2020 Honda Accord

Accord has been one of the finest sedans in the segment with aggressive looks, outright performance, upmarket interiors, fine tech suite and a good set of safety features and it continues to be great still. 

The mid-sized sedan market is like the Roman Colosseum. Big names compete for glory with their top sedans. Cars like Kia Optima, Ford Fusion, and Toyota Camry are all set to retain and expand their share of the market. Each car challenges the Honda Accord on a different aspect, from power to available creature comforts but the Accord still manages to outshine most of them. 

 

Also Read: What to expect from the 2021 Honda Accord

Starting at the base price of $23,870 and going all the way up to $34,990, the 2020 Honda Accord is offered in 5 variants namely LX, Sport, EX, EX-L, and Touring. There are a total of two powertrain options available on the Accord. For starters, you have the 1.5L Inline-4 engine and then you have the 2.0L Inline-4 engine both turbocharged. Backing the engine are three transmissions, a CVT, a 6-speed stick shift, and a 10-speed automatic which are classified for different trim levels. All the trims except Touring get the 1.5-liter turbocharged unit under the hood paired with a CVT transmission as standard. However, if you have enough dough in your pocket you can choose the 2.0-liter engine in the Sport and EX-L variant. The Touring trim comes with the 2-liter powerhouse paired with the 10-speed automatic transmission as standard.

Trim	LX	Sport	EX	EX-L	Touring
MSRP	$23,870	$26,530	$27,770	$30,270	$36,100
Key Features	Honda Sensing	Rear Spoiler	One-Touch Power Moonroof	Leather-Trimmed Interior	Head-Up Display (HUD)
	17-inch Alloy Wheels	19-inch Alloy Wheels	Heated Front Seats	Driver's Seat Memory	Side Mirrors with Reverse Gear Tilt-Down
	Eco Assist System	Chrome Exhaust Finishers	60/40 Split Fold-Down Rear Seatback	Automatic-Dimming Rearview Mirror	Body-Colored Parking Sensors (Front/Rear)
	Auto High-Beam Headlights	180-Watt Audio System with 8 Speakers	Heated Power Side Mirrors	450-Watt Premium Audio System with 10 Speakers	Interior Ambient Lighting
	LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL)	12-Way Power Driver's Seat	12-Way Power Driver's Seat	Power-Adjustable Front Passenger Seat	Near Field Communication (NFC)
	Bluetooth Audio	8-inch Display Audio Touch-Screen	Remote Engine Start	HomeLink Remote System	LED Headlights with Auto-On/Off
	USB Audio Interface	LED Fog Lights	Blind Spot Information System with Cross-Traffic Monitor		Rain-Sensing Windshield Wipers
	7-inch Color LCD Screen	Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel	Smart Entry with Walk Away Auto Lock		Heated Rear Outboard Seats
	LED Low-Beam Headlights with Auto-On/Off	Sport Pedals	Apple CarPlay Integration Android Auto Integration		Ventilated Front Seats
	Push Button Start
	Multi-Angle Rearview Camera
	Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control

We Recommend

The Sport trim with the 2.0-liter engine coupled with the 6-speed manual transmission brings the most bang for the buck. You might have to stretch your budget a little but it's totally worth the money. It not only improves the performance factor but also offers adds a host of features like heated mirrors, sporty interior, rear spoiler, and sport paddles at your disposal.

The entry-level Accord hides a turbocharged 1.5L Inline-4 engine mated to a CVT transmission that drills out 192 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque. The EX trim hides a similar powertrain under its hood. This engine wants to be pushed harder but the CVT transmission is more focussed to put up higher efficiency figures rather than making the most of the engine power.

The other engine on offer is the 2-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder unit that puts out a huge 252 ponies and 273 lb.-ft. of torque. This engine paired to the 6-speed manual gearstick in the Sport trim is sort of a wet dream for many purists out there. Not only the manual transmission is slick, but it also helps the engine return a respectable fuel efficiency figures. The only thing that Honda Accord lacks is an AWD variant that will help the car to compete with the likes of more premium cars like the Mercs and Bimmers.

Models	Honda Accord	Kia Optima	Ford Fusion	Hyundai Elantra Sedan SE	Toyota Camry
MSRP	$23,870	$22,900	$22,840	$18,100	$23,845
Engine	1.5L Inline-4	2.4L I-4	2.5L I-4	2.0 L inline-four	2.5l I-4
Transmission	CVT	6-speed automatic	6-Speed Automatic	6-speed Automatic	8-speed automatic
Horsepower	192 @ 5500	185@ 6000	175 @ 6000	147hp @ 6200 rpm	203 hp @ 6600 rpm
Torque	192 @ 1600	178 @ 4000	175 @ 4500	132 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm	184 lb.-ft @ 5000 rpm

The only car that generates more power than the base engine of Honda Accord is the Toyota Camry which makes 203 hp from its 2.5-liter I-4 engine. Although, even after putting out more power, the Camry misses on the character and the eagerness that Accord has on offer. Also, the bigger engine option on Accord just plain kills the competition with its performance.

Acceleration

The 2020 Honda Accord with its 1.5-liter engine mated to the CVT travels 60 mph from naught in 7.6 seconds which is decent but not jaw-dropping. Any other sedan in the lot can close in the gap between the Accord at any time. However, bring in the 2-liter 4-pot motor with the 10-speed auto transmission and no competitor will stand against the ruthless Accord. The car runs from zero to 60 mph in just 5.7 seconds. 

In drag, the Accord takes a full 16 second to hit the quarter-mile light. However, others are not far behind, it will be a nasty fight for sure. The engine on the Honda Accord has linear power delivery and the car can stay at higher RPMs with ease for a longer time. Tap the pedal hard and the passengers might have to hold onto the roof handlebars not get stuck in the seats.

Models	Honda Accord	Kia Optima	Ford Fusion	Hyundai Elantra Sedan SE	Toyota Camry
0-60 MPH(sec)	7.6	6.8	8.9	8.3	7.5s
Quarter mile(sec)	15.9	15.2	15.2	16.4	15.9
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	5.3	6.1	7.1	10.2	-
Curb Weight (lb..)	3131	3411	3431	2767	3241

Honda’s 7.6-second acceleration is the best in the class followed by the Ford Fusion and the Elantra. The acceleration feels uninterrupted even after it hits the 60 mph mark. However, other sedans catch up to the Accord in the quarter-mile run.

Ride and Handling

Behind the wheel, the Accord’s electric-powered steering is precise and accurate but the feel is not natural and the minimal road communication feels like a liability on the Accord. The top Touring trim comes with a lot of perks when it comes to performance, the adaptive suspension changes the game in favor of Honda. The sedan becomes more precise and keen to your command.

Around the curves the Accord is entertaining, merging lanes and overtaking is not a problem for this compact sedan. Despite its large dimensions Honda manages the city’s traffic with ease and is quite maneuverable compared to its competitors in the segment. Around the corners, the Accord inspires confidence with minimal body roll.

Honda’s transmissions are becoming a phenomenon in the mid-size sedan segment. All three transmission options are paired to the new turbocharged Inline-4 engine lineup which is itself an improvement this year. Moreover, the 6-speed manual is slick and precise but lacks the sporty character and on high speeds turns the engine seems to run out of breath. The CVT, on the other hand, is eager for the next gear for the sake of efficiency. The slick 10-speed automatic is by far the sportiest option and our pick for your Accord this year.

Braking

Honda’s reliability is possibly its best suit and this implies to its braking perfectly. The pedal feel is nice and composed and has a good bite to it. Around the city, the pedal is easy to modulate and predictable for the majority of the time. The front brakes are rated at 11.5 inches and the rear brake rotors are rated at 11.1 inches. From a speed of 70 mph, the Accord takes 163 feet to come to a standstill.

The brakes work fine at higher speed with little to no fade away. ABS kicks in at the right time and in the right amount. The EBD and BA helps the car to stop at the required distance while maintaining its composure even during emergency braking.

Models	Honda Accord	Kia Optima	Ford Fusion	Hyundai Elantra Sedan SE	Toyota Camry
Brake Front (in.)	11.5*	12	11.8	10.3	12
Brake Rear (in.)	11.1*	11.2	11.9	9.7	11
60-0 MPH (ft.)	116	124	122	-	122

Stopping prowess of the Honda Accord is unmatchable and the numbers in the table above are proof of it. Toyota Camry and Ford Fusion share the pie in the braking department but the latter is over 200 pounds heavier than all the cars in the segment and still does an excellent job of stopping at 122 feet. The only car that matches the level of Accord's braking calibration and performance is the Ford Fusion.

No engine option on the Accord compromises with efficiency. One might be few points higher on the mileage scale but every trim stands right into the Accord’s legacy of clean cars. The 1.5L Turbo-4 engine generates a 30 mpg city and 38 mpg highway mileage with the CVT transmission. The top Touring trim gets a bigger engine and is only offered in 10-speed automatic which shears a couple of points by mustering 23 mpg city and 27 mpg of highway mileage.

The total travelling range of Accord for the 1.5L CVT engine comes out to be 488 miles while the models equipped with the 2-litre engine can run for about 395 miles.

Models	Honda Accord	Kia Optima	Ford Fusion	Hyundai Elantra Sedan SE	Toyota Camry
MPG (city)	30	24	21	28	29
MPG (highway)	38	33	32	37	41
MPG (combined)	33	27	25	32	34
Fuel Tank Capacity(Gal.)	14.8	18.5	16.5	14	14.5

The class-leading mileage numbers lay it bare. Its direct competitors like the Optima and the Fusion deliver much less on the economy front. Honda wins here big time.

Accord’s interior is not its main attraction but it contributes to its class-leading persona. The cabin is an amalgamation of upmarket interior elements with a lot of soft-touch materials and a contemporary design. All the features are controlled through physical buttons and knobs, all located in the vicinity of the driver. The doorsills are higher than the usual height and the wide front and rear door opening are fair for comfortable entry and exit. The cabin feels large with a lot of options to customize and find your ideal driving position, though the telescopic steering is limited to a certain level.

The cabin utility is not far behind, you get sizable door pockets, cubby holes with space for multiple cell phones, a standard glove box, and a big armrest bin. Frankly, there are so many sections that you might not even use in the long run.

Models	Honda Accord	Kia Optima	Ford Fusion	Hyundai Elantra Sedan SE	Toyota Camry
Passenger capacity	5	5	5	5	5
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	39.5/58.3/42.3	39.8/58.1/45.5	39.2/57.8/44.3	38.8/56.2/42.3	38.3/57.7/42.1
Rear(Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	37.3/56.5/40.4	37.8/56.4/35.6	37.8/56.9/38.3	37.3/55.0/35.7	38/55.7/38

The front seats are large and comforting with 39.5 inches of headroom and 42.3 inches of legroom space. Passengers over 6 ft. will suffer from a limited legroom space resulting in their knees banging on some hard plastic. The rear cabin is superb in terms of legroom as it’s a fair 40.4 inches, however, the headroom is limited for taller boarders.

Infotainment

Honda offers a 7-inch infotainment screen as standard on the Accord. The LCD infotainment screen nicely blends in with the gauge cluster and heads up display on the higher trims. However, you don’t get Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard features on the base trim. You can opt for them in the Sport trim by paying a little extra while the EX, EX-L and Touring trims get these features as standard.

The screen is responsive without any delay and all the menus are simplified with clean graphics. Even under direct sunlight, the screen is easily visible and operating it won't be a tussle.

Cargo Volume

Reliability and Practicality are 2 things the Accord is known for. Honda’s name secures reliability and the generous trunk volume safeguards the latter. Honda Accord is an example of how a car can offer a spacious cabin along with a huge trunk. The Accord offers class-leading 16.7 cubic feet of cargo space is excellent.

The trunk door opens a lot wider making sure that the ingress/egress of cargo can be comfortably done. Also, the height to the trunk lid seems to be appropriate enough so that it's easier for one to pick up heavy luggage.

Models	Honda Accord	Kia Optima	Ford Fusion	Hyundai Elantra Sedan SE	Toyota Camry
Cargo Capacity (lb..)	16.7	15.9	16	14.4	14.1

Again, the practicality factor of Honda Accord is just too high for all the competitors. No rival comes even close to the storage capacity of that of Accord. The second-largest trunk is offered by the Ford Fusion at 16 cubic-feet.

Possibly the most good looking sedan in the segment, Honda Accord keeps its coupe-like styling alive. Though its younger cousin Civic propels on a similar ideology, it’s the Accord that actually pulls it off. Itlooks sportier than its fellow executives in the segment without compromising on practicality. The Sport trim takes things to another level with its chrome exhaust, decklid spoiler and more. Some trims feature grille shutters on the front fascia to enhance the aerodynamics of the car. The 17-inch allow wheels come standard on the Accord with an option for 19-inch alloy wheels.

On the outside, the Honda Accord resembles to its luxury sibling Acura ILX. The front gets a chrome plate between the grille and the hood to give the car a more aggressive touch.The sloping roofline just enhances the looks of Honda Accord with compromising the rear headroom. The rear end of Accord compliments the front end really well with a decklid spoiler and subtle yet stylish looking rear tail lamps.

Models	Honda Accord	Kia Optima	Ford Fusion	Hyundai Elantra Sedan SE	Toyota Camry
Curb weight (lb..)	3131	3219	3411	2844	3241
Length(in)	192.2	191.1	191.7	181.9	192.1
Width(in)	73.3	73.2	75.6	70.9	72.4
Height(in)	57.1	57.7	58.1	56.5	56.9
Ground clearance (in)	5.5	5.3	-	5.3	5.7
Wheelbase (in)	111.4	110.4	112.1	106.3	111.2

In comparison to the competitors, Honda Accord is the biggest and the meanest looking car. It marches past all its rivals in terms of its length, width and wheelbase. In terms of Design, the Ford Fusion and Kia Optima comes close to Honda Accord, however, the latter is just a tad bit better in terms of its design scheme.

Honda never compromises on safety and the Accord is an example of it. The stellar safety numbers from the 3^rd party crash testing says it all. NHTSA awarded the Accord with the highest 5-star rating and even the IIHS agreed on this one as they too gave Accord their top “Good” rating on every aspect of their crash test. The rich safety feature list pushed the envelope with a standard forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking and more.

Safety Features

• Stability Control
• Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation
• Rear Height Adjustable Headrests
• Remote Anti-Theft Alarm System
• Auto Delay Off Headlamps
• Tire Pressure Monitoring
• Traction Control
• Pre-Collision Safety System
• 4-Wheel ABS
• Front Fog/Driving Lights
• Rear Center 3-Point Belt
• Post-Collision Safety System
• Child Seat Anchors
• Lane Departure Warning Accident Avoidance System
• Front And Rear Head Airbags
• Emergency Braking Assist
• Dusk Sensing Headlamps
• LED Headlamp
• Ventilated Front Disc / Solid Rear Disc Brakes

Kia Optima vs Honda Accord

With sufficient power, fair price, and well-rounded practicality, Kia has created a solid offering in the sedan segment. Optima is a family car at its core, you can pick your kids, go shopping, and drive around the city with ease. As Kia Optima looks lucrative to a customer, Honda goes the extra mile with the Accord. Honda backed the Accord with more power and a number of engine and transmission options. And not just that, Honda beats Kia in terms of efficiency and practicality by delivering more mileage and cargo volume. Though Kia is a solid choice but the real bang for your buck lies with the Accord.

Ford Fusion vs Honda Accord

Ford is long known for its heavy-duty commercial vehicles but that doesn’t mean they don’t have a threshold in the sedan market. The Ford Fusion is a blend of the upmarket interior, composed ride quality, and a geeky feature list. On the other hand, Accord delivers an amplified version of the same. There is not much difference in price but a big one in the power output The Accord can muster 17 more ponies more than the fusion. The shoppers favoring efficiency overpower can also rest assured, the Accord’s got an edge here too.

Toyota Camry vs Honda Accord

Being a fellow Japanese and the Accord’s archenemy, the Toyota Camry matches every bid the Accord makes and raises the bar with its 200 plus horsepower. The Camry offers the biggest engine in the comparison, a 2.5-liter unit that makes more power than the Honda Accord. However, the base trim of the Camry can be a little overpriced when compared to Accord.

The buyer of mid-sized sedans will look for something more than a barebones. Considering that and the fact that as you climb the trim ladder both cars balance out on price. In that case, Toyota is a better choice. 

The rise of the crossover market has increased options for the budget shoppers, however, the 2020 Honda Accord still remains in the top 5 cars of every buyer’s list. Hence, Honda is dominating the mid-size sedan market for quite some time. The brand value backed with sufficient power, decent ergonomic numbers, and uninterrupted comfort level is the knack for Honda. All that under the 25 grand spectrum is truly a great deal.

Honda gives you 2 engine and 3 transmission options classified amongst each trim level at a competitive price. By that logic, Honda is catering to a variety of buyers looking for different things in the same segment. So, if you are looking to buy a midsize sedan go no further, the Accord is the car to buy.