Overview
We’ve named the Honda Accord to our 10 Best list a record number of times because it’s perennially the most impressive family sedan on sale—and the 2020 model is no different. The Honda has three power train choices—including a hybrid—blend efficiency and power. The two gasoline four-cylinders can be paired with an engaging manual transmission or a slick-shifting 10-speed automatic. Graceful handling is an Accord hallmark and its athletic chassis, lightly weighted steering, and balanced ride come standard across the lineup. Also standard: a suite of driver-assistance features including automated emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The 2020 Accord is not only the best-driving family sedan, it’s also one of the best-equipped choices in its class, making it an easy recommendation for today’s car shoppers.
What’s New for 2020?
The 2020 Honda Accord is unchanged from 2019 models. The lineup was all-new for 2018 and while the price has climbed slightly for each model, the Accord’s list of features—both standard and optional—remains the same.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
- LX: $24,800
- Hybrid: $26,400
- Sport: $27,460
- EX: $28,700
- EX-L: $31,200
- Touring: $37,030
It’s rare to find a family sedan that drives as nicely as the Accord and that can also be had with a six-speed manual transmission, so we’d opt for the Sport trim and get the stick shift. The manual transmission is a joy regardless of which engine it’s paired with, and the Sport trim adds plentiful other features that make it worth the upgrade, including 19-inch wheels, a 12-way power driver’s seat, and an infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The lineup starts with a 192-hp turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder, but our favorite is the 252- hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that sits atop the engine pyramid and can come with either a six-speed manual or a 10-speed automatic that shifts with an almost seamless nature. Both engines are smooth operators, but the 2.0-liter offers a rush of power that can easily spin the front tires in first gear. A hybrid is also available and is powered by a four-cylinder and two electric motors. The Accord’s chassis is well sorted and encourages the driver to push the car hard through corners, where it exhibits a minimal amount of body roll. The steering is light, as befits a car in this class, but we wouldn’t mind if it transmitted a little more feedback from the road. Still, it’s hard to complain about a helm that’s accurate and predictable. The Accord’s ride is firmly controlled but never harsh, which helps it strike a winning balance between a sports sedan and a practical family car.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
This latest version of the Accord has nixed the previous generation’s V-6 and naturally aspirated four-cylinder engines in favor of a pair of downsized turbo fours, and the results are generally positive. Both engines returned strong results in our real-world highway fuel-economy testing. On our highway loop, the Accord Touring 2.0T with the 10-speed automatic bested its own EPA highway ratings by delivering 35 mpg. It also did much better than a 2018
Camry we tested with its 301-hp V-6 engine, which earned 29 mpg. Our test of an Accord Sport 1.5T with a six-speed manual transmission delivered even more promising returns at 38 mpg.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The Accord’s interior is surprisingly spacious, and rear-seat passengers in particular will be happier in an Accord than in almost any other mid-size sedan. Honda’s no-options trim structure means that most decisions about its features are made for the driver, but virtually every Accord has handsome interior furnishings and at least some creature comforts. The top Touring trim is thoroughly decked out, with heated and cooled leather front seats, heated rear seats, and a head-up display. Lower trim levels have their own charms, however. Among them: Honda’s attractive and comfortable cloth seats and interior trim. Not only does the Accord’s 17 cubic feet of cargo space beat out the next-best car in the class, but the Accord hybrid doesn’t lose any cargo space as a result of its electric-powertrain components. In our testing, the regular Accord held two more carry-on bags with the rear seats folded than we fit in the nearest competitor. The Accord’s interior storage space is middle of the road in this class, and its interior storage setup isn’t nearly as useful or as thoughtful as those of the Honda Civic or the Hyundai Ioniq, for instance. Still, the Accord should meet the basic needs of most drivers.
Infotainment and Connectivity
All models come standard with touchscreen infotainment on either a 7.0- or 8.0-inch display. Bluetooth and USB connectivity are also available across the board, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability are reserved for the system with the 8.0-inch touchscreen. We found the system to be quick, attractive, and easy to use; even low-tech folks should find it intuitive. Honda offers a 10-speaker premium audio system with a 450-watt amplifier on the EX-L model, but lesser Accords have either a four- or eight-speaker system.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
The 2020 Honda Accord boasts a five-star safety rating from the National Highway Transportation Administration as well as a Top Safety Pick classification from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. An array of standard driver-assistance features puts crucial crash-avoidance technologies in every Accord, including automated emergency braking and lane-keeping assist. That doesn’t mean that every piece of safety tech is standard, however. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors still cost extra. Key safety features include:
- Standard automated emergency braking
- Standard lane-keeping assist
- Standard adaptive cruise control
