History of Accord Part 3

1995 saw the arrival of the first V6 engine in an Accord. Available in the LX or EX Sedans, this was actually an old engine, the same 2.7-liter used in the pre-1991 Acura Legend. Rated at 170 horsepower and matched only to a four-speed automatic transmission, the V6 was about one second quicker to 60 mph (at around 8.5 seconds) versus the four-cylinder car. It was also quieter and smoother than the four banger, itself an engine known for refinement. To accommodate the bulkier motor, V6 Accords had a slightly longer nose, and to add an upscale touch, the grille was trimmed in chrome. The EX V6 also had leather seating standard, and other EX news included the discontinuance of the manual transmission EX Wagon.

Styling was tweaked slightly and standard features were beefed up for the 1996 Accord, the third year of this generation. The facade for four-cylinder models was given the same upscale, chrome-trimmed grille as the V6 models, the tail of the car received larger taillight clusters, and bumpers were revised.

Radio antennas (and possible car wash mishaps) were eliminated on LX and EX models via the placement of the antenna in the rear window. Other upgrades included the fitment of a roof rack to EX Wagons, restyled wheels, a trunk pass-through feature added for LX and EX Coupes and Sedans, and a power driver's seat for V6 versions of the LX and EX.

Aside from a "Special Edition" sedan that was basically an LX with a few upscale features added, such as a moonroof and a CD deck, the 1997 Accord was otherwise unchanged for the last year of the fifth generation.

Current Generation

More, more, more. Honda's flagship got bigger and better for 1998. The new body style is something of a return to the sleeker, slim pillar and lean flank style Honda used prior to the somewhat chubby '94 to '97 generation. A 7-cubic-foot increase in interior room moves the Accord sedan up to midsize status from its former compact standing.

More power is on tap, too. The 2.3-liter inline four in LX and EX models uses Honda's VTEC system and makes 150 horsepower. The DX doesn't have the high-tech variable valve timing system and is rated at 135 ponies. A new 3.0-liter V6 produces 200 horsepower (30 more than the V6 that was available in 1997) and can be had in LX and EX models.

The station wagon was dropped, leaving sedans in DX, LX and EX trim levels and coupes in LX and EX guise.