2024 Honda Accord

In the wake of its launch last year, this latest generation of Accord won our Best Buy Award for its class. This was not the excitement of a shiny new thing. This was cold-hearted, steely-eyed, objective assessment.

The facts led to an inescapable conclusion that Honda had done it again — made a class-leading midsize sedan with lots of space, refinement and technology, plus good fuel economy and value, and even an enjoyable driving experience. If there’s anything we’ve missed there, we’re pretty sure the Accord has it covered.

One particular aspect of the Accord lineup is that the four higher trims all use a hybrid drivetrain, even though there’s not an official Accord Hybrid model. But in this review we’re going to concentrate on the two lower trims, LX and EX, and their gasoline-only setups. The hybrid version of the Honda Accord is reviewed separately.

Since the 11th generation of Accord launched only last year, there aren’t any major changes this time around.

The nearest rival is the Toyota Camry, which also starts in the high $20K range. The rest of the competition — like the Hyundai Sonata, Kia K5, Nissan Altima, and Subaru Legacy — begin closer to the mid-20s. The Legacy also comes with all-wheel drive as standard, which the Accord doesn’t even offer as an option. If it turns out that an Accord is perhaps too big, there’s always the superb Honda Civic compact sedan in the mid-20s.

Before buying a new Accord midsize sedan, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying.

Class-Leading Resale Values

Just like the previous Accord and the Accord before that (and so on), this current generation should top the resale value tables for its sector. So even if the Accord has a slightly higher purchase price, it can very well cost less over a full buy/drive/sell ownership cycle.

The Accord LX and EX both employ a turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 192 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque. This is one of the more energetic engines in the class and propels the Accord at a perfectly acceptable pace.

Honda hasn’t quoted any standstill-to-60 mph times, but we reckon it takes about seven seconds. Not that white-knuckle acceleration is ever a priority among buyers of midsize sedans. We like the way the engine responds to throttle inputs, though, as well as the smooth and linear power delivery.

The chassis has its own refinement, with a comfortable ride as well as steering that requires just the right amount of effort (not too light or too heavy). And the Accord retains its composure under braking. The whole driving experience is yet another example of how Honda knows precisely where the sweet spot is and puts the Accord right in the middle.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and researching the current collection of midsize sedans, including the Honda Accord.

Fuel Economy

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates the LX and EX versions achieve 32 combined mpg. That’s typical for the class. If you’re wondering about the hybrid’s fuel economy, it can reach up to 48 mpg combined.

A metallic mesh across the dashboard and air vents brings a futuristic flavor to the Accord’s cabin. Otherwise, the interior is understated yet still uses quality materials and puts them together well. The infotainment system in the LX and EX comes with a 7-inch touchscreen.

The driver’s seat is sufficiently cushioned and supportive for long trips. Thin pillars on each side of the windshield contribute to excellent outward vision. The sloping roof looks like it might not be kind to rear headroom, but we’ve sat back there and it’s fine for an adult male of average size.

Rear legroom is especially generous at 40.8 inches. The closest competitors here are the Subaru Legacy and Toyota Camry. The Accord is otherwise comfortably ahead of the rest. Trunk space of 16.7 cubic feet is similarly class-leading.

Styling-wise, this latest generation of Accord sedan doesn’t go out on such a limb as the Kia K5 (for example), yet it also avoids the character-free zone of previous Accords. We think Honda has pitched the look perfectly, with a fine balance of freshness and decorum.

The choices of exterior colors are fashionably monochrome, with silver in there somewhere. The brightest option is Radiant Red Metallic.

Infotainment system
The Accord’s infotainment system is quick and intuitive. The LX and EX have the smaller of two screens available, but it still includes Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and Wi-Fi.

Digital driver information display
Every Accord midsize sedan comes with a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster whose graphics are just as crisp and easy on the eye as the infotainment touchscreen.

HondaLink
This standard set of connected services includes remote start/lock/unlock, stolen vehicle tracking, and automatic crash notification.

Lane Keeping Assist
The standard Lane Keeping Assist function in the Accord comes in quite smoothly and subtly.

Honda Sensing
This set of driver assistance features includes forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, plus adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. It’s standard across the entire Accord range.

Heated front seats
These come in at the EX level, which also brings 10-way power adjustment for the driver’s seat.

The first two trims of the Accord (EX and LX) have a turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine making 192 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque. Hybrid power comes in for the higher models.

This gasoline-only output, however, compares well against the base engines of rival midsize sedans. Only the Camry does better, with 203 horsepower, but even then falls slightly short in the torque department.

All variants of the new Accord sedan are configured with front-wheel drive and an automatic transmission.

3-Year/36,000-Mile Warranty

Honda’s new-vehicle warranty is for three years or 36,000 miles, whichever happens first. Roadside assistance is also provided over that time. Powertrains are covered for five years or 60,000 miles. This is all typical for the class, although not the best. Honda also adds two years or 24,000 miles of free scheduled servicing.

Safety Ratings

This still-new generation of Accord has already been crash-tested by the Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and given the highest accolade of Top Safety Pick+.