Honda is one of the top Japanese automotive manufacturers across the globe. It has several popular car models known for their reliability, performance and durability. Honda launched Accord as one of their premium models after the Civic in late 1976. However, the Honda Accord wasn’t a sedan initially. It made its debut as a two-door hatchback and was revolutionised over the years.
Let’s go through the Honda Accord history and how it evolved over the years to become one of the most popular used Honda cars in the UAE.
HISTORY OF HONDA ACCORD
Honda Accord has come a long way since 1976. Making its first appearance in an oil crisis, Accord was known for its better fuel economy and style. Honda introduced the first sedan model of Accord in 1979 and since then it has won several awards. For instance, the Honda Accord was launched four and a half decades ago but has made it to the list of ‘Car and Driver 10Best’ for a record 36 times.
Since its debut, the Honda Accord has had ten generations to date. Let’s walk through the Honda Accord’s history and how it has become one of the popular used Japanese sedans in the UAE and over the world.
FIRST GENERATION HONDA ACCORD (1976-1981)
The 1st generation in the Honda Accord’s history debuted as a hatchback. It was equipped with Honda’s second-generation 1.6-litre CVCC engine providing 68 hp. That said, excellent fuel efficiency became a unique selling point of the Accord.
The first generation of Honda Accord featured the service and maintenance reminders alongside warning lights on the dashboard. Moreover, the hatchback featured AC and power steering in the 1978 model. In 1979, Honda launched the sedan model of Accord powered with 1.8-litre engine. The 1980 Accord models featured 3-speed automatic transmission, leather seats and power windows.
SECOND GENERATION HONDA ACCORD (1982-1985)
Honda Accord’s 2nd generation came in 1982 continuing its sedan and hatchback. However, the wheelbase of the 2nd generation sedan was more than the previous generation. That said, there was more legroom for the rear-seat passengers.
The second generation in Honda Accord history featured a navigation system long before GPS introduction. Besides, the sedan was equipped with a 12-valve 1.6-litre engine with 86 hp. Later in this generation, Honda introduced yet another trim SEi which was sportier than its predecessor. The SEi trim boasted 101 hp using fuel injection.
THIRD GENERATION HONDA ACCORD (1986-1989)
The 3rd generation of the Honda Accord featured a 2.0-litre engine. In 1988, Honda launched a two-door coupe as one of the trims. The double-wishbone type of suspension system at the rear and front allowed a comfortable ride. Besides, this generation of Accord had an increase of 150 mm in the wheelbase making its interior more spacious. The 2.0-litre engine produced 98 hp and 110 hp on the carburettor and fuel injection system, respectively.
Other stand-out features include a leather-trimmed interior, Bose sound system and 4-wheel disc brakes. Moreover, the new pop-up headlights and blade-like side profiles made the 3rd generation Honda Accord sportier than its predecessors.
FOURTH-GENERATION HONDA ACCORD (1990-1993)
The fourth generation of Honda Accord was powered by a 125 hp 2.2-litre engine. Moreover, one of the trims, EX produced 130 hp and came with two options, 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission with sport shift mode. Moreover, larger dimensions in this generation made Honda Accord fall in the mid-size sedan list. In 1991, the hatchback was discontinued and replaced with a new wagon model.
FIFTH GENERATION HONDA ACCORD (1994-1997)
This was the first time in Honda Accord’s history that the sedan went through a redesign. It came with a longer wheelbase making for a spacious interior. Moreover, two milestones were achieved in this generation of Honda Accord i.e. introduction of a 2.2-litre VTEC engine and a 2.7-litre V6 engine.
The V6 engine boasted 170 hp. That said, this generation of sedans featured a different and longer nose and a front grille.
SIXTH GENERATION HONDA ACCORD (1998-2002)
The wagon model was discontinued as the Japanese auto manufacturer offered sedan and coupe in the 6th generation of Accord. Honda offered two engine options that were a 2.3-litre VTEC engine and a 3.0-litre V6 engine producing 140 hp and 200 hp, respectively. Besides, the sedan model of the Honda Accord came as a larger and roomier one than the previous generations. Coupe had a unique design with a sportier handling setup.
This generation in Honda Accord’s history achieved another milestone. That said, it became the first internal combustion engine and gasoline-powered vehicle to get Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle (SULEV) status in 2000. Moreover, Accord models came with dual front airbags as standard and side airbags as options (standard for EX trim).
SEVENTH GENERATION HONDA ACCORD (2003-2007)
For the first time in the Honda Accord’s history, the entire line-up received a facelift. Honda introduced an even more powerful engine line-up as followed:
- 2.4-litre DOHC VTEC engine provided 160 hp
- 3.0-litre V6 engine boasted 240 hp
- Hybrid 3.0-litre V6 engine with 255 hp
For the first time, the coupe featured a V6 engine with 6-speed manual transmission. Moreover, this generation introduced many of the modern safety features as a result of Honda’s initiative ‘Safety for Everyone’. Front and side airbags for drivers and passengers were standard in Accord models launched from 2003 onwards.
EIGHTH GENERATION HONDA ACCORD (2008-2013)
Coming a long way from 1976, the 8th generation of Honda Accord had increased its overall length by 800 millimetres making it fall in the full-size sedans category. More aggressive designing followed in this generation. That said, more safety features were added including Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure and Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) on every trim level.
In the eighth generation, Honda introduced another engine option in the Accord which was a 3.5-litre i-VTEC V6 engine boasting 268 hp. This engine was paired with Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) to achieve better fuel efficiency.
NINTH GENERATION HONDA ACCORD (2014-2018)
The journey of the Honda Accord over the years has been spectacular. Even with the constant design change, Honda has maintained its reliability, durability and value. The size of the sedan was trimmed and categorised as a mid-size sedan again. Moreover, the Accord hybrid which was discontinued in the eight generation, reappeared in the ninth.
The Japanese auto manufacturer introduced all strut suspension in the Accord replacing double wish-bone and hydraulic assisted suspension after years. Furthermore, the engine line-up included the following:
- 2.4-litre direct-injected engine produced 185 hp and 189 hp with a sport exhaust
- 3.5-liter V6 engine boasted 278 hp
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) was introduced in the 2.4-litre engine with 6-speed manual transmission while the V6 engine had 6-speed automatic transmission.
TENTH GENERATION HONDA ACCORD (2018-PRESENT)
In 2018, the tenth generation was introduced without the manual transmission for the first time in the history of the Honda Accord. This generation was featured with some of the top safety features such as blind-spot monitoring system and lane-keep assist. Besides, a cosy and comfortable cabin with modern infotainment features was included in the Accord.
Design changes included the LED daytime running lights angled towards the centre grille and the fog lamps integrated in the bumper with functional side air curtains. This generation became much popular in the non-luxury used cars in the UAE. You can have a look at the latest and previous generation of pre-owned Honda Accord in the UAE if you are fan of this mid-size sporty sedan.
Honda Accord history is quite vast with its first generation launched in 1976. The sedan has come a long way and captured the market with several awards including Kelley’s Blue Book ‘Best Buy’ and USNWR 2022 ‘Best Midsize Family car’ in its achievement list.
You can also browse through the following popular Honda models from used cars in the UAE:
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