Vehicle Overview
The Honda Accord
competes in the highly competitive midsize sedan segment, but despite
all the heavy competition, the Accord still manages to be a favorite,
not just within the segment, but overall, as it continues to be one of
the top-selling models in the U.S. With new engines and variants, the
Accord doesn't intend on slowing down for the 2014 model year.
The Accord is available in sedan
or coupe body styles. Sedans equipped with the 2.4-liter inline-four
come in LX, Sport, EX, and EX-L trims. For 3.5-liter V-6 equipped
Accords, those come in EX-L and Touring trims. The 2.4-liter engine is
good for 185 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque, about 8 horses and 20 lb-ft
more than the previous base-model Accord's four-cylinder. The Sport
trim, on the other hand, bumps power up to 189 hp and 182 lb-ft of
torque. A six-speed manual is standard, though Honda's newly developed
continuously variable transmission is optional on some models. The
3.5-liter V-6 has been blessed with more power with 278 hp and 252 lb-ft
of torque.
As for the 2014 Accord coupe, that model comes in
LX-S, EX, EX-L trims, while the V-6-equipped coupe comes only in EX-L
trim. A six-speed manual or six-speed automatic backs the V-6 engine in
coupe models. In a recent three-way sporty midsize sedan comparison,
the Honda Accord Sport finished second, ahead of the Toyota Camry, but
behind the Mazda6. Although CVTs aren't typically an enthusiast's
favorite, the one in the Accord may change that perception: "Floor the
throttle, and the CVT quickly pushes the revs into the VTEC sweet spot,
propelling the Sport from 0 to 60 in 7.6 seconds and through the quarter
mile in 15.9 at 89.8 mph."
The Accord plug-in hybrid's drivetrain incorporates
more significant powertrain technology. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder is
mated to two electric motors for a total output of 196 hp and 226 lb-ft
of torque. Honda claims an all-electric range of 10 to 15 miles, and 115
MPGe. The Toyota Prius PHEV is rated 95 MPGe combined while the revised
Chevrolet Volt gets 98 MPGe combined. The Accord is also available as a
conventional hybrid, with the 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid motivated by an
all-new 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle 4-cylinder engine, and an estimated 47
mpg combined.
Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/cars/2014/honda/accord/#ixzz2gVzaIHcs