2024 Honda Accord hybrid: Toyota Camry rival confirmed for Australia

Honda’s 11th-gen Accord was launched in North America way back in November 2022, before being confirmed for Japan in September last year, and now (finally!) officially coming to Australia.

The hybrid-only Accord will launch in the second quarter of this year (April-June inclusive) in a single sporty e:HEV RS trim.

Pricing is yet to be confirmed for the Hyundai Sonata and Toyota Camry rival, though we expect it to carry a premium over the smaller Civic hybrid ($55,000 DA) and land around $60-65K drive-away.

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The Accord nameplate first appeared on Australian shores in 1977 and struck gold for Honda, becoming the first Japanese vehicle to win the coveted Wheels Car of the Year award in the same year.

“The Honda Accord has a rich history in the Australian market as a sophisticated, luxurious flagship model which has been a customer favorite since its arrival in 1977”, said Honda Australia director Carolyn McMahon.

The Accord e:HEV RS uses Honda’s fourth-gen hybrid system. Different from the layout used in the Civic, it’s the same as the new CR-V’s powertrain with a 2.0-litre Atkinson cycle petrol engine at its core and twin electric motors for total outputs of 152kW and 335Nm.

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This is what the Accord's interior looks like in Japan

It rides on an updated version of Honda’s Global Architecture, measures 4970mm long, 1860mm wide, 1450mm tall and rides on an unchanged (from the 10th-gen) 2830mm wheelbase.

Inside, there’s updated technology with built-in Google running on the 12.3-inch central touchscreen and a 10.2-inch digital driver’s display for road information.

Honda describes the new Accord’s proportions as “premium” and notes its new broad stance.

The Thai market e:HEV RS features adaptive cruise control, AEB, 18-inch alloy wheels, active LED headlights, a sunroof, black styling package, leather-accented upholstery, power seats, Bose 12-speaker sound system, and more.

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Honda Australia has yet to confirm where it will source Accord production (it’s built in the United States, China, and now Thailand) however, Thailand is most likely.

The local arm has never taken vehicles from plants in China (though the UK has) and the United States only produces left-hand drive models. Making it more obvious is that the e:HEV RS trim level matches the top rung variant of Thailand’s three-strong line-up.

Last year, Honda sold just 144 Accords for a meagre 1.0 per cent share in the medium sedan under $60K segment. If the new model is priced right, the new Accord will likely grow in popularity but not enough to topple the segment-leading Toyota Camry (10,581).