   2013 Honda Accord Sedan V6 Touring. Click image to enlarge |
We found the Accord’s leather seats very comfortable and appreciated the driver’s power lumbar and height adjusters – unfortunately, the front passenger seat doesn’t have them. Seat heaters are standard in both the front and rear outboard seats, and a new side airbag design allows the front seatbacks to be heated (previously only the seat cushion was heated). Interior storage consists of an open bin at the bottom of the centre stack next to a 12-volt charger and USB/auxiliary port for iPods and smartphones, a small bin under the centre armrest with a 12-volt outlet, small door pockets and a glovebox – but we think the designers should have added more storage space. We liked the two front cupholders with flexible cup grippers and the folding rear armrest with two cupholders.
The 2013 Accord V6 sedan’s closest competitor is probably the Toyota Camry XLE V6, which offers improved driving dynamics over previous Camrys. The VW Passat V6 is also similar to the Accord in many ways. The Nissan Altima V6 is less exciting to drive, as is the Chevrolet Malibu 2.0T and the Dodge Avenger V6. The Ford Fusion is more exciting to drive but its turbocharged four-cylinder engine is not as refined. The same thing might be said about the Hyundai Sonata 2.0T, the Kia Optima SX, and the Buick Regal Turbo.
All in all, the 2013 Honda Accord V6 is an attractive and luxurious family sedan that offers a nice balance of power, comfort, handling, comfort and technology that won’t alienate mainstream buyers by being too boring or too trendy. Downsizing it slightly was a bold move, but we think it was the right one for the times.
2013 Honda Accord V6 sedans start at $32,790 for the EX-L trim, and $35,290 for the Touring trim. They’re built in Marysville, Ohio.
Pricing: 2013 Honda Accord sedan V6 Touring
Base price: $35,290
Options: none
Freight: $1,640
A/C tax: $100
Price as tested: $36,030
Competitors
Buick Regal
Chevrolet Malibu
Dodge Avenger
Ford Fusion
Hyundai Sonata
Kia Optima
Mazda6
Nissan Altima
Subaru Legacy
Toyota Camry
Volkswagen Passat
Crash test results
National Highway Safety Administration
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
