The Accord has been a top or near top-selling sedan for decades, and Honda looks to keep it that way with a big overhaul for 2023.
While sedans have been taking a big hit in the age of the crossover, Honda still produces and continues to invest in its big sedan. For 2023, Honda gave the Accord a major rework, and with one quick glance, the Accord stands out.
A fresh new face including a large mesh grill and LED lighting give this sedan a bit more flash without looking odd. The body is long yet more athletic looking than before. The roofline slopes toward the trunk giving it more of a sporty hatchback vibe. The Hybrid Touring scores you 19-inch wheels and a two-tone color scheme that give the Accord a fun look.
Hop inside and the Accord will impress you with its space. The interior is large for a midsize sedan, with good space for the driver and passengers in both the front and back. The seat comfort seems improved from previous Accords, but some competitors have better seat cushions. Accord Hybrid models get wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability — the Accord Hybrid Touring I drove had Google built in. A large 12.3-inch touchscreen has decent graphics, and the Bose premium sound system had a good sound quality for this price range. Even though this is a hybrid, the trunk space is the same large, 16.7 cubic feet as the all-gas version.
Another reason to pick the hybrid version is that 12hp bump you get over the all-gas version. With 204hp, the Accord Hybrid Touring had adequate power. It never felt underpowered but never really fast, either. The fuel economy is impressive. The Accord Hybrid did several days of my commute at over 50 MPG thanks to a fair amount of traffic. The Hybrid Touring liked highways and the commute more than ripping up the back roads. The refined ride pays dividends on all road surfaces with improved road feel and less shock from bumps.
Cost: $38,985 as tested
MPG: 46 MPG City; 41 MPG Highway. I managed 43.2 MPG in 202 miles of mixed driving.
Safety: Blind spot information system; rear cross traffic monitor; front and rear parking sensors; collision mitigation braking system; road departure mitigation; adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow; lane keeping assist system; pedestrian detection; traffic; acoustic vehicle alerting system; traffic sign recognition system
Things to know: The latest version of the Accord has a more upscale look and very spacious interior and good MPG with the hybrid version.
Pros:
- New looks give the latest Accord an upscale look
- Great fuel economy when you choose the hybrid version
- More space inside than before
Cons:
- Gets pricey in Touring Hybrid trim level
- Not as fun to drive as previous generations of the Accord
- Harder seats bottoms than some of the rivals
