2012 Honda Accord
 by Giulianna Levin - January -  2012  Photos by Honda.

Since 1976, redesigned across several of its generations, the Honda Accord has consistently grown in cabin space. In this vain, the Honda Accord typically delivers a predictable sedan... a sure bet. When a family goes out to buy a car, they want to know that it’s going to last long, it’s going to have enough room, and the drive will be enjoyable. We are living in Miami after all, and we spend a lot of time in the car. But our demands don’t stop there! We want the fuel economy to be great too, and the Honda Accord delivers a suitable 34 mpg on the highway.

The Honda Accord lasts. Take a look at the older cars that surround you on your daily commute. You’re going to see a lot of Honda Accords, and not just the recent models. You’ll see the late 90s models still cruisin’ around in near perfect condition. This quality translates into reliable resale values.

The full-size sedan market has certainly become competitive in recent years. While the Honda Accord has competed aggressively against the Toyota Camry for years, consumers are also taking a second look at the likes of the Hyundai Sonata and Volkswagen Passat.

What’s new for the Accord’s 2012 model? Standard USB Audio Interface, is what’s new. As I’ve said before... this should be standard on all cars everywhere. There have been complaints about too much cabin noise when driving on the highway. I personally did not notice the extra noise, or at least it wasn’t enough to bother me. I did notice the high interior cabin noise when driving the new Honda Civic, but not while driving the Accord. As far as driving the Honda Accord, it delivers as expected with comfortable handling and just enough power. The Honda Accord is equipped with a 5-speed transmission while competitors in the market are offering 6-speeds.
According to Honda:
The 2012 Honda Accord Sedan earns the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA's) best-possible Overall Vehicle Score1 of 5 stars. Helping the sedan achieve its top overall score were 5-star ratings in each of the three combined categories of overall frontal crash safety, overall side crash safety and rollover resistance. These achievements represent a significant safety milestone for the automotive industry, as the 2011 Accord Sedan was the first vehicle to receive 5-Star ratings in each combined category.

Listed by increasing levels of feature content, sedan models include the 4-cylinder Accord LX, LX-P (Premium), SE, EX and EX-L, and the 6-cylinder Accord EX V-6 and EX-L V-6. Coupe models include the 4-cylinder Accord LX-S, EX, EX-L, and the 6-cylinder Accord EX V-6 and EX-L V-6. The Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System is available on all Accord EX-L models.

Four engine variations are available, starting with a 177-horsepower, 2.4-liter, i‑VTEC 4-cylinder engine in the Accord LX, LX-P and SE Sedans. Next is the 190-horsepower, 2.4-liter, 16-valve DOHC i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine that's standard in the Accord EX and EX-L Sedan models and all 4-cylinder coupe models. The top-of-the-line 3.5-liter, 24-valve, SOHC, i-VTEC V-6 engine produces 271 horsepower and is available in the Accord EX and EX-L Sedan models and the Accord EX-L Coupe. To increase fuel efficiency, Accord V-6 models with automatic transmissions take advantage of Variable Cylinder Management™ (VCM®) technology, an innovative valvetrain system that can deactivate up to half of the cylinders while cruising. The performance-oriented Accord EX-L V-6 Coupe with the 6-speed manual transmission takes advantage of a special 271-horsepower 3.5-liter V-6 VTEC engine that replaces VCM with a performance-tuned valvetrain, intake and exhaust systems to further broaden the torque curve in the low- to mid-rpm range.

Transmission choices vary by engine and trim level and include a 5-speed manual transmission (available on select 4-cylinder models) and a 5-speed automatic transmission (standard on select 4-cylinder models and all V-6 models). Steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters are standard on the Accord EX-L V-6 Coupe with an automatic transmission. A 6-speed manual transmission is available exclusively on the Accord EX-L V-6 Coupe.

Three audio systems are available – all with MP3/Windows Media® Audio (WMA) playback capability, an auxiliary input jack and the USB audio interface. The standard system provides a single-disc CD player, six speakers and 160 watts of power. Radio Data System (RDS) displays information broadcast by participating FM radio stations that often includes call letters, station type (searchable by genre) and programming information. Steering wheel-mounted audio controls come standard on every Accord. The Accord EX Sedan and LX-S Coupe add a 6-disc in-dash changer.

 

A premium 270-watt audio system comes standard on Accord EX Coupe and Accord EX-L Sedan models, which includes a 6-disc CD changer and seven speakers including an 8-inch subwoofer. XM Radio® is standard equipment on all Accord EX-L models.

The Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System2 (available on Accord EX-L) has an 8-inch screen and an interface dial for user input. The navigation system features the Zagat Survey® guide for restaurants, nightlife, hotels and attractions, in addition to a rear-view camera on the EX-L Sedan. Accord EX and EX-L Coupe and Accord EX-L Sedan models include Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink® as standard equipment for connecting wirelessly with compatible mobile phones.

Currently more than 95 percent of new Accords sold in the United States are produced  at Honda of America Manufacturing Inc.'s Marysville Auto Plant in Marysville, Ohio. In its 2011 Initial Quality Study (IQS), J.D. Power and Associates named the Accord as having the highest initial quality in its segment.

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