Refresh: 2016 Honda Accord Unveiled At Honda’s Silicon Valley Lab
By Paulo Acoba
An unveiling NOT at an auto show? It’s a bold move cotton. Let’s see how this plays out.
In an unprecedented move that more and more automotive companies are opting to do, Honda decided to unveil it’s refreshed 2016 Honda Accord to the world at it’s Silicon Valley tech lab earlier today (July 23, 2015.) For one thing, we didn’t even know Honda HAD a lab in Silicon Valley, but they do. In a hotly contested market where any difference counts towards the competitive edge, Honda is trying to eek out a lead by throwing more tech and better styling at the Honda Accord. In June, Toyota sold 37,408 Camrys while Honda sold 27,477 Accords (point Camry.)
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The 2016 Honda Accord now has Apple Car Play and Android Auto. Honda couldn’t resist waiting for an Auto show to announce that although Toyota refuses to add in Apple Car Play, Honda will (point for Honda.) Same thing goes for Android Auto. Apple fans can now use Phone, Messages, Maps and Music as well as other apps right off the 7-inch touch screen display and Android users can enjoy all the most popular Google apps as well.
Honda is calling its front end refresh major and we think so too. There’s a new grill up front including an all new light weight aluminium hood. Try not to dent this one. Outback, LED taillights are standard and there’s a redesigned rear bumper sporting an ever so slight faux diffuser.
All Honda Accord’s now come with a comprehensive list of safety and driver assist technologies listed below.
- Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) with Forward Collision Warning (FCW),
- Lane Keeping Assist (LKAS),
- Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) with Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
- Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC),
In addition, Honda is offering more standard features on certain trims. EX and up with autos get remote start and Honda’s new 7-inch display. Sport trim and above get a 60/40 rear bench. Touring trim Accord’s get heated rear seats, front/rear parking sensors and rain-sensing windshield wipers.
Powertrain options remain the same with a 2.4 inline-four standard and an optional 3.5 liter V6. And although standard Accord’s come with a CVT , it’s quite good compared to the rest of the field.
As for choosing your Silicon Valley tech lab to unveil your Accord? Well done Honda. Auto shows are long and drawn out events anyways. If you’ve got a hot item to show, you shouldn’t have to wait for the next auto show to pull the silk sheet off.