2017 Honda Accord Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

byCameron RogersManager, News

　　Cameron Rogers has worked in the automotive industry since 2013. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Today, he leads the news team in developing cutting-edge news articles, opinion pieces and sneak peeks at upcoming vehicles. Favorite cars that he's driven during his tenure at zzdcar include the 991-era Porsche 911 Turbo S, Rolls-Royce Ghost and several generations of Honda Odyssey (really).

　　

What’s new

　　The 2017 Accord is largely unchanged, although a Sport Special Edition sedan is new. It includes the regular Sport's features plus heated leather seats with red accent stitching.

　　

Vehicle overview

　　Building on last year's significant updates, the 2017 Honda Accord should appeal whether you're prioritizing interior space, fuel economy, value or even an engaging driving experience. Read on to learn more why the Accord is a must-drive if you're shopping for a midsize sedan or coupe.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2017 Honda Accord LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$140/mo  for Accord LX

　　Accord LX

　　LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6M) - $22,355 MSRPLX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl CVT) (Most Popular) - $23,155 MSRPLX 4dr Sedan w/Honda Sensing (2.4L 4cyl CVT) - $24,155 MSRPLX-S 2dr Coupe (2.4L 4cyl 6M) - $24,025 MSRPLX-S 2dr Coupe (2.4L 4cyl CVT) - $24,875 MSRPLX-S 2dr Coupe w/Honda Sensing (2.4L 4cyl CVT) - $25,875 MSRPSport 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6M) - $24,415 MSRPSport 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl CVT) - $25,215 MSRPSport 4dr Sedan w/Honda Sensing (2.4L 4cyl CVT) - $26,215 MSRPSport Special Edition 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6M) - $25,415 MSRPSport Special Edition 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl CVT) - $26,215 MSRPEX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6M) - $25,730 MSRPEX 2dr Coupe (2.4L 4cyl 6M) - $26,150 MSRPEX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl CVT) - $26,530 MSRPEX 2dr Coupe (2.4L 4cyl CVT) - $27,000 MSRPEX 4dr Sedan w/Honda Sensing (2.4L 4cyl CVT) - $27,530 MSRPEX 2dr Coupe w/Honda Sensing (2.4L 4cyl CVT) - $28,000 MSRPEX-L 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl CVT) - $28,820 MSRPEX-L 2dr Coupe (2.4L 4cyl CVT) - $28,995 MSRPEX-L 4dr Sedan w/Navigation and Honda Sensing (2.4L 4cyl CVT) - $30,820 MSRPEX-L 2dr Coupe w/Navigation and Honda Sensing (2.4L 4cyl CVT) - $30,995 MSRPEX-L V-6 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $30,895 MSRPEX-L V-6 2dr Coupe (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $31,175 MSRPEX-L V-6 2dr Coupe (3.5L 6cyl 6M) - $31,175 MSRPEX-L V-6 4dr Sedan w/Navigation and Honda Sensing (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $32,895 MSRPEX-L V-6 2dr Coupe w/Navigation and Honda Sensing (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $33,175 MSRPTouring V-6 2dr Coupe (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $34,375 MSRPTouring V-6 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $34,830 MSRP

　　vs

　　$164/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　Following some notable revisions last year, the 2017 Honda Accord is essentially a carryover model, and an aging one at that, considering Honda last gave its Accord a full redesign for the 2013 model year. Even so, most of the midsize sedan segment is still playing catchup. The current Accord is arguably Honda at its finest. It scores highly in just about every category, and unlike many rivals, it's a genuine pleasure to drive. If you're looking for a family sedan that does it all, or perhaps a sporty yet still roomy coupe, the 2017 Accord's across-the-board excellence simply cannot be ignored.

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

4.0 / 5

　　Building on last year's significant updates, the 2017 Honda Accord should appeal whether you're prioritizing interior space, fuel economy, value or even an engaging driving experience. Read on to learn more why the Accord is a must-drive if you're shopping for a midsize sedan or coupe.

　　

Trim tested

　　Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions, although trim levels share many aspects. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the 2016 Honda Accord EX-L (2.4L 4-cyl.; CVT automatic).

　　

Scorecard

Overall	4.0 / 5
Driving	4.5
Comfort	4.5
Interior	4.5
Utility	4.0
Technology	3.0

　　

Driving

4.5

　　The 2017 Honda Accord is a top-performing family sedan. Acceleration and braking are among the segment best with the V6 model being quicker than many base model luxury sedans. Handling is responsive and composed, and its easy-to-drive nature makes it accessible to any driver.

　　

Acceleration

4.5

　　The four-cylinder engine delivers smooth but average acceleration for the segment (0 to 60 mph in 8.1 seconds) and is paired to a nice, responsive CVT. For more thrust, the optional V6 engine's silky power returns class-leading acceleration.

　　

Braking

5.0

　　The brake pedal is easy to modulate and isn't overly grabby even at full effort. Hondas used to have some of the worst stopping distances, but not any more. The EX-L we tested stopped from 60 mph in 117 feet, which is commendable for the class.

　　

Steering

4.0

　　Steering is light in effort but feels precise and fluid in its movement. It doesn't offer as much feedback as Hondas of the past, but it feels natural to the point that you won't be thinking about the steering, which is a good thing.

　　

Handling

4.0

　　When you're driving around turns, the Accord keeps its composure, even if there are mid-corner bumps. The car rotates and pivots through corners if coaxed, and the front tires won't simply give up if you drive enthusiastically.

　　

Drivability

5.0

　　The four-cylinder and CVT pairing, usually a sore spot in other cars, is responsive to your demands. Sport shift mode will even maintain proper "gear" ratios as you'd expect. This is a paragon of being easy and pleasant to drive.

　　

Comfort

4.5

　　The Accord's comfort, quietness and overall refinement are standouts in the segment and may even give a few entry-level luxury cars a run for their money. The only area that it comes up a little short is the strength of its climate system. Otherwise it's likely to surpass many expectations.

　　

Seat comfort

4.0

　　The optional leather-covered front seats are firm and supportive during long drives. The cloth seat cushions are a touch softer but still provide good support. The modest side bolstering seems appropriate and non-confining for larger folks.

　　

Ride comfort

5.0

　　The Accord rides very comfortably and composed, even if you've got the big wheels and tires. Whether you're driving on rough roads or on the highway, the suspension feels at ease.

　　

Noise & vibration

4.0

　　Wind and road noise is impressively subdued. As a bonus, the four-cylinder's CVT doesn't cause droning noises they're typically known for. The V6 is smooth and quiet, with pleasingly sporty sounds at high rpm.

　　

Climate control

3.0

　　Air-conditioning proved weak on a hot day, or at least we found ourselves setting the automatic climate control about 7 degrees cooler to achieve the same level of comfort. Some other rival cars do it better.

　　

Interior

4.5

　　The Accord's cabin is an example of how to do it right. There's plenty of space, it's easy to get in and out, and the airy greenhouse provides a good view out for the driver and a roomy environment for passengers.

　　

Ease of use

3.0

　　The touchscreen interface found on most trims isn't very user-friendly, and the abundance of steering wheel buttons can be overwhelming on upper trims. Otherwise, the more basic controls are easy to figure out.

　　

Getting in/getting out

4.0

　　It's easier to access the Accord's rear seats than in some competitors that have sleeker, lower rooflines. The doors are large and light.

　　

Driving position

4.0

　　The eight-way power seats don't have as much rearward travel as in some other sedans, but only the tallest drivers will notice. The seat is mounted high, which helps improve visibility. We also like the steering column's wide range of adjustment.

　　

Roominess

5.0

　　The Accord has a large, airy cabin with plenty of room. A 6-foot-tall driver could sit behind himself with legroom to spare, and there's copious headroom. The rear seats also have a nice reclined seatback angle.

　　

Visibility

4.5

　　The LaneWatch camera is a unique approach to the blind-spot issue, though not everyone finds it useful. Thin upright pillars and large windows make forward visibility easy, even if some of the interior trim reflects glare. A rearview camera is standard.

　　

Quality

4.5

　　Interior materials are of solid quality compared to the best in the class, and it's all screwed together so well that it feels like it'll last for 100 years. There's even good value in top-level trims.

　　

Utility

4.0

　　The Honda Accord is among the class leaders in terms of utility, boasting a nice-sized trunk, abundant small item storage, and a big backseat for car seats and whatever else doesn't fit in back.

　　

Small-item storage

5.0

　　Two bins under the center stack are perfect for keeping a smartphone of whatever jumbo-size proportions Apple or Samsung comes up with next. Large, square cupholders hold a variety of containers but could benefit from better grip.

　　

Cargo space

3.0

　　The 15.5-cubic-foot trunk and its wide opening are average for the segment, meaning they are both really big. All Accords have a 60/40-split folding rear seat, with the exception of the base LX that has a one-piece.

　　

Child safety seat accommodation

4.0

　　LATCH points in outboard positions with three upper tether anchors. You may have to uncomfortably move the passenger seat up for some rear-facing seats, but most will fit well. Access is better than in most cars, but some midsize sedans are better.

　　

Technology

3.0

　　The number of electronic features available on most Accord trim levels is commendable, but the execution of those features needs work. In particular, the Honda Sensing package's various driver aids and the frustrating touchscreen found on most trim levels.

　　

Audio & navigation

2.0

　　The touchscreen found on most trim levels can be frustrating to use. Commonly used menu buttons are too small, and navigation between menus is confusing. There's no volume knob or direct radio tuning method, which means most rivals are much better.

　　

Smartphone integration

3.0

　　Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are present, but transitioning between their controls and those of the Honda-controlled systems is frustrating and confusing. Bluetooth pairing is easy for audio and phone.

　　

Driver aids

2.5

　　Adaptive cruise control is too quick to slam on the brakes, too slow to speed up and doesn't come to a full stop by itself. The collision warning is overly sensitive to the point we prefer it off. The lane departure system functions properly, without being too intrusive or bouncing between lines.

　　

Voice control

5.0

　　The superior voice controls at least serve as a good work-around for some of the other shortcomings. We successfully and easily entered two navigation addresses on the first try, requested a satellite radio station and made a phone call.

　　

Which Accord does zzdcar recommend?

　　While all of the Accord trims provide good value, there's one standout that we can wholeheartedly get behind. The Accord Sport sedan is one of the best deals in the business thanks to its healthy features roster and reasonable price. If you're with us in feeling lukewarm about the touchscreen, you're in luck — the Sport doesn't have it. You can even bolster the Sport's persona and get it with a manual transmission. As for the coupe, we'd spend a bit more and go with the Accord EX-L V6 coupe. Its features buff out the car's appeal, and the V6 brings some old-school Honda flavor to the mix.

　　

2017 Honda Accord models

　　The front-wheel-drive 2017 Honda Accord is available in two body styles. Sedans come in LX, Sport, Sport Special Edition (Sport SE), EX, EX-L, EX-L V6 and Touring trims. Coupes are available in LX-S, EX, EX-L, EX-L V6 and Touring trims. Upgrading from one trim to the next gets you more features,  and we think the associated price bumps are appropriate given the upgrades you get. A suite of advanced safety systems called Honda Sensing is available on all trims except Touring (where it's standard), but our lackluster experiences with this system make it difficult to recommend.

　　Starting with the sedans, the base LX is quite generously equipped and powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine (185 horsepower, 181 pound-feet) paired to a six-speed manual transmission or continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Feature highlights include 16-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, a 7.7-inch central display (not to be confused with the touchscreen that's added on higher trims), Bluetooth, a rearview camera, a height-adjustable driver seat, a one-piece folding rear seat and a four-speaker sound system.

　　Opting for our favorite, the Sport, gets you a bit more power (189 hp, 182 lb-ft), 19-inch wheels, LED daytime running lights and foglights, cloth seating with imitation-leather bolsters, a power driver seat, a 60/40-split folding rear seat and a leather-wrapped steering wheel (with shift paddles if the automatic transmission is specified).

　　The Sport Special Edition is very similar to the regular Sport, but it adds special-edition badging, heated front seats and leather seats with red accent stitching.

　　The Accord EX also builds off the LX, but it focuses more on extra amenities than sportiness, adding 17-inch wheels, LED daytime running lights and foglights, heated mirrors, a sunroof, keyless ignition and entry, remote ignition (with the automatic transmission), the power driver seat,Honda's LaneWatch blind-spot camera system, a six-speaker sound system with a 7-inch touchscreen interface (the standard 7.7-inch display remains as well) and satellite and HD radio. Also standard is smartphone app integration via HondaLink (with smartphone-enabled Aha radio features), Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

　　The EX-L trim comes with the CVT and adds leather upholstery, driver-seat memory functions, a power passenger seat, heated front seats, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and an upgraded seven-speaker sound system. As its name suggests, the EX-L V6 is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 (278 hp, 252 lb-ft) matched to a six-speed automatic.

　　All of the above trims can be outfitted with the Honda Sensing package, which includes adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, and lane departure warning and mitigation. A navigation system is optional for the EX-L and EX-L V6.

　　The range-topping Touring takes the EX-L V6 offerings and adds the features from the Honda Sensing package as well as 19-inch wheels, LED headlights (with automatic high-beam control), automatic wipers, front and rear parking sensors, a rear decklid spoiler, heated outboard rear seats and the navigation system.

　　For the Accord coupe, the base LX-S trim is similar to the LX sedan but adds 17-inch wheels and the six-speaker audio system. The coupe's EX, EX-L, EX-L V6 and Touring trims are also comparable to the sedan's in terms of equipment, though every EX variant gets 18-inch wheels (the Touring gets 19s). Note that all automatic-transmission coupes include standard paddle shifters.

　　

2017 Accord Highlights

Type: SedanCoupeCoupe

　　Trim: LX-SEXEX-LEX-L V-6Touring V-6LX-S

　　

Base MSRP	$24,025
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	26 MPG
Cost to Drive	$140/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	13.7 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles