This key feature drives 2018 Honda Accord to segment leading performance

Depending on the source, Honda Accord is the most popular midsize 4-door sedan in North America. Our friends at Toyota will argue this point, while they roll out a stunning remake of the iconic Toyota Camry. Torque News drove 2018 Toyota Camry this summer, and yes, it’s very good. Yet, it’s missing a key component or two that Honda Accord presents in 2018, just around the corner in automotive production timelines. In fact, the most technically advanced, safest, and best looking Accord ever presented, is rolling of the production line now, and we’ll be driving one this coming week.

New for Accord: 2 smaller engines, electrification, a new transmission, and a heads up display, all standard

With 2 engine and transmission choices, as priced, the current Accord is a bargain, and runs headlights to bumpers with Toyota Camry as the #1 and #2 best selling sedans in America, so why change it? Simply put, it’s time! As we drive straight into a world of autonomous driving in the quest for zero auto accident injury and fatalities, Honda Accord is re engineered as one of the safest, most fuel efficient, near zero emissions sedans on the road today.

Already electrified in this trim level, Honda rides the wave of renewed Civic popularity, and builds an Accord future on the key component that’s taken Civic to the pinnacle of public demand meets near premium sport-like car performance -- that key component, performance feature is Turbocharging.

What Turbocharging does for 2018 Accord performance and fuel efficiency

For the entry through mid range trim levels, 2018 Accord comes equipped with a 1.5 Liter turbocharged VTEC 4 cylinder Earth Dreams ™, super low emissions gasoline engine. While smaller in displacement than the current 2.4 Liter i-VTEC Accord engine, peak torque output is a bit higher, comes on at a much lower RPM level, and remains peak throughout the shift range.(1500-5,000 RPM) The constant peak torque band results in an a seamless, near zero, torque drop off between manual, automatic transmission shift transitions. Or in the case of CVT, (continuously variable transmission) much less search and wonder(engine revving) during acceleration, as experienced in past generations.

Gone is Accord’s iconic 3.5 Liter V6, replaced with a 2.0 Liter turbocharged mill

Without question some old-school Accord fans will be sad to see the V6 go the way of Dino. But here’s the thing, I spent a week in the seat of 2017 Honda Civic Type-R, a detuned version of Honda’s 2.0 i-VTEC turbocharged 4 cylinder is slated for 2018 Honda Accord. With 273 lb-ft torque available just off of idle, the V6 won’t be missed for long.

Greater fuel efficiency, greater torque, and a seamless on-tap drive by wire acceleration, as experienced in this car, is just part of the formula that makes the redesigned 2018 Honda Accord a car of interest. Next up: the tech side of Honda’s reinvented Accord.