For decades, the Honda Accord has enjoyed a deserved reputation for excellence. And the current version, which first appeared in 2018, is no different. In fact, we think it’s better than ever. Some 8 inches longer than its compact sibling, the Honda Civic, the midsize Accord offers sleek styling as well as a spacious, well-appointed cabin with easy-to-use tech and one of the segment’s roomiest trunks. But its strongest trait is only apparent once you take it for a spin. Despite its family-car roots, the Accord is truly fun to drive, thanks to a compelling combination of engaging handling, responsive performance, and comfortable ride. The base 1.5-liter engine offers plenty of pep — not to mention good fuel economy — while an optional turbocharged 2.0-liter ups the fun quotient considerably. A fuel-sipping hybrid version is also available. The Accord’s ongoing excellence has inspired rivals, such as the Mazda Mazda6 and the Toyota Camry, to up their games, while newcomers, such as the Kia K5 and Hyundai Sonata, also offer strong competition. But the Accord remains the benchmark in this class.
Pros: A joy to drive. Plenty of passenger and cargo space. Fuel-efficient — especially the available hybrid.
Cons: Lacks all-wheel drive. Higher trim levels can get expensive. Finicky push-button gear selector.
The 2022 Honda Accord is offered in LX, Sport, Sport SE, EX-L, Sport 2.0T, and Touring trim levels. The Accord Hybrid comes in base, Sport, EX-L, and Touring form.
The Accord’s standard 1.5-liter turbocharged engine makes 192 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque. It’s paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Output from the base engine is adequate, and the CVT is better than most. But the larger 2.0-liter turbo engine with 252 hp and 273 lb-ft is worthy of consideration for performance-minded drivers — this car is genuinely quick. And the well-mannered 10-speed automatic makes the most of the turbo engine’s substantial power. The Accord Hybrid is rated at 212 hp and 232 lb-ft of torque.
The 2022 Honda Accord with the base 1.5-liter engine is rated by the Environmental Protection Agency to deliver 30/38 mpg city/highway. Those numbers drop to 29 city/35 highway for the Sport and Sport SE models. With the larger 2.0-liter engine, the estimates fall even lower to 22/32 mpg city/highway. With either engine, the Accord is competitive with its chief rivals. The Accord Hybrid returns 48/47 mpg city/highway in base or EX-L trim and 44 city/41 highway in Sport or Touring form. Impressive as those figures are, they’re slightly below those of the Camry Hybrid and the Sonata Hybrid, although the Accord’s hybrid powertrain is somewhat more powerful than those two.
Honda gave the Accord a minor refresh just last year. The model continues for 2022 with no significant changes. Beginning MSRP is $26,500.
