Spotlight of the Week 1996 Honda Accord V6

The vote is in and the First Spotlight of the week is the 1996 Honda Accord V6.

After a remodel in 1994, the 1996 Honda Accord received a brief refresh over the previous model year in the front and rear fascia, in addition to a few tech upgrades. The changes loosen up the lines of the car making it look softer looking than the previous year. The inside of the Accord stayed pretty much the same, as the 1995 version, except for the addition of a compliant OBD-II port that was mandated by the US government.

Exterior:
Weighing in at a 3,285 lbs and 188.4" long, 70.1" wide and 55.3" tall the 1996 Honda Accord V6 fits snugly in the mid-size car category. Even though it is a sedan, the Accord still holds some of coupe like design with a long hood and short trunk. The reflector beam headlights help make this car standout as a higher-class car compared to many of the cars during the mid 90's, which still had the Fresnel lens headlights. Standard features that are notable also include a sunroof along with an optional the wing on back.

Exterior of a Honda Accord V6

Interior:
Once inside the Accord, the interior is reminiscent of most mid-90's vehicles. The plastic dashboard materials, flat black gauges and controls all scream 90's car. The console layout is comfortable for reaching the radio and climate controls and the gauges are easy to read. The floor shifter relates information about gear back up to the dash do the driver doesn't need to glance down to see if they are in drive or second.

Interior of a Honda Accord V6

Powertrain:

Loaded with a 2.7L DOHC V6 engine that's rated for about 170 hp and 165 lbs of torque, the accord delivers this adequate power through a 4-speed automatic to the front wheels. To note the transmission is known for its hard shifts that can be sometimes reminiscent of a poorly shifted manual transmission.


Thoughts:
Overall, the 1996 Honda Accord is a nice looking vehicle. It has many details that stand out as a more expensive car for its time. The ride is good not spectacular but just good. At times, it could be described as harsh when going over rough roads, but overall it delivers good feedback to the driver. Really, the only complaint I have is the passenger seat legroom is a tad cramped but that more of a preference over anything.


Price:
Then: MSRP-$25,100

Now: $4,475-$5,700 Kelly Blue book

-DK