[bradt93]

Has anyone test drove the SE yet? I know it's not much different from the EX, but is it smoother or about the same as the EX model?

 

[accordinator]

Same engine, same transmission, same suspension, tires are now Hankook on the SE instead of Michelin on most EX's. Slightly more aggressive exterior trim styling, blacked out wheels, rear air vents + rear USB ports, are AFAIK the only differences in the new model.

 

[bradt93]

Same engine, same transmission, same suspension, tires are now Hankook on the SE instead of Michelin on most EX's. Slightly more aggressive exterior trim styling, blacked out wheels, rear air vents + rear USB ports, are AFAIK the only differences in the new model.

I don't think it's the refresh yet isn't it?

 

[Slagmi]

Lost the chrome around the side windows on the EX, which looked sort of out of place anyways since it was the only chrome anywhere on the vehicle except the H and the Accord logo. Hopefully those would be black on the production SE. But on the one I've seen the H's are still chrome. It is not expected to perform or handle any differently, but it will of course handle a bit differently than the hybrid models.

 

[slimm1469]

First thing that came to mind is the head gasket. ??

 

[Bimmer74]

So it's a slight upgrade of the EX (which is no more)?

 

[accordinator]

I don't think it's the refresh yet isn't it?

No, same model. Refresh is predicted for '26 if Honda follows the pattern that they have for the past few generations - but nothing is confirmed.

First thing that came to mind is the head gasket. ??

Nothing on this is shared. Same engine. Maybe Honda has updated something over time to try and address this concern, maybe they haven't.

So it's a slight upgrade of the EX (which is no more)?

Pretty much. It's just a new/replacement trim level.

 

[Accord_Mike]

First thing that came to mind is the head gasket. ??

Are we still stuck on that same old issue? Doesn’t seem to be much of a problem (for the 11th gen) from the service advisors at my local dealer.

 

[Accord_Mike]

Lost the chrome around the side windows on the EX, which looked sort of out of place anyways since it was the only chrome anywhere on the vehicle except the H and the Accord logo. Hopefully those would be black on the production SE. But on the one I've seen the H's are still chrome. It is not expected to perform or handle any differently, but it will of course handle a bit differently than the hybrid models.

The blacked out looks cheaper though. All black moldings and dark wheels have been played out. The chrome accents around the windows on the EX model, highest trim for the 1.5T, added some luxury accent touches like the hybrid models. Now, the only way to get the chrome moldings are the base LX or the more expensive hybrid. The previous EX gave you the same look of the higher priced EX-L. Also, the wheels on the new SE model are dark gray, almost black. So, if want the 1.5T with sunroof and heated seats, you have to get the blacked out SE or step up into the hybrid EX-L.

 

[bradt93]

The blacked out looks cheaper though. All black moldings and dark wheels have been played out. The chrome accents around the windows on the EX model, highest trim for the 1.5T, added some luxury accent touches like the hybrid models. Now, the only way to get the chrome moldings are the base LX or the more expensive hybrid. The previous EX gave you the same look of the higher priced EX-L. Also, the wheels on the new SE model are dark gray, almost black. So, if want the 1.5T with sunroof and heated seats, you have to get the blacked out SE or step up into the hybrid EX-L.

I wish they would make the EXL a gas only model too! It makes more sense actually, 3 trims are gas only, the LX, SE and EXL. 3 are hybrid, Sport, Sport L and Touring. Having just 2 gas models isn't really fair for the customers who want a gas only model with leather interior.

 

[Bimmer74]

Having just 2 gas models isn't really fair for the customers who want a gas only model with leather interior.

Honda is not in business to be fair.

They're in business to make money.

Part of that is appeasing the gov't (and meeting CAFE standards), and they do that best selling hybrids.

Don't like it? Write to your congressman...

 

[datechbpss101]

I wish they would make the EXL a gas only model too! It makes more sense actually, 3 trims are gas only, the LX, SE and EXL. 3 are hybrid, Sport, Sport L and Touring. Having just 2 gas models isn't really fair for the customers who want a gas only model with leather interior.

Please don't give Honda any thoughts about slapping that horrible 1.5T motor into an EX-L.

 

[merseybeat1944]

We have had ours for a week. Exterior fine. Inside another matter. Having problems with dash settings and auto door lock. We'll get there but the setup on our previous 2022 crv was easier.
Forgot to add. Overall the car is excellent.

 

[greg_atlanta]

I test drove an SE after previously driving an EX-L (hybrid). Once you drive the hybrid it's hard to go back. The stop/start mechanism in the SE is much more obvious than the hybrid (where it's difficult to tell when the engine cuts on or off).

 

[RCarlL]

Are we still stuck on that same old issue? Doesn’t seem to be much of a problem (for the 11th gen) from the service advisors at my local dealer.

To be fair, there aren't a lot of higher-mileage 2023-2025 Accords pulling into dealerships yet for service- and the ones that do are likely to be examples that spent most of their life on the highway- and those miles are pretty easy on engines.

The true test will be once we see a fair amount of 2023+ models with 60,000, 70,000, or 100,000 miles on their engines. Hopefully they did- but again, time will tell.

 

[Post911]

Honda killed the whole Honda for life thing for me man,
1.5cc for mid size sedan,
What was honda thinking man????

 

[Dudley]

Honda does not make a 1.5cc engine, but their 1,500 cc engine does very well, and the 2.0 Hybrid does even better. Both are faster than the vast majority of Accords that have been produced over the years. Like for instance a 170 hp 2.7 liter v-6 with a 4 speed automatic. Was that ok because it checked the box for displacement?

 

[accordinator]

You know that it's as much (if not more) about how the car "feels" to the driver whether they perceive it as powerful, responsive, "fun", etc. Maximum acceleration from 0-60 is certainly one measure - and it can be a good one - but it definitely doesn't tell how a car behaves under partial throttle, or any time where a driver isn't wringing it out.

That's why american cars in so many cases have felt like their gas pedal gives 75% acceleration by depressing it with 25% pressure, but when you floor it - it's only a little bit faster. Because it then "feels fast" to those not doing any instrumented testing on it.

Honda's 1.5 and everyone else's tiny 4-cylinder turbo is a good example of this. Those who say that it accelerates just fine, making as much or more power than an equivalent motor of higher displacement a few years ago, are correct. The numbers show it. But if you're driving it when it's out of boost, it feels like a tiny, low-compression 4-cylinder. Some people clearly object to how it feels at that point, while others aren't bothered a whit. The entire drivetrain is tuned so it will feel as good as possible, and the CVT helps keep the boost up, and the turbo is designed to spin up and stay spun up as quickly as possible - but it's still a tiny engine with a turbo, making no power or torque until the turbo allows it to start doing so.

This is always going to be different than a naturally aspirated engine with double the displacement.

The hybrid feels different yet again, where asking for this much acceleration via the pedal translates into this much power from the electric motor, and feels much more like a rheostat/thermostat, than a traditional gas pedal for a moderately powerful car. There is no rush of power as the engine itself speeds up. Again - some people are going to like this just fine, while it really bothers others who are instead looking for a different type of acceleration feel.

Wishing we could just go backwards isn't likely - as small-displacement turbos are almost required now to meet fuel economy and emissions needs - if not for all cars, for most vehicles that automakers sell, while they can still produce larger engines to sell in specialty vehicles and/or trucks, without affecting their manufacturer-wide numbers too badly.

 

[bradt93]

Wonder if Honda will ever add back Sirius to their radios for the Accords?

 

[LARRY70GS]

The hybrid feels different yet again, where asking for this much acceleration via the pedal translates into this much power from the electric motor, and feels much more like a rheostat/thermostat, than a traditional gas pedal for a moderately powerful car. There is no rush of power as the engine itself speeds up. Again - some people are going to like this just fine, while it really bothers others who are instead looking for a different type of acceleration feel.

Agreed, Honda did a very nice job with the Hybrid powertrain. The electric motor gives you all the torque up front. It is less impressive when you nail it from part throttle for this reason, but for 99% of driving situations, that is just fine. You have plenty of power when you need it.