Drinking From the Fountain of Youth: Honda’s Timeless Sedans in 2023

Did you know that Honda’s American branch only had a team of eight when it opened its doors in 1959? Honda quickly proved that it wasn’t the size of its staff but its heart and ingenuity that mattered. As the automaker found its footing with its motorcycles, it turned its attention to the automobile industry and debuted its first car, the N600 hatchback, in 1970. This hatchback set the stage for the Civic and Accord, two long-running nameplates we know and love today.

The Civic and Accord continue to define the Honda lineup and are staples on our lot here at Klein Honda, your Honda dealer in Everett, WA. These cars embody everything Honda stands for. In an industry defined by excess and expense, Honda takes a different approach, offering a lineup of expertly packaged sedans that are thoughtfully designed. What does this lineup look like in 2023, over six decades after a team of eight arrived in America with a dream to transform the land of the free and home of the brave?

Introducing the Honda Civic

The Civic overturned the American automotive industry when it debuted in 1972 as a three-door hatchback. Much to everyone’s surprise, the Civic’s small footprint didn’t hinder its performance or driving demeanor. Instead, it enhanced it, with Honda outfitting the Civic with a capable powertrain that guaranteed its agility and economy. American drivers instantly fell in love. Improving with each generation, the Civic has aged gracefully over the years to become the face of the Honda sedan family.

Meet the 2023 Civic

The 2023 Civic continues this legacy, celebrating its rich heritage. Like its predecessors, the current Civic blends practicality and ingenuity. Its starting price is impressive and gets you behind the wheel of the Civic Sport, with a 158 hp engine that you can tailor to your driving needs through Honda’s three-mode driving system. Moreover, the Sport does an exceptional job of laying the foundation for the rest of the lineup. It comes with smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and the renowned Honda Sensing suite with a Collision Mitigation Braking System, Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow, and a Road Departure Mitigation System.

Climbing up the Civic lineup improves your experience in the driver’s seat. For example, the Civic EX swaps the standard engine for a 180 hp turbocharged powerplant and adds amenities like heated front seats, a one-touch power moonroof, and dual-zone automatic climate control. Honda also extends its driver-assist technology by adding a Blind Spot Information System, a feature shared with the top-tier Touring trim. As expected, the Touring exudes luxury and ingenuity with its leather-trimmed seats, Bose premium sound system, wireless phone charging, and wireless Apple CarPlay integration.

Meet the 2023 Civic Si

In the Honda realm, “Si” is synonymous with performance, and the 2023 Civic Si is no exception. First introduced in 1984 for the Japanese market, the Civic Si continues its reign as a road warrior thirsty for speed. Honda outfits the 2023 speed demon with a 1.5L turbocharged four-cylinder engine that delivers 200 hp and a six-speed manual transmission that gives drivers a physical connection to the sedan’s performance. Additions like the helical limited-slip differential transform the practical sedan into a corner-carving beast that begs for more.

The Civic Si’s need for speed isn’t limited to what’s under the hood but is reflected in its exterior and interior styling. It immediately distinguishes itself with its 18-inch matte-black wheels and gloss-black decklid spoiler. Inside, the cockpit is a racer’s dream. The exclusive Si seats feature red stitching and provide exceptional comfort at any speed, while the panoramic windshield improves visibility, and the one-touch power moonroof delivers an open-air driving experience. The combination is exquisite and transforms the practical sedan into a road-worthy powerhouse destined for winding backroads.

Introducing the Honda Accord

The Civic established Honda’s footing in America, with drivers clamoring to get behind the wheel of the compact hatchback renowned for its fun driving demeanor. However, Honda refused to rest on its laurels and developed a larger model to complement its compact car. By the late 1970s, Americans saw another wave of Honda ingenuity at its finest with the debut of the first-generation Accord. This model set a new benchmark for Honda sedans with its responsiveness, handling, and innovative technology.

Meet the 2023 Accord

The 2023 Accord ushers in the eleventh generation of Honda’s midsize sedan, a fitting celebration of its success in the Honda lineup over the last five decades. The newest Accord introduces a more sophisticated design, stretching longer than its predecessors to enhance its confident stance and sleek silhouette. These improvements mimic the Accord’s updated interior, which blends modern elements, like expansive digital displays, smartphone integration, and Google Assistant, with sporty details and bold lines that reflect the Accord’s evolution into a modern chariot.

Honda also made several updates to the Accord’s powertrain lineup, merging the formerly separate turbocharged and hybrid models. The starting LX and EX trims now feature a 1.5L turbocharged engine and Honda’s proven continuously variable transmission that balances power output with efficiency. The result is impressive, with the Accord producing 192 hp while sipping fuel. Drivers can optimize performance using selectable drive modes, which include Normal and Econ.

Meet the 2023 Accord Hybrid

You’ll find more ways to tailor the Accord’s power to your driving needs when you opt for the Sport, EX-L, Sport-L, or Touring trims of the 2023 Accord. These all come standard with Honda’s updated hybrid powertrain that delivers 247 lb-ft of torque, making it the most powerful Accord Hybrid in history. Moreover, Honda gives you outstanding control over this power output with two additional drive modes: Sport and Individual. Regardless of mode, the Accord Hybrid modestly sips fuel.

While many hybrids are considered boring, the Accord’s exceptional hybrid powertrain makes driving fun and engaging, which is why it is found in the sportier trims. This experience is enhanced by the Accord’s elegant interior and expansive suite of features, conveniences, and technologies. These features overlap between the base and hybrid trims, adding incredible value to Honda’s midsize sedan. So, what can you expect from the 2023 Accord’s interior?

Once you climb in the driver’s seat, you’ll find everything necessary to stay connected, comfortable, and informed. These comforts vary across the Accord’s lineup. Trims like the Sport lay a solid foundation for the fleet with its leather-wrapped steering wheel, the largest touchscreen display in Honda history, and wireless smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Moving up the lineup adds features like leather seating, parking sensors at the front and rear, a memory driver’s seat, and sportier wheels. You’ll also find the Honda Sensing suite is a staple across the Accord family.

Honda’s Ageless Sedans

The Civic and Accord are two of the longest-running nameplates in Honda history, a result of drinking from the automaker’s fountain of youth decades ago. While other models come and go, these best-selling sedans are truly ageless, defying every standard in the segment and reaching new heights with each new generation. However, while they might be enduring entries in their respective classes, they refuse to settle for the status quo and continuously exceed driver expectations. It’s no surprise why Honda sedans remain well-respected among American drivers of all ages.