2020 Honda Accord
- Handsome styling inside and out
- Quiet, comfortable ride, impressive dynamics
- Class leading 5-Year Cost to Own, high resale value
- Pricing starts at $24,800 (including $930 destination charge) | Price yours
- On sale now | See Accord models for sale near you
Staying Power
It’s been three years since the Honda Accord has gotten a major makeover. However, the last go around was such a complete job in upgrading this midsize sedan that when it comes to delivering on buyers’ expectations, it withstands the test of time in this highly competitive segment. That’s not to say others aren’t trying to knock the Accord off its perch, but the Accord excels with its polished powertrain, comfortable cabin and substantial look and feel.
For 2020, Honda returns with an Accord that is essentially unchanged from last year with only a modest increase in price (up $185 for all models except the Sport, which sees a $385 bump). Also, Honda offers a wide range of trim levels and three powertrain options including a fuel-efficient hybrid.
Quintessential Family Car
Unlike rivals Toyota and Nissan, which have range-topping family cars like the Avalon and Maxima positioned above their respective midsize Camry and Altima models, the 2020 Honda Accord is it. A complete package that offers plenty of room and performance, Honda has no need for a full-size four-door.
Long, low and wide, the 2020 Accord has the look of a premium sedan, further enhanced by the generous use of brightwork on the grille and window surrounds. The Accord has wind-cheating shape with a fastback roofline, short rear deck and flowing character lines that give the vehicle a look that will remain fresh for years to come.
This approach to timeless design is also evident in the cabin. The forms are clean and flowing, with an uncluttered look to the dash, which is dominated by a large tablet-size touchscreen. Honda has done a good job in the Accord in blending traditional knobs and switches with touchscreen controls. There are larger knobs for the both the volume and station tuning and ancillary buttons for the climate controls making it easy to adjust the two systems most drivers need to attend to without distraction.
The interior also has an upscale feel thanks to generous use of soft-touch materials, comfortable seats, and details that include an open-pore design to the accent trim. The cabin is also generous in its accommodations: there’s plenty of rear-seat legroom, the trunk is large and easy to access with a low liftover and large decklid opening. The Accord’s utility is further enhanced by the split-fold down rear bench with allows the car to easily carry long objects.
Joys of Driving
Even though it seems more and more like it’s an SUV world, the Honda Accord reminds us how much fun it can be to drive a relatively low-slung sedan. The large glass area and low cowl gives great visibility outside the vehicle. Honda’s suite of safety and driver assists, Honda Sensing, also adds another layer of comfort and confidence with blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, cross traffic alerts, and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability.
The Accord is, in a word, responsive, thanks to our Touring trim’s 252-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. The front-drive sedan boasts a 10-speed automatic transaxle that has smooth, seamless shifts. The base 192-horsepower 1.5-liter turbo I4 is competitive against other entry-level trim levels and the continuously variable transmission does an admirable job, though we prefer the overall performance of the larger powertrain. For the more enthusiast-oriented, Honda remains one of the few makers dedicated to your passion, offering a Sport model with either engine and a 6-speed manual transmission. For fuel-efficiency aficionados, there’s a hybrid that can deliver up to 47 mpg in both city and highway settings.
The steering is light yet precise, making the Accord easy to drive in the cut-and-thrust of the daily commute or maneuvering in and around parking spaces. The Accord is enjoyable as both a daily driver and a comfortable and accommodating road-trip warrior.
Long-Term Affordability
The 2020 Honda Accord manages to stay on top for a number of factors unrelated to the mechanicals. In terms of pricing, the base model starts at $24,800 and ranges up to the fully loaded Touring model which is priced from $37,030 including $930 destination. In between are the Sport models ($27,460 for the 1.5-liter model and $31,990 for the 2.0) and EX-L, which is $31,200 and $33,200 depending on powertrain. The most expensive Accord comes in around the same as the average new vehicle transaction price. On top of that, Honda also delivers class-leading 5-Year Cost to Own numbers as well as retaining higher than average value at resale.
Even as the midsize segment continues to contract as the result of the shift to crossover SUVs, there still is a sizable customer base that wants and needs a traditional 4-door sedan. These buyers can take heart because this Honda is well-equipped to deliver on your highest expectations and that ability to do so is a big factor in that car remaining our choice as the Midsize Car Best Buy.
Photo Tour: 2020 Honda Accord
More 2020 Honda Accord
Build and price your own 2020 Honda Accord to see this week’s Fair Purchase Price, 5-Year Cost to Own and more, or check out the Accords for sale today at dealers near you.
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