New Honda Accord priced either side of $50K

Honda Australia has announced pricing for the 10th-generation 2020 Honda Accord ahead of its release next month.

The new Honda Accord range kicks off at $47,990 for the Honda Accord VTi-LX with turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine, and tops out at $50,490 for the hybrid model in the same level of trim.

Honda Australia claims that the price for the new Accord VTi-LX hybrid is $8500 (14.4 per cent) below the last Accord hybrid sold here, back in 2016.

Both powertrain variants of the new Honda Accord will be equipped to the same (VTi-LX) level of trim. Standard features for this grade include: Honda Sensing driver-assist technology, 8.0-inch display audio system, 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster, 6.0-inch head-up display, remote engine start/stop, 12-way electrically adjustable driver's seat, WiFi internet connection, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and wireless device charging.

Honda Sensing comprises the following active safety features: forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, road departure mitigation, adaptive cruise control (with 'Low-Speed Follow') and auto high-beam assist.

In addition, the Accord comes as standard with front and rear parking sensors, parking assist, rear autonomous emergency braking, rear cross traffic alert, tyre pressure monitoring and driver fatigue monitoring. A multi-view camera system monitors points around the Accord at the front, along the sides, at the rear and from overhead for 360-degree views.

Stability control, traction control, electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist are among the Accord's dynamic active safety systems. The Accord can signal an emergency stop to drivers behind and can start on a hill without rolling backwards.

Honda has also revealed that the Accord will be offered in four exterior colours: Platinum White, Lunar Silver, Modern Steel and Crystal Black, with a fifth colour, Passion Red, reserved exclusively for the hybrid variant alone.

At entry level, the 1.5-litre engine is a DOHC powerplant, direct injected and turbocharged. Peak power and torque figures – 140kW and 260Nm – improve on the respective figures for the 2.4-litre that powered the Accord previously. Fuel consumption in the combined-cycle test is 6.5L/100km.

The hybrid variant produces 158kW and 315Nm from its Atkinson-cycle engine for a fuel consumption figure of 4.3L/100km. Both engines drive through continuously-variable transmissions and the hybrid model also incorporates two electric motors. Fuel economy for both variants benefits from the adoption of an active shutter grille and a slippery body delivering a three per cent improvement in aerodynamic efficiency.

The new Honda Accord is stronger and yet lighter than the model it replaces, resorting to a structure comprising up to 29 per cent ultra-high strength steel and held together in part by structural adhesives and a lazer-brazed roof skin. According to the manufacturer, the body in white is 19kg lighter and its enhanced rigidity is based around 24 per cent added torsional stiffness and 32 per cent bending stiffness.

These measures, along with sound-absorbing carpet, an acoustic windscreen and a three-microphone noise control system have also reduced in-car noise, vibration and harshness for the new Accord.

Aluminium front suspension members are fastened to an ultra-rigid aluminium and steel subframe for reduced weight. Honda engineers have specified an electronic brake booster, an electric parking brake and electronic power steering for the Accord.

While the Accord sits on a longer wheelbase (+55mm) for improved cabin space, the car is shorter overall (-26mm) through the use of the compact new powertrains. The Accord is lower (-15mm) and wider (+12mm).

How much does the 2019 Honda Accord cost?
VTi-LX -- $47,990
VTi-LX hybrid -- $50,490
* Prices exclude on-road costs