Honda Accord Timeline and Milestones

America’s best-selling car over the last five decades¹, the Honda Accord has stood for innovation in manufacturing, environmental performance, safety and luxury, offering buyers top quality and reliability in a fun-to-drive package.

The introduction of the first Accord in June of 1976 was significant for both American Honda Motor Co., Inc. and the automobile industry. For Honda, then known for its smaller Civic, it was the first step toward becoming a full-line auto manufacturer and a major presence in the U.S. market. The Accord defined a new kind of car – a practical automobile that combined fuel efficiency, high quality and value with sporty style and spirited performance. And in 1982, Accord became the first Japanese-nameplate vehicle produced in America.

Now in its 11th generation, Accord is the most awarded vehicle in Car and Driver 10Best history by a wide margin. It has made the prestigious list an incredible 37 times, including the last 25 years consecutively. The all-new 2023 Honda Accord has reset the benchmark for the midsize segment with outstanding performance, style and interior space.

The following is a look at all Accord models over the last five decades.

First-Generation Accord: 1976 – 1981

• 1976: Accord was initially available only as a three-door hatchback powered by a Compound Vortex Controlled Combustion (CVCC) 4-cylinder engine.
  
  The revolutionary CVCC engine technology debuted in the 1975 Civic and cemented Honda’s place in history as a leader in powertrain innovation. That year, Civic became the first automobile to meet the tightened emissions standards of the U.S. Clean Air Act without the need for a catalytic converter.
  
  The 68-horsepower rating for the Accord’s 1.6-liter CVCC engine may seem low by modern standards, but a typical V8 engine produced about 140 horsepower at the time. The 2,000-pound Accord had a better power-to-weight ratio than traditional larger vehicles that weighed in at over 3,500 pounds.
  
  Cutting-edge for its time, the front-wheel drive Accord featured an all-aluminum cylinder head, a standard 5-speed manual transmission or an available 2-speed Hondamatic semi-automatic transmission.
  
  Standard equipment was generous. The innovative interior layout featured a combination of comfortable seating, logical controls and high-quality switchgear, along with a maintenance reminder system that recommended when to change the oil, rotate the tires and more.

• 1979: The first-ever Accord sedan debuted. It was equipped with Accord’s first power steering system and its first true automatic transmission, a 3-speed, which was optional on all Accords. Engine displacement increased to 1.8 liters in all U.S. models, increasing output to 72 horsepower.
• 1981: A new luxuriously-appointed Special Edition model included leather upholstery, alloy wheels, power windows and a sound system with a cassette deck – incredible features during an era when manually-operated windows, vinyl seats and optional AM radio ruled the automotive industry.

Second-Generation Accord: 1982 – 1985

• 1982: Still available as a three-door hatchback and four-door sedan, Accord became the first passenger car produced in America by a Japanese automobile company. Honda of America Mfg. began production of Accord sedans in Marysville, Ohio on November 1, 1982. A longer wheelbase and a restyled, larger body presented a more upscale look.
• 1983: A new four-speed automatic transmission helped improve Accord’s EPA-rated fuel economy.
  
  Accord earned a spot on Car and Driver’s inaugural 10Best Cars list.

• 1984: Engine size increased from 1751cc to 1830cc, raising output to 86 horsepower.
• 1985: Fuel injection debuted, exclusive to the Accord SE-i increasing output to 101 horsepower.

Third-Generation Accord: 1986 – 1989

• 1986: Ten years after the first Accord was introduced, the larger third-generation Accord launched with sedan and hatchback body styles featuring a new sportier exterior design with a low cowl and large greenhouse, plus retractable headlights. Accord’s new racecar-inspired double wishbone suspension design at both the front and rear wheels was a first for front-wheel drive cars. A new 2.0-liter engine produced 98 horsepower in carbureted form. Fuel injection expanded to additional trim levels increasing horsepower to 110.
• 1988: The first-ever Accord Coupe was added to the lineup. The first product designed by Honda R&D Americas, Inc., it was produced exclusively at the Marysville, Ohio, plant and became the first domestically assembled Japanese nameplate vehicle exported to Japan.
  
  After just six years of U.S. production, the one-millionth Honda Accord was built in Ohio.  

• 1989: Accord became the top-selling car in the United States for the first time and would go on hold the sales title for three consecutive years through 1991.

Fourth-Generation Accord: 1990 – 1993

• 1990: Available as a 4-door sedan or 2-door coupe, the fourth-generation Accord debuted with larger dimensions, positioned squarely in the midsize class. The new fuel-injected 2.2-liter 4-cylinder engine was larger and featured four-valves per cylinder. Power increased considerably, with output up to 130 horsepower. Transmission choices were a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic with sport-shift mode.
  
  Honda of America Mfg. began production of its first right-hand drive vehicles - Accord Coupes - for export to Japan.

• 1991: The first Accord wagon was added to the lineup - designed and developed by Honda R&D Americas.

Fifth-Generation Accord: 1994 – 1997

• 1994: Available as a coupe, sedan and wagon, the fifth-generation Accord was the largest yet with a longer wheelbase that increased interior space. Performance, fuel economy, safety performance, and Accord’s environmental impact were also improved.
  
  A 2.2-liter 4-cylinder engine was now equipped with Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC®) and produced 145 hp on EX models.
  
  The Accord’s new VTEC® cylinder head combined the fuel efficiency and low emissions characteristics of the ultra-fuel efficient VTEC-E® system used on the Civic VX Hatchback with the performance characteristics of the variable valve-timing system used in the high-performance Civic Si.
  
  American Honda exported its 100,000th U.S.-made vehicle for the year, making the Honda Accord the No. 1 export model from North America in 1994.

• 1995: Accord received a V6 engine for the first time, a significant milestone for this class. The 24-valve, 2.7-liter engine produced 170 horsepower and 165 lb.-ft. of torque. The V6-powered Accords featured a different, longer nose and a different grille.

Sixth-Generation Accord: 1998 – 2002

• 1998: A totally new Accord debuted with an all-new body, a completely redesigned chassis and two new larger engines. A Coupe and sedan were offered.
  
  For the first time Accord’s two body styles did not share the same wheelbase or design. The Coupe was styled in the U.S. while the Sedan was designed in Japan. The wheelbase for the 2-door Coupe was 105.1 inches, while the Sedan rode on a longer 106.9-inch wheelbase. 
  
  A new larger 2.3-liter VTEC® 4-cylinder engine produced between 135 and 150 horsepower depending on trim level. Accords with the new larger 3.0-liter VTEC® V6 engine were the first with 200 horsepower.

• 1999: The Marysville Auto Plant in Ohio produced the 5 millionth Accord made in the U.S.
• 2000: Accord became the first internal-combustion, gasoline-powered vehicle to achieve Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle (SULEV) status, which was the most stringent emission standard in the world. The first SULEV Accord was offered in California on EX Sedan 4-cylinder models with an automatic transmission.
• 2001: Accord was the best-selling car in America and the five-millionth Honda Accord was sold in the United States. 

Seventh-Generation Accord: 2003 – 2007

• 2003: With an all-new design inside and out and larger more powerful engines, the seventh-generation Accord offered both coupe and sedan body styles.
  
  A new 160-horsepower, 2.4-liter DOHC i-VTEC® 4-cylinder engine debuted, along with Accord’s first 5-speed automatic transmission. A new 240-horsepower 3.0-liter VTEC® V6 engine was also introduced and the Accord Coupe could be had with Accord’s first 6-speed manual transmission.

• 2004: A silver 2004 Accord EX Sedan became the 10-millionth automobile produced by Honda in Ohio.
• 2005: The revolutionary Accord Hybrid debuted as the world’s first V6-powered gasoline-electric hybrid. Powered by a 3.0-liter i-VTEC® V6 with Variable Cylinder Management (VCM®) and Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid technology, Accord Hybrid Sedan offered more power (255 hp versus 240 hp) and better fuel economy than the Accord V6 Sedan.
  
  As part of the company’s “Safety for Everyone” initiative, side-curtain airbags and driver- and front-passenger front-side airbags became standard on every Accord.

• 2006: New front and rear styling debuted. Horsepower increased slightly for both the four-cylinder and V6 models.

Eighth-Generation Accord: 2008 – 2012

• 2008: Available as a coupe and a sedan, the eighth-generation Accord innovated with new levels of standard safety equipment, including Honda’s revolutionary Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure. Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA™) became standard.
  
  Accord’s 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder engine lineup became the industry’s first to meet strict PZEV emissions standards. A more powerful 2.4-liter, i-VTEC® 4-cylinder engine produced 177-190 horsepower (depending on trim level). Accord also offered two different 3.5-liter 268-horsepower V6 engines; one with a specially tuned VTEC® valvetrain to enhance low- and mid-rpm torque and one that featured i-VTEC® technology with Variable Cylinder Management (VCM®) for enhanced fuel efficiency.

• 2009: Testing revealed that the average horsepower and torque produced by the production V6 engines was higher than originally estimated. Horsepower and torque ratings for all 2009 models were increased to reflect the actual output.
• 2010: Accord becomes America’s retail best-selling passenger car.  
• 2011: Updated styling with a new front grille, front bumper and rear deck lid. A new Special Edition (SE) trim level debuted. The new Accord SE Sedan trim level balanced luxury and value by offering all the standard features from the popular Accord LX-P while adding leather-trimmed seating, heated front seats, driver’s power-lumbar support and a leather-trimmed steering wheel. 

Ninth-Generation Accord: 2013 – 2017

• 2013: The ninth-generation Accord debuted with sedan and coupe body styles, all-new styling and the application of Honda’s Earth Dreams™ engine technology, which was dedicated to enhancing fuel efficiency and minimizing the company’s environmental footprint.
  
  An all-new 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine featured Honda’s first use of direct injection in North America and was paired with Accord’s first continuously variable transmission (CVT). The 3.5-liter V6 featured revised VTEC® and VCM® functions.
  
  The first Accord Sport model was introduced, powered by a 189-horsepower version of the 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine with a high-flow dual exhaust system. Accord Sport quickly became one of Accord’s most popular trims, attracting younger buyers with its sporty styling (18-inch wheels, foglights, decklid spoiler) at an exceptional value.

• 2014: A new 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine paired with Honda’s new two-motor hybrid-electric system debuted in the Accord Hybrid and the first-ever Accord Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV).
  
  In the Accord PHEV, the innovative system used a 6.7 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery and a powerful 124 kW electric motor to achieve an all-electric range of 10 to 15 miles and a calculated total driving range over 500 miles.
  
  To further increase fuel efficiency, Accord Hybrid used a lighter all-aluminum front subframe and aluminum rear bumper beam, which helped offset the additional weight of the rear-mounted battery pack and improved front-to-rear weight balance.
  
  The 10-millionth Accord was made in the United States, produced at the Marysville Auto Plant. The same vehicle was also the 20-millionth vehicle Honda built in the U.S.  

• 2015: Accord marked three consecutive years (2013-2015) as the top retail-selling car in America.
• 2016: Updates for the 2016 Accord included a further refined design, a more rigid body and an upgraded chassis. For the first time, all Accords were available with the Honda Sensing® suite of advanced driver assistance systems.
  
  Accord featured Honda’s first combined application of Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ compatibility and became one of the first high-volume cars to apply the two systems in the marketplace.

• 2017: Accord Hybrid received the updated look of the standard Accord and debuted Honda’s second-generation two-motor hybrid system with an ultra-efficient 2.0-liter i-VTEC® Atkinson Cycle engine for even greater fuel efficiency and class-leading total system horsepower. Combined output was up 16 horsepower to 212.

10th-Generation Accord: 2018 – 2022

• 2018: The all-new 10th-generation Accord sedan featured a lighter, more rigid structure, a more sophisticated chassis with a lower, wider stance and Accord’s first turbocharged engines.
  
  Two new turbocharged DOHC direct-injected 16-valve VTEC Turbo® 4-cylinder engines debuted: a 1.5-liter and a 2.0-liter. The 2.0-liter Turbo, shared much of its design with the 2017 Civic Type-R engine and could be paired with the first 10-speed automatic ever fitted to a front-wheel-drive car.
  
  Accord Hybrid was powered by the new third-generation of Honda’s two-motor hybrid system. The hybrid battery pack and its control systems were mounted under the rear floor instead of in the trunk, preserving cargo space and adding the flexibility of a 60/40-split and folding rear seat. It achieved an impressive 50 mpg combined EPA fuel economy rating.
  
  Structural adhesives were used for the first time to increase Accord’s rigidity and cabin quietness while reducing overall weight.
  
  Touring models featured Accord’s first Adaptive Damper System, which could adjust shock absorber damping force every 0.002 seconds, making for a more compliant and controlled ride in all driving situations.  
  
  For the first time, Honda was the retail best-selling passenger car brand in America in 2018 with sales totaling 667,762 units.

• 2020: Accord reached over 14 million sales in the United States, with over 11 million of those units being made in the U.S.
• 2021: Accord was updated with sleeker front styling, wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ compatibility and Low-Speed Braking Control.

11th-Generation Accord: 2023

• 2023: The 11th-generation Accord sedan features all-new elegant and sophisticated styling that further advances the Honda design direction, with long, clean body lines and a strong, powerful front end.
  
  The hybrid-electric powered trims feature Honda’s new fourth-generation two-motor hybrid system that’s more powerful. With 247 lb.-ft of torque, they’re the most powerful Accord hybrids ever. Positioned at the top of the 11th-generation Accord lineup they will represent about 50% of annual sales, a key step in the Honda electrification strategy.
  
  Honda’s new fourth-generation two-motor hybrid system mounts its pair of electric motors side-by-side. This new configuration allows for the use of a larger propulsion motor with increased torque output. The 2.0-liter Atkinson cycle 4-cylinder engine is also all-new, adding refinement, power and efficiency.
  
  The 11th-generation Accord features Honda’s largest touchscreen ever (12.3-inches) and its first integration of Google built-in for seamless on-the-go connectivity. This includes Google Assistant, Google Maps and Google Play.
  
  In addition to Over the Air (OTA) software updates to the audio/connectivity ECU, all Accords can now receive quick and easy OTA software updates to the engine control ECU and integrated module, enhancing functionality and capability.
  
  Next-gen front airbags, new front knee airbags and rear side-impact airbags are standard on the 2023 Accord. New driver and passenger front airbags are designed to minimize the potential for severe brain trauma associated with angled frontal collisions.
  
  On November 1, 2022, during production of the 2023 Accord, Honda celebrated 40 years of Accord production at the Marysville Auto Plant (MAP) in Ohio. The Accord has been built in Marysville since the plant opened in November of 1982, making Honda the first international automaker to successfully establish auto production in America. Since 1982, Honda has produced more than 12.5 million Accords in North America with virtually every one (98%) of those built in the U.S.
  
  In January of 2023, Honda celebrated the production of its 30 millionth vehicle in the United States. 

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^{1.Source: Wards Intelligence cumulative U.S. light vehicle sales among passenger cars, 1970-2022CYTD Oct.}