaces the previous wrap-around front bumper. The Accord Sedan also features a creased and contoured aluminum hood to replace the steel hood on earlier models, that meets up with a brighter, more attractive and pronounced front grille. The new more expressive face of Accord is complimented by a distinctively sculpted rear bumper fascia and new LED taillight design.

Inside, the new Accords benefit from a 7-inch display audio touch screen monitor, rear 60/40 split folding rear seats, a sleeker, more user friendly center console with a wireless accessory charger, sport pedals, chronometer-like gauges, upgraded decorative panels and seat material and fabrics. There?s also the first Honda application of Apple CarPlay? and Android Auto ?.

The 2016 Honda Accord Sedan is available in six levels of trim: the base LX, Sport, EX, EX-L, EX-L V6 and Touring. The new Accord Coupe comes available in five trim levels: LX-S, EX, EX-L, EX-L V6 and the new for 2016 Touring model. Pricing will range from $22,105. to $34,580. for the sedan, and from $23,775. to for the Coupe lineup. Add $820 for all models.

Power comes from two sources. A 2.4-liter DOHC i-VTEC four-cylinder that produces 185 horsepower at 6,400 rpm along with 181 pound feet of torque will propel LX, Sport, EX and EX-L Sedans and LX-S, EX, and EX-L Coupes. A 3.5-liter SOHC iVTEC V-6 that generates 278 horses at 6,200 rpm, while developing 252 pound feet of torque at 4,900 rpm will power both EX-L and Touring model Sedans and Coupes.

A 6-speed manual gearbox is available in the 4-cylinder LX and EX Sedan, and in the V-6 powered EX-L Coupe. A CVT transmission is found in all other 4-cylinder trims except V-6 Coupe and Sedans where a six-speed automatic is used.


Honda introduced the 2016 Accord at a program dubbed ?The Honda Dream Garage? which was in essence an all encompassing Exposition where the Japanese manufacturer showcased its diversity of products.

During the program, I was able to experience wheel time in the 2016 Honda Accord V-6 Touring Sedan with the 6-speed automatic transmission base priced at $34,125. and with an as tested price of $35,400. The exterior was sprayed in a rich Kona Coffee Metallic, while the interior was executed in Grey with unique wood-like trim accents. I later tested the 2016 Accord Sport/SENS sedan powered by the 2.4-liter 4-cylinder, with a slightly higher horsepower and torque rating than other trim levels, and mated to the CVT transmission It wore a San Marino Red metallic exterior finish and came with a Black patterned cloth interior with contrasting white stitching. The base price was set at $25,965.with the final sticker totaling $26,785 after adding the Destination and Handling charge. I most recently reviewed an Accord EX-L with an Obsidian Blue Pearl metallic exterior and a gray and Charcoal interior with faux wood trim accents. Its base price was set at $28,570. With a final sticker totaling $29,390 after adding the Destination and Handling charge.

SUMMARY: : The 2016 Honda Accord Sedan lineup presents itself as a breath of fresh air in terms of its enhanced styling elements. This latest iteration Accord sedan is unquestionably the best looking and best handling yet. Acceleration from the 4-cylinder powerplant is certainly more than adequate, and the handling leans to the sporty side of the chart.

There are a host of connectivity and infotainment features that are available to satisfy tech savvy individuals, and with all the model choices available, it’s entirely possible to select an Accord that?s sure to satisfy nearly everybody?s desires and requirements. Kudos to Honda for the new Accord and its continued, legendary dependability and the infinite inventory of standard equipment. You could go for the Coupe which is sexier, or add two doors for another $455. on the sedan. Both seat five comfortably, but entry and exit are easier with the sedan. Go for the V-6 for heightened performance, or go for the four banger for economy. All are winners.

There are a host of connectivity and infotainment features that are available to satisfy tech savvy individuals, and with all the model choices available, it’s entirely possible to select an Accord that?s sure to satisfy nearly everybody?s desires and requirements. Kudos to Honda for the new Accord and its continued, legendary dependability and the infinite inventory of standard equipment. Look at it this way ? go for the Coupe which is sexier, or add two doors for another $455. on the sedan. Both seat five comfortably, but entry and exit are easier with the sedan. Go for the V-6 for heightened performance, or go for the four banger for economy. All are winners.

SPECIFICATIONS: 2016 Honda Accord EX-L Sedan

Base Price: $28,570.
Price as Tested: $29,390.

Engine Type and Size: 2.4-liter, DOHC 16-valve i-VTEC inline four-cylinder Earth Dreams with Direct Injection.

Horsepower (bhp): 189 @ 6,400 rpm
Torque (ft./ lbs.): 182 @ 3,900 rpm

Transmission: CVT with Sport Mode

Drive Train: Transversely mounted front engine / Front-wheel drive.

Suspension: Front – MacPherson strut with front shock tower bar and 19 mm stabilizer
bar.
Rear – Multi-link with 15 mm stabilizer bar.

Brakes: Power-assisted four-wheel discs (ventilated front) with ABS, EBD, TPMS, and
VSA.

Tires: Michelin 215/55 R17 94V mounted on 5-?L-shaped-spoke alloy machine-faced
wheels with Black painted inners.

Wheelbase: 109.3 inches

Length Overall: 192.5 inches

Width: 72.8 inches ? excluding mirrors

Height: 57.7 inches

Curb Weight: 3,343 lbs

Turning Circle: 39.6 ft.

Fuel Capacity: 17.2 gallons

EPA Mileage Estimates: 21 mpg city / 34 mpg highway – Sedan

Drag Coefficient: Not listed.
0 – 60 mph: Not Tested.

Arv Voss is a Northern California based freelance motoring Journalist and member and past officer of several noted Automotive Journalist organizations who contributes regularly to a number of national and international media outlets. He reviews not only cars, trucks and SUVs, but motorcycles as well.