GS34B

That car might be a massive improvement from its predecessor, but it is ugly AF.

MattyG

Looking at the Accord's numbers from last year, the previous generation car's big sales numbers all came in the latter half of last year. From year to year, the car is down by about 2500 to 4300 units for the two months of January/February. Whether it's the styling or the small displacement turbo drivetrains, the expectation is usually that a new Accord always gets the attention of midsize car buyers, just like the Camry does. Honda product planners are probably watching this very carefully.

ST430

I was having lunch with a friend who owns a 2014 accord now and as a new Accord passed by, she commented how hideous it looked. This friend has owned only Camrys and Accord her whole life. I share the same sentiments, that it's looks are a little appalling and very wagonlike (crosstour) in appearance. This reminds me of the backend snafu of the 2002-2005 Accord sedan where they had to redo it significantly for it's MMC in 2006. I expect an extensive MMC for this new Accord as well.

praveenc

mmarshall

No. The CR-V is based off the Civic. The Accord, Pilot, and Odyssey, are on another platform.

Sulu

The relatively high price, and the lack of attractive financing and lease options are main reasons affecting sales, I believe. Other possible reasons have to do with the ability to attract showroom traffic to the Accord from other vehicles in the showroom.

Is there showroom traffic? Is it up or down since the recent replacement of the popular CR-V and Civic? If there is showroom traffic -- I have not read any complaints about a lack of showroom traffic -- is that traffic looking at the Accord and sitting in it?

If there is no traffic around the Accord, perhaps it is hidden by the CR-V and Civic; maybe the CR-V and Civic are more than good enough cars for Honda shoppers and there is no need for the Accord. (I do not believe that people shopping for the Pilot or Odyssey would be looking at the Accord.)

If, however, there is traffic around the Accord and shoppers are sitting in it, do they like it? Is it that much better than the other vehicles in the showroom (the CR-V and Civic, which are its most likely showroom competitors)? Or is it too expensive for what it offers and what else is in the showroom?

I do not believe that the other reasons mentioned play a big factor in low sales.

Unattractive looks - This may be keeping traffic away from the Accord in the showroom but I do not believe that it is a major factor. For every person who finds the Accord unattractive there will be another who likes the styling or is indifferent. Despite all the contributors to CL who say that Toyotas are unattractive, Toyotas consistently sell well, for example.

Only turbocharged engines available (no naturally-aspirated engine available) - If there is traffic and bums in Accord seats, I doubt that this is a big factor. I believe -- from observing my relatives relationships with their cars -- that "normal" drivers know very little or care about turbocharged engines. If the EPA / Transport Canada, backed up by the salesperson, gives the car a "good" fuel efficiency rating, that is good enough for these buyers. Any knowledge about the turbocharged engines -- their servicing requirements and their real-world fuel efficiency -- would come from word-of-mouth from friends and relatives, not auto media, which has been supportive of turbocharged engines.

But maybe the small displacement of the available engines -- only 1.5-litre and 2.0-litre engines -- are keeping people away. Its Japanese competitors -- Camry, Altima, Mazda6 -- all come with a larger, naturally-aspirated, 2.5-litre engine. Accord shoppers may be afraid that the small displacement engines (remembering that the "normal" car shopper does not really understand turbocharged engines) are not large enough.

Lack of V6 - Like turbocharged engines, I doubt that this is a big factor. V6 engines in mid-size sedans these days are there to attract enthusiasts and I doubt there are many enthusiasts shopping for Accords and Camrys.

mmarshall

I respect your opinion, but that's where I at least partially disagree. People also buy V6s for refinement, not just power or 0-60 times. In fact, that's why I special-ordered the V6 I have...because Buick changed the standard powertrain this year to a hybrid-four.

MattyG

The low uptake on the previous car's V6 option (just like on Camry) generally means that shoppers are probably worried more about fuel economy and then power/torque for everyday driving vs overall refinement. Certainly there is something to your point that a NA V6 is just smoother (especially the Camry engine). In your category of buyer, the V6 is essential because for that demographic, smoothness and refinement are more important than all out fuel economy and power.

As to why the Accord isn't moving right now, it's more a function of how Honda is pricing it and that there no substantial incentives to get buyers to sign the dotted line.

The mass movement to SUVs and CUVs has been ongoing for several years now, Accords still moved off dealership lots in brisk numbers despite that. Now they're not. Dealer inventories are at an all time high, and some dealers are refusing future deliveries because they've got too many Accords already. Apparently Honda does not want to throw cash at the problem right now because they invested heavily in this new car, and they need to recover all that.

97-SC300

iTrader: (17)

Seen several in person and I have to say, in person it is not nearly as bad looking as it is in the pics. But still they could do better than this.

Toys4RJill

Carmaker1

NOT accurate, as the Accord definitely now shares the same modular architecture as the Civic since September 2017. This has been highlighted for 5 years, when Honda began developing this generation and also signed off on the current Civic. It has been the plan for Civic, CR-V and Accord since 2011-12 to differentiate Acura.

mmarshall

Yes, some research showed that you are (now) correct. First time, though, I can ever remember the Accord and Civic being on a common platform since they were first sold here in the 1970s. There's no doubt that the Civic, though, has grown enormously.....IMO it is now a mid-size car.

peteharvey

Straying a bit off topic, but just as new Civic & new Accord share platforms - does the next generation Corolla share TNGA GA-K platforms with the Camry too?

Johnhav430

I always thought that V6's were unrefined by design, yet a necessary evil in a world of FWD? More parts and vibration, than an inline 6. Wasn't there a time (I am not positive) that in the very same car, it could have a V6 or an I6? I had a 1970 LeMans with a 250 I-6 that was given to me at over 20 years old, smooth as silk. It seems that marketing has overpowered physics professors (megapixel conundrum). Yes, it does seem the V6 is perfect for FWD cars because it's compact, but that's about it. Which is why I think there is a question about deploying such motors in the new LS and new S class etc.

V8's also don't have primary balance, but in practice, they are smooth due to the crank. I think there's a reason that the 15.6 liter truck motors are I6 and not V6. On V6's, there's nothing that can be done with the odd # of pistons on each side (3), that's physics. my .02.

Toys4RJill