Features of 2016 Honda Accord Ex L V6 Sedan Review

2016 Honda Accordance EX-50 sedan

This review originally appeared March 9, 2016.

The Toyota Camry and Honda Accordance are 2 of the v best-selling vehicles in the U.s., and are ranked No. 1 and No. ii, respectively, in midsize car sales.

This doesn't always happen, simply when this reviewer last compared midsize sedans, the results matched upwards fairly closely to the sales figures – the Accord ranked beginning, followed closely by the Camry. The cars tested for that comparing were mid-level models with cloth seats and iv-cylinder engines. And after the review was published, Honda gave a host of updates to the Accord for 2016.

Now this reviewer has had weeklong tests in an Accord and a Camry that are at or near the top of their model lineups: V6 models with leather and a host of electronic goodies. Do these extras make a pair of great sedans even improve?

Not necessarily. Despite sticker prices in the mid-$thirty,000s, neither of the two tested cars felt very premium.

The tested Camry is the XSE model – a recently introduced sport-luxury model that doesn't really become that far in either category. The Camry stood out in last year's comparison for its functional simplicity, non for its elegance and sophistication; fancier trim on the seats and door panels and some extra features don't transform its grapheme. It tries, only family-friendly comfort remains the centre of the Camry feel.

Meanwhile, the tested V6 Accord sedan demonstrated less of the lighter four-cylinder's endearing spunk, and Honda's attempts to retrofit it with a modern infotainment arrangement and flashier looks instead exercise more to accentuate its age. The Accord just isn't the freshest midsize sedan, and it lacks the actress dose of smoothness you'd notice in some newer midsize competitors. A slightly bumpy ride and some dated cabin elements weren't enough to cost a mid-level Accord the win a year ago, but they're just more glaring at this cost.

Both of these sedans are amid the class leaders for interior space. They're both above the class average for their driving dynamics. Both take powerful yet reasonably fuel-efficient V6s. Betwixt the 2 of them, the Accord is slightly sportier and slightly fancier, while the Camry is more user-friendly. If for $30,000, you lot're happy to become a sensible sedan with some fancy features, either of these models can still be a stiff choice. But a number of competing midsize sedans evangelize college levels of luxury that make them potentially more highly-seasoned, especially as prices start to soar.

The 2016 Honda Accord starts at a sticker price of $23,040, including its destination charge, with a iv-cylinder engine, cloth seats, and a manual transmission. The tested car, with a V6 and an automatic transmission, is an EX-L model nearly the pinnacle of the model range, with a sticker toll of $33,465 that yous tin expect to haggle downwardly to about $30,113. The 2016 Toyota Camry starts at $23,905 similarly equipped to a base Accordance with the Honda'southward extra-cost automatic transmission. The tested XSE V6 had a sticker toll of $35,397; removing some cosmetic add-ons and a few other accessories to equip it comparably to the Accord brings the MSRP downwards to $34,260, which y'all can wait to haggle down to $29,389.

To await at

Today's Accord and Camry are substantially restyled versions of the models that went on sale in 2013 and 2012, respectively; the Camry was updated for the 2015 model year and the Accordance followed a year later.

The 2013-2015 Accord was designed with an middle toward restrained elegance – a clean, tasteful design that bordered on simply dull. The 2016 updates sought to give it some pizzazz, but the consequence isn't necessarily a success. Honda's approach was a bigger chrome grille, sharper edges on its front bumper, new taillights and more chrome on the rear, and new alloy wheels styled to suggest forwards motion. Tastes volition no incertitude differ, merely this reviewer establish most of the changes to look awkward and forced, and its design loses its before cohesiveness. Honda'southward new Civic compact sedan is dramatically styled from bumper to bumper; the Accordance just has a smattering of new pattern cues tacked on to the old body. (For a lot more style to your Accord experience, Honda does offer information technology every bit a 2-door; it's the only machine in its form you can still purchase either as a sedan or a coupe.)

Toyota'due south update to the Camry was more thorough, with all-new forepart and rear ends that shed the 2012-2014 Camry'southward angular, ambitious styling for more than gracious, flowing curves. A faux plastic extension to the Camry'due south windows, to smooth out a hard edge beyond the rear door, has been the subject of some contemptuousness, just otherwise the Camry looks like it was designed cohesively. The tested XSE model, the sport-luxury Camry model, is more subtly different from other Camrys than in past years; it nonetheless wears a dissimilar grille, but the two grilles look rather similar. Other differences are sport-styled 18-inch wheels and darker-colored headlights. The wheels avoid looking oversized or garish, which is appreciated.

The Accordance has the posher motel of the ii cars, though. Hither, too, there's a somewhat awkward retrofit – a touchscreen infotainment system that sits below the auto'southward existing navigation/information screen – only Honda found a few means to make the dual-screen setup useful, and the overall interior décor is appropriate for the price. It's not a class leader, though.

The Camry is more than deadline on that signal. Its interior design is clean, elementary, and user-friendly, just huge buttons are more virtually functionality than fashion, and few materials expect or feel very posh. The XSE has leather seats with suede inserts, and suede covers part of the door panels. Just while such elements of luxury or blueprint flair appear in a few spots, the overall ambiance is downscale of the course norm.

To be in

Practicality and interior comfort are fortes of both the Accord and Camry. They're 2 of the roomiest midsize sedans, in a class where a number of competitors accept sacrificed space for style. Similarly, they nevertheless have good rear visibility out of generously sized windows.

Both the Accord and the Camry take well-shaped, comfortable front seats and seating positions on the loftier end for their course – good for comfort and visibility, but at adds with the comparatively sporting grapheme you'd find in a comparatively low-slung Kia Optima or Mazda6. The differences are of course adequately subtle – not the divergence between a Porsche roadster and a Range Rover SUV – but discerning buyers will notice the seating position and may well take a preference between the two approaches.

In the rear, these two sedans boast generous leg and head space and loftier, comfortable cushions. The Honda has a slight lead for total space; the Toyota's absorber is slightly improve shaped, and is slightly ameliorate at accommodating a center-rear passenger. Merely no one would accept complaints about either sedan, both of which are among the best in the class in this regard.

1 articulate difference betwixt the two cars is their instrument layouts. Toyota is all business, with huge buttons and iv large simple knobs, all washed in apartment gray plastic and laid out effectually a 7-inch touchscreen. Honda went for a sleeker approach, with its ii screens, a minimum of buttons (in a variety of colors), and not one knob. If you lot're not bothered by the Honda's extra screen, the Accordance has the more fashionable and high-tech dashboard. The Camry's is far more than user-friendly; adjusting even the audio book sends you into the Accord'due south touchscreen, and its on-off button is pocket-size and somewhat hidden. Only its screen graphics aren't every bit sharp every bit Honda's and the overall look and experience is basic.

Toyota's gauge cluster, updated for 2015, is more modernistic than the Honda'southward, though. Toyota added a color information screen between the speedometer and tachometer, while the Honda'south is black-and-white and doesn't testify equally much information. The tested Accordance also had loose trim on its gear selector.

One expanse in which both of these typically practical cars come a niggling brusk is trunk space; curiously, both slightly trail the class norm with about xv.5 cubic feet, while several competitors top 16 cubic feet.

To drive

Relatively few family unit sedans nonetheless offering a V6 engine, as many have shifted to pocket-sized-displacement turbocharged four-cylinders. These engines on newspaper deliver comparable acceleration to a six-cylinder when you need it, while getting meliorate gas mileage during normal, gentler driving. Lead-footed drivers frequently find themselves in the erstwhile category so often, though, that they negate much of the mileage advantage. And V6 engines mostly accept a richer audio that can boost a motorcar's premium entreatment. Notation also that today's midsize V6 sedans tin can exist fairly fuel-efficient, besides.

Anyway, if you prefer half-dozen cylinders – and, equally noted, in that location are reasons to practice and so – the Accordance and Camry are among your handful of options, aslope the Chrysler 200, Nissan Altima, Subaru Legacy, and Volkswagen Passat. And of these models, merely the Subaru tin can merits to offering fifty-fifty moderately sporty handling. The Chrysler is focused on cushy luxury, the Nissan is slow except in a straight line, and the Volkswagen feels but outclassed.

None of these midsize sedans is downright vivid to drive, and the V6's extra weight up in the front of the auto seems to diminish the Accord's handling zest. The Accord is even so responsive and equanimous, though it doesn't experience especially alarm until y'all offset pushing it.

The Camry swaps those strengths and weaknesses. It feels at its best in gentle driving, with well-weighted, natural-feeling steering and restrained body motions that make the auto feel more capable than it is when you aren't actually flogging information technology. Push button the Toyota harder, and the steering lacks the Honda's quickness and precision, and the car'due south limits are lower. But it still defies the Camry stereotype of beingness utterly dull to bulldoze.

Neither the Accordance nor the tested Camry has an especially plush ride, though. This Toyota rides on its sport suspension tuning, equally opposed to the softer setup found on other Camrys, which aids handling but adds a chip of an edge to some bumps. The larger wheels no doubt have an effect besides. All Camrys got major ride-quality upgrades for 2015, which helps even the stiffest XSE.

Hence it all the same edges out the Accord, despite the Honda's smaller wheels as tested (17 inches, though you can get an Accordance with upwards to xix inches). The Accord isn't rough-riding either, but it's firmer than the class norm, letting bumps punch through a bit and sometimes feeling a little jittery rather than relaxed and steady.

Both sedans have potent, smoothen, powerful V6 engines that deliver respectable fuel economic system for what they are. On newspaper and on the road, they evangelize comparably excellent acceleration. The Accord has the fuel efficiency edge; both models have EPA ratings of 21 miles per gallon in the urban center, but the Accordance hits 34 mpg on the highway to the Camry'south 31. Indeed, in weeklong tests that skewed mostly toward highway driving, this reviewer observed 31.0 mpg in the Honda and 29.3 mpg in the Toyota. (The mileage testing was not scientific or precise, but driving weather condition were roughly like.)

The slower Accord and Camry four-cylinder engines beat the EPA ratings of their V6 counterparts by five mpg and 3 mpg, respectively, and then do be certain to try them out before paying actress and using more gas for the V6s. They're still respectably peppy and placidity, though manifestly less and then than the six-cylinders.

Condom scores

The Camry and Accord are both amid the many midsize sedans that accept earned summit crash-test ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and National Highway Traffic Condom Administration. Both also offering emergency automatic braking systems, role of a $750 package in the Toyota and a $2,000 one (bundled with a navigation system) in the Honda. The IIHS plant the Accord's to be more than effective, avoiding an accident altogether from a speed of 25 mph while the Toyota merely reduced the affect force. But overall, both cars impress for their safety in a grade that has no stinkers.

Other options

If you lot're interested in a powerful, plush midsize sedan, there are many options besides the form'south best-sellers.

The newly redesigned 2016 Kia Optima took great steps toward providing a premium and sporty driving feel. The design is restrained within and out, but it feels solidly congenital in every way and can be had with a dizzying array of options. It's available with a turbocharged 2.0-liter iv-cylinder engine rather than a V6, though, and its steering has a picayune less feel than the Accord's. Rear-seat space and visibility besides slightly trail the Honda and Toyota.

For maximum luxury without the most demand for sportiness or practicality, the Chrysler 200 has a fashionable and well-finished interior, a smooth and quiet ride, and lots of options. Information technology trails the rest of the course for interior space, though, and although its V6 makes it quick, its handling is off even the Camry's mark. Gas mileage as well trails the Honda and Toyota.

The Ford Fusion is another leading model, which has an available two.0-liter turbo I4; a comfy, fairly high-quality cabin; and agile, responsive treatment. It trails the Accordance and Camry for everyday usability, though, with a smaller rear seat, compromised visibility, and unfriendly dashboard ergonomics. (The latter betoken is set to be resolved soon in a 2017-model update.)

A new, promising model is the Chevrolet Malibu, simply released for 2016. This reviewer hasn't withal sampled the new Malibu, merely information technology'due south been winning praise for its driving dynamics and interior volume, and it's more shapely than concluding twelvemonth's model. It too has only a turbocharged four-cylinder as its top engine.

The Subaru Legacy, meanwhile, is an all-around competitive midsize sedan that can be had with a powerful half-dozen-cylinder engine; it'southward not a standout for style and luxury, only it doesn't experience behind the bend. It'south also notable for its standard all-bicycle-drive organisation.

Meanwhile, if handling is of import to you simply acceleration is not, consider the Mazda6. It'south possibly the sportiest car in its class of midsize sedans with their standard 4-cylinder engines – though the four-cylinder Accord is too upward there – just y'all can't become either more than cylinders or a turbo in the Mazda.

Overall

The Honda Accord and Toyota Camry are generally sensible, comfortable, spacious midsize sedans. With their optional V6 engines, they're besides quick and quiet, even so withal somewhat fuel-efficient. That'southward a pretty compelling list of merits. If you lot want those family-friendly attributes plus luxury features similar heated leather seats, the tested Camry and Accordance models will fit the bill just like the base of operations models.

But if y'all're interested in a more luxurious experience, you'll likely observe that trait is offered best by some less likely brands: Chevrolet, Chrysler, Ford, and Kia. And fifty-fifty just a decade ago, who would have predicted that?

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Source: http://carswise.com/index.php/2016/07/04/review-2016-honda-accord-ex-l-v6-vs-2016-toyota-camry-xse-v6-midsize-sedans/

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