2013 Honda Accord Sneak Peak From Chapman Honda Tucson

TUCSON, Ariz., June 21, 2012; In an effort to shake up the segment, the Honda Accord is upping its game with a redesign for 2013. The steadfast vehicle has to compete with the Toyota Camry, Volkswagen Passat, Nissan Altima, Chevrolet Malibu, Ford Fusion and Mazda6. To keep up with the stiff competition, Honda will be offering a smaller, lighter Accord than the current version, with updated styling and new features. Consumers will find that the sportier Accord will offer improved handling while maintaining its generous cabin space.

"We're confident that drivers will find that the 2013 Accord is a very well-balanced product that is the best overall vehicle in every capacity, whether we're talking about interior packaging, content of the vehicle, or the fuel economy of the vehicle," Neb Yonas, Chapman Honda General Manager, said. "To make space for incoming 2013 vehicles, many 2012 Honda models will be offered at significantly lower price points which translate into major savings for Arizona Honda customers," Yonas added.

Honda is upping the standard features list for 2013; niceties will include Bluetooth, SMS audio text functionality, and Pandora radio with iPhone interface all bundled together with a Multi-Information Display (i-MID) system. Keeping in line with Honda's green initiatives, the 2013 Accord comes standard with ECO Assist vehicle efficiency system, which is a super-efficient mode to maximize fuel efficiency.

Honda has already announced that the Accord will offer three different drivetrains. The base four-cylinder will be a new direct-injected, DOHC engine that will deliver 181 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. It will be paired with either a six-speed manual transmission or a continuously variable transmission (CVT). A 3.5-liter V6 will be optional, but Honda has only said that it will be more powerful and more efficient than the current engine. In early 2013, a plug-in hybrid variant will be added to the model lineup. It will combine a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with a 120kW electric motor powered by lithium-ion batteries. Honda says it will be capable of traveling up to 10 miles in pure electric mode at speeds up to 62 mph.

As far as safety is concerned, Honda didn't cut any corners. Drivers will be introduced to plenty of safety tech including lane departure and forward collision warning systems, and a LaneWatch blind spot system featuring a passenger side mounted camera for enhanced vision. A backup camera will come standard on every model.

The redesigned 2013 Honda Accord will arrive this fall to Chapman, your Tucson Honda dealer.