As sedan sales dwindle and buyers flock to SUVs, the Honda Accord remains hugely popular. As the 17th bestselling vehicle in the U.S. in 2023, it was the fifth most popular car. It’s not hard to see why: It’s spacious, efficient, affordable and fun to drive. While buyers may not flock to it the way they once did, the Accord’s characteristics were enough to make it a finalist for Cars.com’s annual Best Car of the Year award for 2024. We heartily endorse the Accord for any shopper, leaving just one question: Which trim level is right for you?
Related: 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid Vs. 2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid: Which Gets Better Real-World Gas Mileage?
Powertrain Specs and MPG
A turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine powers the Accord LX and EX, routing its 192 horsepower and 192 pounds-feet of torque through a continuously variable automatic transmission to the front wheels. EPA-rated fuel economy for this combo is 29/37/32 mpg city/highway/combined.
The Accord Sport, EX-L, Sport-L and Touring are powered by a hybrid powertrain based on a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that makes 146 hp and 134 pounds-feet. The gas engine is aided by two electric motors that combine for 181 hp and 247 pounds-feet, for a total system output of 204 hp. (Because gas engines and electric motors make power differently, you can’t simply add peak figures to arrive at output totals.) Not only is the hybrid more powerful, it is vastly more fuel-efficient, with the Sport, Sport-L and Touring rated at 46/41/44 mpg and the single-minded EX-L stretching those figures to 51/44/48 mpg. The hybrid also employs a CVT and is front-wheel drive.
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LX
The Accord LX is a lot of car and starts at $28,990 (all prices include $1,095 destination). It doesn’t include too many frills, but what it does have is meaningful and imparts a feeling of richness even in the most basic Accord. Standard equipment includes LED exterior lighting, keyless entry and starting, a 10.2-inch digital instrument panel, a 7-inch touchscreen with wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and four speakers.
The Honda Sensing suite of advanced driver-assist systems is standard across the Accord lineup and includes forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-centering steering, adaptive cruise control, traffic-sign recognition and automatic high beams.
EX
Pricewise, the $31,005 EX is a small step up from the LX, but it includes key features like a power moonroof, power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, and an eight-speaker sound system. It also nets additional safety gear, adding blind spot monitors and rear cross-traffic alert.
Sport
Unlike many vehicles’ Sport trim levels, the Accord’s is appropriately named. It starts at $33,990 and includes the more powerful (and efficient) hybrid powertrain and little else aside from visual upgrades. It rides on black 19-inch wheels — 2 inches larger than the LX and EX’s — and features black side mirrors and a black spoiler. Inside, it’s finished in unique black cloth upholstery and gets aluminum pedals, but does without the heated front seats. The Sport trim also comes with a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen with Alexa Built-in and wireless smartphone connectivity.
EX-L
Starting at $35,635, the efficiency-minded EX-L reverts to 17-inch wheels in pursuit of its singular fuel economy. (Larger wheels tend to be heavier, reducing efficiency.) In the interest of comfort, the EX-L adds leather upholstery, a power-adjustable front passenger seat and regains the heated front seats. Front and rear parking sensors are also standard.
Sport-L
Blending the visual upgrades of the lesser Sport and the luxury equipment of the EX-L, the $35,970 Sport-L rides on matte-black 19-inch wheels and is fitted with a black rear diffuser. Maintaining an additional degree of consistency with the cheaper Sport, it has heated seats, but does without the EX-L’s parking sensors.
Touring
There’s little left to throw at the Accord by the time you arrive at the Touring, but Honda scrounged around and found a few extras. With a $39,985 starting price, the range topper adds ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, Google Built-In, a 12-speaker Bose audio system and wireless phone charging. The parking sensors make their triumphant return here, with a head-up display and rain-sensing windshield wipers rounding out the safety upgrades.
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