Honda Accord CVCC Hatchback
Honda stretched the clever ideas of the Civic into a quieter, roomier hatchback that could sip fuel, carry a family and cruise comfortably on an American highway.
1976 Honda Accord CVCC Hatchback cover · Georgy90 · CC BY-SA 3.0
More than a set of wheels.
The Accord began as Honda project 671, a car one class above the Civic. The team chose a three-door hatchback because it combined useful cargo space, style and good road manners, then targeted quiet cruising at 130 km/h. The first Accord reached U.S. buyers on June 7, 1976 with front-wheel drive, independent suspension, a five-speed manual and Honda's clean-burning CVCC engine. Its mix of economy, equipment and manageable size helped Honda grow from a small-car specialist into a full-line automaker.
Look a little closer.
Honda's designers studied the low, glassy Lotus Elite while shaping the winning hatchback proposal, even though the Accord became a practical family car rather than a sports car.
Photos show an example of the model or generation. The pictured vehicle’s year, equipment, or modifications can differ from the specification described here.
Why the first Accord was a hatchback
Honda compared sedan and hatchback ideas, noticed the crowded Japanese sedan market and the U.S. success of small hatchbacks, and chose the three-door shape first. The large rear gate and folding seat made the car useful, while its long glass area and low roof distinguished it from conventional compact sedans. A four-door did not join the U.S. range until later.
Source: Honda Global · Introducing the Accord ↗CVCC cleaned the burn inside the engine
A small auxiliary chamber held an easy-to-ignite rich mixture. Its flame jet then lit the leaner mixture in the main chamber, cutting carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides without depending on a catalytic converter. The exact 1976 Accord still had U.S.-specific tuning and a 68 hp rating, so the Japanese launch release's 80 PS should not be substituted for it.
Source: Honda · Accord 50 years, chapter 1 ↗Where these facts come from
- Honda News · Accord timeline and milestones
- Honda Global · May 1976 Accord launch release
- Honda Global · Introducing the Accord
- Honda Technology · Accord 50 years, chapter 1
- Honda News · Accord turns 50
Selected facts checked for this edition. Some source pages link to broader model families. Last reviewed October 1, 2026.