The Honda Accord Turns 50 — and Its Next Chapter Might Be Its Sportiest Yet

The first Honda Accord arrived in June 1976 as a two-door hatchback roughly 163 inches long, powered by a carbureted 1.6-liter inline-four making 68 horsepower and 85 lb-ft of torque. Fifty years later, the nameplate has sold more than 25 million units across over 160 countries, with nearly 15 million of those in the US alone — the kind of number that makes it one of the best-selling nameplates in American automotive history, not just a long-running Honda.

"This is the 50th anniversary and we're really excited about it. We have over 15 million cars sold." — Andrew McLallen, American Honda

The Accord was also the first Honda — and the first vehicle from any Japanese automaker — built in the United States, at the company's Marysville, Ohio plant, which has produced roughly 13 million of them since. Honda marked the anniversary with a commemorative exhibit at its Collection Hall at Mobility Resort Motegi. "This is the 50th anniversary and we're really excited about it. We have over 15 million cars sold," said Andrew McLallen of American Honda.

What comes next is the more interesting question. Honda has previewed a fastback hybrid concept that many read as a signal for the next Accord's direction, and Honda VP of Auto Strategy Gary Robinson has said as much directly: "I think you're going to see an increased emphasis on the sporty side as we move forward." For a nameplate whose reputation has mostly been built on reliability and sensible practicality rather than driving excitement, that's a notable pivot to flag fifty years in.