2023 Honda Accord

　　

2023 Honda Accord Review

byMark TakahashiCorrespondent

　　Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the zzdcar YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.

　　The Honda Accord has been either at the top or near the top of the midsize family sedan class for decades. With its combination of space, satisfying performance and reputation for reliability, it's easy to see why. This year marks yet another milestone in the vehicle's long history, as the 2023 Honda Accord has been fully redesigned.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 Honda Accord LX 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) 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 $3.06 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$117/mo  for Accord LX

　　Accord LX

　　LX 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $27,295 MSRPEX 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $29,060 MSRPEX 4dr Sedan w/Blind Spot Information (BSI) (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) (Most Popular) - $29,610 MSRPSport Hybrid 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT) - $31,345 MSRPSport Hybrid 4dr Sedan w/Blind Spot Information (BSI) (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT) - $31,895 MSRPEX-L Hybrid 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT) - $32,990 MSRPEX-L Hybrid 4dr Sedan w/Blind Spot Information (BSI) (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT) - $33,540 MSRPSport-L Hybrid 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT) - $33,325 MSRPSport-L Hybrid 4dr Sedan w/Blind Spot Information (BSI) (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT) - $33,875 MSRPTouring Hybrid 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT) - $37,340 MSRPTouring Hybrid 4dr Sedan w/Blind Spot Information (BSI) (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT) - $37,890 MSRP

　　vs

　　$165/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　This new Accord has a somewhat similar profile to the previous generation, with a long hood and distinctive sloping roofline that adds some sleek, sporty personality. Up front, the grille and headlights have been simplified for a more cohesive and clean look, while the taillights adopt a tidier European flavor. Overall, it's a pleasing design that doesn't try too hard to get noticed.

　　Shoppers have the choice of two powertrains. The lower-level LX and EX trims come with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine that's largely a carryover from the previous generation Accord. All other trim levels come with a revised hybrid powertrain that Honda says can now sustain the Accord at higher speed so the engine won't cut in to assist as frequently. It also carries an impressive EPA estimate of 48 mpg in combined city and highway driving. Gone for 2023 is the Accord's previous top-line engine, the turbocharged 2.0-liter.

　　Inside, the new Accord's layout is nearly identical to what we've seen in the latest redesigns of the Civic, CR-V, HR-V and Pilot, but it's been elevated by nicer materials everywhere you look and touch. The controls are easy to reach and there's no guessing to do when you're trying to adjust the volume, change the temperature, or even fiddle with the drive modes. For 2023, Accords with the hybrid powertrain get a new 12.3-inch infotainment display that is crystal-clear and instantly responsive. As an added bonus, the Touring trim has Google Assistant built right in. Think of it as having the smart speaker sitting on your bookshelf at home integrated into your car too.

　　Overall, we like the new Accord's spacious, refined interior and new Google-based voice control system. The hybrid system's high fuel economy is another draw. Unfortunately, the Accord is held back by a few drawbacks. Check out our complete Expert Rating for the full report on what to expect and how the Accord stacks up against the likes of the Kia K5, Hyundai Sonata and Toyota Camry.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Good

　　7.9

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.0/10

　　How does the Accord drive? We tested the Accord Sport-L, which has the hybrid powertrain. It works great in everyday driving to maximize fuel efficiency without sacrificing performance. At zzdcar' test track, our Sport-L test car accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 7 seconds, which is about a second quicker than most rival midsize hybrid sedans as well as the last Accord we tested with the base turbocharged engine. This powertrain doesn't have a transmission in the traditional sense, but Honda has cleverly programmed it to adjust engine rpm to provide the familiar shifting experience of a traditional automatic transmission. As for handling and steering, the Accord is respectably grippy when cornering but lacks the natural athleticism that earlier Accords were known for.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the Accord? The Accord does a good job of keeping unwanted noise out of the cabin. And when the car is driving in electric mode, things are even more serene. Like other Honda vehicles, the driver's seat in the Accord could use a bit more padding, but otherwise has enough adjustability for nearly everyone to get comfortable when behind the wheel. The climate system is more than adequate when heating or cooling the car. However, the lack of rear seat air vents on some trim levels is a major oversight.

　　With 19-inch wheels, our test car displayed a wonderful ride quality. It soaked up major bumps and bruises without issue and kept its composure through our time with it. We'd wager that the EX-L trim, and its smaller wheels, would be even better.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below