Reshaped and Re-Energized: The All-New Honda Accord Makes Philippine Debut

With its new body and engine, the 10th-generation Honda Accord makes a huge departure from the norm and a flaunts a combination of efficiency, power, and sporty styling to the executive sedan segment.

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) executives were beaming when they unveiled the 2020 Accord that comes in only a single trim: the EL Turbo CVT with Honda Sensing priced at P2.288 million.

Forget what you know about the Accord because except for the 43-year-old nameplate. It’s barely recognizable—and that’s a good thing.

Photo by ERIC TIPAN.

Photo by ERIC TIPAN.

Gone is the conventional, family-friendly body and in its stead is a fresh, fastback body, à la the Civic, but longer and wider. It’s quite an arresting view, especially in Platinum White Pearl, which you have to pay an extra P20,000 for. The two other hues are Modern Steel Metallic and Crystal Black Pearl.

Its signature wing façade design is underscored by the extra-large and shiny single-bar chrome grille, and those long mesmerizing full-LED headlights with auto leveling. The sloping roofline is so much more pronounced in the Accord compared to the Civic as the C-pillar is stretched out and swept back to produce longer, more alluring rear windows. A new feature used in its production is laser brazing welding, which joins the roof and side panels more neatly and eliminates the use of a garnish over the rain channels.

Rear overhang is slightly longer to enlarge cargo space, giving it a whopping 573 liters of cargo space (that’s an extra 123 liters compared to the previous generation), and it comes with a more enhanced version of Honda’s C-shaped taillights.

Photo by ERIC TIPAN.

Photo by ERIC TIPAN.

Well-appointed interior

The cabin is bigger, more noticeably in the second row with an additional 48mm of legroom, and comes standard with typical premium Accord appointments such as leather, wood and metal accents.

A new seven-inch TFT display is used for the main instrument panel, while the infotainment system sports an eight-inch touchscreen that recognizes swipe, tap, and pinch gestures. It also comes with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and GPS navigation.

For total ease of use, the unit is paired with a Smart Key with Push Button Start and Remote Engine Start, has Walk Away Auto Lock and Speed Sensing Door Lock functionality, Electric Parking Brake with Auto Brake Hold, and an Auto Dimming Rear View Mirror.

To make it the safest Accord yet, it comes with Honda Sensing System that uses a millimeter-wave radar in the front bumper and a top-mounted monocular camera in the cabin to operate features like Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low Speed Follow (LSF), Lane Keeping Assist (LKAS), Road Departure Mitigation (RDM), and even Auto High Beam.

Other safety features include six airbags, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), Hill Start Assist (HSA), Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Emergency Stop Signal, Front and Rear parking sensors, Multiview Reverse Camera with Guidelines, and LaneWatch Camera and Straight Driving Assist.

Aside from its renowned high level of insulation to reduce noise, vibration, and harshness, it also comes with a beautiful 18-inch noise-reducing, five-spoke alloy wheels.

Photo by ERIC TIPAN.

New engine

Saving the best for last, new to the Accord is an Earth Dreams Technology DOHC 16-valve VTEC 1.5L turbocharged engine with 190 PS and 260 Nm of torque that’s readily available at a very low 1,600 RPM.

According to HCPI assistant vice president Koki Hattori, based on internal testing, this new engine is 20-percent more fuel efficient than the previous 2.4-liter engine. It is mated to Honda’s Earth Dreams Technology continuously variable transmission and comes with a Sport and Econ driving mode, plus an Eco-coaching ambient light.

“Today, we are excited to share with you another new model that embodies the best in what Honda always stood for; Advanced Technology, Superior Driving and Fuel Efficiency and High Level Safety,” said Noriyuki Takakura, President and General Manager HCPI. “Packaged in captivating design, pioneering technologies, and advanced features, the Honda Accord is meant to be a class above the rest.”

The 2020 Honda Accord will be available from any of Honda’s 38 dealerships from September 25, 2019.