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Is the Honda Accord a fast car?

In broad terms, the Honda Accord is not a sports car, but it can be surprisingly quick in certain configurations, especially with the turbocharged 2.0-liter engine.

More detail: the Accord is a front‑wheel‑drive midsize sedan focused on balanced performance, daily usability, and efficiency. It offers three main powertrains — a 1.5-liter turbo, a 2.0-liter turbo, and a hybrid — each delivering different acceleration characteristics. While it can sprint briskly, it isn’t designed to compete with purpose-built performance sedans. Speed here is best understood as practical, real‑world acceleration rather than track-level capability.

Powertrain options and performance

The following powertrains represent the core options available in recent Honda Accord models and illustrate how speed varies across trims.

1.5-liter turbocharged inline-4: 192 horsepower, 192 lb-ft of torque; front-wheel drive; continuously variable transmission (CVT). 0–60 mph in roughly 7.5–8.0 seconds depending on model year and configuration.

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4: 252 horsepower, 273 lb-ft of torque; front-wheel drive; 10-speed automatic transmission. 0–60 mph roughly 5.6–6.0 seconds depending on model year and setup.

Hybrid (2.0-liter engine paired with electric motor): 204 horsepower combined; electric CVT. 0–60 mph around 7.3–7.6 seconds.

In practical terms, the 2.0T variant offers the quickest sprint to highway speeds, while the 1.5T remains a strong all‑rounder with good fuel economy. The Hybrid prioritizes efficiency and smooth, steady acceleration over outright speed.

Handling and driving experience

Despite strong acceleration figures for the 2.0T, the Accord’s driving experience centers on composure, comfort, and predictable handling. It uses a well‑tuned chassis with refined ride quality and accurate steering, making it feel secure and capable in daily driving and highway merging. The 2.0T adds more immediate throttle response, but the overall impression remains that of a practical, well‑rounded sedan rather than a sports car.

Transmission note

For recent generations, Honda has not offered a manual transmission on the Accord. The 2.0-liter engine pairs with a 10-speed automatic, and the 1.5-liter engine uses a CVT. Buyers seeking a manual experience might consider other Honda models (like the Civic Si) or different brands for a true manual sport sedan experience.

Summary

The Honda Accord is not a fast car in the sports-car sense, but it offers credible performance across its powertrains. The 2.0-liter turbo variant is the quickest in the lineup, delivering brisk 0–60 mph times, while the 1.5-liter turbo emphasizes efficiency and everyday usability. The hybrid version trades some acceleration for better efficiency, maintaining smooth, confident performance for daily driving.

Are Honda Accords fast?

Whether a Honda Accord is "fast" depends on the model year and engine, but generally, past turbocharged and V6 models are considered faster than current non-hybrid and hybrid models. The 10th-generation Accord with the 2.0T engine was especially quick, achieving 0-60 mph in about 5.5 seconds, a performance level considered fast for its class. Today's standard models with the 1.5L engine or the newer hybrid system are still quick for daily driving, but are not as fast as their predecessors.

This video shows a 0-60 mph test of a 2021 Honda Accord 1.5T Sport: 51sDM Car ReviewsYouTube · Apr 3, 2025
Modern Accords

Hybrid Sport: The 2025 Accord Hybrid Sport can go from 0-60 mph in about 6.5 seconds, with a top speed of 125 mph.
1.5L Turbo: The non-hybrid 1.5T has a 0-60 mph time of around 7.3 seconds, which is quick for a fuel-efficient car but not as fast as the hybrid or previous performance models.

Previous generation models

2.0T (10th Gen): The 2019 Accord 2.0T was a fast performer, with a 0-60 mph time of about 5.5 seconds.
V6 (older models): Older Accord V6 models were also quick, often praised for their strong acceleration.

This video discusses the fastest 10th Gen Honda Accord models: 59sThe Lemon Factor! LLCYouTube · Apr 2, 2021
Conclusion

For a daily driver, current Accord models offer a good balance of performance and fuel efficiency, with the hybrid being quicker than the base model.
If raw speed is the main priority, you would need to look at the faster previous generation models like the 2.0T or older V6s, or consider aftermarket modifications.

You can watch this video to see a 350HP Honda Accord tuned to be very fast: 1mThatDudeinBlueYouTube · Sep 6, 2024

Which one is faster, Accord or Civic?

The high-performance Civic Type R is faster than any Accord model, but the standard Accord is faster than the standard Civic due to its more powerful engine. The Accord has a larger, more powerful engine in its base models, while the Civic offers the highest performance in its specific Type R and Si variants.

Standard models: The Accord's standard engine is more powerful than the Civic's standard engine, making it faster in typical driving scenarios. For example, the 2025 Accord has a 192-hp engine, while the 2025 Civic has a 150-hp engine.
Performance models: The Civic has specialized performance versions that are significantly faster than any Accord model. The Civic Si has 200 horsepower, and the high-performance Civic Type R has 315 horsepower.
Hybrid models: In hybrid versions, the power difference is smaller, but the Accord still has a slight edge in horsepower (204 hp vs. 200 hp). However, the Civic hybrid is more fuel-efficient.

What is Honda's fastest car?

Honda's fastest car is the 2022 Honda NSX Type S, a hybrid supercar with a top speed of 191 mph. It achieves a 0-60 mph time of around 2.7-2.9 seconds due to its combination of a twin-turbo V6 engine and three electric motors, producing 600 horsepower.

2022 Honda NSX Type S

Top Speed: 191 mph
0-60 mph: 2.7–2.9 seconds
Engine: 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 hybrid powertrain with three electric motors
Horsepower: 600 hp

Other fast Honda models

2016 Honda NSX: Also has a top speed of 191 mph but a slightly slower 0-60 mph time than the 2022 Type S.
2023 Honda Civic Type R: The fastest front-wheel-drive Honda, with a top speed of 171 mph and a 0-60 mph time of 5.4 seconds.

Are accords or camrys faster?

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Kevin Bennett

Company Owner

Kevin Bennet is the founder and owner of Kevin's Autos, a leading automotive service provider in Australia. With a deep commitment to customer satisfaction and years of industry expertise, Kevin uses his blog to answer the most common questions posed by his customers. From maintenance tips to troubleshooting advice, Kevin's articles are designed to empower drivers with the knowledge they need to keep their vehicles running smoothly and safely.