We have already classified several cars into their respective categories, such as Mazda 6, Honda Civic, and Ford GT. Now we turn to Honda Accord to discover which category it best fits in. This car was challenging to classify because it has 12 generations and more than 60 models. However, after a meticulous analysis of its specifications and performance, we have brought you some answers. Here is our verdict.
Honda Accord is not a sports car because it does not boast the typical aerodynamic design of sports cars. It does not have a high power-to-weight ratio; only 6 out of 60 models have a power-to-weight ratio greater than 0.07. Also, it has FWD, while sports cars have RWD. The first two generations were compact cars, while the latest-gen Honda Accord is a midsize sedan.
After undertaking thorough research, we came to know that this answer is somewhat incomplete. Honda Accord comes in 12 generations and 4 body styles. All generations have different specs, so classifying them all their respective categories requires us to dig much deeper. We have used our mechanical background to provide you with a more detailed answer. By using power-to-weight ratio, design, drive system, and performance as deciding factors, here is how we have classified the Honda Accord.
Power-to-weight ratio
The power-to-weight ratio plays a key role when we determine the true type of a car. Power or weight alone does not give us enough information that can help us classify a car. For example, Mazda MX-5 is a renowned sports car; yet it has an engine power of 181 HP only.
Similarly, we have several cars with over 500 HP of engine power, yet they are not considered sports cars even if they take more premium fuel compared to the Accord.
However, by using the power-to-weight ratio, we can know which category they belong to. Generally, sports cars are small cars with high power, meaning they have a high power-to-weight ratio. As a result, they accelerate much faster and have a responsive throttle.
There is no standard value of the power-to-weight ratio for sports cars (or any type of car, for that matter). However, after researching a variety of sports cars, we have settled on a value. Generally, sports cars have a power-to-weight ratio greater than 0.07. Therefore, we will be using this value as our metric. Let us see the power-to-weight ratio for various models of the Honda Accord.
There are 12 generations and 60 models of Honda Accord. The power-to-weight ratio of the Honda Accord varies throughout different generations.
In this article, we have taken the power-to-weight ratio of each generation’s most powerful and the least powerful car to determine which class that particular generation belongs to.
Generation 1 (1981-85)
| Model | Power-To-Weight Ratio (hp/lb) |
| HONDA Accord 4 Doors 1.6L 3AT (80 HP) | 0.036 |
| HONDA Accord 4 Doors 1.7L 5MT (97 HP) | 0.047 |
Generation 2 (1989-93)
| Model | Power-To-Weight Ratio (hp/lb) |
| HONDA Accord 4 Doors 1.8 5MT (100 HP) | 0.038 |
| HONDA Accord 4 Doors 2.2 5MT (150 HP) | 0.053 |
Generation 3 (1993-96)
| Model | Power-To-Weight Ratio (hp/lb) |
| HONDA Accord 4 Doors 2.0i 5MT (116 HP) | 0.043 |
| HONDA Accord 4 Doors 2.3i 5MT (158 HP) | 0.053 |
Generation 4 (1996-98)
| Model | Power-To-Weight Ratio (hp/lb) |
| HONDA Accord 4 Doors 2.0i TD 5MT (105 HP) | 0.036 |
| HONDA Accord 4 Doors 2.2i VTEC 5MT (150 HP) | 0.053 |
Generation 5 (1997-2002)
| Model | Power-To-Weight Ratio (hp/lb) |
| HONDA Accord Sedan US 2.3L 5MT (135 HP) | 0.046 |
| HONDA Accord Sedan US 3.0L V6 4AT (200 HP) | 0.060 |
Generation 6 (2002-05)
| Model | Power-To-Weight Ratio (hp/lb) |
| HONDA Accord Sedan US 2.4 i-VTEC 5MT (160 HP) | 0.052 |
| HONDA Accord Sedan US 3.0 V6 5AT (240 HP) | 0.069 |
Generation 7 (2005-07)
| Model | Power-To-Weight Ratio (hp/lb) |
| HONDA Accord Sedan US 2.4L i-VTEC 5MT (166 HP) | 0.0482 |
| ONDA Accord Sedan US 3.0L V6 Hybrid 5AT (253 HP) | 0.0721 |
Also read: 7 Common Problems Of A Honda Accord Hybrid
Generation 8 (2008-12)
| Model | Power-To-Weight Ratio (hp/lb) |
| HONDA Accord Sedan US 2.4L i-VTEC 5AT (177 HP) | 0.053 |
| HONDA Accord Sedan US 3.5 i-VTEC 5AT (271 HP) | 0.076 |
Generation 9 (2012-15)
| Model | Power-To-Weight Ratio (hp/lb) |
| HONDA Accord 2.4L i-VTEC 6MT (185 HP) | 0.057 |
| HONDA Accord 3.5L i-VTEC 6AT (278 HP) | 0.078 |
Generation 10 (2015-17)
| Model | Power-To-Weight Ratio (hp/lb) |
| HONDA Accord 2.4L 6MT (185 HP) | 0.058 |
| HONDA Accord 3.5L V6 6AT (278 HP) | 0.078 |
Generation 11 (2017-20)
| Model | Power-To-Weight Ratio (hp/lb) |
| HONDA Accord 1.5L 6MT (192 HP) | 0.060 |
| HONDA Accord 2.0L 10AT (252 HP) | 0.074 |
Generation 12 (2020-present)
| Model | Power-To-Weight Ratio (hp/lb) |
| HONDA Accord 1.5L CVT (192 HP) | 0.060 |
| HONDA Accord 2.0L 10AT (252 HP) | 0.073 |
It is evident from this table that only 6/60 models fulfill the criterion of having a power-to-weight ratio greater than 0.07. These models are outliers; they do not determine the category of Honda Accord. Therefore, we cannot call Honda Accord a sports car. This is because the majority of models do not fulfill this criterion. This begs the question: If it is not a sports car, which type does Honda Accord belong to? Let us examine some other key aspects of this car to reach a conclusive answer.
Drive System
A drive system refers to the system that controls a car’s speed, acceleration, and torque. We use a drive system as an important factor to determine the true type of car. The standard drive system in sports cars is the rear-wheel-drive system. This gives sports cars better handling by conferring an equal weight distribution across the body. This drive system also offers the minimum loss of drivetrain.
Honda Accord has a forward-wheel drive in all of its models. When we combine it with a low power-to-weight ratio, it becomes clear that we cannot categorize Honda Accord as a sports car. It’s also not set up for heavy-duty towing either.
Design
Top speed, impeccable handling, and maneuverability are some of the defining qualities of a sports car. The design and shape of a vehicle tremendously affect these parameters. Sports cars are designed in such a way to ensure that these parameters are not compromised.
Sports cars usually have a close-to-ground frame (chassis) to ensure a low center of gravity. This improves the handling, and the car offers much better maneuverability to its drivers. Another characteristic trait of sports cars is that nearly all of them are two-door coupes. Let us take a look at the design of the Honda Accord during different generations.
During the first generations, Honda produced Honda Accord in four different body shapes; a four-door sedan, a three-door hatchback, a five-door wagon, and a two-door coupe. All of these cars are not powerful enough to be categorized as sports cars. Furthermore, they were FWD and had a front-engine layout, establishing that they were not sports cars. The early generation Accord also lacked the type of transmission you’d typically see in a sports car.
The subsequent generations did not have coupes or wagons. All of them were mid-size sedans and hatchbacks. Like their predecessors, they also lacked the power and aerodynamic design of sports cars. They were long and bulky cars that were advertised as family cars. None of these cars are aerodynamic enough to be classified as sports cars. They have a high ground clearance value (>6 inches) and are not ‘sporty’ enough.
Combined Passenger and Cargo Volume
Now that we have established that Honda Accord is not a sports car let us find out its true type. Vehicles are categorized into different types based on their size as well. A car’s combined passenger and cargo volume determines whether a car is a compact car or a mid-size car.
The first three generations of Honda Accord are compact cars that are designed to last well over 200,000 miles. They have a combined passenger and cargo volume between 100-109 cubic feet range. It was designed as a powerful family car and was available in several body styles.
Fourth, and all of the subsequent generations of Honda Accord fall in the category of mid-size cars. Initially, Honda launched a mid-size sedan and hatchback. But in recent generations, the hatchback body style has been discontinued.
The latest generation of Honda Accord is the most powerful generation until now. It has several characteristics of a sports car. Combining it with other characteristics such as drive system and design, we conclude that the latest generation is a mid-size sports sedan.
Price
The Honda Accord costs as much as an average midsize sedan. You can buy it at $24,999, and the top-of-the-line model costs about $37,000.
Closing Thoughts
The Honda Accord’s diverse lineage and model offerings make it challenging to categorize. After rigorous analysis, it is clear that while it may not fit the sports car classification, its evolution over the years has transitioned it from a compact to midsize sedan. We’ve also completed this analysis on other vehicles and it can help to compare it to other vehicles like the Volkswagen Jetta or even the Toyota Corolla for more perspective. Or even something closer to a muscle car like the Chrysler 300.
Its varied specifications, drive systems, and performance features, combined with its design elements, make it a versatile vehicle adaptable to varying consumer needs. The Accord’s enduring appeal lies in this flexibility.
Sources
Hi! My name is Stefan; I’m the owner and lead writer at TheDriverAdviser.com.
I’m an active writer on this blog myself, as well as a novice car mechanic. For the really technical stuff, I find writers with experience as a mechanic or who have studied mechanical engineering.
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