Honda Accord: What To Expect

The venerable Accord is making a comeback in India with a hybrid drivetrain to cash in on the growing trend and fend off its arch rival, the Toyota Camry Hybrid 

Honda had reintroduced the Accord earlier this year at the 2016 Indian Auto Expo and the car is expected to make its way over in the coming months. It was recently spied in the NCR region and was not camouflaged. The facelifted ninth-generation Accord will compete with the recently launched third-generation Superb, the facelifted Toyota Camry, and the upcoming Volkswagen Passat. Let us find out what it is expected of the upcoming Accord. 

Petrol and hybrid powertrains

The Japanese automaker displayed the facelifted ninth-gen Accord petrol at the Indian Auto Expo, while the hybrid version was a no-show. The hybrid version was expected to make an appearance in the American market post the Indian Expo. Now, Honda has revealed the facelifted Hybrid in the States with an improved powertrain. 

The American version is pulled by a 2.0-liter i-VTEC Atkinson Cycle engine coupled to two electric motor. The unit has achieved a peak combined output of 215PS. The vehicle returns a combined fuel efficiency of around 20 kmpl (according to the US cycle). 

The petrol, on the other hand, is the same (slightly improved) 2.4-litre unit that was available with the older Accord. The 2,356cc motor puts out 176PS and 225Nm of max torque and will be mated to a CVT transmission. 

Features 

All LED lights 

With the ninth-generation facelift, the Accord sports all-LED lights. The front features all-LED headlights with daytime running lights and LED fog lamps, while the rear offers LED taillights with new graphics. 

Apple CarPlay and Google Android Auto 

With the addition of a new seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system in the upcoming model, Honda is offering Apple CarPlay and Google Android Auto. It was introduced with the facelift in the US, is now available with the Asian-spec version of the updated Accord and is expected to make its way to India as well. 

Safety 

The Asian-spec version comes with dual front, side and side curtain airbags. It features Honda’s LaneWatch system that provides a better view (on the infotainment screen) of the vehicle’s left-side blind spot by using a camera located on the left ORVM along with Active Cornering Lights (ACL) and a multi-view rear-view camera.  

All in all, the updated ninth-generation Accord packs everything buyers desire from the D2 segment. Let us see how things work out for the Accord. 

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