Best Year Honda Accord

‍2016 Honda Accord

The 2016 Honda Accord is considered the best value for money in terms of reliability and features it offers. It is a mid-sized car that combines a stylish exterior with a feature-packed and spacious interior.

2016 Accord Style

The ninth generation of Honda Accord was released in 2013. The new shape balanced well between style and elegance. The new style competed well against the leading rivals like Nissan Altima, Toyota Camry, Ford Fusion, and the Mazda 6.

The sedan was designed with an expressive lift and had elegant creases flowing along the sides and merging with the curves of the taillights. The shape mostly carried over to the 2016 model with a few changes.

For 2016, Accord received a different grille, an aluminum hood with new contours, and LED taillights. If you find a premium version, you will notice that it rides on slightly bigger, 19-inch rims.

On the inside, the 2016 Accord was redesigned and got a smarter interior than its predecessors. The interior seems quite modern and luxurious. The instrument panel is pushed forward, and the controls are placed fairly high.

The top trims offer a premium look, and both Touring and EX-L trims have a touchscreen audio system, which comprises two screens; one for the front and the other for the rear passengers.

Even if the badging were removed, chances are you will still recognize the interior belongs to an Accord due to the signature ambiance that Accord has provided over the years.

2016 Accord Performance

Like many other sedans in the category, Honda Accord has two engine choices and two transmission options. Although the newer Accord has smaller turbocharged engines, 2016 delivers power with a smooth and healthy V6.  

A standard 2.4 liter, four-cylinder engine delivers 185 horsepower coupled with a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) or six-speed manual transmission.

The CVT is responsive and works well with the four-cylinder engine to deliver a strong torque curve, unlike the sluggish and catapult-like response from other CVTs in the market. The CVT on the 2016 Honda Accord is so efficient that many have mistaken it for an automatic transmission. The G-design shifting technology helps avoid flat spots and makes the transmission respond well to the throttle.

The manual transmission, which is available on a few trims, is also crisp and responsive. With a clean clutch take-up, the transmission feels more refined than what comes on other sedans of this category.

There is a reason why Honda has hung onto the large V6 even as rivals moved towards smaller turbocharged alternatives. The engine produces a whopping 278 horsepower coupled with a six-speed automatic transmission. For coupes, you can find the V6 coupled with a manual six-speed.

Honda’s signature i-VTEC technology and Variable Cylinder Management work to provide efficiency. The vehicle is equipped with active noise cancellation, which helps keep the cabin quiet and comfortable.

The V6 trim is the most enjoyable vehicle in this category. However, on coupes, where the V6 is coupled with a manual transmission, the clutch pedal can feel quite heavy and lead to fatigue in heavy traffic.

The electric power steering on the 2016 Accord feels responsive and robust. With a balanced weight, good positioning, and adequate road surface feedback, the Accord inspires a lot of confidence in those passionate about driving.

Undercarriage, the 2016 Accord is slightly different from its predecessors. Honda has mounted a MacPherson strut suspension instead of the signature double wishbone that was standard on the Accord for years on end. However, if you are not overly picky about suspensions, you will hardly even notice a difference in the ride quality.

2016 Accord Quality and Comfort

. Even though the vehicle’s size has varied among generations, the Accord has always been ranked as a mid-size sedan. It is ranked as a perfect household car that caters well to small and mid-sized family needs.

The 2016 Accord has ample space in the backseat and a spacious trunk. The cabin is well-refined for its size and offers a luxurious feel. Some claim that they find the aesthetics and feel of Accord’s cabin better than some luxury sedans that come at a much higher price.

Honda has equipped all Accord models with Active Sound Control and Active Noise Cancellation. However, it is important to mention that premium models with 19-inch wheels and the V6 variants in particular lack composure slightly on uneven roads.

The low footboard, coupled with thin pillars, offers a spacious and airy cabin feel. The driving position is good, and adults can easily fit in the backseat without compromising legroom for the front seat passengers.

The trunk is large at 15.8 cubic feet and comes with a flat cargo floor. The 40/60 split seats can be folded down to increase cargo space considerably. The 40/60 split seats are standard in all variants except the base trim, LX.

2016 Accord Safety Features

The 2016 Accord reaps some excellent safety scores and delivers extraordinary safety technologies, which are rare in this class of sedans.

The vehicle has received an overall five-star rating from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It scored five stars in all areas except the frontal crash segment, for which it received a four-star rating.

Honda Sensing comes standard on all Touring models and as an option on all other variants. It is a driving assist system, which includes

• Frontal collision warning
• Lane departure alert with lane keep assist
• Collision avoidance with emergency braking control
• Adaptive cruise control, which can follow the vehicle ahead

The Lane Watch system comes standard on all trims, except the LX. This system greatly improves the side mirror view using a camera mounted on the side mirror. It helps keep blind spots in check and is activated when the turn signal is switched on.

The Accord does not have bad outside visibility even without using these technologies. The thin pillars and low footboard make the relatively large car easy to drive and anticipate. Honda has employed the ACE safety structure and high-tensile steel to make the pillars thinner while maintaining their strength.

The 2016 Accord is the first of Honda’s vehicles to use Daytime Running Lamps or DRLs. They were offered on the premium trims and all V6 models. The LED brake lights, however, came standard on all models.

Four-wheel disc brakes with Antilock Braking System, Electronic Brake Distribution, and brake assist came standard on all 2016 Accords. The vehicle was also equipped with hill start assist and stability control. The airbags featured SmartVent technology, eliminating the requirement for occupant positioning systems.

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the 2016 Accord Good ratings in Crashworthiness, as the car performed well in all areas. The IIHS had a little trouble with the headlights, for which it awarded the Accord Acceptable and Marginal ratings. The advanced technologies like Honda Sensing, lane departure control, and warning earned the 2016 Accord the Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS.

2016 Accord Features

In 2016, Honda crammed the Accord with numerous convenient features. Many safety and connectivity features were not limited to the top-tier trims but were available across the lineup as standard or optional.

The sedan was offered in five trims: Touring, EX-L, EX, Sport, and the base trim LX. The coupe also had four trim variants: Touring, EX-L, EX, and the LX-S. This meant that there was a broad range of equipment that the Accord had to offer.

Even in the base variant, LX, there were a variety of technologies available, such as

• 16-inch alloy rims
• Multi-angle rearview camera
• Eight-inch touchscreen coupled with a Pandora sound system and text messaging capability
• Bluetooth connectivity
• LED tail lights
• Dual-zone climate control

Upgrading to the Sport trim, you get more options like

• 19-inch alloy wheels
• Dual exhaust
• Steering wheel mounted shifting paddles
• Rear spoiler
• Fog lamps
• Power driver seat
• Side Skirt Trim
• 40/60 split backseat
• LED Tail Lights and DRLs

Further up the line is the EX trim, which adds on:

• Keyless ignition
• Heated side mirrors
• 17-inch alloy rims
• The LaneWatch system includes a camera mounted on the passenger-side mirror and takes care of blind spots when changing lanes.
• Power moonroof

Need a bit more luxury? You can opt for the EX-L trim, which includes

• Leather upholstery
• Heated seats
• Frontal collision warning
• Lane departure warning
• Power driver seat with memory
• HondaLink system with streaming capability coupled with a 360-watt speaker system
• Seven-inch display system
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

The top-of-the-line variant, Touring, adds even more features like

• Rain sensing wipers
• Honda Sensing and driving assist
• Automatic high beams
• Heated rear seats

2016 Accord Fuel Economy

The Honda Accord is surprisingly efficient when it comes to fuel economy. This is not just true for the inline-four engine but also for the V6 variants. Most variants of the Accord are equipped with a 2.4 liter, four-cylinder engine, which earns an EPA rating of 27 mpg in the city, 36 mpg on the highway, and 30 mpg combined.

The 3.5-liter V6 engine, when coupled with the six-speed automatic, gets 21 mpg in the city, 33 mpg on the highway, and 25 mpg combined. The thirstiest of all is the 3.5 liter V6 coupled with a manual six-speed transmission; this variant gets an EPA rating of 18 mpg in the city, 28 mpg on the highway, and 21 mpg combined.

All Accords come equipped with an Eco button; press that, and the vehicle starts to deploy some fuel-saving measures. The throttle response is softened, and accessories like the air conditioning are put on energy-saving mode.

Is the 2016 Honda Accord Worth Buying?

The 2016 Accord is an excellent pick if you are looking for a mid-sized car that you can use for everyday driving and enjoy on long highway cruises. The car offers great handling, spacious seating, and a variety of other comfort features.

The 2016 Accord also fares well against its most popular competitors, such as the Toyota Camry, Chevrolet Malibu, Ford Fusion, Hyundai Sonata, and Mazda 6. Honda Accord gives a premium feel and a pleasant drive, which car enthusiasts love.

What is the Price of the 2016 Honda Accord?

Be ready to shell out anything between $16,000 and $26,000 for the 2016 Honda Accord. Numerous factors determine the price, including vehicle condition, mileage, trim level, and location.  

Is the 2016 Honda Accord Reliable?

JD Power has given the Honda Accord an overall rating of 84/100 with reliability and driving experience, also standing at 84. The 2016 model saw only two recalls; one was due to the fuel pump performance issue on the V6 engine. The other was an issue with the electrical system.

Why is 2016 Considered to be the Best Year Honda Accord?

The 2016 model is from the ninth generation, which spanned from 2013 to 2017. In 2016, Honda added several updates to the Accord, including safety features, entertainment features, and a rejuvenated exterior. This model offers the best bang for the buck.

You might save a few dollars by opting for older models from 2013 – 2015, but you will miss out on a lot of convenience features.

Does the 2016 Accord Drive Well?

The four-cylinder 2.4-liter engine shells out good power to speed up the Accord quickly. It makes overtaking on highways seem easy and confident. The manual transmission fares well, but the CVT performance is outclass. It is responsive to the throttle, has smooth shifting, and virtually no lag from the transmission.

The V6, on the other hand, accelerates with even more power, even though it is thirstier than the inline-four. It offers a crisp and responsive driving experience, which impresses every driving enthusiast.

The steering, handling, and braking of the 2016 Honda Accord are responsive and give the driver added confidence and driving pleasure.