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2019 Honda Accord 2019 Honda Accord

2019 Honda Accord

For many buyers, the Honda Accord is the default choice for a midsize sedan. It's easy to understand why. Between a generous level of standard equipment, excellent gas mileage, novel technology features, and a reputation for reliability, the Accord has a great deal to offer.

Overview

The current generation of the Accord defies a general upsizing trend in the midsize segment, although its 192.5-inch overall length still makes it larger than many rivals. Though Honda kept its size in check, there's a significant increase in overall rear seat space thanks to vastly improved packaging.

Stylistically, the car represents a welcome departure from its rather frumpy predecessor. It borrows some styling cues from the smaller Civic, though it stops short of copying it. Shorter overhangs help it to look much more trim, while a deep character line running just below the front door handle and into the rear door handle further reduces the appearance of heft. The fastback-like roof line makes it look sportier than ever before. 

Note that, for the latest generation, Honda pared down the Accord line-up to just the sedan model. The coupe will not return anytime soon.

Life aboard

Inside, in place of the somewhat cluttered dashboard of the last-gen model is a simple and elegant unit with an intuitive control layout. The button count is way down, thanks in part to a standard high-resolution display in the center stack. Upmarket models benefit from Honda's HondaLink infotainment interface and a second, smaller display in the center of the dashboard.

Uniquely, Honda's available LaneWatch system uses a camera mounted on the passenger-side mirror to transmit an image of the blind spot to the infotainment screen on certain higher-specification Accords.

Trunk space checks in at 16.7 cubic feet.

Technical specifications

The entry-level Accord comes with a turbocharged, 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 192 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 192 pound-feet of torque between 1,600 and 5,000 rpm. It spins the front wheels via a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Fuel economy checks in at 30 mpg in the city, 38 mpg on the highway, and 33 mpg in a mixed cycle.

The Sport model gets the same engine, but it's available with a six-speed manual transmission.

2.0T variants receive -- you guessed it -- a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that's turbocharged. Buyers who select the bigger engine have 252 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque available under their right foot. Transmission options include a 10-speed automatic and, on the Sport variant, a six-speed manual. Fuel economy for the 2.0-liter engine checks in at 22 mpg in the city, 32 mpg on the highway, and 26 mpg in a mixed cycle.

Finally, the Accord Hybrid uses a naturally-aspirated, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and a two-motor hybrid system. These power sources team up to deliver 212 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque. The Hybrid is the efficiency champ of the Accord line-up. It's rated at 48 mpg all across the board.

Standard and optional features

Honda offers the Accord in 12 trim levels named LX, Sport, EX, EX-L, Touring, Sport 2.0T, EX-L 2.0T, Touring 2.0T, Hybrid, EX Hybrid, EX-L Hybrid, and Touring Hybrid, respectively.

Highlights from the list of standard features include power mirrors, LED headlights, dual-zone climate control, a push-button ignition, cruise control, map lights, floor mats, a manually-adjustable driver's seat, a 160-watt sound system with four speakers, Bluetooth connectivity, and a seven-inch screen for the infotainment system.

Buyers unlock more features as they move up in the trim hiearchy. More expensive trims benefit from Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, an eight-inch screen, a 10-speaker sound system, and leather upholstery on the steering wheel.

Occupant safety

All Accords come standard with dual front, front side, full-length side-curtain, and front knee airbags in addition to traction and stability control systems, brake assist, electronic brakeforce distribution and a tire-pressure monitoring system.

Even the base model comes equipped with a collision mitigation braking system, road departure mitigation, forward collision warning, and lane departure warning. Lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, and automatic high beams also come standard.

Key competitors

The Accord faces strong competition from midsize sedan rivals such as the Nissan Altima, the gorgeous and high-tech Ford Fusion, the ever-popular Toyota Camry, the high-value Hyundai Sonata, and the all-around capable Volkswagen Passat.

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