When you hear the phrase “one of the longest-running midsize sedans on the market,” what comes to mind? While you might be tempted to suggest the Toyota Camry or the Nissan Altima, neither the Camry nor the Altima were around in the 1970s. That title goes to the hard-working, innovative, and high-quality Honda Accord. Since its introduction to the world, the Accord has been a hit with everyday drivers, industry professionals, and enthusiasts alike. Honda’s reputation would not be what it is today without this car. When you look for a used Honda Accord for sale, you know you’re getting long-lasting quality.
So, how did the Accord come to be? How has it endured for almost fifty years as a staple for so many drivers? The Honda company’s reputation definitely has something to do with it, but that reputation wouldn’t hold water if the brand wasn't holding itself to such high standards. Almost everyone knows someone who has or had a Honda Accord in the past, and rarely will you hear a complaint. The Accord works well in a variety of situations, from daily commutes to cross-country trips and more. Let’s take a look at how it has evolved over the years and remains, to this day, a fantastic pick for used car shoppers.
1977 - The Introduction
Since its introduction to the market in 1977, the Honda Accord has turned heads. When it first appeared, it was a hatchback sporting three doors. It was also equipped with a standard four-cylinder engine, a five-speed manual transmission, and a maintenance reminder system. If you were looking for something a little different, there was an available two-speed semi-automatic transmission direct from Honda’s R&D department. The goal of the Accord was to provide drivers with a safe, practical vehicle that was also fun to drive and incredibly comfortable.
This proved a winning combination as drivers fell in love with the Accord, and as demand rose, Honda kept innovating, striving to improve and enhance the driver experience. While the original design looks quite different from the models we see driven around today, the Accord has never wavered in its mission or production quality. Nearly five decades later, it remains an incredibly popular choice for drivers who want a vehicle that will go the distance and provide a fun, relaxing atmosphere, something Honda accomplished before the Accord's competitors from Toyota and Nissan arrived, and by all accounts, the Accord will continue for a long time to come.
1980s - Longer & Stronger
In 1982, the second-generation Accord made its debut. It was larger and boxier than the first generation, and it had the distinction of being the very first Japanese vehicle to be built in the United States. The three-door hatchback was still being built in Japan, but the four-door sedan was constructed by factory workers in Ohio. Changes made from the first generation to the second included a longer wheelbase, a more upscale design for both exterior and interior, and, in 1984, a four-speed automatic transmission. It still came with a four-cylinder engine, and a five-speed manual remained an option.
1986 saw the introduction of the third-generation Honda Accord, which was even larger. It also came with pop-up headlights, an upgraded suspension design, and a new bodystyle, the coupe. In just six years, Honda built its one-millionth Accord in Ohio, with many more drivers eager to get their hands on one. Of particular interest to the public was the introduction of the sportier design as well as the new suspension, a double wishbone system that was fitted to the front and rear of the Accord, which was something that had never been done before.
1990s - Roomier & Zoomier
Honda’s fourth-generation Accord appeared in 1990, cutting back on body types to slim down the options to the two most desirable: the two-door coupe and the four-door sedan. The Accord still retained a four-speed automatic or five-speed manual transmission, though the automatic could now be had with a sport-shift mode. The next year, however, the Accord had a new body type to offer: the wagon. This American iteration of the Accord would join the ranks of other popular wagon-style vehicles, a true classic of North America. It was not to last, however––the wagon bodystyle was gracefully retired with the end of the fifth generation in the late 1990s.
Lower to the ground and roomier than ever before, the Accord continued to be a mainstay of the Honda lineup. It was evolving along with the populace to become more suburban as people began moving to city outskirts or neighborhoods completely removed from town. The new sixteen-valve four-cylinder gave the fourth-generation Accord even more power than previous models, boasting more fuel efficiency as well. The 1990s also welcomed the fifth and sixth generations of the Accord, introducing Honda's variable valve timing and lift (VTEC) system, an optional V6 engine, and improvements to performance, safety, and fuel efficiency. 1999 marked another record for Honda, with five million American-made Accord models sold.
2000s - Improving Efficiency
At the beginning of the new millennium, the Accord marked another record as the first car with an internal-combustion gasoline engine to qualify as a SULEV, or Super Ultra Low Emissions vehicle. At the time, this was the strictest standard, demonstrating Honda's ongoing commitment to keeping our environment clean. The sixth generation ended in 2002, and the seventh generation became available the next year. The 2003 Accord Coupe was available with a six-speed manual transmission and a V6 engine, offering a sporty, affordable car to the masses. It was also completely remodeled to provide a more modern look to buyers.
2004, 2005, and 2008 marked more milestones for the Accord. In 2004, the Accord factory in Ohio produced its ten-millionth model, and in 2005, Honda made the news by introducing the Accord Hybrid, which made an impressive splash with more power and fuel efficiency than its siblings. In 2008, the eighth generation of the Accord made its way to dealerships, ready to show off its innovative new safety features like the ACE body structure, designed to spread out the impact in the event of a collision. Honda had already made waves a few years earlier with the inclusion of additional airbags and other vital safety features as standard equipment.
2010s - Revolutionary Tech
The ninth-generation Accord made its debut in 2013, five years after the previous generation, but it was well worth the wait. Honda’s Earth Dreams technology improved engine performance and shrunk the company's and the vehicle's carbon footprint. The Accord was still available as a sedan or coupe, but there were plenty of firsts to get excited about––the first continuously variable transmission (CVT), the first use of direct fuel injection, the first Sport trim, and the first Accord plug-in hybrid (PHEV).
By 2016, every Accord trim was available with the Honda Sensing safety suite, which has been improved and revised over the years and is still used today. It was also one of the first mass-market vehicles to offer Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The tenth-generation Honda Accord debuted in 2018 and ran until 2022. With new turbocharged engines and an available ten-speed automatic transmission (a first for a front-wheel drive car), the Accord was even more efficient and fun to drive.
A Superb Investment
Buying a used Accord is, as you can see, a superb investment, one that will keep you on the road and enjoying the ride for a long, long time. If you are interested in seeing a large selection of used Accord options from a variety of model years, it is time to pay a visit to our showroom. Here at Ryan Honda, we can't wait to show you everything that this midsize car has offered during its long time on the market. We're sure you'll find the right vehicle for your needs!
