What are the differences between the Accord and the Inspire?
3 Answers
Here are the differences between the Accord and the Inspire: 1. Different appearance: The main difference between the Accord and the Inspire is that the Inspire can be seen as an Accord with a sporty kit, and the suspension tuning is also more sporty. Comparing the Honda INSPIRE to the Accord, it can be seen that the increased length is mainly due to the sporty kit, while the width, height, and wheelbase remain largely the same as the Accord. The difference between the Honda INSPIRE and the Accord is similar to the difference between the regular version of the Honda Spirior and the SI version, with the addition of a more sporty exterior kit. 2. Different configurations: In terms of configuration, the Accord is slightly more feature-rich than the INSPIRE. The high-power entry-level model of the Accord includes additional features such as front and rear side airbags, a rearview camera, cruise control, a leather steering wheel, power-adjustable front seats, heated and power-folding side mirrors, making it more feature-rich and cost-effective compared to the INSPIRE. However, it's worth noting that the INSPIRE meets the China VI emission standards, while the currently available Accord only meets the China V emission standards.
I've driven both cars and felt little difference in driving experience, but there are subtle details in configurations. The Accord's exterior design is more conservative, with a regular front fascia and distinctive C-shaped taillights. The Inspire has a more aggressive front end, featuring an additional air intake trim below the headlights, while its taillights appear more delicate. Inside, you'll notice the Inspire comes standard with paddle shifters across all trims, whereas the Accord only offers them in higher configurations. However, the Accord provides better seat bolstering. The ride quality feels equally firm in both, though the Inspire's steering is slightly lighter. My friend chose the Inspire for its bigger discounts, while the Accord does hold better resale value - that's something you'll need to weigh yourself.
After test driving both models, I noticed subtle differences in their chassis tuning. The Accord's suspension is slightly firmer, providing clear feedback over speed bumps but excellent stability in corners. The Inspire's damping is softer, reducing rear-seat bumpiness but feeling less composed during spirited driving. The tactile feedback of interior buttons is identical, though the Inspire deserves credit for offering automatic air conditioning even in its base trim. Rear legroom is virtually the same, but the Accord's front-angled seat cushions offer better thigh support. While their engine specifications are identical, the Inspire responds about half a beat quicker to throttle inputs, likely due to minor ECU programming tweaks.
