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Cars We Miss - Honda Accord V6 Coupe

The Honda Accord is one of America's top-selling vehicles. We miss the coupe. Here's why.

The Honda Accord is one of America's top-selling automobiles and has been in five decades.

When it was first introduced in 1976, the Accord was a hatchback. Squint at the gen-1 Accord and you will see the general shape of many popular compact affordable vehicles still on sale today. The Corolla Hatchback comes to mind. We see a bit of Nissan Leaf there. The Chevy Bolt is not far off the overall outline.

However, the Accord was to be the top-selling Honda car, so it needed to evolve and take the shape of the vehicle most buyers wanted. That meant growing into a midsized sedan.

Along the way to earning so many sales, the Accord was also shaped as a coupe. As you can see from the images, the Accord can be a great-looking car when it tries to be.

Related: Looking for a New 2020 Honda Accord With a V6 Engine? Here's Where To Find It

The Accord was always a fun vehicle. Although its four-cylinder mainstay engines were not intended to be "fast," they were always responsive and peppy. A coupe deserved a bit more power though. In the Accord's seventh generation, the Accord Coupe could be had with a 240 hp V6 engine and a six-speed manual transmission.

Related: 2014 Honda Accord V6 Manual Is Amazing On a Racetrack


The pinnacle of the Accord Coupe was the 2013 HFP Special Edition V6 Coupe. Able to run from 0-60 MPH in the mid-five-second range (verified by independent testing). the Accord Coupe was not just quick but arguably fast for its time and vehicle class. The Accord finally had the go to match its show.

The Accord coupe's sales are either good or bad depending upon how you look at it. We reached out to Honda for some insight and our contact Jessica Pawl was kind enough to do some digging. She told us that the modern Accord coupe sold at its peak in the neighborhood of 9% of total Accord sales in 2013. However, that percentage dropped steadily to under 6% in 2016. As a percentage of the Accord's sales, the coupe was just a small contributor. But if one steps back and multiplies the percentage sold by the total, it is an impressive number. 5% of about 300K cars per year is 15,000 cars! There are four Honda/Acura car models not maintaining that sales pace on sale right now. Three if you exclude the NSX.

We miss the Accord coupe. Today's sedan design does bring in elements of a coupe-like body, and Honda should be credited for doing whatever it takes to keep the Accord on the car sales podium.

Do you miss the Accord Coupe? If so, tell us why in the comments below.

John Goreham is a life-long car nut and recovering engineer. John's focus areas are technology, safety, and green vehicles. In the 1990s, he was part of a team that built a solar-electric vehicle from scratch. His was the role of battery thermal control designer. For 20 years he applied his engineering and sales talents in the high tech world and published numerous articles in technical journals such as Chemical Processing Magazine. In 2008 he retired from that career and dedicated himself to chasing his dream of being an auto writer. In addition to Torque News, John's work has appeared in print in dozens of American newspapers and he provides reviews to many vehicle shopping sites. You can follow John on Twitter, and connect with him at Linkedin.

Comments

Marc Stern    January 8, 2020 - 12:17PM

I used to love driving the coupe when I was working as an auto writer and later, again, as a salesman at a Honda deal. I remember one 2003 that handled like a charm. I drove it at the dealership and a customer liked it as much as I did, so there it went. It handled well, carved curves very nicely, thanks, actually was comfy for four, it ran like scat. I still miss it today, oh well, it had to go because it was the dealer's not really mine.

Bill Daverne (not verified)    August 14, 2021 - 8:49AM

In reply to by Tim Lagace (not verified)

I believe I concur! I currently own a 2004 Accord Coupe with the 3.0 litre VTEC and six-speed and it's beyond great. Previously owned two 1985 Preludes (first was destroyed in a 55 mph t-boning but I was fine) and a prior Civic. Would like to keep the coupe for a lot more miles (it has just under 230,000 miles right now).

Dave (not verified)    January 13, 2020 - 11:21PM

I currently have an ‘04 coupe, v6, MT, with 253k miles on it, and I plan on taking it to 300k. I’m very disappointed Honda discontinued this vehicle, it’s been my favorite! It would be great if they would bring it back, maybe under the Acura name, to compete with the Toyota RC 350 or the inifiniti Q60. It would mean having a bigger engine (north of 300hp), maybe awd, and of course, keep the MT, please. What do you say Honda, can you give it a try? Put me down for one!

Tony (not verified)    January 14, 2020 - 2:18AM

I inherited a 2001 v6 coupe, auto, bought new by my mother, only 8k miles. Every trip out my driveway is either 5 miles north or south on twisting canyon roads. Better brakes and summer tires... Great fun.

mark ryker (not verified)    January 29, 2020 - 9:06PM

2013 exl v6 tiger eye.

Love the car, handling is fun. Torque and hp are acceptable. Would love a super charger and all wheel drive. Really give the mustang groups some whiplash.

Morgan (not verified)    January 31, 2020 - 2:02PM

I currently drive a '14 V6, and it's a great car. It's a real shame that a lot of its power cant translate to lateral movement.

Anas (not verified)    February 1, 2020 - 1:00PM

I love my Accord Coupe 2012. I think it's even better looking than the new 2013-2017 models. I've debating for a while the need to update to the new Accords for less maintenance and gas milage but can't give up the feeling of owning and riding my awesome coupe.

Joel Stephen Dell (not verified)    February 7, 2020 - 5:45PM

In 2013 I bought the co-op I head of the GPS in 2016 I went to look at him and the 1st question I had was is there a new GPS the answer was yes I love my new 2016 these 6 touring coupe the gps and it is far far better than previous my car is quick my car in sexy and I can't wait to keep driving it I am also disappointed to hear that they discontinued the co-op hopefully they're gonna be coming out with something new Is that or I go looking Acurawhat they come up with

Timothy Doyle (not verified)    March 6, 2020 - 12:17PM

I absolutely love the 2 door coupe. I have over 206000 on it with mostly highway miles. Drives just as good and fast as when I purchased it back in 2015 at 15000 miles. Few issues over the years. I'm not looking forward to ever trading it in for anything but one like I have. But since they stopped making the 2 door 6 cyl coupes I guess I will have to. And as much as I dont want to will be needing a 4 door soon. Great job with that one Honda.

Merrie Blandford (not verified)    March 6, 2020 - 7:40PM

I leased a V6 sport sedan silver with grey leather twice as a Realtor, nice sporty dash and sunroof and handled so well I bought out the lease and still drive it (2008). Super car.

Cooper (not verified)    March 19, 2020 - 5:41PM

I currently own a 99 Accord V6 coupe and it's at 308k miles and STILL running like a dream! And with the VTEC it has that extra kick that forces a smile every time I put the pedal down. This car has been absolutely amazing and so fun to drive. They are way too underestimated by far. Actually had a comment by my best friend saying he things it's even quicker than his 2006 Lexus V6 Sedan. I'm still mad they got rid of the coupes. What a shame.

James (not verified)    May 20, 2020 - 9:33AM

I want one of the v6 6mts for my first car but I can never find one with good mileage. It kinda shows how this was one of the only cars regular car reviews said good things about. Does anyone know if it is actually good to seat 4 or 5? Or should I look into the 05-07sedan instead

Mark (not verified)    May 29, 2020 - 10:01PM

The first thing that got my attention about the coupe was the drop dead good looks. When I finally broke down and went to the dealer and drove the V6 EX-L coupe, I was hooked. I bought a black 2016. Without a doubt, it is the best overall vehicle I've ever owned. To be honest, it doesn't do everything better than any car out there. It's not the fastest, the most nimble or the most economical but, It's fast enough to be fun it's handles well enough for almost anything you'll do on the road and economically...with an average MPG of about 33 on the hwy ( I've reached 39 MPG a couple times on trips over 100 miles) who could complain, especially for a V6! I hope this car runs forever because I'd be ok with it for a long time!

Travis Sage (not verified)    June 18, 2020 - 9:07PM

I will never buy anything but a Honda. That being said, I am a 27 year old man, and have no children. I want to drive a car that is great to look at, and fun to drive. I currently drive a 16 accord sedan, and we just traded in my wifes 13 accord coupe for a 17 accord sedan. I love our cars, but would much rather have a sedan for the comfort, and a coupe for the enjoyment of the ride. Bring please bring back the coupe Honda.

Harry Heisler (not verified)    July 9, 2020 - 11:25AM

I own a 2016 Accord Coupe EX-L V6 with 6 speed auto. I love this car. I put on BF Goodrich T/A tires and it improved already good handling. Putting it in Sport mode and it accelerates and handles extremely well for what it is...a great looking, well made, sport coupe. The only thing I would like are more supportive seats for harder driving. I’ve thought about trading it in, but when I look at it and realize it’s rarity, I decide it’s worth more to me than a new car. It has everything I need....great looks, handling, speed, economy and finish

David (not verified)    July 18, 2020 - 2:21PM

I own a 2005 5-speed Accord EX coupe, and I love it. It's really a shame Honda stopped making them. I was even more upset when I found out they stopped making manual transmission accords. I've also read that they are ceasing production of the Civic coupe, and are going to stop selling the fit in the US. Honda is seriously losing its way. What a shame.

Cathy Todd (not verified)    July 23, 2020 - 8:05AM

I own a 2015 accord coupe v6. By far this is the best car I ever owned.. Before this car I owned 2 1999 honda accord one a v6 and the other a 4cyl...i thought they were the best but once I purchased the 2015 model I couldn't be a been more happier. Im happy with honda for this car but I'm also disappointed that this is the only model or couple they will have. Please bring the couple back.

Randy H (not verified)    August 5, 2020 - 12:32AM

I have a 2013 Accord Coupe V6 6-speed. It's been a great car so far and have about 50K miles on it. Got the urge to test drive a 2018 BMW 230i with some M options today, since I figured maybe it was time to change. I absolutely hated the BMW engine, some torque but the power band is so flat. Turbo lag is terrible. No point in revving past 5500 since there's no more hp there. Torque then flat. The power of the Honda V6 is so linear, power right up to the the rev limiter at 7000 (ish). I have a Ingen cold air intake which might add a bit more pep, but the Honda engine is just so much better than the BMW's turbo 4. If the Accord was rear wheel drive, it would be just about perfect.

Kort (not verified)    August 23, 2020 - 4:23PM

I have a 2017 Touring Edition couple. I love her. She is magnificent. I leased her in hopes of refreshing her every three years but my hopes were dashed months later when it was announced that she was the last of her kind. When the lease ended, I financed her with my credit union. She is worth more now than I am paying for her. I could not part with her and my dealer even tried (his teen son wanted her and he knew mine would be pristine... He was right but I couldn't part with her). She's is strong, she is sexy, she is eye catching. I made the right decision!

Tony B. (not verified)    September 1, 2020 - 9:11PM

I still own my 8 gen honda accord coupewith a V6 3.5L. which i originally purchased with. It had great power great handling too. Then i found out i can swap the 3.5 to a 3.7. Feels like i got an v8 up in here now....omg the power! I will NOT let go of it for shit... And believe me many people have asked me to sell it to them if ever i decide to. ...hahaha!...NOPE!

Michael Moore (not verified)    September 27, 2020 - 12:01AM

I have a 2011 Accord EXL V-6 Coupe. It is the sexiest car I have ever owned or can afford, and it moves!

Dennis Draper (not verified)    October 5, 2020 - 1:04PM

I bought a 2015 black on black Honda Accord Coupe with 30,000 miles on it last November. I never saw it until the day I picked it up at Car Max - it had to be shipped from the west coast. I took it for a test drive and signed the papers. When I got it home, I was looking it over in the garage and noticed the HFP badge on the side. After some checking on the internet, I realized for the first time what a rare car I had purchased. I love the car, the looks and the wai drives. I feel like I hit the lottery! Great car!