If you're looking to change things up, adding a 2013 honda accord coupe body kit is probably the most impactful move you can make for your car's exterior. The ninth-generation Accord Coupe is already a pretty sleek machine right off the lot, but let's be honest—it can look a little bit like a "safe" commuter car if you leave it completely stock. There's nothing wrong with that, but for those of us who want a bit more personality, a few well-chosen body pieces can completely transform the car's presence on the road.
I've always thought the 2013-2015 Accord Coupe had one of the best profiles Honda ever designed. It's got that long hood and the short rear deck that screams "sporty," even if it's just a front-wheel-drive daily. But when you start looking at a body kit, you're basically taking those existing lines and turning the volume up. Whether you want something subtle that looks like it came from the factory or a more aggressive setup that turns heads at every stoplight, there are plenty of ways to go about it.
Why a Body Kit Changes the Game
The main reason people go for a 2013 honda accord coupe body kit is simply to get rid of that "floaty" look. From the factory, the Accord has a decent amount of ground clearance. While that's great for not scraping on speed bumps, it creates a visual gap that makes the car look taller than it needs to be. A good lip kit or side skirts can "pull" the body of the car closer to the pavement visually, making it look planted and wider without you actually having to slam the suspension to the ground.
It's also about individuality. Honda sold a ton of these cars. If you go to any grocery store parking lot, you're likely to see at least one other 9th Gen Accord. By adding some custom bodywork, you're making sure you don't lose your car in the sea of silver and grey sedans. It gives the car an "OEM+" vibe—where it looks like a special edition that Honda should have made but didn't.
Lip Kits vs. Full Bumper Replacements
When you start shopping, you'll notice two main paths you can take. You've got your lip kits and your full bumper replacements.
The Lip Kit Approach
Most 2013 Accord owners stick with a lip kit. This usually includes a front lip, side skirts (or side spoilers), and a rear garnish or diffuser. The beauty of a lip kit is that it attaches directly to your existing bumpers. It's generally cheaper, easier to install, and less "extreme."
If you're going for that classic HFP (Honda Factory Performance) look, a lip kit is exactly what you need. It adds just enough flare to the bottom edges of the car to make it look aggressive but still keeps the car's original DNA intact. Plus, if you ever decide to sell the car, it's a lot easier to take a lip off than to replace an entire bumper.
Full Body Kits
Full kits are for the folks who want a total transformation. We're talking about swapping out the entire front and rear bumper covers for something custom. These are definitely more "fast and furious" in style. You'll get much larger air intakes, more dramatic vents, and a completely different profile.
The downside? They're a pain to install. Full bumpers rarely fit perfectly right out of the box. You're almost certainly going to need a professional body shop to do some sanding, trimming, and filling to get the gaps to line up right. If you're on a budget, a full bumper replacement might end up being a bigger headache than it's worth.
Choosing the Right Material
This is where things get a bit technical, but it's super important. Not all kits are made equal. When you're browsing for a 2013 honda accord coupe body kit, you'll see three main materials: Polyurethane, ABS Plastic, and Fiberglass.
- Polyurethane (Poly): This is the gold standard for daily drivers. It's flexible. If you accidentally scrape a curb or a steep driveway, polyurethane will usually just bend and pop back into shape. It's very durable, though it can be a bit heavier and sometimes a little harder for paint to stick to if not prepped right.
- ABS Plastic: This is what your factory bumpers are made of. It's lightweight and holds its shape really well. It's not quite as flexible as polyurethane, but it's much better than fiberglass. Many high-quality aftermarket kits use ABS because it's easy to paint and gives a very "factory" finish.
- Fiberglass (FRP): Honestly? Avoid this for a daily driver if you can. It's stiff and brittle. One bad bump or a stray rock on the highway, and it can crack or shatter. It's usually the cheapest option, but you'll end up spending more on repairs in the long run.
The Iconic HFP Style
You can't talk about a 2013 honda accord coupe body kit without mentioning the HFP style. For a lot of owners, this is the holy grail. Honda released a limited number of HFP Accords back in the day, and they featured a specific aero kit that just looked right.
The HFP front lip has these distinct "fangs" on the sides that give the front end a much meaner scowl. The side skirts add a nice contour that connects the front and rear of the car visually. Even if you don't buy the official (and often discontinued) Honda parts, there are plenty of "HFP-style" replicas out there that give you the same look for a fraction of the price. It's a timeless look that doesn't scream "aftermarket," which is why it's so popular.
Don't Forget the Paint and Prep
One mistake I see all the time is people buying a kit, getting excited, and trying to slap it on the car immediately. Most kits come in a raw finish—either a matte black or a grey primer. Unless you have a black car and you like that unpainted look (which usually looks a bit unfinished), you're going to need to get it painted.
Pro tip: Do a "test fit" before you even think about paint. Bolt or tape the kit onto the car to make sure the lines match up. There's nothing worse than spending $400 on a professional paint job only to realize the part is warped or doesn't fit the curve of your bumper.
Also, consider wrapping. If you don't want to deal with the permanence or cost of paint, you can have your body kit wrapped in a color that matches your car. It's a bit more DIY-friendly if you've got some patience and a heat gun.
Living with a Lowered Look
Once you've got your 2013 honda accord coupe body kit installed, your driving habits have to change a little bit. Even if you haven't lowered your suspension, that new front lip is going to sit several inches closer to the ground.
You'll start to view every driveway and speed bump as a potential enemy. You'll learn the "diagonal crawl"—approaching inclines at an angle so you don't crunch your new front end. It sounds like a hassle, and it kind of is, but the first time you walk back to your car in a parking lot and see how good it looks, you'll realize it's totally worth the extra effort.
Wheels and Stance
A body kit is only half the battle. If you put a heavy, aggressive body kit on a car with stock wheels that are tucked deep into the wheel wells, it's going to look a little "off." It's like wearing a tuxedo with running shoes.
To really pull the look together, most people find they need to either get some wheel spacers to push the stock wheels out so they're flush with the new bodywork, or upgrade to wider aftermarket wheels. Adding a set of lowering springs or coilovers to drop the car an inch or two will also bridge that gap and make the body kit look like it truly belongs there.
Final Thoughts
Putting a 2013 honda accord coupe body kit on your car is one of the best ways to fall in love with your ride all over again. It's a project that requires a bit of research and some elbow grease (and maybe a little bit of professional help with the paint), but the payoff is huge.
Just remember to take your time, choose the right materials for how you drive, and don't skip the prep work. Whether you go for the subtle HFP look or something a bit more wild, you're taking a great car and making it uniquely yours. And at the end of the day, that's what car culture is all about—standing out from the crowd and enjoying the view every time you open your garage door.