Honda Accord Generations Overview: Model Years And Milestones

Miami Herald

28-06-2025

There are only a few sedans that have weathered the SUV storm and maintained relevance, and there's no doubt that the Honda Accord is one of them. Now in its eleventh generation, the mid-size sedan continues to shine alongside the Toyota Camry, delivering a mix of value and a well-earned reputation for reliability that's hard to argue with. Across 10 of the 11 Honda Accord generations, over 12.5 million units have been produced in North America since 1982, and here's how the nameplate has evolved since then.
The first Honda Accord was introduced in June 1976 and continued to be produced until the 1981 model year. At first, only a three-door hatchback body style was available, but the first Accord sedan followed in 1979.
The first engine was a 1.6-liter four-cylinder with 68 horsepower and 85 lb-ft of torque, and transmissions were a five-speed manual or two-speed semi-automatic known as the Hondamatic. Later, Honda upgraded the Accord to a 1.8-liter engine with 72 hp and 85 lb-ft, while also adding a three-speed automatic.
In 1979, the Accord sedan marked the nameplate's first use of power steering, while the Special Edition model of 1981 added equipment like power windows and leather upholstery that were not common on such models at the time.
An all-aluminum cylinder head and the Hondamatic were advanced technologies for the time, and the first-gen Accord quickly expanded Honda's appeal beyond the basic Civic.
Related: Junkyard Gem: 1980 Honda Accord Hatchback
Sold for the 1982 to 1985 model years, the second Accord was once again available as a three-door hatchback or four-door sedan. The 1.8-liter four-pot initially developed 75 hp and 85 lb-ft, and a slightly larger engine increased this to 86 hp/93 lb-ft for 1984.
The introduction of fuel injection for the Accord SE-i in 1985 increased outputs to 101 hp and 94 lb-ft. Throughout the second-gen's run, transmissions included a five-speed manual, three-speed automatic, or four-speed automatic.
This was the first of all Honda Accord generations to start production in the United States in Marysville, Ohio. Its larger body, better power, and more premium design helped it become the top-selling Japanese nameplate in the USA.
A dramatic wedge-like redesign arrived for the third-gen Accord, which was sold for the 1986 to 1989 model years. The retractable headlights were one of the most notable design elements of this model, while under the skin, the introduction of a double-wishbone suspension front and rear was a novelty for a front-wheel-drive car. Besides the hatchback and sedan, an Accord Coupe was also introduced for the first time.
A new 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine produced either 98 hp (carbureted) or 110 hp (fuel injection). The three-speed automatic was gone, leaving only a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic.
The successful redesign helped the Accord become the top-selling car in the USA in 1989.
Growing once more, there was no denying that the fourth-gen Accord now slotted into the mid-size segment. It was produced from the 1990 to 1993 model years and available as a four-door sedan or two-door coupe; a three-door hatchback was no longer available. However, in 1991, the first Accord wagon was introduced.
A new 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine with four valves per cylinder significantly improved the Accord's performance. It produced between 125 and 130 hp, with torque varying between 136 and 141 lb-ft. The transmission options were the same as for the previous gen, but the four-speed auto also featured a sport-shift mode.
Although conservatively styled, the fourth-gen Accord was another successful chapter for the nameplate.
This was the first time the Accord received a unique version for North America that differed from the one sold in Europe. Coupe, sedan, and wagon body styles were offered, and Honda again made significant strides with the Accord's engines. In the USA, the model years ran from 1994 to 1997.
The 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine gained VTEC technology and made between 130-145 hp and 139-147 lb-ft. In 1995, a V6 engine from the Acura Legend found its way into the Accord for the first time and made 170 hp/165 lb-ft. The V6 was only available with a four-speed automatic, whereas the smaller 2.2L had access to a five-speed manual.
A longer nose and unique grille differentiated V6 models from the 2.2L versions. Inside, the Accord offered more interior space and was equipped with dual front airbags as standard.
The sixth-gen Honda Accord was manufactured between the 1998 and 2002 model years. Coupe and sedan models were sold, but the wagon was discontinued. Of all Honda Accord gens up until this point, this was the first time the coupe and sedan had unique wheelbases and designs.
A new 2.3L I4 produced 135-150 hp and 145-152 lb-ft. A new 3.0L V6 with 200 hp and 195 lb-ft became the most powerful Accord yet, but it was restricted to the four-speed automatic transmission. As welcome as the V6 was, it led to a flurry of complaints for transmission failures, with Honda eventually extending the warranties.
On the sales charts, the sixth-gen model was extremely popular and was named America's best-selling car in 2001. The Accord also surpassed five million total sales in the USA with this generation.
The seventh Accord was sold between the 2003 and 2007 model years in coupe and sedan form. It debuted chiseled bodywork, the use of the popular Honda K-Series four-cylinder engine, and the first implementation of a five-speed automatic in the Accord.
The 2.4L I4 engine produced 160 hp and 161 lb-ft, and five-speed manual or automatic transmissions were offered. A new 3.0L V6 with 241 hp and 212 lb-ft was added to this Accord, and it could be paired with a six-speed manual in the coupe.
Chasing better efficiency, the Accord Hybrid became the first V6 hybrid and made 255 hp combined, making it more powerful than the normal V6 despite boasting superior efficiency. By the time the fifth-gen Accord went out of production, the non-hybrid V6 produced 253 hp.
Praised for its sporty handling, especially in four-cylinder models, the seventh-gen Accord also rode more comfortably and had a nicer, better-finished interior.
Softer styling was introduced for the eighth Accord, sold for the 2008 to 2012 model years in the USA. Once again, a coupe and sedan were available.
Safety standards continued to rise, so this Accord got Vehicle Stability Assist as standard. Outputs ranged from 177 hp in the earlier 2.4L I4 to 271 hp in the new 3.5L V6, which competed well against the V6 Camry of the period. Five-speed manual, five-speed automatic, and six-speed manual transmissions were available. No hybrid was available for this generation of the Accord.
As it was introduced in the late 2000s, this Accord featured a button-heavy center console and a small (by modern standards) optional navigation display.
In production from the 2013 to 2017 model years, the ninth-generation Accord was sold in sedan and coupe form, and it had one of the most diverse powertrain lineups in the nameplate's history.
A new 2.4L I4 engine used direct injection, the first time this tech was used by Honda in North America. Producing between 185 and 189 hp, this engine was paired with a six-speed manual or a new CVT, the first time the Accord used a CVT. The 278-hp V6 stuck with a traditional six-speed automatic or a six-speed manual, while a 2.0L I4 hybrid debuted with 196 hp. A new hybrid introduced in 2017 was upgraded to 212 hp combined.
In an effort to attract a younger audience, this gen introduced the first Accord Sport with the most powerful 2.4L engine, a high-flow dual exhaust, and styling extras like a decklid spoiler. The Honda Sensing safety suite and the first combined use of Apple CarPlay/Android Auto were among the tech advances made for this generation.
The Accord was the top retail-selling car in America between 2013 and 2015, and the nameplate surpassed 10 million units produced in the USA.
Still very much a modern sedan, the tenth-generation Honda Accord was produced between the 2018 and 2022 model years. Low sales of the Accord Coupe - and coupes in general - meant that Honda discontinued this body style, leaving only the sedan.
A low and wide stance gave this Accord a suitably sporty appearance, and it was available with a 252-hp 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine that shared certain components with the engine in the Civic Type R. As standard, a new 1.5-liter four-cylinder turbo engine achieved strong efficiency. Both engines had access to a six-speed manual, but the 1.5L used a CVT in place of the 2.0T's new ten-speed automatic.
The only other powertrain was an updated hybrid that made 202 hp.
Enjoyable to drive, more efficient, and with many modern safety and infotainment technologies, this generation of the Accord is still highly regarded. It was also the last one with a manual and the more powerful 252-hp engine, making it particularly appealing for more enthusiastic drivers.
It's safe to say that the Accord has matured with the debut of the latest and current Accord for the 2023 model year. It looks more conservative than before, there's no more manual, and both engine choices prioritize efficiency over performance.
The 1.5L I4 turbo still makes 192 hp, while the hybrid gets 204 hp combined. Both use a CVT and direct power to the front wheels. Interestingly, Honda says hybrids now represent roughly half of all Accord sales.
This is the most advanced Accord yet. It has the nameplate's largest touchscreen at 12.3 inches, the first use of Google built-in, and supports over-the-air software updates. The latest airbag technology further minimizes the risk of brain trauma in serious collisions, improving the sedan's safety credentials.
Based on the fact that the new Toyota Camry now uses hybrid-only power, this could very well be the last Accord to be sold with a non-hybrid powertrain.
Related: 2025 Toyota Camry: The new generation challenges the midsize sedan segment like never before
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