cars news 10: 2017 Honda Accord Adds Value-Oriented Sport Special Edition

Honda announced pricing for the 2017 Accord lineup today, and along with it comes a new Sport Special Edition model that brings more standard features. Base 2017 Honda Accord LX sedans start at $23,190 while the coupe starts at $1,670 more.

The new Sport Special Edition trim begins at $26,250 when equipped with the standard six-speed manual transmission or $27,050 with the optional CVT. Additional standard features included in the Accord Sport Special Edition are leather seats with red stitching, heated seats, and a “Special Edition” badge.

Honda has also kept the unicorn trim (read: enthusiast’s pick), the V-6-powered Accord Coupe with a six-speed manual, in the lineup so that there’s still an Accord that can mix it up with the best of them on stop light drag races. However, that will cost you a cool $32,010 should you decide to pull the trigger and go for the rarely-seen V-6 model with a slick-shifting stick.

The rest of the Accord lineup remains unchanged for 2017 since it received a full refresh last year. That update added a new range-topping Touring trim with full LED headlights. A new infotainment system, which is also used on the Pilot and the 2016 Civic, is also available and comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The Honda Sensing suite of active safety features can be had on all trim levels except the new Sport Special Edition model.

Under the hood, a 185-189-hp 2.4-liter inline-four comes standard with a choice of a six-speed manual or CVT. A 278-hp 3.5-liter V-6 is also available and can be paired exclusively to a six-speed automatic in the sedan. Accord Coupes powered by the optional V-6 engine can be paired to a six-speed manual or automatic. A newly refreshed Accord Hybrid sedan was also recently announced with more power from a revised powertrain that pairs a 2.0-liter inline-four with an electric motor.

Fuel economy for the 2017 Accord sedan is 23/32 mpg city/highway for four-cylinder models with the stick, 26/34 mpg for the CVT-equipped Sport trims, and 27/36 mpg for the LX, EX, and EX-L variants with the CVT. Opting for the V-6 drops those numbers down to 21/33 mpg. The Accord Coupe is slightly less efficient at 23/32 mpg with the standard 2.4-liter inline-four paired to the manual and 26/34 mpg with the CVT. Coupes with the V-6 are rated at 18/28 mpg with the manual and 21/32 mpg with the automatic.

Source: Honda