2023 Honda Accord

The hybrid is the representative volume powertrain: it is standard on four of the six 2023 trims (Sport, EX-L, Sport-L and Touring), while only LX and EX use the 1.5T. This all-new eleventh-generation model replaced the prior 2.0T with the new 204-hp two-motor hybrid system.

The volume hybrid's electric traction motor supplies 247 lb-ft immediately, substantially more than the gas trims' 192 lb-ft. Honda and instrumented-test specifications consistently quote 247 lb-ft for the hybrid system.

MotorTrend's instrumented Sport-L result is used as representative of the volume hybrid configuration. Other instrumented 2023 hybrid tests were slightly quicker, confirming a tight 6.5–6.8-second range.

The two-motor hybrid delivers immediate electric torque and smooth, direct response, with transitions sufficiently polished for the Accord to remain a refinement benchmark. The engine can still become audible under hard acceleration, keeping it short of the very top tier.

The hybrid's direct-drive arrangement is seamless in normal use and its programmed ratio changes convincingly mimic shifts during acceleration, avoiding the sustained drone common to less polished eCVTs. There is no gear hunting, though the simulated behavior is not as engaging as a crisp conventional automatic.

Every 2023 Accord is front-wheel drive; Honda offered no AWD option on any gas or hybrid trim. The token score reflects complete absence of the capability in a segment where several rivals offer it.

Two distinct choices cover mainstream needs well: a revised 192-hp turbo gas engine on LX/EX and a 204-hp two-motor hybrid across four higher trims. Breadth is good but not exceptional because the redesign dropped the 2.0T and offers neither AWD, PHEV nor EV variants.

The entry Sport Hybrid is the representative volume trim: Honda targeted roughly half of Accord sales for the four hybrid trims, and the Sport was their lowest-priced, broadest-volume configuration. Its 19-inch wheels produce the same 44-MPG combined rating as Sport-L and Touring, while the 17-inch-wheel EX-L reaches 48 MPG.

The redesigned two-motor hybrid is especially effective in urban driving, giving the volume Sport Hybrid a 46-MPG EPA city rating. The lighter EX-L Hybrid on 17-inch wheels improves that to 51 MPG.

At highway speeds the hybrid advantage narrows, but the Sport Hybrid still earns 41 MPG. EX-L's smaller 17-inch wheels raise its highway figure to 44 MPG.

Honda specifies a 12.81-gallon tank for every hybrid trim; applying the Sport Hybrid's 44-MPG combined EPA rating yields about 563 miles. The 48-MPG EX-L stretches the same tank to roughly 614 miles.

The EPA's current standard-assumption estimate for the 44-MPG Sport/Touring configuration is $1,400 per year. This field can change as EPA updates its reference fuel price, so the value reflects the record retrieved for this scoring run.

Every 2023 Accord powertrain runs on regular unleaded, including the hybrid, and the conventional full hybrid never needs to be plugged in. Owners therefore avoid both premium-fuel expense and charging requirements.

The redesigned 2023 Accord earned NHTSA's maximum overall rating, with five-star frontal, side, and rollover results.

The first-year eleventh-generation Accord earned 2023 Top Safety Pick+ and Good overall ratings in both small-overlap tests, original and updated moderate-overlap tests, and the updated side test.

Every trim has AEB, adaptive cruise with low-speed follow, lane keeping/centering, traffic-jam assist, and road-departure mitigation. Blind-spot information and cross-traffic monitoring are available from EX upward rather than standard on the base LX, preventing a comprehensive-suite score.

Standard CMBS performed at the top level in IIHS daytime pedestrian testing and one level below at night. Nighttime low-beam scenarios exposed some weakness, so it falls short of a near-perfect score.

Blind-spot information with rear cross-traffic monitoring is offered on most trims but absent from the LX and operates as an alert system rather than providing active steering or braking intervention.

Lane-departure prevention, LKAS, and Traffic Jam Assist are standard and provide genuine centering, but instrumented long-term reviewers reported wandering and inconsistent lane placement. Other reviewers found the redesigned system more natural, supporting a functional but merely average score.

Full-speed adaptive cruise with Low-Speed Follow and Traffic Jam Assist is standard and useful in congestion. Long-term testing nevertheless recorded false braking near adjacent trucks, and the uneven lane centering limits the combined highway-assist experience.

No factory hands-free highway-driving system was offered on any 2023 Accord trim; Honda Sensing's lane and cruise assistance requires continuous driver supervision and hands on the wheel.

Good-rated LED reflector headlights and automatic high beams are standard on every trim. They lack curve-adaptive hardware, but IIHS found no excessive low-beam glare and credited high-beam assist for compensating on curves.

The low cowl, straightforward sedan shape, and clear forward sightlines make the Accord easy to place, while rear-quarter views are only average and there is no broadly standard surround-view camera to fully compensate.

IIHS rates the anchors Good+ with two complete outboard positions, easy-to-reach lower anchors, and a borrowable center position. Installation is roomy and straightforward, though fixed head restraints interfere with some forward-facing seats and three-across did not fit in an independent check.

The redesigned 11th-generation Accord remains a conventional five-passenger midsize sedan throughout the 2023 U.S. lineup.

The no-moonroof LX provides excellent front headroom; the standard moonroof on EX and hybrid trims reduces it by 2.0 inches.

Front legroom is unchanged across every gas and hybrid trim and is competitive for a midsize sedan.

Rear headroom is solid and nearly unaffected by the moonroof, varying by only 0.1 inch across the lineup.

The all-new model gains 0.4 inch over the prior generation and offers class-leading adult and child-seat space in back.

The large, wide-opening trunk is identical across gas and hybrid models, with no hybrid battery penalty.

A center-console bin, door pockets, seatback pocket, cupholders and folding rear seat provide good everyday utility, but there is no standout storage innovation and wireless charging is Touring-only.

The front chairs combine supportive shaping with genuine all-day comfort, while the exceptional rear legroom makes the rear bench adult-friendly; limited passenger-seat adjustment keeps it short of the very top band.

The Accord delivers a rare combination of disciplined body control and excellent bump compliance, especially on the volume 17-inch-wheel configurations.

Noise isolation is strong for a mainstream sedan, with standard active noise control and a notably calm highway cabin, though coarse engine sound under hard acceleration and tire thwack over sharp chop prevent luxury-car quietness.

Dual-zone automatic climate control and heated front seats arrive on EX and above, but rear vents, ventilated front seats and heated rear seats are restricted to Touring, and no heated steering wheel is offered in the U.S. lineup.

The LX was the entry trim for the all-new eleventh-generation 2023 Accord. Its destination-inclusive price was low within the midsize-sedan segment.

Honda expected hybrids to make up about half of Accord sales, and the Sport Hybrid was the accessible entry hybrid, making it the representative volume configuration. The 2023 redesign made hybrid power standard on Sport and higher trims.

This trim-specific industry projection combines scheduled and unscheduled maintenance with repairs not covered by warranty, assuming 15,000 miles per year. Actual costs vary with location, use, and tire replacement timing.

The Accord's projected five-year retention is near the top of the sedan scoring band, reflecting strong demand for used Accords. This is a model-level projection rather than a trim-specific guaranteed residual.

Honda's new-vehicle limited warranty matches the minimum of the sedan scoring band.

The standard powertrain warranty is at the floor of the scoring band. Sport Hybrid also receives separate, longer high-voltage battery coverage.

The 2023 Accord included two years/24,000 miles of specified scheduled maintenance plus roadside assistance throughout the 3-year/36,000-mile basic-warranty term. That is a strong multi-year mainstream package, though maintenance is limited to oil changes, tire rotations, and inspections triggered by Maintenance Minder.

$32,440 volume-trim price minus its estimated resale value after 5 years (63.7% retained, or about $20,664) leaves about $11,776 in depreciation. Add the projected $7,532 in 5-year maintenance and repairs, and owning this vehicle for 5 years costs about $19,308 in total.

Owner-survey results are above average despite this being the first year of a redesign. Consumer Reports rates the 2023 Accord more reliable than other vehicles from the same model year, while J.D. Power's 80/100 is at the top of its Average band.

Honda's multi-year record is upper-tier but not uniformly top-five across studies. Consumer Reports placed Honda fourth in new-car reliability in its 2024 survey, while J.D. Power's 2024 VDS put Honda below the 190-PP100 industry average at 206 PP100.

Five NHTSA recalls is heavy activity for a three-year-old redesign, and several are consequential rather than cosmetic. Campaigns include front-seat restraint defects, a high-pressure fuel-pump leak/fire risk, sticky steering, and hybrid control software that can cause sudden loss of drive power.

The updated 1.5-liter turbo/CVT is based on a long-running Honda family, and the fourth-generation two-motor hybrid retains Honda's mechanically simple direct-drive concept, but neither 2023 configuration yet has a true long-term record in this generation. A recall for possible hybrid drive-power loss and the older 1.5T family's mixed head-gasket reputation prevent a top-tier score.

The clean Civic-derived design, convincing controls, and attractive mesh trim are strong for a mainstream sedan, though lower trims retain ordinary plastics and the cabin does not feel genuinely premium. It is competitive near the top of its price class rather than class-transcending.

Professional testing generally found the Accord solidly assembled, and a 40,000-mile long-term car produced no crisis or notable rattle pattern. Scattered owner criticism of cabin finishing and minor trim/electronics issues keeps it below the exceptional band.

Honda has dense nationwide coverage and unusually strong mass-market dealer-service satisfaction. That makes warranty work and hybrid service broadly accessible, though appointment delays remain an industry-wide limitation.

Accord mechanical and maintenance parts are abundant through dealers and a vast independent aftermarket, and routine repair costs are substantially below the segment average. Hybrid-specific electronics can be costly outside warranty, so this stops short of the very top score.

The Sport Hybrid is the representative volume configuration and uses the larger screen; the two gasoline trims use a 7-inch unit.

The hybrid system is exceptionally responsive and easy to reach, with a physical volume knob, a stabilizing hand rest, and separate climate controls. The gas trims' smaller 7-inch interface is substantially more basic.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on every hybrid trim, including the volume Sport Hybrid, while LX and EX require a cable. That broad but not universal availability falls just below the all-trim high band.

Alexa Built-in gives hybrid trims useful voice functionality, but the strongest native experience—Google Assistant and Google Maps through Google built-in—is exclusive to Touring Hybrid. Most non-Touring owners will use phone projection for navigation.

The volume Sport Hybrid has an adequate 180-watt eight-speaker system, and Touring provides a meaningful 12-speaker Bose premium upgrade. The weak four-speaker LX base system limits the overall result.

A crisp, customizable 10.2-inch fully digital instrument cluster is standard across the entire range. Its standard fitment and useful configuration put it near the top of the mainstream sedan class.

All 2023 Accords can receive remote system/software updates, but Honda does not present this as a broad whole-vehicle, regularly feature-adding platform. Its scope fits the infotainment and system-update middle band.

HondaLink supplies connected vehicle and remote services, but valuable functions are subscription-gated and the Accord offers no phone-as-key. This is useful core functionality rather than a leading app ecosystem.

Every trim has two front USB-C connections, but rear USB-C ports are limited to EX-L Hybrid and Touring Hybrid, and wireless charging is Touring-only. The volume Sport Hybrid has no rear ports, wireless charger, or household AC outlet.

Smart Entry with Walk Away Auto Lock, push-button start, key-fob remote engine start, and proximity trunk release are standard on every trim. It lacks phone-as-key, preventing a higher score.

All trims have a multi-angle rearview camera, but front and rear parking sensors are restricted to EX-L Hybrid and Touring Hybrid. There is no surround-view camera or automated parking, leaving the volume Sport Hybrid rear-camera-only.

A useful 6-inch head-up display is offered, but only on the top Touring Hybrid rather than on volume trims. Its strict top-trim limitation places it near the bottom of the middle band.

The exceptionally roomy 40.8-inch rear seat, wide-opening rear doors, two complete LATCH positions and a class-leading 16.7-cu-ft trunk make two-child duty unusually easy for a sedan. It remains less convenient than a crossover because car seats and strollers must pass through a low roofline and conventional trunk opening, and the rear seat is only a 60/40 split.

The redesigned Accord pairs a 5-star NHTSA overall rating and IIHS Top Safety Pick+ with standard Honda Sensing, including automatic emergency braking, lane keeping, traffic-sign recognition and full-speed adaptive cruise. Ten airbags and a rear-seat reminder are standard; only blind-spot monitoring's absence from the base LX keeps this from the very top.

Four adults get abundant rear legroom, rear vents and a 16.7-cu-ft trunk that is excellent by sedan standards, while the hybrid loses no cargo volume. Rear USB-C ports are included on the volume Sport hybrid, but there is no separate rear climate zone, entertainment system or factory sunshade, and the center rear position is best for shorter trips.

The volume hybrid's direct-drive two-motor system is smooth and responsive in stop-and-go use, and every Accord has full-speed adaptive cruise, lane keeping and traffic-jam-friendly controls. A compliant ride, clear physical controls and excellent driving position reduce fatigue, though the engine grows coarse under hard acceleration and there is no one-pedal mode or hands-free system.

The representative Sport hybrid returns 43 mpg combined on regular fuel, while EX-L reaches 48 mpg; both make commuting exceptionally inexpensive for a large, non-plug-in sedan. Mainstream tires, regenerative braking and Honda's broad service network reinforce the advantage, although Sport's 19-inch tires cost more and its economy trails the EX-L and best hybrids.

Light steering, a standard multi-angle reversing camera and good forward sightlines make the Accord manageable, but its 195.7-inch body is long for urban curb spaces. The volume Sport lacks parking sensors and a surround-view camera; front/rear sensors are Touring-only, so tight parking still requires care.

This is not meaningfully work-capable: Honda publishes no US tow rating or tow package, there is no bed, and cargo is confined to a 16.7-cu-ft trunk. The folding rear seat can accept occasional long tools, but the economy-focused hybrid and sedan structure provide no heavy-load headroom.

Accord has a strong high-mileage commuter and fleet reputation, and the naturally aspirated hybrid engine plus established two-motor architecture avoid a conventional stepped transmission. The all-new 2023 generation was not yet proven, however, and carpet, painted bumpers and upholstery are not designed for jobsite abuse.

There is no 120V outlet, bed hardware, washable cabin, factory roof-rail system, tow hitch or commercial upfit program. Honda's accessories add basic cargo protection and organization, not meaningful work capability.

A roughly 560-mile EPA combined range, supportive seats, composed ride, generous rear room and standard adaptive cruise make the Sport hybrid an excellent highway sedan. Wind noise is well controlled, but tire noise from the Sport's 19-inch wheels, engine drone on grades and the absence of hands-free driving prevent a benchmark score.

The Accord can handle maintained gravel and carry bikes with aftermarket equipment, but every US version is front-wheel drive and low-slung. With no published tow rating, factory hitch, roof rails, terrain modes or household outlet, it offers little support for boats, campers or off-pavement travel.

The 16.7-cu-ft trunk is the mainstream mid-size sedan benchmark and hybrids retain the full volume; a 60/40 folding rear seat accommodates skis and other long gear. A narrow sedan opening, non-flat load path, lack of meaningful underfloor storage and no factory rack or hitch limit genuinely bulky equipment.

The volume hybrid combines minimal body roll, disciplined body control, and secure, eager cornering that place it near the top of mainstream mid-size sedans. It is composed and confidence-inspiring rather than overtly sporty.

The dual-pinion electric steering is precise and generally well weighted, with enough communication to make the Accord engaging by family-sedan standards. Some reviewers found the hybrid's weighting artificial, keeping it short of the very best enthusiast sedans.

Stopping power is confident and the adjustable regenerative braking is useful, but pedal modulation drew conflicting assessments: linear and natural in several tests, abrupt or grabby in others. That inconsistency prevents a top-class score.

The new 204-hp two-motor hybrid responds promptly and switches between electric and gasoline operation almost imperceptibly. Its simulated shifts also avoid the sustained high-rpm behavior common to less polished hybrids.

The hybrid is quiet and vibration-free in ordinary operation, especially at cruise, but the engine becomes conspicuous under hard acceleration and can run at speeds disconnected from road speed. Tire and road noise are also more evident than in key rivals, though those are not strictly drivetrain NVH.

The turning diameter is identical across the 2023 lineup and is near the wide end of the sedan normalization band, so tight urban maneuvers require more room than in more compact-feeling rivals.

A broad seat-and-wheel adjustment range, clear sightlines, conventional shifter, and direct physical controls make the Accord exceptionally easy to acclimate to. The low sedan seating position is the only inherent ingress/egress compromise.

The cohesive steering, chassis balance, and responsive hybrid make everyday driving unusually satisfying for a mainstream family sedan. Losing the previous generation's 252-hp 2.0T caps outright excitement, so it is rewarding rather than a true sport sedan.

The $28,390 delivered LX included a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, 7-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, LED lighting, automatic climate control, and an unusually complete Honda Sensing suite; all 2023 Hondas also included two years/24,000 miles of scheduled maintenance. The volume EX added heated front seats, a power driver's seat, moonroof, dual-zone climate control, blind-spot monitoring, and an eight-speaker audio system for $30,705, giving it stronger standard content than most similarly priced midsize rivals.

The lineup delivered standout value from the well-equipped $30,705 EX through four hybrid trims: the $32,990 Sport paired a refined 204-hp hybrid system with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless phone integration and 44-mpg combined economy, while the $38,985 Touring added Google built-in, Bose audio, a head-up display and premium comfort features without entering luxury-brand pricing. Losing the former 2.0T, lacking AWD, and charging more than several base rivals are the principal tradeoffs.

Six clearly spaced trims across a roughly $10,600 span cover affordable gas, sporty-looking hybrid, comfort-focused hybrid and near-luxury Touring roles, and buyers can choose gas or hybrid without option-package complexity. Breadth is good rather than class-leading because every version is front-wheel drive and automatic, with no AWD, plug-in, manual, wagon, or high-output replacement for the discontinued 2.0T.

US Accord sales reached 197,947 in calendar 2023, a powerful rebound from supply-constrained 2022 and enough to remain one of America's dominant midsize sedans. It trailed the segment-leading Camry's 290,649 units, so it does not receive the absolute leader score, but it substantially outsold the remaining midsize-sedan field.

Honda's reputation for durable, efficient and thoughtfully engineered cars gives the Accord unusually strong loyalty and resale appeal for a mainstream sedan. It is trusted and beloved rather than overtly aspirational, but the Accord's decades-long enthusiast and family-car credibility strengthens its image beyond a neutral mass-market appliance.

Buyer benefit was modest in the launch year: demand and still-tight Honda inventories generally kept new Accords near MSRP, with little broad cash rebate activity. Honda Financial did offer useful subvented financing around 3.9% for qualified buyers and the included two-year maintenance plan reduced ownership expense, preventing a low-band score, but this was not a heavily discounted car.

The 2023 Accord was the launch model for the eleventh generation, with new styling, a revised 1.5T/CVT, a new fourth-generation two-motor hybrid system, upgraded Honda Sensing hardware, a standard digital cluster and Honda's then-largest 12.3-inch touchscreen. There was no redesign risk for a 2023 buyer; this was the freshest possible point in the product cycle.

The redesigned Accord immediately retained benchmark status: Car and Driver awarded it a 10/10, named it to 10Best for a record 37th time, ranked it first among 2023 midsize family sedans, and placed the Accord EX first in a four-car comparison against the Sonata, Camry and Legacy. Reviewers consistently praised its space, refinement, efficiency, road manners and value, with the deleted 2.0T and lack of AWD the recurring criticisms.