Michael Simari|Car and Driver
- The Honda Accord has been on the 10Best list for almost 40 years.
- Nicely optioned versions can be found in the mid-$30K range.
- It’s even possible to dig up the rarely found manual-transmission-equipped Accord.
Launched in 1976, the Honda Accord had the simplest and clearest of goals: take the crowd-pleasing attributes of the Civic and move them up a size. Just under a decade later, that mission statement landed the Accord on Car and Driver’s 10Best list, where it has clung for 39 years with the tenacity of a four-doored barnacle.Shop Used Honda Accords | Shop New Honda AccordsThe Accord’s long-term success is down to the classic Honda virtue of being better than it needs to be. As a practical family sedan, it’s roomy, thrifty, and rides well. However, show it a few corners and the chassis comes alive. It’s not some premium-badged sports sedan, just a satisfyingly lively machine that adds a dollop of fun to go along with useful everyday friendliness.HondaHonda Accord Sport.New or used, a Honda Accord is thus something of a no-brainer for those looking for practical transportation that’s not a total snooze fest. Head over to Car and Driver‘s Marketplace section, powered by Autotrader, and check out what the market’s like for Honda’s mainstream sedan home run.
➡️ Skip the lot. Let Car and Driver help you find your next car.Shop New Cars Shop Used CarsNewFor the 2025 model year, we still found the Accord solidly delivering that Civic-plus character that has found so many fans over the decade. The base model doesn’t offer much in terms of extras, but the mid-trim Sport and EX-L versions nail the brief in terms of blending value, a satisfying driving experience, and plenty of niceties.Basically, between $33,000 and $35,000 will net you a new Accord with plenty of features, in the color you want.The base model comes with a 1.5-liter four-cylinder, but it’s worth paying a little more for the hybrid powertrain in the middle trims. It offers the most power available for the Accord, with a combined 204 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque. It’s also the easiest on fuel, rated at 41 mpg on the highway and 46 mpg in the city.Example: We found a 2025 Accord Sport on our Marketplace with delivery mileage in a hard-wearing gray over black cloth interior combination in southeastern Michigan for $33,510. That’s a slight discount off MSRP. An EX-L with a few more luxury options including leather seats can be had for as little as $34,137. Basically, between $33,000 and $35,000 will net you a new Accord with plenty of features, in the color you want.
UsedWhile buying a car from the Accord’s wayback catalog is probably about vintage thrills—ooh, pop up headlights—any of the nameplate’s more recent models remain a safe bet for reliable transportation. The current-generation car debuted in 2023, so it’s possible to find something with a few miles on it that’s thousands less than new.The previous-generation Accord, the 10th generation, drives just as nicely as the current machine, and it was available with a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder in a broader range of trims. We found a manufacturer-certified 2022 Accord Sport with 27,171 miles on it for $24,040, a third less expensive than new with many years ahead of it.The Accord ditched the manual transmission for the 2020 facelift year, but out of interest we went hunting to see if there were any stick-shift cars still out there. This required casting a wider net, but we found a 2019 Sport with the more powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and a honest to goodness six-speed manual. With just over 37,000 miles on the odometer, it was listed for $26,428, a bit of a premium for its rarity.Now, as then, the Accord is a perennial 10Best winner for a reason. New or used, it’ll be a solid workhorse for your day-to-day and still provide a bit of fun for the weekend. Related Stories
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Brendan McAleerContributing EditorBrendan McAleer is a freelance writer and photographer based in North Vancouver, B.C., Canada. He grew up splitting his knuckles on British automobiles, came of age in the golden era of Japanese sport-compact performance, and began writing about cars and people in 2008. His particular interest is the intersection between humanity and machinery, whether it is the racing career of Walter Cronkite or Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki’s half-century obsession with the Citroën 2CV. He has taught both of his young daughters how to shift a manual transmission and is grateful for the excuse they provide to be perpetually buying Hot Wheels.
Source: caranddriver.com
