Honda announced new ADAS, connected car, remote and safety features for the Honda Accord that went on sale in late August. These features show the latest trend in advanced safety features becoming available in affordable family sedans like the Hyundai Sonata.
The Accord is considered a full-size car and all Honda Accord models have a i-MID with 8-Inch (800×480) screen. Honda announced that iPhone CarPlay will be available in future models, it is not clear if the present systems can or will be upgraded to CarPlay. Honda originally announced CarPlay coming in 2014 and recently pushed back the delivery of CarPlay to 2015.
With HomeLink on Honda Accord/Coupe EX-L and EX-L with navigation, remote functions can be operated from the car. HomeLink allows the driver to set up remote codes for up to three systems such as garage doors, home security and more. Therefore a Honda could open the garage door, turn on the lights and shut off the garage alarm, early.
In the EX-L and Touring model Honda Accord have HondaLink that uses Aha to create live audible, personalized radio stations, and check out restaurant reviews. It lets drivers hear updates and news feeds from Facebook and Twitter. Aha content is in the cloud, streamed from a compatible iPhone or Androd smartphone required.
All 2015 Honda Accord models come with a standard rearview camera, Bluetooth, SMS and steering wheel control buttons.
Some models(EX-L) offer Forward Collision Warning (FCW). A camera on the front windshield or, in the case of the Touring model, a radar system in the front grille can detect vehicles in front of the car. When the FCW system calculates a collison risk, it immediately activates visual and/or audible alerts (EX-L and above). Honda notes on its website FCW does not include a braking function. The driver remains responsible for safely operating vehicle and avoiding collisions.
Honda Lane Watch (EX and higher) monitors blind spots with a camera. The camera shows the right side of the road from a camera mounted on the passenger side mirror. Video will be shown on the 8″ screen when initiated by the driver or when the right signals is activated.
Another feature for EX-L Accords is an auto-dimming rearview mirror, that detects bright lights behind the car and dims the mirror.
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) uses a camera mounted at the top of the front windshield that tracks lane markings on the road, and it can detect when the driver is making an un-indicated lane departure (EX-L and above). Visual alerts light up on the driver’s instrument panel and an audible warning is heard.
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) is standard on all Accord models. During an understeer or oversteer condition, it can brake individual wheels and/or reduce engine power to help restore the intended course.
All Honda Accord models have electronic remote trunk release.
The base model Honda Accord starts at around $22,000. The 2015 Accord Hybrid, with Honda’s Intelligent Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD) two-motor hybrid system, has a starting MSRP of $29,305.