Is It Me Or Are Honda's Latest Cleansheet Designs BETTER Than Acura's? Does Acura Need To Be MORE Daring?

It was only a couple weeks ago that I wrote about how we think the all-new Honda Accord is the best looking mainstream sedan on the market today. And, boy, I keep seeing them everywhere.

Having driven one, I can say it is a very compelling product and its packaging lends itself to a variety of audiences. Want a more comfortable ride? Check. Want something a bit more flashy in bright blue with those turbine-like, five-spoke two-tone wheels? Check.

But don't get it twisted. It's not just the Accord. The Civic, the Pilot, the CR-V and the Odyssey all are handsome products.

Frankly, I've started to think there's a certain premium quality to them. Compared with the rather staid and boring designs with flimsy interiors found in Hondas of the 2000s, it's a world's difference. I know, I drove a 2000 Civic EX for a bit in college.

When I look at the ILX, TLX and RLX though, there's nothing to these products. Hell, even the sales successes found in the RDX and MDX aren't doing much to move the needle. There's a certain "X" factor missing in their looks.

As Acura's SUVs are doing fine in the sales department, I've got to ask: Does Acura need to be MORE daring with its designs — inside and out?

What say you, Spies?

TauronB2G - 9/12/2018 11:54:26 PM

0 Boost

It’s you

TomM - 9/13/2018 6:47:21 AM

0 Boost

Agree - IT's Him

Acura and Honda do not occupy the same strata of sales. Higher end cars are generally a little more conservative - maybe "smoother" is a better word. ANd while many marques try to make a name by being "bolder" - it rarely works in the market - with maybe the exception of Lexus where its other traits overcomes its KIndergarten Styling.

MDarringer - 9/13/2018 8:03:59 AM

0 Boost

Not only is it you but you need glasses.

Tiberius1701A - 9/13/2018 8:19:24 AM

-4 Boost

Doesn't matter, both marques (as do all of the JDMs, BTW) have styling that looks as if they were penned by a sugar-fueled nine year old binge watchin Gundam, Voltron or The Transformers TV shows.

OneOfOne - 9/13/2018 9:10:19 AM

+1 Boost

neither are designs that are appealing. and the appeal of honda and acura is reliability plus value. thats about it.

xjug1987a - 9/13/2018 11:19:11 AM

+4 Boost

I personally think the new Accord is great looking and blows away everything except the Mazda 6, and looks fresh compared to its predecessor. The Acura's are more boring versions of the Honda's and I'd never even consider an Acura because they look like crap. When the Lux Division was launched in the mid 80's the Acura Legend and Legend Coupe (Gen 1) were great cars with unique looks but they have evolved into pure hideous beige. Their commercials are ridiculous with race drivers frantically kicking up dust… pure comedy…

Mardelstl - 9/13/2018 12:37:29 PM

+3 Boost

It just you, the accord's front end is the worst part of the car. I'd take the tlx instead, even though it means giving up the option for a manual transmission. There's a reason the 3rd gen tl's are considered the best looking and the 4th are the worst. The 3rd kept it clean and conservative, and the body still holds up today. The 4 to went bold and modern. The problem with modern is down the road it becomes dated. Look no further then the AMC Pacer

Roger555 - 9/13/2018 4:03:38 PM

+1 Boost

It's definitely you

DQWASZX - 9/13/2018 4:31:49 PM

0 Boost

The Buick-style grilles on the latest generation of Acura products was the final nail in the coffin for me. There are countless cars, trucks, and crossovers that I'd pay money for over one of Acura's bland sedans.

cidflekken - 9/13/2018 5:04:40 PM

+3 Boost

Considering the other sedans in the near-premium/premium segment, Acura sedans fit right in. Now that the ILX has the new family grille, it looks more the part. Even the Genesis G70 literally carbon copied the TLX profile. While the RLX looks a bit staid for its class, it really doesn't look out of place next to a SC90, GS, E or 5. Yes, Hondas have a bit more drama to them, but that's necessarily a good thing and in the near-prem/premium segment, drama typically doesn't sell.

skytop - 9/13/2018 8:13:07 PM

+1 Boost

Say what? The 2018 Honda Accord is an UGLY DOG. It hurts the eyes. What are you thinking?

Lui828 - 9/13/2018 9:44:27 PM

+5 Boost

Accords overall design is the winner, especially the fast back styling. I will give the back end less praise, Honda needs to give it a more aggressive look.

MDarringer - 9/13/2018 10:20:18 PM

-3 Boost

You mean the fastback styling like the Malibu, Fusion, Sonata, Optima, and Mazda6?

pkwan - 9/13/2018 11:39:43 PM

0 Boost

the new accord is fugly

MrEE - 9/14/2018 6:15:17 PM

+1 Boost

The Accord is fine, but the Acura has the edge. I am not a fan of the drooping character line or pinwheel rims, but styling perfection should not be a primary decision point.

carsnyc - 9/14/2018 10:33:03 PM

+1 Boost

Nailed it. And yes, those rims are horrendous

carloslassiter - 9/19/2018 7:48:44 AM

+1 Boost

There has never been a decent looking Acura which is only possible if you set out to make incredibly boring vanilla vehicles for 30+ years.