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The Honda Accord is a perennial all-star in its class year after year so we’ve determined which is the better value now.
Honda Accord: Buy New or Save With Used?
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It was five years ago that Honda finished off the ninth generation of the Accord with the 2017 year model. That car was an award winner even as the chapter closed and a new car arrived in 2018. Now, in 2022, we’re just about to see another all-new Accord take to the streets to kick off the eleventh gen. It’s with that in mind that we wanted to see what the best of the last-gen car offers in comparison with the best, and final iteration of the tenth generation, the 2022 Honda Accord.
Specs
In 2017, the base Accord came with a 2.4-liter 185-horsepower four-cylinder engine and front-wheel drive. Buyers could choose from either a six-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission. An upgraded Sport model offered 189-horsepower and an even more powerful V6 option made 278-horsepower. The V6 was only offered with a six-speed conventional automatic gearbox. It’s worth noting that Honda also made a coupe version of the Accord as well as a hybrid back in 2017. To keep this competition as straightforward as possible, we’re focusing solely on the non-electrified sedans.
The EPA estimates that the base engine should get 27 MPG in the city and 36 on the highway. Go for the V6 and those numbers drop to 21 and 33 respectively. Today, it’s not very hard to find a very low mileage 2017 Accord for $20,000 or less and that’s not just the base model we’re talking about. This example has the V6, leather upholstery, a sunroof, and navigation, for instance.
The 2022 Honda Accord starts with a 1.5-liter four-cylinder that makes 192-horsepower and sends it to the front wheels only via a CVT. Above that is a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that makes 252-horsepower and it’s mated to a traditional 10-speed automatic transmission. Just like the 2017 model, this Accord is only available with front-wheel drive.
Unlike the older car, the 2022 Honda Accord base engine gets better fuel economy no matter where you drive it. In the city, it should get about 30 MPG and on the highway, that number jumps to 38. Interestingly, the turbocharged engine is less efficient on the highway than the old V6, only scoring an EPA-estimated 32 MPG. Of course, in the city, it does slightly better and scores 22 MPG. Finally, with regard to price, the new Accord starts at about $27,000 and can rise above $40,000 depending on trim, options, and dealer markup.
Driving & Performance
Despite a drivetrain that screams pedestrian, the Accord has been one of the most engaging cars in its segment for some time now. It’s not fast, powerful, or anything we’d call sporty, but it does offer excellent feedback. As you push it into turns it responds accurately and lets you know as you’re reaching the limits of grip. On the other side of the coin, it’s a quiet and comfortable car to drive every day. Both engines are good and we’d go for the V6 despite being locked into an automatic-only transmission. The extra power is just that much more engaging.
While it’s a bit disappointing that peak power for the 2022 Honda Accord is lower than that of its predecessor, the car itself is even sharper to drive. It’s also still powerful enough to spin the tires should one want to get off to a quick start. Body roll is kept to a minimum and the updated suspension is confidence-inspiring too. If you enjoy the feeling of driving but practicality dictates a more sedate ride, the Accord can offer both without major compromise. In almost every way, the newer Honda does everything that the old one did but just a touch better.
Comfort & Interior
We’ve already mentioned that the 2017 Accord is quiet and comfortable on the road but we should note that those qualities apply across the range. Unlike in many other vehicles, adding larger wheels or the sport-tuned suspension option doesn’t mean dealing with harsh impacts and lots of road noise. In addition, the cabin is roomy and the seating is supportive. We really like the optional leather upholstery and the excellent visibility too. If there’s any downside to the 2017 Accord it has to do with a lackluster climate control system that could be more accurate and quicker to respond.
Thankfully, Honda has addressed the climate issues and the new car does a commendable job. In addition, we think the seating is even better with improved headrests and better bolstering. Sadly, interior noise levels seem to have risen. The suspension still does a great job of sorting out bumps and overall the cabin is a quiet place to be but the tires are louder than in times past. Of course, a 2017 Accord is likely on its second set of rubber at this point so take that for what it’s worth. Honda also sells the new Accord with adaptive shocks which are fine but not so good that we’d splash the extra cash on them.
Trims & Features
In 2017, Honda sold the Accord sedan in seven trim levels. The base came with a 2.4-liter 184-horsepower engine, 16-inch wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a 7.7-inch infotainment system.
The Accord Sport is next in the lineup with 189-horsepower, dual exhaust, LED DRLs, LED fog lights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and 19-inch wheels.
The Sport Special Edition added heated front seats, leather upholstery, red stitching, and special edition badging.
Above that, the EX added 17-inch wheels, remote start, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, a sunroof, a blind-spot camera system, and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system that compliments, not replaces, the standard 7.7-inch unit. Android Auto and Apple Carplay are available through the HondaLink smartphone application.
Consider the EX-L as the first luxuriously appointed Accord with its power-adjustable passenger seat, leather upholstery, driver-seat memory functions, and a seven-speaker sound system.
The EX-L V6 is identical to the normal EX-L aside from the fact that it comes with the 278-horsepower V6.
Finally, the Touring model gets the V6 along with 19-inch wheels, LED headlights, automatic wipers, parking sensors, heated outboard rear seats, and integrated navigation.
The Sport gets 19-inch wheels, LED fog lights, paddle shifters, unique Sport-only trim, eight speakers, rear USB ports, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
For 2022, Honda has six trims starting off with the LX. It has 17-inch wheels, LED headlights, an 8-inch infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, four speakers, dual-zone automatic climate control, and cloth upholstery. Under its hood lies a 192-horsepower engine.
Upgrade to the Sport SE and you’ll get keyless entry, leather upholstery, heated front seats, a power-adjustable passenger seat, and remote start.
The EX-L adds a sunroof, wireless charging as well as Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, satellite radio, and a 10-speaker sound system.
Buyers who want more power can look to the Sport 2.0 with its 252-horsepower engine and 10-speed automatic transmission. A sunroof, satellite radio, wireless Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay are all standard.
The Touring is again at the top of the lineup and comes with heated outboard rear seats, adaptive suspension dampers, a heads-up display, rain-sensing wipers, ventilated front seats, integrated navigation, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.
The Verdict
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These are both excellent cars and buyers will be happy with each one of them in most cases. As far as total value for the dollar though we have to give the award to the 2017 Honda Accord. No, it doesn’t have some of the same excellent features that the new car does but it’s still an awesome package, and depending on the trim you want it could be half the price of a new Accord. That’s a tough deal to pass up considering that it still has a great deal of what makes the new Accord so good.
