Honda | Media Newsroom

Overview

The all-new 1998 Accord is the fifth redesign of one of America's most popular canines and the most-changed single model in its 22-year history. It boasts more room (a true mid-size interior), more performance, more comfort and more features than any previous generation. Combined with its Honda reputation for durability, quality and reliability, the new Accord re-establishes itself as the benchmark of the auto industry's most competitive segment.

The 1998 Accord is available in two bodystyles: a sporty new Coupe and an elegant four-door Sedan. Five different trim levels are available: DX (Sedan only), LX, EX, V-6 LX and V-6 EX. Both the Coupe and Sedan bodies are com-pletely new, with distinctive styling that distinguishes each from the other. Each body provides even greater structural rigidity, and has been designed to meet current U.S. safety standards for occupant protection. In addition to front-, rear- and side-impact protection, the new body features extensive offset-frontal impact protection. Lap/Shoulder seat belts are used at all seating positions, including the middle-rear position, and dual airbags are standard.

New 3.0-Liter, V-6 Engine
An all-new, 200-horsepower, aluminum-alloy, 3.0-liter, V-6 engine is available in LX and EX sedans and coupes. This engine is Honda's first V-6 to use VTEC (Honda Variable valve Timing and valve lift Electronic Control system) cylinder heads and has been tuned to deliver optimum torque over a broad range of engine speeds. The result is broad, smooth torque distribution. Its 60-degree V angle and extensive noise and vibration engineering make it exceptionally smooth. In addition, the new V-6 is quiet and the most compact and powerful v-6 in its class. Engines sold in California models meet California TLEV(Transitional Low-Emission Vehicle) standards.

Completely Re-engineered 2.3-Liter Engine
A 2.3-liter, aluminum-alloy, in-line 4-cylinder engine with a VTEC cylinder head is standard on the Accord LX and EX models. (DX models retain the non-VTEC 16-valve head.) This is the first time VTEC has been used on LX models.

The 2.3-liter engine is a complete redesign and boasts more power, less vibration and better fuel efficiency than its predecessor. In addition, the VTEC LX and EX versions meet California's LEV (Low-Emission Vehicle) standards. When paired with an automatic transmission, the 4-cylinder Accord EX will be the first mass-produced gasoline engine in the world to meet California's demanding ULEV (Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle) standards.

New Chassis Features 5-Link Double Wishbone Rear Suspension
The Accord's new chassis gives it an exceptionally smooth ride and precise, stable handling. The chassis features a new 5-link double wishbone rear sus-pension and a redesigned double wishbone front suspension, combined with innovative front and rear subframes that yield a high degree of isolation from vibration.

Larger Mid-Size Class Interior
The redesigned interior moves the sedan into the mid-size category and exhibits a high level of quality in its materials and finish. Headroom, shoulder room and legroom all have increased, especially for rear passengers, making this Accord a true mid-size, five-passenger vehicle.

Entry and exit are easier and the front and rear seats have been redesigned to have more comfort and support. Outward visibility has been enhanced and the instrument panel is a new design, incorporating the latest Honda ergonomic design details, such as higher-placed, easier-to-reach controls. The instruments and gauges are also new and are easier to see and read.

More Standard Luxury and Convience Features
The popular LX and EX models have a long list of standard features, such as cruise control, power windows, mirrors and door locks, an Immobilizer theft-deterrent system and an AM/FM stereo (cassette models are standard on the DX and LX and a CD player is standard on the EX). Several new features have been added as standard equipment this year, including a Micron-Air filtration air-conditioning system (LX and EX), automatic heating and air conditioning on V-6 EX models, dual front and rear manual seat height adjustments on LX mod-els, power height adjustment on 4-cylinder EX models, and an 8-way power seat on V-6 LX and EX models. Variable intermittent wipers (LX and EX), automatic headlights-off function and HomeLink remote control are standard on V-6 EX models.

The following is a list of new features and engineering in the 1998 Accord:

More Storage and Utility
Interior storage and utility space has been increased, with a large 0.29-cu. ft. glove compartment and additional compartments in the center console. LX and EX models provide front and rear map pockets, overhead sunglass storage, a fold-down rear seatback and a separate fold-down center armrest that incorpo-rates additional beverage holders and a lockable pass-through to the trunk.

The Coupe model also features a large, convenient pull-out hook in the rear headliner for hanging garments and beverage holders built into both rear-seat armrests.

Trunk storage has been increased to 14.1 cu. ft. There are additional built-in storage pockets in the trunk. The EX Coupe features a repositionable cargo net. A fold-out apron to protect clothing from soiling when reaching into the trunk is available as a dealer-installed option.