A larger car than its predecessor, the North American Accord was given a new level of refinement with chrome interior accents and higher-grade materials.

A specific four-cylinder model was the first production car in the world to meet California's Super Ultra Low Emissions standards.

For 2005, the Accord received several updates, including standard side-curtain and front-seat side-impact airbags for a total of six airbags, revised (all red) taillights for the sedan (coupe taillights remained unchanged), more chrome on the grille, and new wheel designs for LX, LX-V6, and EX-V6 models.

For the first time, Honda offered an "enthusiast" version of the Accord in the U.S., adding a sports suspension and mating the 6-speed manual transmission from the Acura CL without the Type-S' helical limited-slip front differential.

[7] The concept-only version had powertrain and chassis modifications that included a high-flow intake and exhaust, 295 bhp (220 kW) 3.2L V6 engine, limited-slip differential, prototype 8-piston Brembo brakes, and a lowered racing suspension and widened track.

Exterior modifications included a carbon fiber body kit (including the bumpers, side sills, grille, and underbody diffuser), dual aluminum integrated exhaust ports, aluminum/carbon fiber rear wing, black chrome finish headlights, and taillights, 20-inch black chrome wheels, Bridgestone Potenza S03 235/45 ZR20 tires, and fender flares and NSX Spa Yellow paint.

Interior modifications included an F1-style paddle shifter on the steering wheel, prototype multifunction meter display with on-board diagnostics, Sparco carbon/Kevlar backed bucket seats covered in Alcantara suede, 4-point front seat harnesses, three-spoke racing steering wheel, and aluminum sport pedals.

The Factory Performance Package was a dealer option based on the SEMA concept car, available for 2003 Accord LX-V6 and EX-V6 Coupe with either manual or automatic transmissions.

Chassis/exterior changes included Factory Performance suspension (shock absorbers, springs), underbody aero kit, 17-inch alloy wheels, 215/50VR-17 high-performance tires, and a rear wing spoiler.

[7] In 2005, for the 2006 model year, which was its 30th anniversary, the North American Accord received a mid-generational refresh, though it was fairly significant and some enthusiasts called this generation 7.5.

The exterior was revised with a new front grille later seen on the eighth-generation Honda Civic which also debuted that year, new rear-end styling with triangular LED taillights, daytime running lights (DRLs) and heated side mirrors for U.S. EX models.

The GPS Navigation system was updated with a faster processor, more memory, and several new features, such as restaurant information from Zagat.

Despite being in its last year of the generation, the 2007 Accord was still ranked highly by reviewers, scoring only slightly below the redesigned Toyota Camry in the Edmunds family sedan comparison.

While this new vehicle shared the same displacement as the regular Accord V6 powerplant, the engine in the hybrid was derived from the 2005 Honda Odyssey minivan and has the ability to shut off three of the six cylinders under certain conditions for better fuel economy (a technology that Honda calls VCM or Variable Cylinder Management).

This change bumped the car to a higher weight class for United States Environmental Protection Agency mileage testing.

2005 model year Accord Hybrids were rated LEVII-ULEV by the California Air Resources Board and Tier2, Bin5 by the EPA.

[17] Changes to power rating in 2006 and later model year vehicles was caused by the use of Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) J1349 (Rev 8/04) net calculations that went into effect in January 2005.

The passenger side airbags are also equipped with out of position (OOP) occupant sensing which consists of seven sensors in the passenger seat back determine the height and position of the occupant to assist the system in determining if it is safe to deploy the side air bag.

[22] The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety also found 2003–04 Accords had the lowest fatality rates in the non-luxury mid-size sedan class.

The addition of the Accords to already recalled Acura TL cars from model years 2007 and 2008 raises the number of affected vehicles in the United States and Canada to 660,086.