Consumer interest in sedans started spiraling downward after the arrival of the crossover, that handy vehicle offering SUV practicality without the rugged off-road mechanicals that increase price and decrease fuel economy on conventional SUVs.
One by one, automakers have been dropping passenger cars from their North American portfolio. A few models are still on the market, mostly those that were best sellers for the best-selling brands before the crossover takeover. The Honda Accord, for example.
The Honda Accord has a long history as a sales juggernaut in the automotive industry and a perennial favorite among groups of automotive experts who compile “Best Car” award lists.
The Accord mid-size sedan is still very much alive. More than that, it’s all new for 2023. It looks sleek and sophisticated, as though dressed to show those tacky crossovers a thing or two. The aesthetic design isn’t just skin deep. Accord’s new interior is equally elegant.
Technology is up-to-the-minute, including Honda’s first integration of Google built-in, a standard feature of the top-level 2023 Accord Touring model. Recognizing the crying need for connectivity in vehicles (connectivity everywhere, really) among buyers, Honda supplies the Accord with Google built-in for “a connected, personalized and more streamlined driving experience.”
Honeycomb trim along the lower dash conceals climate control vents inside the 2023 Honda Accord. (Honda)
There are six models in the 2023 Accord lineup. The first two, LX and EX, have a 192-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine. Their fuel economy rating is 29 mpg city, 37 mpg highway, and 32 mpg combined.
The final four are hybrids: Sport Hybrid, EX-L Hybrid, Sport-L Hybrid, and Touring Hybrid. The hybrid system generates a combined 204 horsepower. Fuel economy numbers for them are 46/41/44 mpg except for the EX-L, which tops the pack at 51/44/48 mpg.
Base pricing for the 2023 Honda Accord ranges from $28,390 for the LX to $38,985 for the Touring Hybrid.
All models have a 10.2-inch digital gauge display. LX and EX come with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system while the hybrid models get a 12.3-inch touchscreen. The fancier multimedia system in my Touring tester was largely intuitive, and the “Hey Google” voice command for getting anything done was an asset. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay capability is included, and it’s wireless for the hybrid models. As mentioned above, only the Touring trim has Google built-in. Its other exclusives are a wireless charging pad and heavenly 12-speaker Bose audio.
With this new 11th-generation Accord, Honda works magic, building on the car’s long-established reputation for excellence in build quality, comfort, roominess, ride, handling and performance that left almost no room for improvement. And the price was kept below 40 grand. When they can be this good, long live sedans. On that note, let’s not forget Honda’s reputation for long-term reliability.
Exterior design of the all new 2023 Honda Accord sedan is sleek and sophisticated. (Honda)
2023 HONDA ACCORD HYBRID TOURING
Base price, including destination charge: $38,985
Price as driven: $38,985
Mary Lowry is a member of the Motor Press Guild and a member and past president of the Northwest Automotive Press Association. She lives in Snohomish County. Vehicles are provided by automotive manufacturers as a one-week loan for evaluation purposes only. Manufacturers do not control content of the reviews.
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