In a departure for Honda, we get options in the 2016 Accord. In the Accord, the rear seats are what get bean-counted as the base LX model swaps the 60/40 folding seat you find in other trims for a less convenient single fold unit. The stand-out cost cutting measure in the Altima is the lack of rear seat air vents for instance. Despite the claims to the contrary, the only resemblance these sedans have to a “coupé” is in the limited noggin room.Įvery entry in this segment slashes content in order to deliver a low base price. Just like with luxury four-door-coupé models (CLS and A7), the sexy profile comes at a price that is too steep for me. This lack of vertical space in the “family sedan” segment makes me scratch my head. Close by fractions of a millimeter are the Camry and Passat, while essentially every other entry (yes, including the Subaru Legacy) has surprisingly limited rear headroom. Once inside, the height pays further dividends with more headroom than essentially every other midsizer. Thanks to the Accord’s upright profile, getting in and out of the back seats is an easy task, something I can’t say of the average mid-sized sedan. The seats in the 200 and Optima can be had with 4-way power lumbar, but I didn’t find them any more comfortable for my 6-foot frame. If you want something more adjustable, EX-L and above trims offer 2-way power adjustment. The standard seat design found in the Accord LX, Sport and EX trims features aggressive fixed lumbar support which is my back’s preference. When it comes to front seat comfort, the Accord still ties with the Nissan Altima for the top spot in base models. Surprisingly, the faux wood trim that was banished in 2013 has made a comeback, but at least it’s more believable than what you find in the Sonata. Instead, Honda gives us standard goodies like dual-zone climate control, Bluetooth integration, a backup camera, active noise cancellation and a standard 8-inch screen in the dash. You won’t find quilted nappa leather, wood trim or the variety of luxury options you see in alternatives. (In theory, that’s what Acura is for.) This theme continues in 2016. Honda’s interiors have long been known for simple functionality and ergonomic design, not opulence and elegance. The Mazda6 and Fusion are still the top picks in this segment for design, but they are both getting a little old. The Sonata is channeling Hyundai’s inner Volkswagen, the Chrysler 200 has gone for “suppository round” leaving “dramatic” and “aggressive” to the new Malibu and Camry. Restrained styling seems to be back in vogue these days. The benefit? You can actually see out of the back of the Honda and tall passengers won’t bump their head on the ceiling. Unlike the “coupé-like” side profiles we get in almost every other entry, the Accord’s large and low greenhouse says “I have kids,” leaving descriptives like “sexy” and “dramatic” to Mazda and Ford. The main selling points for the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry have been reliability and family hauling practicality - and 2016 is no different. Top end trims get new Acura-styled LED headlamps and all but the base LX gets a set of new LED foglamps. The nose ditches the chrome “smile” for a bigger chrome bar that looks awkward at some photo angles but better in person. Despite the 2016 tweaks, the same goes for this Accord. Honda’s exteriors are usually buttoned up and professional. This is partly due to the crossover revolution and partly because cars like the Chrysler 200, Ford Fusion, Kia Optima and even the Subaru Legacy are cutting rear headroom in an effort to look sexier from the 3/4 shot.įear not, families of four: Honda continues to carry the torch for pragmatic sedan shoppers with the refreshed 2016 Accord. While the 200 is far from a sales segment leader, the increase is impressive nonetheless, and begs the question: Are Honda’s traditional buyers opting for an American alternative? It’s not possible to answer that question simply by the sales numbers, but it is an interesting question.ĭespite Americans getting bigger in every generation, the family sedan’s focus on the back seat is in decline. Honda sold 35,000 fewer sedans so far this year than last while Chrysler sold 72,000 more. Overall segment sales are down slightly with most models seeing only modest sales differences. Tim’s numbers at GoodCarBadCar tell an interesting tale. Looking at the numbers, the winner is even more surprising: the Chrysler 200. Accord sales are down 11 percent versus last year.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |