How Did Honda Do It? Is The All-new Accord The BEST Looking, Mainstream Sedan?

Recently, I had the chance to get behind the wheel of the all-new Honda Accord. And I have to admit: I was excited to drive it.

This is something I never thought I would write and the reason for that is simple. The Honda Accord previously never had any sizzle. It was like driving an appliance. A boring one, at that.

That all changed with the launch of its all-new Accord, however. That's because the Accord now has a bit of panache.

I've decided to give it the title of the "poor man's A7," which isn't really a bad place to be.

After doing some thinking, Agent 001 and I were curious: How did Honda do it? After producing so many questionable and downright ugly designs for YEARS, its as though the design studio woke up and started cranking out great designs a la the Civic, CR-V, Pilot and HR-V.

Just THINK. It was only a couple years ago that Kia was leading the pack with its ex-Audi designer on staff. Then, Honda got its act together in short order and is blowing everyone out of the water now.

We think the Accord is the best looking product in the whole segment, bar none.

So, how did Honda do it?

llaroo - 8/28/2018 12:28:45 AM

0 Boost

Mazda 6 way more refined. Front end really squished, side profile odd proportions, rear end very odd.

TomM - 8/28/2018 7:00:16 AM

0 Boost

I agree - The Mazda 6 is better looking to me as well. The Honda front grill reminds me of Audi - which I do not like.

EVisNow - 8/28/2018 12:34:17 AM

-3 Boost

The Honda Accord is as exciting and appealing as a washing machine. The only saving grace for the Accord is its reliability.

TheSteve - 8/28/2018 2:55:42 AM

0 Boost

I find its styling utilitarian and uninspiring... but not heinous, like Lexus, so at least that's a plus.

Truthy - 8/28/2018 7:50:17 AM

+9 Boost

I agree with Agent 00R. It is in the details. Great surface tension and good proportions for a FWD. And a better drive than the Mazda.

pauerb - 8/28/2018 8:12:29 AM

+11 Boost

Haven't driven yet but agree it looks good. If only it was a hatch like an A7 - that would interesting.

MDarringer - 8/28/2018 8:16:59 AM

-11 Boost

The Accord is vile looking.

TauronB2G - 8/28/2018 9:34:22 AM

-2 Boost

The Accord is the ugliest vehicle in the segment. It’s not cohesive at all and has odd lines. It’s uglier than the Camry and that’s saying something!

wcbrown - 8/28/2018 9:47:34 AM

-1 Boost

The Mazda 6 takes the mainstream crown in the looks department. Chevy Malibu and new Camry are notable. The new Accord is the best looking Accord since the 1990 redesign.

Glennderrick - 8/28/2018 10:01:10 AM

+1 Boost

I own the Accord and I find it ugly as well and the old dependability is gone. The interior is cheap as hell and the ride is worse than my 2018 Fusion which has bigger tires and rims. The suspension sucks terribly on this car as it rides very hard and loud road noise is ridiculous

Glennderrick - 8/28/2018 10:02:33 AM

-1 Boost

Forgot to mention that Honda can't even get paint matching right anymore and the CVT is crap.

222max - 8/28/2018 11:54:07 AM

+10 Boost

Uh, why do you own a car you obviously don't like? Most of those issues should have been apparent in the first moments of sitting in and driving it.

MrEE - 8/28/2018 8:07:53 PM

+3 Boost

The marketplace differs with being better.
I don't see significant advancement from past models. Overall its fine, but the new grill is actually worst.

cidflekken - 8/28/2018 9:09:41 PM

+2 Boost

The odd strengths of Honda designs is that at first glance, they're not beautiful or striking. But the designs grow on you and have really strong sticking power. The Mazda is almost too beautiful for its own good and its virtually disappears in the crowd. I think the Optima and Accord are the best in the segment currently.

carloslassiter - 8/28/2018 9:14:00 PM

+3 Boost

It hardly seems like they designed this as a mainstream family car.

MDarringer - 8/28/2018 9:24:40 PM

0 Boost

Indeed, but what did they design it as? It's not especially adept at anything in any conceivable way.

vdiv - 8/28/2018 10:31:02 PM

+3 Boost

Think the Insight is better-looking than the Accord.

ricks0me - 8/29/2018 5:49:02 AM

+1 Boost

Thumbs down IMO

senft - 8/29/2018 7:13:23 AM

+1 Boost

Have the sales improved? The initial sales were disappointing.
And FWIW: I think it's hideous.

Truthy - 8/29/2018 1:14:20 PM

+1 Boost

Gllennderick must work for Toyota. He hates the car, but bought it.

The initial sales were disappointing for two reasons; first, Honda does not do rental fleet sales which Toyota aggressively went after at launch to get the car visible. Second, the Camry had attractive terms out of the gate to jump start sales. Honda, believing they had a better product decided not to discount it at launch. The are offering incentives now and sales have grown.