Honda Accord third generation

The third generation Accord was introduced in Japan in 1985, and in Europe and North America in 1986. It had a very striking exterior design, bearing a resemblance to the second and third generation Honda Prelude. One notable feature was the flip-up headlights, which were unusual for a sedan. Sedan models sold on the European market, however, featured fixed headlights and a different taillight cluster design.

The third generation Accord became the first Honda to employ double-wishbones at both the front and rear ends—a layout that spread to the Civic and Prelude in 1988 and the Integra in 1990. While more expensive than competitors' MacPherson strut systems, this setup provided better stability and sharper handling for the vehicle. All have front stabilizer bars and upper models have rear stabilizer as well. Brakes were either large 4-wheel discs with twin-piston calipers (as in the JDM Si model only), smaller 4-wheel discs with single piston calipers, or a front disc/rear drum system. ABS was also available as an option on the 4-wheel disc brake models, though not in North America. Base model Accords rode on 13-inch steel wheels with hubcaps with more expensive models having the option of 14-inch alloy wheels.

The Accord's available engines included the following: In Japan, the A18A, B18A, and B20A. For Europe, the A16A1, A20A2, A20A4, B20A2 and B20A8 were available; whilst in North America there were two engines - the A20A1 and A20A3.

The Accord's trim levels ranged from spartan to luxurious. In the Japanese home market, the Accord was available with a full power package, heated mirrors (optional), a digital instrument cluster (optional), sun roof (optional), cruise control, and climate control (which was also optional). Some North European export models also had heated front seats and head light washers. North American and Australian Accords were not available with most of these options, presumably (and in the USA in particular) because Honda was seen as a builder of economy cars, and not to cannibalize sales from the recently introduced Acura line.

Throughout the different markets, the Accord was available in a range of different body styles, including a 4-door sedan, 4-door sedan with fixed head lights for the European market, a 3-door liftback, and a 3-door "Aerodeck" which resembled the third generation Civic hatchback subcompact and was not sold in US or Canada. A 2-door coupe was added for the 1988 model year, built exclusively in Honda's Marysville, Ohio factory. The vehicles were exported back to Japanese market, where it was known as the US-Coupe CA6.