First unveiled in late 2022, the eleventh-generation Honda Accord succeeded the well-liked tenth-generation car. The latest Accord is based on the Honda Architecture (HA) global platform, which is also featured in the new CR-V. If you want to buy an Accord in the UAE, there are two types: Accord 1.5L and Accord e:HEV (Hybrid).
Competing with the Toyota Camry and Nissan Altima isn’t easy, especially given their high sales volumes in the UAE. However, it would be a mistake to gloss over the Accord as just another midsize family sedan. While it’s still that, there’s more to this Honda sedan than meets the eye. Of course, even its hybrid version is a good pick.
A 21st-century design that’s modern yet innately elegant
Looking at the 2024 Honda Accord reveals two things – it’s a gorgeous design with an ageless charm. While the new Civic mimics a similar design philosophy, the larger dimensions of the Accord utilize its facets better. The front-end is wedge-shaped and bears sleek headlights along with a wide grille – all contributing to a wide stance.
The low nose and long hoodline sure make a strong first impression. It’s not all for show either as the front grille features active shutters for optimum aerodynamics and engine cooling. The planted side profile of the Accord looks great with its fastback-type silhouette and crisp shoulder. It’s a culmination of swooping lines and the two-tone 18-inch wheels – a svelte sketch on the road for sure.
The rear LED lights are large but work well given the size of the Accord. However, there are one too many individual LED units for our liking – the layout could have been more cohesive. The relatively expansive area on the bootlid looks nice, though. Also, the lack of fake exhaust tips is always welcome!
An interior that’s purposefully sleek and well-designed
Stepping inside the 2024 Honda Accord reveals an interior that works well in almost all circumstances. Whether you’re old & experienced or young & tech-savvy, the Accord’s interior plays ball. The 10.2-inch driver’s display & 12.3-inch touch-infotainment screen are easy to understand and read, while their functionalities are right on the money. There are enough physical controls provided to operate these screens plus their built-in features, making the whole experience stress-free.
The honeycomb design of the AC vents looks great, while the integrated direction tabs feel well-weighted. The Accord’s chunky leather-wrapped steering wheel feels nice to hold, and the tablet-style touchscreen is easy to navigate. However, the tiny power and volume knob beneath it looks out of place. What does work well is the play of colors & trim: gloss black, chrome accents, stitched leather, etc.
It’s easy to find a suitable driving position with the available seat & steering adjustments, while the view forward to the sides is good too. The Accord’s rear-seat passengers have plenty of kneeroom and comfy seats, though the lack of dedicated head restraints in 2024 is a significant omission. A nice touch here is the covered cupholders in the armrest.
The rear occupants get basic air vents and USB Type-C charging ports. There are two more USB ports up front, along with a wireless charger and an auto-dimming IRVM. Enriching your infotainment experience in the Accord is a 12-speaker Bose audio rig and Android Auto plus Apple CarPlay. This cabin remains quiet for the most part, while the air-conditioning system packs plenty of punch to deal with UAE’s hot summers.
Equipment that makes life simpler but better
The 2024 Honda Accord serves its buyers quite well. The higher trims offer dual-zone automatic climate control, an 8-way powered driver’s seat, an electric sunroof, automatic LED headlights, automatic wipers, and a head-up display. Convenience comes from having keyless entry & go, Bluetooth telephony, an electronic parking brake, all-around parking sensors, a wide-view rear camera, and active noise cancellation.
Then there are the safety-related aspects of the new Accord. It gets lane-departure mitigation, lane-keeping assist, hill-start assist, vehicle stability assist, six airbags, and Honda LaneWatch. For those who are unaware of this, LaneWatch uses a live camera feed from the passenger-side ORVM to reduce any chances of blind spots in that corner.
Some of the Accord’s other nice features include 6 airbags, adaptive cruise control, obstacle detection with collision mitigation, and automatic high-beam. The Honda Accord also gets a head-up display (HUD)
A refined powertrain that works well
The ICE-only Honda Accord uses a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 192 hp and 260 Nm. The motor is spirited and revs wonderfully while being smooth and well-mannered – typical Honda. Honda says it should do 17.3 km/L (5.8 L/100 km), which is not bad at all. Then there’s the Accord e:HEV, which returns 24.9 km/L or 4.0 L/100 km.
The Accord Hybrid uses a 2.0-liter four-cylinder mated to a lithium-ion battery to produce a total of 203 hp and 335 Nm. The system feels fluid enough yet powerful when pushed. It can hit 100 km/h in approximately 7 seconds, though both cars will max out at around 190 km/h. The standard Accord can hit 100 km/h in 8 seconds or so.
The Accord handles itself plenty well. Its ride quality is good and its manners are predictable. Its powertrain is smooth and manageable – nothing unruly happening here. This sedan drives well and feels comfortable while doing so. It’s pretty sporty in its demeanor and its CVT is far from being boring.
Should you buy this car?
The 2024 Honda Accord is a formidable midsize family sedan. If you want your sedan to go around corners decently and deal with bumps just as well, the Accord is a good candidate. While it costs between AED 114,900 and AED 165,900, the Accord’s price tag isn’t too bad. On the other hand, you can check out used Honda Accords in Dubai here.
