We’ve seen a few car models here and there with Apple CarPlay andAndroid Auto, but the revised 2016 Honda Accord marks the first top-selling vehicle to get that capability. A new 7-inch Display Audio touchscreen interface on EX and above trim levels supports swipe and pinch gestures. CarPlay support delivers navigation, messaging, music, and phone calls, while Android Auto lets you call up Google Now and Maps. A second 7.7-inch display remains above that one for the backup camera, Honda’s LaneWatch camera, and the integrated stereo system.
The new model looks great; it’s closer to what you’d expect of a modern-day Acura Legend. When it debuted in 2013, the Accord was widely praised almost across the board except for its styling, which was a little too close to bland. The revised version fixes that, at least if the initial photos are any indication. The front end is more aggressive, with a new hood, grille, and bumper with LED fog lights on Sport models and above, and there’s a new rear spoiler on the Touring version. New LED taillights are on all models, and the Touring model gets LED headlamps as well.
A new Honda Sensing package, available on all models and standard on the Touring, adds collision mitigation braking, forward collision warning, lane keeping assist, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. This is unusual for Honda, which prefers to keep option packages minimal or nonexistent and instead rely on trim levels (LX, Sport, EX, Touring). If we had to guess, it’s an example of manufacturers looking to break through the usual 4-6 year model replacement cycle to get technology added to their vehicles as quickly as possible — and in Honda’s case, perhaps testing the waters to see how many consumers will pay extra for it even on otherwise base models.
Inside, the 2016 Accord gets a number of other improvements aside from CarPlay and Android Auto, including heated rear seats, HD Radio, front and rear parking sensors, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and 19-inch wheels on the Sport and Touring trim levels. The rear seat is finally 60/40 split-folding, which means you can now have an infant seat on one side and fold half the seat down for a long box or bag on the other side–something the Accord should have had 20 years ago.
Powertrains stay the same, with the 2.4-liter inline VTEC 4-cyliner and 3.5-liter VTEC V-6 staying available with a stick shift or CVT (for the four) and a 6-speed automatic on V6 sedans. You can still get the V6 coupe with a manual. Aside from perhaps the Mazda 6, the Honda Accord looks like it remains your best bet for a sportier-than-normal midsize sedan at a reasonable price — and all the newly added tech only reinforces that impression. Look for the revised 2016 Honda Accord to hit dealers in August. For more on Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and what you can do with them, check out our detailed hands on.
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