The Honda Accord, a perennial favourite in the mid-size sedan segment, underwent minor refinements between the 2016 vs 2017 Honda Accord. While the core strengths of the Accord remained unchanged – namely, its refined driving dynamics, fuel efficiency, and spacious interior – subtle differences emerged.
These alterations primarily focused on enhancing driver convenience and safety features. The 2017 model saw the introduction of subtle exterior styling tweaks and an expanded availability of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) across the trim levels.
This guide will delve into the key distinctions between these two model years, helping potential buyers make an informed decision.
Table of Contents
The Pre-Facelift Contender: A Detailed Look at the 2016 Honda Accord
The 2016 Honda Accord represents a solid and dependable option in the used car market. It sits as part of a well-established generation, offering a blend of practicality, reliability, and a decent level of features. Before the subtle changes arrived in the following model year, it had become a firm favourite with UK drivers. This section will explore this particular version in more detail, looking at its strengths and what it offers to potential buyers.
Position in the Accord Lineage
The 2016 model year marks a point in the Accord’s life cycle before its mid-generation facelift. It embodies the design language and features of its time, offering a slightly different overall package than the 2017 version.
This difference in styling can make it a particularly appealing model for those seeking a slightly more understated look. It has also had time to establish itself on the used car market, meaning that there are usually a good number of them available at reasonable prices.
Engine Options: A Blend of Performance and Efficiency
Under the bonnet, the 2016 Honda Accord typically offered a selection of engine options designed to cater to a range of drivers. Both petrol and diesel units were usually available, but this would depend on the specific model and market that the car was supplied for.
These engines were praised for their smooth performance and efficiency, a common characteristic of Honda’s engineering. The engine choices provide an adequate blend of performance and economy, which is what a lot of buyers are looking for in this type of vehicle. It is important to check the specifications of your specific model to find out which engine it has.
Trim Levels: Catering to Various Budgets and Needs
Honda often offers the Accord in a range of trim levels, each with its own set of features and equipment. Typically, the entry-level versions provide a good amount of standard equipment, such as alloy wheels, air conditioning, electric windows, and a basic infotainment system.
Moving up through the trim levels, buyers will often see upgrades such as leather upholstery, enhanced sound systems, larger alloy wheels, parking sensors and enhanced safety equipment. Each trim level has its own merits and will appeal to different types of buyers.
Technology and Infotainment: Staying Connected on the Road
The 2016 Accord was equipped with a decent level of technology for its time, aimed at enhancing the driving experience and keeping drivers connected. The infotainment system usually includes a touchscreen display with various media options, including radio, CD player, and USB ports.
Smartphone connectivity, such as Bluetooth, was also often standard, allowing for hands-free calling and audio streaming. Higher trim levels may include sat nav systems and further connectivity options. The technology on offer in the car is usually well laid out and is easy to use.
Interior Design and Comfort: A Practical Approach
The interior design of the 2016 Accord is focused on practicality and comfort. The cabin is generally spacious, offering good amounts of legroom and headroom for both front and rear passengers. The materials are usually hard-wearing, with durable fabrics and plastic trims designed to withstand daily use. The seating is often supportive and comfortable, ideal for longer journeys. The cabin is well-designed, and all the main controls are easily accessible to the driver.
Exterior Styling: Understated Elegance
The 2016 Accord usually presents an understated exterior design. Its clean lines and relatively subtle styling give it a more mature and professional appearance. The front end has a distinct Honda grille and headlight design, and the side profile offers a sleek and relatively understated silhouette. It is a car that has been designed to be functional and practical as much as it has been designed for style.
Reliability: Honda’s Reputation for Dependability
The Honda Accord is well known for its reliability, and the 2016 model is usually no exception. The engines and gearboxes are usually considered to be very robust, and owners rarely report any significant mechanical problems. Servicing is usually easy to come by, and parts are readily available. It is important to make sure that the car has been well maintained before purchasing.
Refined and Relevant: Delving Deeper into the 2017 Honda Accord
Having briefly touched upon the 2017 Honda Accord, it’s now time to delve deeper into its specific features, design enhancements, and overall appeal. This section will provide a comprehensive overview of the 2017 model, focusing on what makes it a compelling choice in the used car market, especially for discerning British buyers.
The Subtle Facelift: Enhancing the Accord’s Appeal
The 2017 model year brought a well-timed refresh to the Accord, ensuring its continued relevance in an increasingly competitive market. This wasn’t a radical overhaul but rather a series of subtle yet significant enhancements designed to improve both its aesthetic appeal and its technological sophistication.
These refinements help to make the 2017 model more desirable than its predecessors. The improvements are subtle enough to keep the overall aesthetic but sharp enough to notice a difference.
Exterior Design: A Modernised Front End
The most noticeable changes to the exterior of the 2017 Accord are usually concentrated around the front end. The grille is often redesigned, usually featuring a new shape and more prominent chrome accents, giving the car a more sophisticated appearance.
The headlights are often redesigned, and the inclusion of LED technology gives the car a more modern aesthetic. These changes combined give the 2017 model a sharper and more refined look. The changes are well thought out and work well with the overall shape of the car.
Interior Design and Comfort: A Focus on Refinement
Inside the cabin, the 2017 Accord often sees minor upgrades, with a focus on material quality and user-friendly features. The dashboard layout may be revised, often to accommodate the updated infotainment system. The use of higher-quality materials, such as soft-touch plastics and more premium fabrics, gives the interior a more luxurious feeling.
Seating will usually be supportive and comfortable, making the car ideal for longer journeys, with plenty of space for both front and rear passengers. The subtle upgrades to the interior make the 2017 model stand out as a more refined vehicle.
Infotainment and Technology: Enhanced Connectivity
The infotainment system was a significant focus of the 2017 update. The car will usually feature an upgraded touchscreen with improved graphics and more intuitive menus. The inclusion of smartphone integration through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto offers seamless connectivity.
Features like sat nav, DAB radio, and Bluetooth connectivity will also be included depending on the trim level. These updates made the 2017 Accord a more technology-focused vehicle than its predecessor. The enhanced connectivity brings the car up to date with modern requirements.
Engine Options: A Blend of Performance and Efficiency
The engine options available in the 2017 model usually remain relatively unchanged from the 2016 model, with both petrol and diesel options available, depending on the specific market.
These engines are known for their blend of performance and economy, making the car suitable for a range of driving requirements. Specific details of your particular model should always be checked. The engineering is typically robust and reliable, which ensures the longevity and dependability of these units.
Safety Features: Advanced Driver Assistance Systems
Safety is usually paramount in modern car design, and the 2017 Accord has an upgraded suite of driver assistance systems. This might include features such as lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking. These systems aim to enhance safety on the road and help to provide peace of mind for drivers. The additional safety equipment makes the car even more appealing than the previous model.
Trim Levels: A Range of Options
Honda usually offers the Accord in a range of trim levels, each providing a different blend of features and equipment. Entry-level versions will typically have a decent level of standard equipment, with the higher trim levels adding more premium features. Options such as leather upholstery, sunroofs, upgraded sound systems, and parking sensors will usually be present on higher-specification vehicles. Specific features will vary between models.
Spotting the Differences: A Head-to-Head Comparison of the 2016 Vs 2017 Honda Accord
Having explored the individual merits of both the 2016 and 2017 Honda Accord, it’s time to place them side-by-side and highlight the key distinctions. This comparison will focus on the areas where the two models diverge, providing potential buyers with a clear picture of their differences. This should help potential buyers decide which model year will suit their needs.
Exterior Styling: A Subtle Evolution
The most notable differences between the two models are usually in their exterior styling, particularly at the front. The 2017 Accord often features a redesigned front grille with a more pronounced design and chrome accents. The headlights on the 2017 model are usually updated, often incorporating LED elements for a more modern look.
The front bumper usually receives a redesign, too, often featuring revised fog light surrounds. The changes are usually subtle but combine to provide a slightly more modern overall aesthetic. At the rear, the taillights will often be updated, too, but these will usually be a more subtle update.
Interior Design and Features: Incremental Improvements
Inside, the differences between the two models are usually more subtle, with only minor revisions to the dashboard layout, centre console, and materials used. The most significant changes usually revolve around the infotainment system. The 2017 model usually boasts a larger touch screen, improved menu layouts and enhanced smartphone connectivity.
Whilst both offer comfortable and spacious cabins, the 2017 version will usually feel more modern and up-to-date. The improved user interface will usually enhance the overall driving experience for the 2017 version.
Performance and Engine Options: Consistency is Key
The range of engine options usually remains relatively consistent between the two model years. Both petrol and diesel options will usually be available and will usually offer similar levels of performance and economy.
Minor tweaks may have been made to the engines for improved economy and emissions, but these will usually be minimal. Both models offer a good level of performance for the type of car that they are. The focus was usually more on improving features and technology rather than making any major changes to the engines.
Technology and Infotainment: A Clear Advantage for 2017
Technology is an area where the 2017 Accord usually has a clear advantage. The updated infotainment system with a larger touch screen enhanced user interface, and smartphone connectivity through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto makes it a more contemporary vehicle.
The 2016 model usually has a more basic infotainment system, lacking some of the advanced features of the later version. The enhanced connectivity of the 2017 model makes it more desirable for those wanting an up-to-date in-car experience.
Safety Systems: Enhanced Driver Assistance
Both models are usually equipped with a range of safety systems, but the 2017 usually has the benefit of enhanced driver-assistance technology. This usually includes features such as lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking.
These additions enhance safety and add a higher level of driver assistance for the 2017 model. The additional safety features make the 2017 model more desirable than the previous version.
Practicality and Space: Largely Unchanged
The overall practicality and interior space remain relatively unchanged between both the 2016 and 2017 models. Both models offer spacious cabins, and the boot size remains largely the same, too. These areas weren’t a key focus of the updates between the two models. Both versions will usually be ideal for families and for general day-to-day use.
Reliability and Common Problems: A Similar Story
Honda is well known for building robust and reliable vehicles, and both the 2016 and 2017 models share this reputation. Owner feedback tends to be very similar between both model years. It is important to check owner reviews and look for any known specific issues with both versions. For the most part, both models share the same level of dependability.
The Bottom Line: Assessing the Price and Value of the 2016 and 2017 Honda Accord
When purchasing a used car, price and value are often at the forefront of any buyer’s mind. This section will explore the typical pricing for used 2016 and 2017 Honda Accords in the UK, along with an analysis of the value each model offers, considering their features, reliability, and overall condition. This is designed to help you make the most informed decision possible.
Typical Pricing for Used 2016 Honda Accords in the UK
The used car market is obviously subject to frequent changes; however, the 2016 Honda Accord tends to fall into a certain price bracket. As a general rule, you can often expect to find examples in good condition at a slightly lower price than a 2017 model. The exact price will depend on the car’s mileage, trim level, engine type, and overall condition.
Cars with higher mileage and a lower trim level will usually be at the bottom end of the price range, with low mileage high-specification models usually being at the top end. It’s wise to shop around and consider a few different examples before making a final decision.
Typical Pricing for Used 2017 Honda Accords in the UK
The 2017 model year usually commands a slightly higher price than the 2016 version. This is usually a reflection of its subtle styling updates, upgraded technology, and safety features, which can make it a more desirable option for some buyers.
Like the 2016 version, the prices will vary depending on condition, mileage, trim level and any additional features. As a general rule, the 2017 models will usually be a little bit more expensive than the previous model. You can expect a variation in prices between different examples.
Value Proposition: What Are You Paying For?
Assessing the value of both model years requires consideration of more than just the purchase price. The 2016 Accord offers a very dependable and practical car that has a good reputation for reliability. It will usually represent a lower entry point for a used example of the Accord.
The 2017 version, on the other hand, will usually command a higher initial purchase price, but it also comes with the benefit of subtle styling updates, more contemporary technology, and often more advanced safety features. When choosing between the two models, you should factor in what you actually need from your car, as well as what your budget is.
Considering Trim Levels and Optional Extras
The trim level and additional options will usually have a significant impact on the price. Higher trim levels with additional features, such as sat nav, leather upholstery and enhanced sound systems, usually command a premium over lower trim levels with less equipment. When considering a used car, it is important to factor in all of these variables when making your decision and weigh up what you actually need from your car.
Depreciation: How They Hold Their Value
Honda vehicles generally tend to hold their value quite well, and both the 2016 and 2017 Accords are usually no exception to this. However, as with all vehicles, depreciation is inevitable, but Hondas tend to depreciate less than some of their competitors. Considering the long-term ownership costs will help you make the best decision based on your budget and requirements. Checking reliability surveys can usually help with the overall ownership costs.
Running Costs: Fuel, Insurance and Maintenance
When assessing the overall cost of vehicle ownership, it is also important to factor in insurance, servicing and fuel costs. These costs are likely to be similar for both model years, and both are usually very efficient vehicles.
Insurance costs can vary depending on a number of different variables, and fuel consumption will depend on how the car is driven and the model chosen. Servicing costs are usually quite reasonable for both vehicles. Factoring in all of these points will help with any decision-making process.
Making the Right Choice for Your Budget
Choosing between the 2016 and 2017 models will usually depend on your budget and preferences. The 2016 model is usually a more cost-effective option, whereas the 2017 model offers additional features at a slightly higher initial purchase price. Considering your own personal preferences and budget will usually help you decide which car will suit you best. Both represent good value for money in the used car market.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both the 2016 and 2017 Honda Accords offer good value in the used market. The 2016 model is usually more affordable, while the 2017 boasts updated tech and styling, usually commanding a slightly higher price. Consider your budget, desired features and priorities to determine which model best fits your needs.