2013 Honda Accord
http://www.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=1079014
The following information regarding the 2013 Accord trim levels was reportedly sent to dealers on Friday.
This is the first month to order the 13M Accord sedan.
We are pleased to introduce the all new Accord sedan. For 13M the following trims will be available with these standard features.
13M Accord L4 Sedan Features
LX includes:
• Rearview camera
• 8 in. i-MID TFT screen
• Pandora
• SMS text messaging capability
• 16 in alloy wheels
• Body color door mirrors
• Chrome door handles
• Bluetooth HandsFreeLink
• USB
• Dual Zone Auto AC
• Auto on/off headlights
• Security Alarm
NEW Sport adds:
• 18 in Alloy Wheels
• 8-way power seat
• Fog Lights
• Dual Exhaust
• Decklid Spoiler
• Paddle Shifters
EX adds or replaces on Sport:
• Honda LaneWatch (Blind Spot display)
• Side mirrors with turn signal indicators
• 17 in Alloy Wheels
• Power Moonroof
EX-L adds or replaces features on EX:
• Leather trimmed seats
• Audio with touch screen
• Multi-angle rearview camera
• Forward Collision Warning
• Lane Departure Warning
• XM Radio
• Heated front seats
• Leather steering wheel
• Navigation option
13M Accord V6 Sedan Features
EX-L adds to L4 EX-L:
• LED Daytime Running Lights
• Homelink
• Dual Exhaust
NEW Touring:
• Includes all of the aforementioned EX-L features and some additional luxury car features
The following information regarding the 2013 Accord trim levels was reportedly sent to dealers on Friday.
This is the first month to order the 13M Accord sedan.
We are pleased to introduce the all new Accord sedan. For 13M the following trims will be available with these standard features.
13M Accord L4 Sedan Features
LX includes:
• Rearview camera
• 8 in. i-MID TFT screen
• Pandora
• SMS text messaging capability
• 16 in alloy wheels
• Body color door mirrors
• Chrome door handles
• Bluetooth HandsFreeLink
• USB
• Dual Zone Auto AC
• Auto on/off headlights
• Security Alarm
NEW Sport adds:
• 18 in Alloy Wheels
• 8-way power seat
• Fog Lights
• Dual Exhaust
• Decklid Spoiler
• Paddle Shifters
EX adds or replaces on Sport:
• Honda LaneWatch (Blind Spot display)
• Side mirrors with turn signal indicators
• 17 in Alloy Wheels
• Power Moonroof
EX-L adds or replaces features on EX:
• Leather trimmed seats
• Audio with touch screen
• Multi-angle rearview camera
• Forward Collision Warning
• Lane Departure Warning
• XM Radio
• Heated front seats
• Leather steering wheel
• Navigation option
13M Accord V6 Sedan Features
EX-L adds to L4 EX-L:
• LED Daytime Running Lights
• Homelink
• Dual Exhaust
NEW Touring:
• Includes all of the aforementioned EX-L features and some additional luxury car features
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Comments
http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2012/08/2013_honda_accord_gets_news_- en.html#incart_river_default
looks good!
BUT--look at the things you get on the LX standard that you used to only get on the EX and above or couldn't get before:
dual zone climate control
bluetooth
back-up camera
alloy wheels
pandora radio
all new engine and transmission and higher mpg
ACE II body structure=state of the art safety
etc., etc.
It'll be worth it even with an increase. In fact, if you include all of the new stuff it'll either be like no increase or even a price cut from the old msrp.
Does the all new 2012 BMW 3 series look that different from the 2011? No. It's subtly but substantially different. Esp. if you look closer at the details the 2012 BMW is different from the 2011, but it sticks with a classic design that has clear functional advantages.
It's the same with the Accord.
Look at the cars you compare the Accord to--Sonata, Optima, new Fusion, etc. Yes, they have swoopy "coupe-like" styling. And guess what--they have some of the disadvantages of a coupe, including poor rear visibility, compromised headroom, rear windows that only roll down halfway, etc., etc.
The 2013 Accord will have a rear seat that doesn't make the people sitting there second class. In other words, if you sit in the back seat of an Accord you have good headroom, you can roll down your window, good legroom, etc. Plus the driver can actually see out the back very well--just like in a BMW.
Think about it. And compare by actually sitting in the back seats and driving the cars that you admire, and then driving an Accord and seeing the difference. Those other cars are imho in several ways inferior to the Accord.
Honda also is tops in engineering and reliability. Do they sometimes have problems? Sure. But generally less than most other makes.
Esp. living close to the factory you might consider taking a factory tour. I think the way they make the Accord would impress you.
The 2013 Altima does seem pretty impressive. The mpg numbers certainly surprise. The Altima is rated 27 in the city and 38 in the hwy. That's better than last year's Sentra!
But I think the 2013 Accord will get about the same, or at least will get very close.
And check out the back seat of the Altima, which has tight rear headroom and windows that roll down only halfway.
The handling of the Altima is said to be good. But my guess is that Honda will be at least that good and maybe better.
You might want to consider waiting a few weeks for the 2013 Accord to come out and then test drive both. I'd be interested to hear your report!
Perhaps the innards are so good you can overlook the design. We'll soon see.
pricing release is 9/10
http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120905/OEM04/120909960/2013- -honda-accord-gets-wholesale-changes
http://www.vtec.net/articles/view-article?article_id=1091408
http://www.hondanews.com/channels/honda-automobiles-accord-press-kit
- Ray
Glutton for specs .....
You are entitled to your opinion. Hondas aren't for everyone.
Looks are so subjective. Anytime a model gets updated there are those who love the changes and others who wonder..." why did they mess up a good thing?"
And, with todays safety and MPG requirements it's pretty hard to change cars too much which is why they all tend to look alike anymore.
Same applies to colors. A color most people can't stand will be at the top of someone elses list.
As they say in the car business...
" There's a butt for every seat"
It's getting very strong reviews, including this one from Car and Driver:
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2013-honda-accord-sedan-first-drive-review
And check out this video test drive of the sporty 6 cylinder Accord coupe. He says it compares well with his much more expensive sports car! Temple of VTEC!
http://www.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=1094221
http://www.insideline.com/honda/accord/2013/2013-honda-accord-vs-2012-toyota-cam- ry-comparison-test.html
"....Now the Honda Accord is back at the beginning, and it wins this test easily. As usual, it's the total package that makes this car special. The new four-cylinder engine and CVT work incredibly well together, providing usable performance and a real-world improvement in fuel consumption. Honda also improved the look and feel of the cabin, while adding the tech features that have become important in this class. In the midst of checking all those boxes, company executives didn't lose sight of details like handling and steering feel — key ingredients in the character of Accords past and present.
Next to the Accord, the 2012 Toyota Camry LE is down on flavor. It's every bit as useful as the Honda on the inside, but on the road, it's slower and wholly uninterested in doing anything other than taking you to work in comfort. For some, that's enough, especially given this LE model's competitive price tag.
But we'll pay a bit more for the 2013 Honda Accord's tastier brew. For the moment, it's the car to have in the four-cylinder midsize sedan class."
in other words (cue music)
CAR WARS
Episode IV
A NEW HOPE
It is a period of midsize car wars.
Rebel Accords, striking from an Ohio
base, have won their first victory
against the Toyota Empire....
1st Place: 2013 Honda Accord EX
The Accord is once again the epitome of good taste in the four-cylinder midsize sedan class. It's quicker, more fuel-efficient and overall more enjoyable to drive than the Toyota, and it has a nicer cabin to boot.
2nd Place: 2012 Toyota Camry LE
We won't stop you from buying a Camry, especially if you like a compliant ride. But its automatic transmission isn't as responsive as Honda's CVT, and its interior belongs to a lower income bracket.
It looks exactly like a 2011 Hyundai Azera. Yuck!
Front Azera view
Rear Azera view
Accord gallery
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/coupes/1209_2013_honda_accord_first_test/spe- - cs.html
Officially they can't sell them till Sept. 19th, and I think they'll stick with that. And supplies will be short for a while, as demand likely will exceed supply for a month or two as production ramps up....
I'm thinking of getting one. As you can see in my post in midsize sedans 2.0, I'm considering a 2013 Accord Sedan EXL Navi in Basque Red Pearl with white leather interior. Looks sharp! Next is timing. I don't think I want to be in on the madness of the first couple of months. I'm hoping that by the end of November maybe I can score one at a bit less than msrp. But maybe I'll need to wait until the new calendar year sometime....That factory in Ohio that makes Accords can make up to 400,000 a year when it's going at full tilt, and so there should be plenty to go around in a few months.
BTW, a salesman called me today to tell me they are getting one in today. I hope to check it out today or tomorrow.
Heading toward Atlanta.
- Ray
Just 1 data point.....
http://www.netcarshow.com/honda/2013-accord/
Some impressions: Fit and finish appear to be excellent. All gaps between body panels are the same and everything lines up, which I appreciate. Lots of little details. There's a small lip that runs along the bottom of the rear bumper that conceals two small reflector strips on either side. The door makes a solid "klump" sound as it closes. Nicely done rear lights.
The driver's seats are altogether different than the 2012 seats: more padding, supportive feel, and the hard lumbar lump is gone. When you do use the adjustable lumbar support in the 2013, it is soft and pliable. Basically, the seats are fixed.
The interior is upscale, almost glitzy. Although I can see it in the online photos, but in person, its more noticeable to me that the interior has some metallic detailing going on in the center console area. That's the glitzy part. The feeling inside is wide open and airy. The exterior has a classic, classy look.
The truck had a white LX that was going to another dealer. The LX had alloy wheels which look really sweet. They are different than the EX/EX-L wheels, but look great.
I hope to drive one tomorrow to see how the new engine tech, CVT and suspension come together to turn my commute into something I will look forward to.
We're eager to hear about your test drive! Give us a report when you can. what model are you thinking of getting?
PS Honda releases quite thorough information about all aspects of their new models, including separate essays and info about engines, body, chassis, interiors, etc. You can find them at the Honda corporate website:
http://www.hondanews.com/channels/honda-automobiles-accord
"....The basic designs of midsize sedans are so similar that it’s tempting to lump them together and assume that each is as good as the others — just go with the one that has the most features you like. And almost all of the cars in this market segment are very good. But this new Accord is excellent."
First 2013 Accord Ad from Honda. Classy 1 minute 30 second tv ad with actual content:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avs6Au11L3A
For magazines, I wish Honda would go back to text ads like they had in the 1980s and 1990s. Back then they'd actually have a fair amount of text, and tell you briefly, but with a bit of detail, what was so great about their cars. These days they usually just have just a tiny bit of text that tells you almost nothing next to a huge picture of the car. But there are so many new things about this car—from the dash, to the engine and transmission, to the cameras, etc., that I think they should really sell it like this TV ad does in a way that respects our intelligence as consumers.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-09-17/honda-makes-accords-at-record-pace-amid- - -midsize-car-fight.html
In my area, only 1 dealer has received a shipment of 6 Accords. The others are patiently waiting. I test drove the new accord along with every other midsize car on the market, and I think Honda is going to hit a home run with this car. I am going to wait 6 weeks for inventories to build and then pull the trigger. I am anxious to see what kind of deals people are getting. It's sometimes difficult to figure out the numbers on Edmunds because most buyers don't mention whether or not they traded a vehicle or if they received retail/wholesale for the trade.
http://automobiles.honda.com/e-brochure/2013-accord/
[ big file ]
That's great that they are already up to making 6000 Accords a week. Probably in another month or two they'll be at 7000 a week. If they can make cars 50 weeks a year, that translates to Honda's annual sales goal for the new Accord of 350,000. And I think at full tilt that huge Ohio factory could actually make 8000 a week (or 400k a year) if the demand is there.
For calendar year 2013 there is going to be a real battle royale for midsize car customers, and all major players are building up their capacity.
I think Toyota can make 450k Camrys in KY
Honda can probably make 400k Accords
Nissan has said by 2013 they can make 400k+ Altimas
Ford with a plant in Mexico and one in Michigan can probably make 400k Fusions
Hyundai is going to around the clock production in Alabama, and might be able to make 300k Sonatas.
Even though the midsize segment is huge, and growing faster than the rest of the market, I doubt there are enough customers for all of these cars.
And so my guess is that even by December of this year, and certainly by sometime in early 2013, prices will likely ease a bit even for Honda Accords.
But Honda has clearly made their best Accord ever, and has also tried to top pretty much every player in the market with this car. It will command a small premium over most other cars in the segment, and deservedly so imho...
I have looked at the new Accords and it looks like Honda has done an excellent job with it. But the Sonata, Camry, and Altima are also very nice cars. They just each have different strengths. (These are my opinions, but various reviews do back them up, in general.)
The car: EX-L V6.
I found the ride smooth on most surfaces, though highway concrete slab seams and similar short, sharp bumps are both heard and felt. Doubt it would be an issue for most. It is certainly quieter than the last few Honda sedans I have driven - even with the moonroof in the vent position, as I typically drive, all year round. I found it to feel agile and responsive. The electric steering felt fine, to me.
The V6 is smooth and certainly has enough grunt – and combined with the 34 MPG highway EPA rating, is an impressive engine- again [ still ]. The new 6-speed transmission generally works well,
I found the seats and driving position quite comfortable – and had no issue with the headrest. NVH was well under control. [ I had the stereo turned off the whole drive. ] The big horizontal bar graph of instant MPG in the center of the speedometer I find useless.
One oddity noticed – several times, on a winding back road, the LDW yellow light in the dash [ accompanied by a warning chime ] displayed. Although I and the salesperson both saw this as LOW [ suspecting a PDI oversight = low tire pressure . ]
I certainly hope this is something that can be permanently turned off??
For me, it was annoying, distracting & NOT helpful!
The other issue, for me is how Honda groups equipment and color offerings for the 2013. I would really prefer the EX-L equipment level [ minimum to have the V6 and 6-speed automatic], but without the LDW, the Blindspot camera and the Backup camera – for example.
Also, the Sedan is simply not available with the V6 and the paddle shifters. I have come to use the paddle shifter on my current coupe a lot – I enjoy the extra measure of control they offer. It would be very difficult for me to give up that aspect. The paddles shifters are only available on the 4 cylinder CVT Sport Sedan. Not even available on the ‘range topping’ V6 Touring Sedan. According to online information, the Coupe V6 does offer the paddle shifters – but most every exterior color offered on the Coupe comes only with a black interior. Not something I prefer, very impractical here near Hotlanta.
My ideal Honda seems unlikely to be assembled anytime soon.
[ EX-L V6 Automatic Sedan , paddle shifters, blue or red exterior, gray interior. ]
[ sigh ]
- Ray
I do like the car, quite a lot, but . .
My Accord has 125,000+ one owner miles. I have been starting to get the itch to replace it, so I was waiting to see what the new generation Accord would be like before I did anything.
I am a very hands on driver. For me, the reports of shoddy electric steering and the lack of direct control over the 6-speed auto, are non starters. There is no circumstance I buy this car unless those two things are remedied.
Beyond that, the styling of the stock 17" rims is horrid - too many spokes. Perhaps they are fuel efficient, but so are moon caps and no one uses those anymore. You don't get into a decent looking factory wheel option unless you go 18", which for me is not worth the added expense near term or long term.
Sorry Honda - I may be one of your biggest fans and I have been enamored with your work for decades, but this sedan is a no-go. You got rid of the bug-eyed headlights that kept me from buying previous generations, and finally gave it the 6-speed auto we always wanted, but you effectively preclude us from interacting with the transmission in any way beyond selecting forward or backwards?
E P I C - F A I L
Why not test drive the Sport model with the 18" wheels and paddle shifters? You've read reports, but that's not the same as driving the car yourself. Yes, it's a CVT, but it's supposed to be a near revolutionary CVT that shifts a little like a regular auto. Or maybe you should try the best-in-class 6 speed manual?
I don't think you can really say whether you liked it or not or whether it failed or not until you drive it yourself. But if you do, hope you'll come back and give us your report with all of the good points and not-so-good points about the car.