Accord never had a turbo V6 with AWD, and it’s a performance luxury sedan in the age where the market looked like it was gonna disappear. We know now that Dodge are bringing the V8s back and Cadillac is gonna keep the blackwings going, but that’s a different price bracket so less of a surprise there
edit: also stretching the definition of up-badging there, entirely new chassis, interior and drivetrain isn’t an upbadge
Does Acura count? TLX type S felt like a risk, albeit not a huge one
What was the risk? It’s an up-badged Accord V6. Sedans that are sportier than Toyota is a core competency.
Accord never had a turbo V6 with AWD, and it’s a performance luxury sedan in the age where the market looked like it was gonna disappear. We know now that Dodge are bringing the V8s back and Cadillac is gonna keep the blackwings going, but that’s a different price bracket so less of a surprise there
edit: also stretching the definition of up-badging there, entirely new chassis, interior and drivetrain isn’t an upbadge