Honda is honoring the 50-year-old Accord with a museum display and special merchandise items. The Accord, which was introduced in May 1976 as an upscale big brother to the Civic, has been a staple in the Honda lineup for decades. It's a car that's practical, efficient, and comfortable, making it a great choice for families. But it's also a car that's long been a little bit more interesting from behind the wheel than you'd expect from a mid-size family sedan.
This year, the Accord celebrates its 50th anniversary, and Honda is throwing it a birthday party. If you're a major Honda fan, one bucket list item you need to check off is a visit to the company's Collection Hall museum at the Motegi racing circuit. The museum is crammed with 150 artifacts from Honda's history, including Soichiro Honda's first Curtiss-powered racing car and Isle of Man TT-winning racing motorcycles.
View Price on AmazonA new display at the museum showcases the history of the Accord badge, with an Ohio-built 1991 Accord wagon and European Accord Type R flanking a display of the various generations. We liked the 1991 Accord a lot, awarding it a 10Best listing, the ninth consecutive time for an Accord since the list was established. The early 1990s were a particular high-water mark for the badge, with the public voting for it with their wallets too. It was the bestselling car in the United States, and when mom and dad finally handed it down to their kids years later, the Accord would spawn a whole new generation of Honda fans.
The current 2026 Accord Hybrid is a perfect example of what made the Accord so beloved. At first glance, it's a typical four-door mid-sizer with a roomy trunk, comfortable ride, and pretty fantastic fuel economy. Give it the spurs, though, and there's a genuine driver's car here under the skin, the kind that'd have Dr. Honda flashing his signature impish grin. It's stayed true to the formula over all these years, with a potent V-6, a manual transmission, and even a coupe form for a little more style.
Source: caranddriver.com
