As we wait for the all-new 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid and Accord Plug-in Hybrid, I got to spend quality time with a 2013 Honda Accord Touring V6. I can easily see why this sedan won the AJAC's Canadian Car of the Year Award, as well as Auto123.com's 2013 Midsize Car of the Year Award.
Despite looking all serious and business-like, the Accord won me over the second I stepped inside. As a true benchmark for midsize cars, this Japanese icon is probably as close to perfection as it gets.
What is the Honda Accord?
The Honda Accord comes in sedan and coupe body styles, along with 4- and 6-cylinder engines, which makes it one of the most versatile midsize offerings in Canada.
Fully redesigned for 2013, the 9th-generation Accord keeps building on a stellar reputation for quality and reliability. It boasts a relatively sporty character, plenty of advanced safety systems, and high levels of comfort.
2013 Honda Accord Touring V6 Price and Specs
Under the hood of my tester was a 3.5L i-VTEC V6 rated at 278 horsepower and 252 lb-ft of torque. The engine worked with an excellent 6-speed automatic transmission, Variable Cylinder Management, ECON mode, and the friction- and weight-reducing Earth Dreams technology to achieve great fuel economy (more on that later).
In sedan form, the 2013 Honda Accord starts at $23,990. If you want the bigger mill, your only two options are the EX-L V6 and fully equipped Touring V6. At $35,400, the latter includes keyless access, which I quickly found out I couldn't live without.
Driving the 2013 Honda Accord Touring V6
The comfort-focused 2013 Honda Accord Touring V6 is far from boring to drive. Lively acceleration, decent handling, sharp steering, and very competent brakes contribute to a safe, pleasant experience behind the wheel. On the flip side, I was a bit disappointed with the turning radius.
Visibility in the 2013 Honda Accord is good up front, but the raised trunk makes it hard to see out the rear. The multi-angle backup camera with available guidelines comes in quite handy. Moreover, thanks to Honda's LaneWatch system, a camera mounted on the passenger's side mirror displays an image on the centre screen to effectively increase the viewing angle. This helps avoid potential collisions with objects or people in the right blind spot. As for the expanded-view driver's side mirror, it merely provides a distorted view of objects on the far-left side -- I didn't like it.
There are green and white bars on either side of the 2013 Honda Accord’s speedometer that track how efficiently you’re driving. My goal was to keep the bars as green as possible (without going all hypermiler-crazy), and it paid off: I wound up with an impressive 8.3L/100km average (granted, I mostly drove on highways).
Inside and Out of the 2013 Honda Accord Touring V6
The new design of the 2013 Honda Accord gives it a modern, upscale look. The LED headlights, fog lights, and 18” wheels definitely add a touch of class. Personally, the only thing that kind of compromises the sleek exterior is the boxy tail.
Build quality is fantastic on both sides of the doors. Material selection is exemplary; same for fit and finish. The 2013 Honda Accord Touring V6's heated leather seats all around are just as comfortable as they are supportive.
The modern, user-friendly dashboard comes with dual screens. The large one up top provides a lot of information on the vehicle, while the smaller touch screen below allows you to select audio input or change radio stations, for instance. While this kind of interface is sharp and trendy, I still prefer the old-fashioned array of buttons and dials to keep my eyes on the road.
Ergonomics in the 2013 Honda Accord are adequate, although the cascade of sub-menus don't help. I would have liked a button for the Front Collision Warning system to the left of the steering wheel instead of having to find it through the various settings (along with Lane Departure Warning). What's more, Honda's voice-recognition system still needs some improvements.
Finally, despite offering lots of space and split-folding rear seats, the 2013 Honda Accord's versatility is significantly reduced by the tight opening between the cabin and the trunk.
Comparing the 2013 Honda Accord Touring V6
As you know, midsize sedans are in the midst of an all-out war, with the lovely Ford Fusion, high-value Kia Optima, and cutting-edge Mazda6 fighting the hardest for your dollar.
If the past is any indication, the 2013 Honda Accord will prove immensely reliable and satisfying. That, combined with an attractive base price, pleasant driving dynamics, great build quality, and terrific resale value, should continue to drive hordes of buyers to Honda dealers.

Experts

Consumers

Nine generations in and it seems the 2013 Honda Accord is entering its golden years in North America. As an all-new model, this generation of Accord offers a level of sophistication I wasn't expecting from Honda, and a driveability that had me admitting I'd gladly have one sitting in my driveway.
With a starting price of just under $24,000, the Honda Accord is an affordable midsize sedan that not only boasts Honda's longstanding reputation, but also promises to grow with you and your family. While my nearly top-of-the-line tester breaks the $30k mark, I'd say it's well worth every penny to drive the new 2013 Honda Accord Touring.
And drive, I did
Perhaps one of the best ways to test a vehicle is to take it on a long, boring road trip. Sure, twisty country roads are fun, which is why any car can be made enjoyable (somehow) on them. Take a vehicle on a straight, boring, long highway and tell me what you think about it.
So, that's what I did with the 2013 Honda Accord. I took it on a 12-hour highway trip (6 hrs there, 6 back), and after all that, I did not hate it. Not even a little bit. I didn't drive for the entire 12 hours, I was a passenger for a portion of those hours and that helped the Honda Accord's case even more. Super-comfortable passenger seats (heated both front and rear) with plenty of legroom in front and in the back, the Accord may be one of the most comfortable boring-highway cars I've ever been in.
Behind the wheel of the 2013 Honda Accord is a fantastic place to be. Piloting the 2.4L 16-valve DOHC i-VTEC four-cylinder is a fabulous thing, indeed. With just the right amount of power (185 horses and 181 lb-ft of torque in the Touring model), just when you need it, driving the Accord is pretty close to perfect. And (shock of all shocks) I really like the CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) in the Honda.
I know, take that in for a moment.
The CVT is a joy. It's responsive with on-tap power when you want/need it, never second guesses itself and does just what you want a transmission to do: Drive the car smoothly. Perhaps I have Honda's G-Design Shift logic to thank for that as it is meant to help with acceleration response in comparison to other CVTs on the market.
Add to all that a little fuel efficiency (I averaged 8.2L/100km throughout the week) with Honda's ECON button that adjusts the engine to be as gas-savvy as possible, along with an Eco Assist feature (light around the speedometer that stays green if you're being good and goes white if you're being naughty) and you've got yourself a vehicle that seems to check all the necessary boxes.
Smooth travelling, and looks
With a fully independent suspension firmly attached to the 2013 Honda Accord's chassis, the solid unit body ensures that every journey is a smooth, quiet and refined experience. And truly, it is.
I noticed immediately how cloud-like it was to be in the Honda Accord, no matter what the road surface. However, don't think smooth equals numb: The Accord handles extremely well, stays planted on the road and feels sportier than expected. These are all bonus points, in my opinion.
Driving smoothly is only half the battle; the 2013 Honda Accord also looks smooth, in all the right ways. Like a dapper gentleman dressed for a cocktail party with work colleagues, the Accord has an air of sophistication about it that wasn't there in previous generations. Honda managed to make the Accord look more mature, more grown-up. From LED daytime running lights to a chrome-lined grille, as well as chrome-accented front and rear bumpers, the Accord is dressed to the nines; and I like it.
Inside, the class continues: comfortable seats, mostly soft surfaces (save for a few door panels), and traditional Honda storage throughout, as well as an easy-to-use (despite the plethora of buttons) onboard entertainment system complete with two screens.
Smooth operator
Today's cars are all about technology, it seems, and this topic is not lost on the 2013 Honda Accord. From available Front Crash Warning to Lane Watch (a camera mounted in the passenger-side mirror shows you up to 50m of traffic behind you), Lane Departure Warning System, HandsFreeLink bluetooth (with the ability to answer email and text messages), and a backup camera, the Accord was built to make your life easier.
Truthfully, I turned all the warning systems off. I feel confident enough in myself as a driver to do without them. And in all honesty, the Lane Watch camera (which turns on every time you activate the turn signal to go right) is highly distracting.
But other than that, there's very little wrong with the 2013 Honda Accord.
Bravo, Honda, bravo.
This 2013 Honda Accord Sedan Touring review was originally published on Auto-Venus.com.