The 10th generation Honda Accord sedan arrived for the 2018 model year with an upscale look, loads of interior space, impeccable build quality, and excellent road manners. But this slick four-door’s time has come, as there’s an all-new 2023 model waiting in the wings. The world may have gone SUV crazy, but there’s still a healthy market for four-door family haulers sporting a trunk, so let’s check out Honda’s perennial favourite in its top-shelf swan song trim — the Touring 2.0 at $42,870.
Looking at the comprehensive spec sheet, it’s clear to see the 2022 Honda Accord Touring 2.0 has luxury aspirations. The leather-swathed interior gets heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, head-up-display, sunroof, wireless charging and 10-speaker 452-watt audio. It looks the part too, here dipped in a lovely non-metallic Sonic Grey Pearl ($300) and riding on handsome 19-inch alloys. It’s a classy design, accentuated by tapered accent lines along the car’s flanks, nice chrome detailing and a grill treatment that, by today’s standards, is almost reserved. To its credit (or perhaps detriment?), most admirers were surprised to find this swoopy rig was indeed a Honda.
Naturally, Honda arms the Accord Touring 2.0 with the whole safety kit — blind spot assist with rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning and assist, park assist, collision mitigation, adaptive cruise, and traffic sign recognition. The collision warning and lane-departure assist can get too eager at times, with the latter annoyingly nudging the steering wheel just a bit too much. A button on the wheel can turn it off.
2022 Honda Accord Touring 2.0 Photo by Peter Bleakney
2022 Honda Accord Touring 2.0 Photo by Peter Bleakney
2022 Honda Accord Touring 2.0 Photo by Peter Bleakney
2022 Honda Accord Touring 2.0 Photo by Peter Bleakney
2022 Honda Accord Touring 2.0 Photo by Peter Bleakney
2022 Honda Accord Touring 2.0 Photo by Peter Bleakney
2022 Honda Accord Touring 2.0 Photo by Peter Bleakney
2022 Honda Accord Touring 2.0 Photo by Peter Bleakney
The standard head-up display shows the posted speed limit and vehicle speed along with a selectable section that cycles between a compass with current street name, tachometer, turn-by-turn navigation instructions, lane departure alert, and incoming call info.
While lesser Accords run with a perfectly adequate 192-hp 1.5L turbo four, the Touring brags more fire power thanks to its 2.0L turbo four that generates 252 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 273 lb-ft at 1,500 rpm. It drives the front wheels through a 10-speed auto that shuffles through the cogs in an impressively seamless manner. If you’re driving in Eco mode, you’ll be wondering where those 252 horses are hiding as there’s no geddy-up until your foot is close to the floor. Normal mode is much more satisfying, and Sport mode calls up a more aggressive shift program. The sedan really hustles when prodded, although the engine note, as with most 2.0L turbocharged four-pots, is more agrarian than exciting.
2022 Honda Accord Touring 2.0 Photo by Peter Bleakney
2022 Honda Accord Touring 2.0 Photo by Peter Bleakney
2022 Honda Accord Touring 2.0 Photo by Peter Bleakney
2022 Honda Accord Touring 2.0 Photo by Peter Bleakney
2022 Honda Accord Touring 2.0 Photo by Peter Bleakney
2022 Honda Accord Touring 2.0 Photo by Peter Bleakney
2022 Honda Accord Touring 2.0 Photo by Peter Bleakney
2022 Honda Accord Touring 2.0 Photo by Peter Bleakney
2022 Honda Accord Touring 2.0 Photo by Peter Bleakney
This lux Accord is not too sporty, which suits its purpose. It handles well, but the steering could use more feel, and the broad, flat front buckets are contoured for cruising, not canyon carving. There are paddle shifters, yet with 10 gears to shuffle through and a somewhat tardy reaction time, it’s best left to the computer.
The Accord Touring 2.0 gets standard adaptive damping which does a decent job of controlling body motions while keeping the ride calm. The only fly in the ointment are the 19-inch wheels that occasionally send shudders into the cabin over sharp impacts.
I’m giving this Honda four-door high marks for its ergonomics. A trio of large rotary knobs — still the best layout — control HVAC functions, and the dash-mounted touchscreen sports both volume and tuning dials. The menu structure of Honda’s infotainment system is clear and intuitive, although accessing some basic radio functions is still a bit fussy. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto work well and pairing a phone is a breeze. Similarly, the navigation graphics are sharp and it’s easy to program in a destination.
Despite having a fastback roofline, the 2022 Accord is a mighty roomy sedan with generous rear legroom and headroom. The trunk opening is large with a low lift-over height, but with a capacity of 473L the Accord’s trunk trails the Toyota Camry (524L) and Hyundai Sonata (523L). It edges out the Mazda6 (416L) and Nissan Altima (436L). The 60/40-split rear bench folds forward, although the opening is quite narrow.
2022 Honda Accord Touring 2.0 Photo by Peter Bleakney
This 10th generation Honda Accord may be set to shuffle off into automotive oblivion, but it remains a top contender in the four-door family sedan category when considering its fine dynamics, long-distance comfort, style and excellent build quality. Personally, I’d forgo the 2.0L for the considerably more fuel efficient 1.5L with CVT which can also be had in this all-singing-and-dancing Touring trim. You’ll save $3,000 and lots of gas.
As evidenced by the quantum leap made by the newest generation 2022 Honda Civic, it’s fair to assume the redesigned 2023 Honda Accord will be better in every way. Here’s hoping it keeps its tuning knob.
Keyword: Car Review: 2022 Honda Accord Touring 2.0