'Talking Cars' Gets Into the 2018 Honda Accord and Hot October New-Car Deals

This episode of the "Talking Cars with Consumer Reports" video podcast focuses on the 2018 Honda Accord. We also tell you why October is a great time to look for a hot deal on a new car, and give you tips on how to best deal with the dealer. Hint: You can do everything—other than test-drive the car—from home on your computer or smartphone.

We recently rented the all-new 2018 Honda Accord to get some first impressions. (Consumer Reports always pays to rent press samples. However, evaluations of these rented products never make it into our ratings. Products in our ratings are bought at retail.) Honda's popular midsized sedan has been completely redesigned, with curvier bodywork, new turbo four-cylinder drivetrains, and an improved infotainment system.

The majority of Accord buyers will get a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 192 horsepower mated to a CVT, similar to the combo we've already used in the Civic and CR-V. Our rented Accord had the higher-level engine that replaces the previous 3.5-liter V6 – a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 252 horsepower combined with a 10-speed automatic. Either engine is available with a six-speed manual in the Sport trim.

We also discuss how Honda has made its suite of advanced safety features standard across all trims in the new Accord, including forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking—a move we highly applaud here at CR. And yes, the manual-transmission models also get automatic emergency braking.

With 2018 Accords about to roll into dealer lots, this is a good time to get a great deal on the outgoing, tried-and-true 2017 model. Dealers want to make room for the shiny new model, so there are potentially thousands of dollars to be saved. We point out a few stellar deals we found on various 2017 cars and trucks around the country.

Last, we answer a viewer question about how to get the best deal at a car dealer. Since we buy about 60 cars anonymously each year here at CR, we have intimate knowledge on dealing with car dealers. Want to hear our advice? Watch or listen to the video podcast.