2024 Honda Accord is hybrid-only for new model in Japan, Australian plans unclear

The future of the Honda Accord in right-hand drive has been locked in, as the sedan is announced for Japan with hybrid power – but there is no word on plans for it to come to Australia.

Overnight Honda in Japan revealed its version of the new Accord – unveiled last year in its US-built form for North America in November 2022. 

While the Japanese-delivered Honda Accord adopts a slightly revised front fascia compared to its US counterpart, the biggest change is its right-hand-drive layout – opening up the possibility for the new-generation sedan to be sold in Australia.

However, a spokesperson for Honda Australia told Drive it has no plans to announce for the new Accord locally.

It is unclear if the Japanese model will be built in Japan, or will come from the Thai plant that currently produces the vehicle for Australia and South-East Asian markets.

Despite being offered with two engines in the US – a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder or a non-turbo 2.0-litre hybrid – Japanese examples of the Honda Accord will only be available with electrified power.

Japanese outputs are yet to be confirmed, but the same engine and dual electric motor layout produces 152kW and 335Nm in US-delivered examples.

The Honda Accord is available with the choice of five colours and the option of two appearance packages: Touring Line (18-inch wheels, silver and grey highlights) or Sports Line (19-inch wheels, black highlights).

Inside, the sedan is equipped with a 12.3-inch touchscreen – incorporating Google software, over-the-air software updates, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – and a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster.

Additional changes compared to the US-specification Honda Accord include an ‘Experience Selection Dial’ – allowing occupants to scroll through the infotainment system’s functions – and a push-button gear selector, rather than the traditional stick method.

From 2025, Japanese Accord buyers will be able to take their hands off the steering wheel while driving due to planned upgrades to Honda’s ‘Sensing 360’ advanced driver assistance system.

As standard, the Honda Accord is equipped with autonomous emergency braking (with pedestrian, cyclist and motorcycle detection), long-range blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, and traffic jam assist.

The 2024 Honda Accord will go on sale in Japan from December 2023, with deliveries due to begin from March to May 2024.

Do you think Honda Australia should sell the new Accord? Let us know in the comments below.