The pool of mid-size sedans is shrinking fast, but the vehicles left standing, including the Honda Accord, continue to perform well among shoppers who haven’t yet boarded the SUV and pickup-truck bandwagons. Redesigned in 2018 and refreshed in 2021, the 10th-generation Accord is America’s No. 2 mid-size sedan in terms of popularity, only trailing its Toyota Camry rival in total sales for 2021.
The 2018 Accord came out ahead of the current-generation Camry and Nissan Altima in Cars.com’s 2018 Mid-Size Sedan Challenge, but it wasn’t without flaws. To determine the Accord’s core competencies and see where it falls short among competitors, we looked at Cars.com user reviews for the 2018-21 Accord and compared the feedback to Cars.com’s expert evaluations. Below, you’ll find the sedan’s trending pros and cons as well as its powertrain options, notable features and pricing breakdown.
Honda Accord Raves and Rants
2018 Honda Accord Sport 2.0T | Manufacturer image
The Accord’s roomy interior and trunk, smooth ride and powerful turbocharged engines were highlighted as strong suits among Cars.com users. Its amenities also motivated some owners to compare the Accord to a luxury vehicle, but the sedan brought its share of quirks and pet peeves. Many owners complained about the Accord’s low-quality stereo, low seating position and inaccurate tire pressure alerts. (Comments below have been edited for clarity; note that mentions of LX, EX, EX-L, Touring and the like are referring to the Accord’s trim levels, which we’ll detail at the bottom of this piece.)
Rave: It’s Seriously Spacious
A common rave among Accord owners is the sedan’s spacious interior and trunk. The generous legroom for both front and backseat occupants was frequently highlighted as the car’s strong suit. One user highlighted the Accord’s spacious cabin even after switching from a full-size SUV, while another lauded the “insane legroom” in back. In our Mid-Size Sedan Challenge, we pitted the freshly redesigned Accord against the Altima and Camry, both also just redesigned. By our independent evaluation, the Accord’s trunk and backseat compared well to the field.
2021 Honda Accord Hybrid | Cars.com photo by Aaron Bragman
“This car meets all my needs: easy to drive, park and has a good bit of trunk room.” — Cars.com consumer review for 2021 Accord; Johns Creek, Ga.
“We were looking for a car that is good on gas mileage and something smaller than the [Chevrolet] Tahoe we’ve been driving. We fell in love with the design and roominess of the Accord. Everyone fits comfortably.” — 2019 Accord; Baton Rouge, La.
“The 2020 [model] is slightly bigger than my 2011, with a larger rear seating area with insane legroom. It’s stylish and comfortable to drive with an engine that purrs. Looking forward to another 10 years in this vehicle.” — 2020 Accord; Sussex, N.J.
“This car is everything I expected and more! It is roomy and sleek inside and out. It has tons of legroom for backseat passengers. It gets great gas mileage in town and on the freeway, and it is sporty and has real get-up-and-go.” — 2020 Accord; Spanish Fork, Utah
“The car reacts well and has excellent visibility. The trunk space holds my golf bag and pull cart without having to separate them. Another excellent Honda Accord.” — 2020 Accord; Nanuet, N.Y.
“The car has so much room and is very economically efficient. The space in the car is just perfect with so much of it for comfort. I could fall asleep on the floor if I wanted to with that much space.” — 2020 Accord; Chicago
Rave: Smooth Ride, Responsive Handling
The Accord’s smooth, composed ride was a common thread among owners; many describe it as quiet and comfortable over bumps. Cars.com experts concur: After testing the car in our Challenge, News Editor Jennifer Geiger said the sedan’s “road manners are solid. It strikes the most comfortable balance in terms of ride and handling — bumps are well damped and it maintains composure in corners.”
2021 Honda Accord Hybrid | Manufacturer image
“The ride is smooth in general and especially over the speed bumps in the condo and school parking lots. The Sport mode gives a great kick needed to navigate tight traffic situations on the highway and some local driving, too.” — 2021 Accord, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
“I went with the 2.0T Touring, which was pretty hard to find in my area since they had just been released a couple of weeks prior. But I kept looking, and I’m so glad I did. The ride is very enjoyable; it is quiet and smooth.” — 2021 Accord; Iowa
Rave: No V-6, No Problem
Honda dropped the Accord’s available V-6 engine for the 10th generation and replaced it with a 252-horsepower, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder in uplevel models. Based on owner feedback, drivers didn’t miss the V-6; the base 1.5-liter turbo four-cylinder and the available turbo 2.0-liter received shoutouts for being both efficient and sporty enough to handle spirited driving.
In his 2018 review, Assistant Managing Editor Kelsey Mays had favorable impressions of both engines. “The turbo 1.5-liter four-cylinder has more than adequate oomph for a base engine, with enough on tap for sustained uphill climbs on twisting mountain roads,” Mays said. “The optional turbo 2.0-liter is palpably quicker off the line. Stand on the gas, and it launches with a degree of fierceness reminiscent of the Chevrolet Malibu’s excellent turbo 2.0-liter.”
2019 Honda Accord turbo engine | Cars.com photo by Evan Sears
“All my previous Accords have been six-cylinders. I was apprehensive about the power of the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder … no more! The four-cylinder seems to have more power than the six-cylinder. I love it.” — 2020 Accord; Gainesville, Texas
“The car is fun to drive and has great acceleration for a four-cylinder due to the turbo. The suspension is also very aggressive for a sedan. This car absolutely brings it all with its stylish features in the interior and exterior without being overdone.” — 2020 Accord; Springfield, Ill.
“My Honda Accord 2.0T Touring is very quick and powerful. I now know why Honda has a racecar division. This is my first Honda, and I love the Japanese-quality precision and performance. I have had Nissan products over the years; I can see why Honda cars hold their resale value.” — 2020 Accord, Tampa, Fla.
Rave: It Beats Some Luxury Cars
Accord owners raved about the sedan’s value, and some even compared it to a luxury vehicle. The Accord’s amenities and safety features were highlighted as competitive with premium brands like Audi and Lexus. Cars.com experts chided the Accord’s steep price but found the vehicle’s drivability and certain other aspects good enough to help compete among pricier options:
“This car feels like it’s a class above the other two [Altima and Camry],” said Detroit Bureau Chief Aaron Bragman during the Mid-Size Sedan Challenge. “It has a heft to it, a substantial feel like it’s an entry-level luxury car, not an ordinary family sedan. The ride is cushy, the steering is solid and not over-boosted.”
Cars.com users agree.
2021 Honda Accord Hybrid | Manufacturer image
“The Accord is comfortable, has great electronics and gets 42 mpg on the highway. The adaptive cruise control and lane keeping make highway driving a breeze. It’s as good as my friend’s Audi A6 but for $40,000 less.” — 2019 Accord; Andover, Mass.
“The new Accord Touring is the best car I’ve ever owned. It handles great, has plenty of power and has great styling, too. It has every modern convenience and luxury option. My brother recently bought a new Lexus, and the Accord stacks up favorably for about half of the cost. I can’t recommend it enough.” — 2019 Accord; Fremont, Calif.
Rant: Stereo Struggles
While many owners raved about the Accord’s numerous tech features, its stereo proved frustrating for some. Complaints included general sound issues and static interference. The Accord’s base model uses a four-speaker stereo, though higher trims can have as many as 10 speakers. Cars.com experts had no complaints about the sound system’s quality and approved of Honda swapping more physical controls for the touch-sensitive areas that plagued most trim levels in later model years of the previous generation.
2018 Honda Accord | Cars.com photo by Evan Sears
“I traded a 2017 Accord EX-L and got a 2020 Touring. I love the performance and looks, but the stereo system is awful. My 1978 factory [Ford] T-Bird stereo sounds better. I’m very disappointed in Honda; it’s very hard to upgrade the system. If music is a big part of your driving thing, you better listen before you buy.” — 2020; Atlanta
“The 2020 Honda Accord 2.0-liter turbo is an excellent car for city and long-distance driving. It has comfortable seats, a huge cargo area, excellent electronics and good road feel. The factory stereo system leaves some to be desired, and road noise is a bit high.” — 2020 Accord; Ardmore, Pa.
“This vehicle has everything you need for the price: The ride, the handling, the 10-speed transmission, the fit and finish are really well done. I wish Honda would offer a better-sounding audio system (i.e., Bose, Harman Kardon, Bang & Olufsen, Bowers & Wilkins, etc). Other than that, I shopped around for six months and test-drove other cars, but for the money, this was the best option.” —2019 Accord; Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Rant: Its Seats Are a Low Point
The Accord’s 2018 redesign lowered the vehicle’s stance, which in turn lowered the seating position and gave the car a coupelike appearance. For some owners, the sportier look isn’t worth the trade-off. The lowered seats are especially problematic for shorter drivers, and they also hinder accessibility according to some Cars.com users.
The same concern was raised by Bragman in our Challenge: The Accord’s “low roofline leads to a low seating position, making me feel like I’m sitting in a tub — a weird first for a Honda product, which used to have low beltlines and amazing visibility,” Bragman said. “It also makes backseat ingress and egress a challenge — just try not to hit your head on that low C-pillar.”
2021 Honda Accord Hybrid | Manufacturer image
“I wish my seat would adjust to a higher position because I have to sit on a cushion to get up higher in the seat. I love the safety (driver-assist) features and feel very safe driving.” — 2019 Accord; Garner, N.C.
“I am 5-foot-2 and the seats are way too low for me, I have to use a pillow. If I had it to do all over, I would not buy the car.” — 2019 Accord; Midland, Texas
“This 2019 Accord LX has a very low driver and front-passenger seat for short people.” — 2019 Accord; Atlanta
“It is a great car, but if you are short (I am 5-foot-5), it is so hard to exit or get into the car. If you are over 6 feet tall, good luck getting in the car; the seats are way too low. I do not know how a tall person gets in and out of the car.” — 2019 Accord; Fort Myers Beach, Fla.
“Getting in and out of the EX is very difficult, especially if you are short. I love some of the new techie things — a lot to learn after my 2009 Accord LX-P. This EX is more like a sports car than a sedan. It could use more padding in the seats, but Honda has had that problem all along.” — 2020 Accord; Chestertown, Md.
Rant: The Tire Pressure Alert That Cried Wolf
A relatively benign — yet apparently irksome — glitch emerged as a common rant: The Accord’s tire pressure alert erroneously lights up and requires a recalibration to remove the warning, various Cars.com users report. The issue isn’t exclusive to the Accord in Honda’s lineup: After similar complaints came up among CR-V owners, for instance, Honda issued a service bulletin in 2014 recommending a software update to fix the SUV’s problem.
Tire gauge | Cars.com photo by Mike Hanley
“I have the 2019 Honda Accord Hybrid and I like it for the most part, but the tire pressure alert keeps lighting up. So far, Honda dealership reps haven’t wanted to deal with the issue. I drive locally every day and about 30 miles via the freeway twice a week. I am going back to the dealer for the third time in the three months I’ve owned the vehicle to check the tire pressure and reset the light.” — 2019 Accord Hybrid; Belmont, Calif.
“I love this car. It’s the Accord Touring and it has more power, with better handling, more room, more comfort and better gas mileage than my previous favorite — an Acura TL. The only drawback is the tire pressure monitoring system, which is a warning-only system. It gives false alarms if not calibrated after each tire rotation or service.” — 2018 Accord; Santa Rosa, Calif.
“The car is comfortable and drives well. Good acceleration and handling. In the few months that I’ve owned the car, I’ve had to go back to the dealership several times. My phone connection has been problematic, as have been the tire pressure alerts. Very annoying.” — 2019 Accord; Fort Lee, N.J.
Powertrains
2018 Honda Accord | Cars.com photo by Evan Sears
The 2018-21 Honda Accord offers a choice of three powertrains: a base turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder with 192 hp and 192 pounds-feet of torque; an available turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 252 hp and 273 pounds-feet of torque; and a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with electric assist good for a combined 212 hp in the Accord Hybrid. The 1.5-liter pairs with a continuously variable automatic transmission, the turbo 2.0-liter a 10-speed automatic transmission and the hybrid a CVT-style unit. Shoppers who want to row their own gears should seek out earlier model years of the Accord; a six-speed manual was available on the Sport and Sport 2.0T models from 2018 to 2020.
The 2021 Accord Hybrid comes out ahead for efficiency, with a combined EPA rating of 48 mpg; the 1.5-liter four-cylinder is the runner-up with up to 33 combined mpg, and the 2.0-liter gets a mere 26 mpg combined.
Tech and Safety Features
2018 Honda Accord | Cars.com photo by Evan Sears
From 2018 until 2020, the base trim levels for both the Accord and Accord Hybrid came with a 7-inch touchscreen, while an 8-inch display was standard on higher trims. In 2021, Honda upgraded those models to the larger screen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity are standard across the board, while wireless connectivity and wireless phone charging are standard on EX-L and higher trims.
All 10th-gen Accord models get standard safety features including full-speed adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and hands-on lane centering at higher speeds. A blind spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert is optional.
Trims and Pricing
2021 Honda Accord Hybrid | Manufacturer image
The gas-only Honda Accord comes in eight trim levels. The 1.5-liter four-cylinder powers (in ascending order) the LX, Sport, EX and EX-L, while the 2.0-liter four-cylinder powers the Sport 2.0T, EX-L 2.0T and Touring 2.0T. The Accord Hybrid features a base trim, EX, EX-L and Touring.
As the inventory shortage catapulted vehicle prices to record highs, the 2018-21 Accord’s median used price among Cars.com dealers as of December 2021 was actually higher than the median price for new 2021 and 2022 Accords. The median used price for the 2018-21 gas-only Accord was $29,487 in December, while the 2018-21 Accord Hybrid held a median used price of $31,994. By contrast, the 2021-22 Accord has a median new price of $29,340 for gas-only models and $31,430 for hybrids.
The 2022 Honda Accord is on sale now, and it carries over largely unchanged. The base LX starts at $27,135 (all prices include destination charge), while the turbo-powered 2.0-liter Accord starts at $34,275 for the Sport 2.0T. The 2022 Accord Hybrid starts at $28,335.
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