The 11th generation Accord finally goes on sale in Japan

Since the first generation debuted in 1976, the Accord has grown to become Honda’s global model, and the new 11th generation was launched in Japan on 8 March 2024. Motor journalist Naoto Shimazaki reports on his test drive impressions.

Each generation of the Accord has proposed new values

My very personal top three Accords of all time would be the 3rd generation Litra in first place, the 4th generation US Wagon in second place, and the first generation in third place. Each of these cars was very attractive at the time, especially the 3rd generation, with its novelty of retractable headlights, gentle ride due to the 2600mm wheelbase, functional and smart instrument panel shape similar to the E30 BMW 3 Series, and the style of the aerodynamic deck, which was full of character. The style of the aerodynamic aerodynamic deck was outstanding among Japanese cars of the time. Driving down Aoyama Dori at night, I remember thinking how cool the blue-green Nippon Seiki instrument lights were.

The Ohio-born US Wagon, also available in the fourth generation, had a large minimum turning radius as its only weak point, but if you turned a blind eye to that, the quiet, smooth ride and truly elegant wagon style were also enticing. At the time, I happened to borrow a test car from the factory, and I wrapped the entire enclosure in an air cap and placed it in the luggage compartment with my JBL speakers (L40, which I still use to this day), which I had to replace the woofer unit with, and took it to the audio shop.

As for the first generation Accord, the first three-door hatchback debuted in May 1976, just the year before the author obtained his driving license. It attracted attention as a model more advanced than the Civic, but for the young author at the time, who was about to get his license, it was a somewhat mature car, and rather than driving it myself, I was more interested in admiring its smartness. The first generation of the ‘saloon’ notchback sedan also appeared in 1977, the year after the hatchback was launched.

Style that stands out for its simple beauty

Now, time has passed since the introduction of the first hatchback, and the new Accord, now in its 11th generation, has made its debut a short while after the end of the 10th generation.

My first impression is that it has been made into a very attractive sedan. What I particularly liked was the style and driveability. Style?　Not so different from the previous generation?　However, while the fastback’s silhouette is similar to that of the 10th generation, the design is completely new and its ‘quality’ has been enhanced.

The extra press lines and chrome decoration used on the front of the car have been thoroughly eliminated, and the only shiny external elements are delicate chrome moldings along the side window graphics, the back edges of which naturally vary in thickness and stop. The entire body is sleek, too, and the overall length of the car (+75 mm over the previous generation) is pleasant to look at. I think that the style has been finished in a way that stands out for its simple beauty without any superfluous details.

The interior comfort is also of a high level

The interior, incidentally, is also equipped with a horizontal, horizontally-oriented instrument panel, which is the standard for recent Honda cars, with a 10.2-inch meter display and a 12.3-inch display in the center, which is also treated casually. New grains are used on the instrument panel (and upper door trim), giving it a high-quality look and feel.

Above all, the comfort that is typical of a high-end sedan (the Accord is now Honda’s flagship) is quite good, especially in the rear seats, with a slightly raised torso angle, a firm seat length, and excellent leg, overhead, and side room. The Torso Angle is hard to imagine from the outside, but it is a comfortable place to relax, without any logic. The door opening is also large, so getting in and out is stress-free.

Of course, there is a driver’s seat.

Of course, when you sit in the driver’s seat, look around, and start driving, there is no discrepancy between the car’s movements and your own operations, and you instantly feel a sense of oneness with the car. This is the moment when you think, “Ah, a good sedan like this is great”.