Honda has introduced a refreshed Accord in the U.S. loaded with new technology including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 2016 Accord was for the first time ever, unveiled in High Tech’s U.S. Hub—Silicon Valley.
The 2016 Accord gets a major facelift with sportier, more sophisticated styling, front and rear. The front is now more sharply creased and intricately structured bumper fascia with outside edges that tuck into intake-like meshed areas that house new LED fog lights. A new aluminum hood features sharper character lines that meet up with a brighter, more expressive front grille. In the rear, the Accord gets restyled LED taillights and a similarly aggressive rear bumper fascia redesign.
While all models feature restyled wheels, the Accord Sedan (Sport and Touring trim) and Coupe (Touring, new for Cupe) get new, larger 19-inch wheels and tyres. The Touring sedan also gets a new rear deck spoiler. All models, Coupe and Sedan, feature the expanded use of LED lighting – LED taillights for all models, LED headlights for the new Touring Coupe, and LED daytime running lights (DRLs) for Sport and above trims.
The most major improvement found in the 2016 Accord is the 7-inch Display Audio infotainment interface with two of the latest in-car tech must-haves: Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Both app are designed to support seamless smart phone integration and offer a multitude of new functions and features.
Apple CarPlay takes the things you want to do with your iPhone while driving and puts them right on your car’s built-in display. You can get directions, make calls, send and receive messages, and listen to music right from the touchscreen or by voice via Siri. Supported apps include Phone, Messages, Maps, Music and compatible third-party apps. Apple CarPlay is compatible with iOS 7.1 and iPhone 5 or later models.
Android Auto on the other hand, was designed to give drivers a simple, intuitive way through touch and voice to minimize the potential for distraction so the driver can stay focused on the road. Compatible with Android 5.0 and higher, Android Auto features Google Maps, Google Now, messaging, music and numerous popular apps.
To take full advantage of these new systems and features, the 2016 Accord’s new 7-inch Display Audio touchscreen is paired with an upper 7.7-inch high-resolution display screen and steering wheel-mounted controls. The upper screen can display audio settings, turn-by-turn directions, time and trip information, LaneWatch and Rearview Camera displays, incoming calls, SMS text messages when stopped, and parking sensor alerts.
All 2016 Accords also can now be equipped with Honda Sensing. Honda Sensing includes (deep breath) a Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) with Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Keeping Assist (LKAS), Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) with Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), and is available as a standalone option on all trims with the exception of Touring, where Honda Sensing is included as standard equipment.
Also, all 2016 Accords feature a standard Multi-Angle Rearview Camera and Expanded View Driver’s Mirror and, for the first time, new auto high-beam headlights (Touring trim) that enhance nighttime visibility and driving convenience by defaulting to the high-beam setting and automatically switching to low beams when an oncoming vehicle is detected.
For the U.S. spec Accord, powertrain offered remains the same; a direct-injected (DI) 2.4-litre inline i-VTEC 4-cylinder and a 3.5-litre VTEC V6 engine. Available transmissions include a continuously variable transmission (CVT) for the 4-cylinder engines, 6-speed manuals for the 4-cylinder and V6 engines, and a 6-speed automatic for V6 models.
The Honda Accord will arrive at US dealers in August this year while the refreshed Accord Hybrid will be introduced at a later date.
