Honda Accord at 50: see all 11 generations, including the one made in Canada

The first Honda Accord debuted globally and in Canada in 1976. In 1986 it became the first Honda vehicle produced in Ontario.

2026 Honda Accord — *Today’s Honda Accord is a midsize sedan but it came in various body styles over its 50 years. – Honda Canada photo*

The Honda Accord has come a long way from its humble beginning as a small two-door hatchback.

The original debuted globally and in Canada in 1976 – 50 years ago.

Today, the 11th generation Accord is a midsize sedan that leans on the luxury side, but over five decades the car had been available in sedan, coupe, wagon and hatchback body styles.

“For half a century the Honda Accord has cemented its legacy as one of the world’s most fun-to-drive, versatile, stylish and reliable cars ever built,” said Emile Korkor, assistant vice president, Honda Canada, in a news release.

“Today’s Accord is packed with standard features, advanced technology and a powerful and fuel-efficient Honda hybrid powerplant. And the future looks bright, with the Accord evolving and remaining a leader in its class for the next 50 years.”

The car was produced in Canada for a while too.

Honda Accord rolls off Alliston assembly line n 1986 — *The first Honda Accord made in Alliston rolls off the assembly line in November of 1986. – Honda Canada photo*

It became the first Honda vehicle produced at the Honda of Canada Mfg. facility in Alliston, Ont. when the assembly plant opened in November 1986. The 1987 Honda Accord was the first model to come off the assembly line.

The Accord was made locally for only a couple of years as the plant turned its focus to compact models such as the Civic and CR-V in 1988.

The company sold more than 940,000 Accords in Canada since 1976.

Honda Accord through 11 generations

For fun, let’s look back at the Honda Accord through its 11 generations.

First generation – 1976-81

*This 1978 Honda Accord represents the car’s first generation. – Honda Canada photo*

The first generation Honda Accord was available for the 1976 to 1981 model years. It launched as a two-door hatchback and a four-door sedan version arrived in 1979.

Second generation – 1982-85

*This 1983 Honda Accord represents the car’s second generation. – Honda Canada photo*

The second generation was available from 1982 to 1985. It also happened to be the first Japanese car made in the United States. This generation kept the two-door hatchback and sedan body styles.

Third generation – 1986-89

*This 1988 Honda Accord is from the car’s third generation. – Honda Canada photo*

The third-gen car was available for the 1986 to 1989 model years. The car gained pop-up headlights, considered sporty at the time, and a coupe (pictured) version in 1988. The third-gen Accord is also the one that was produced in Canada.

Fourth generation – 1990-93

*This 1993 Honda Accord is from the fourth generation. – Honda Canada photo*

With the fourth generation, available from 1990 to 1993, the Accord moved into the midsize class. It was available in sedan, coupe and wagon body styles, and the former hatchback was dropped.

Fifth generation – 1994-97

1994 Honda Accord coupe — *This 1994 Honda Accord represents the fifth generation. – Honda Canada photo*

The fifth-generation Accord was available from 1994 to 1997. It introduced the V6 engine to the model line as well as VTEC technology to the company’s four-cylinder engines.

Sixth generation – 1998-2002

1998 Honda Accord sedan — *This 1998 Honda Accord is from the sixth generation. – Honda Canada photo*

The sixth generation car was offered between 1998 and 2002 and offered sedan and coupe body styles, as well as four- and six-cylinder engines.

Seventh generation – 2003-07

2003 Honda Accord coupe — *This 2003 Honda Accord is from the seventh generation of the car. – Honda Canada photo*

The seventh generation Accord was offered for the 2003 to 2007 model years. Like the generation before, it offered two- and four-door body styles and four- and six-cylinder engines.

Eighth generation – 2008-12

2008 Honda Accord sedan — *The eighth generation Honda Accord launched for the 2008 model year, as seen here. – Honda Canada photo*

The eighth generation was available from 2008 to 2012. It outgrew the midsize class and was officially labeled as a large car by U.S. officials. It maintained coupe and sedan body styles and four- and six-cylinder engine choices.

Ninth generation – 2013-17

2014 Honda Accord sedan — *This 2014 Honda Accord represents the ninth generation of the car. – Honda Canada photo*

The ninth generation of the Accord, offered from 2013 to 2017, represented an evolution, not a revolution, compared to the previous generation, offering the same body styles and four- and six-cylinder engines as before.

10th generation – 2018-22

2018 Honda Accord sedan — *This 2018 Honda Accord launched the car’s 10th generation. – Honda Canada photo*

The 10th generation of the Accord, which was available from 2018 to 2022, brought in some notable changes. The coupe, the V6 and the available manual transmission were all gone. The car became available with a variety of turbocharged four-cylinder and hybrid powertrain choices.

11th generation – 2023-present

2025 Honda Accord sedan — *This 2025 Honda Accord represents the 11th and current generation. – Honda Canada photo*

The 11th and current generation launched for the 2023 model year. The car is available only in sedan form and can be had with a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine or with a hybrid powertrain.

Full model details on the current year Accord are available on the Honda Canada website.