2011 Accord’s includes a welcome increase in fuel economy

[xcel]

New Accord SE to debut – Think EX-L w/out the sunroof.

Wayne Gerdes - CleanMPG - June 30, 2010

2011 Accord V6 EX-L w/ NAVI – The Interior is as inviting as ever… Estimated at $31,995 to start.

Beginning this August, the 2011 Honda Accord arrives with enough changes to make an appearance on the CleanMPG home page. Namely, an almost 10% increase in highway fuel economy thanks in part to minor aerodynamic improvements, even lower friction within the 2.4L I4 engine itself and taller MT/AT ratios. The EPA fuel-economy ratings for the Accord 4-cylinder sedans equipped with the 5-speed automatic transmission improves by 2 mpg in the city and 3 mpg on the highway, for a city/highway rating of 23/34 mpg. Similarly, the Accord 4-cylinder sedans equipped with 5-speed manual transmissions improved by 1 mpg in the city and 2 mpg on the highway, for a city/highway rating of 23/33 mpg. The 5-speed manual transmission is standard on 4-cylinder models with the 5-speed automatic available as an option.

In addition, a new trim will be introduced. That being a leather-equipped Accord Special Edition (SE).

The Accord SE Sedan offers additional features from the popular Accord LX-P with the added luxury of leather-trimmed seating, heated seats, driver's power-lumbar support and a leather-trimmed steering wheel.

New features on certain models include a USB Audio Interface on all coupe models and Accord EX and EX-L Sedans, and a rear view camera on sedans equipped with the available Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation. Additional interior updates on all models include new seat fabrics on models with cloth seats, an updated instrument panel design and more-refined accent points throughout the interior.

New for 2011, the most frequently used climate-control buttons are now positioned on the left side of the control stack, closer to the driver for ease-of-use, and less-frequently used buttons are now positioned on the right side. Vehicle clock adjustment is also made easier by more prominent control lettering.

Three audio systems are available – all with MP3/Windows Media® Audio (WMA) playback capability and an auxiliary input jack. The standard system provides a single-disc CD player, six speakers and 160 watts of power. Radio Data System (RDS) displays information broadcast by participating FM radio stations that often includes call letters, station type (searchable by genre) and programming information. Steering wheel-mounted audio controls come standard on every Accord. The Accord EX Sedan and LX-S Coupe add a 6-disc in-dash changer.

A premium 270-watt audio system comes standard on Accord EX Coupe and Accord EX-L Sedan models, and includes a six-disc CD changer and seven speakers including an 8-inch subwoofer. XM Radio and Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink are standard equipment for connecting wirelessly with compatible mobile phones on all Accord EX-L models.

[Kurz]

If I was in the market right now... Sonata all the way.
Come on Honda you can do better than that.

[MaxxMPG]

I am not holding out much hope for a similar FE gain on the 5 speed. The Accord 5MT is probably not a large enough share of total sales to justify the cost of changing anything more than the final drive ratio on the stick. And they aren't likely to do that because it will make the car less "fun to drive".

For 2010, the Accord 2.4L rates 22/31 with 5MT and 21/31 with 5AT. With the automatic boosted to 23/34, the 5MT is going to be an embarrassment. Hopefully they can at least tie the EPA estimates for both MT and AT. They already have a 6MT for the Accord V6 coupe, and it's sad to think they wouldn't add a taller final drive and use it for the base MT version. A taller final drive and a shorter first gear would keep acceleration numbers but boost the fuel economy.

Modern automatics are so efficient - with lockup converters, variable line pressure oil pumps, and clutch to clutch shifting technologies - the fuel economy disadvantage relative to a well designed manual has been minimized. Automatics weigh more than a manual transmission of equal torque capacity, but not as much as you might think. And today's electronically controlled automatics can be about the same size as the equivalent manual gearbox, so there is no packaging advantage. For the average driver gunning it from light to light, real world FE will be better in the automatic because it will upshift earlier than a driver who likes to watch the tach needle bounce up to "5" or "6".

I will be surprised if the Accord 5MT meets or beats the EPA number quoted for the 5AT. And that's sad. The car is capable of so much more.

[noflash]

Any improvement on the 3-Star Side Rear Passenger Rating from NHTSA?

That's the main reason I can't consider this car. Curious that the CrossTour gets 5-stars in the same category.

nf

[Dream'R]

Honda has announced the introduction of a 6 speed A/T for their new 2011 model Odyssey. Hopefully this will trickle down and eventually become available on Accords whether they are 4 or 6 cylinder models, but unfortunately, not yet.

In the Odyssey, the EPA estimates have increased from 17/25 mpg to 19/28 mpg, or by more than 10%. I would think that most of this can be attributed to the new A/T.

Now if they could just add "paddles" so we could upshift on demand. I find it disappointing that I can't "select" 4th or 5th gear with the current 5 speed A/T. However one trick I sometimes use is to shift to neutral then back to "drive" when going about 35-40 mph. This kicks the A/T up into 5th rather than waiting until the more normal 45 mph for the upshift. You need a light foot on the gas to keep it there and maintain at least 35 mph, otherwise it drops back to 4th.

Cheers,

Roger

[worthywads]

The advantage of the MT continues to be undermined by all the manufacturers because of terrible final drive, and no other reason. Yes automatics are much better than before but come one!!!

At the very best, an automatic can only equal the efficiency of a MT, if both have the same drive ratios.

They have all chosen make the MT less appealing, it makes less money.

[Butterfly Mage]

If Honda wants to increase the highway mileage, why not offer the Accord with a CVT?

[Kurz]

Originally Posted by Butterfly Mage

If Honda wants to increase the highway mileage, why not offer the Accord with a CVT?

A CVT still has a maximum Gear ratio.

[PaleMelanesian]

Originally Posted by Dream'R

Now if they could just add "paddles" so we could upshift on demand. I find it disappointing that I can't "select" 4th or 5th gear with the current 5 speed A/T. However one trick I sometimes use is to shift to neutral then back to "drive" when going about 35-40 mph. This kicks the A/T up into 5th rather than waiting until the more normal 45 mph for the upshift. You need a light foot on the gas to keep it there and maintain at least 35 mph, otherwise it drops back to 4th.

I use that trick almost every time I'm passing through the 40 mph mark. Grrrr. Why not make the shifting load-based instead of purely rpm/mph based?

Originally Posted by worthywads

The advantage of the MT continues to be undermined by all the manufacturers because of terrible final drive, and no other reason. Yes automatics are much better than before but come one!!!

At the very best, an automatic can only equal the efficiency of a MT, if both have the same drive ratios.

They have all chosen make the MT less appealing, it makes less money.

You're preaching to the choir, brother! Sigh...

[xcel]

Hi All:

Christina Ra, Honda’s PR Manager E-Mailed me late yesterday and passed along the new Accord’s MT FE figures. They have improved too!

2011 Honda Accord Sedan with 5-speed MT: 23/33 city/highway – 26 mpg US combined
2010 Honda Accord Sedan with 5-speed MT: 22/31 city/highway – 25 mpg US combined.

Good Luck

Wayne