Is the Honda Accord still a good car?

Yes. In 2025, the Honda Accord remains a strong, well-rounded choice in the midsize sedan class, offering reliability, comfort, efficient powertrains, and solid resale value.

As buyers evaluate sedans in the mid-2020s, the Accord stands out for its balance of ride quality, interior space, and modern safety and tech features. This article examines why the Accord remains relevant, what to expect from its powertrains, and how it stacks up against key competitors.

Powertrains and Efficiency

The Accord offers a trio of engines in most 2020s models: a 1.5-liter turbo, a 2.0-liter turbo, and a hybrid. Each balances performance with fuel economy in different ways.

Engine choices and how they perform

• 1.5L turbo engine: about 192 horsepower; typically delivers strong daily efficiency with real-world mpg in the low-to-mid 30s combined, depending on drive style and trim.


• 2.0L turbo engine: about 252 horsepower; brisk acceleration but lower efficiency, with typical combined mpg in the mid- to upper-30s depending on configuration and driving.


• Hybrid: roughly 204 horsepower combined; best-in-class fuel economy for daily commuting, often in the mid-40s mpg combined or higher.

Overall, the hybrid is the most fuel-efficient choice, the 1.5T offers a strong balance of cost and economy, and the 2.0T provides the most performance. Your choice should reflect your typical trips and fuel budget.

Interior, Comfort, and Technology

The Accord’s cabin is roomy, with supportive seats and a clean, high-quality feel. It seats up to five adults comfortably, offers a large trunk, and provides modern tech connectivity across trim levels.

What to expect inside

• Technology: Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on most trims, with wireless CarPlay/Android Auto available on higher trims; a user-friendly infotainment system is a hallmark.


• Interior quality: soft-touch materials and generous space, especially in the rear seats; comfortable ride tuned for long trips.


• Safety tech: Honda Sensing driver-assistance features (adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, collision mitigation braking) are standard on most trims, with additional features on higher trims.

The Accord’s interior remains one of its strongest selling points, providing practical space, solid materials, and up-to-date tech that’s easy to use on a daily basis.

Safety, Reliability, and Ownership Costs

Historically, the Accord has earned strong safety ratings and a solid reliability track record. It’s generally affordable to maintain relative to some peers, and depreciation is predictable for a used market that values practicality and resale value.

What ownership looks like

• Safety: Strong crash-test results and extensive standard safety features across most trims.


• Reliability: Consistently high reliability scores in consumer surveys and industry ratings; parts and service availability are widespread.


• Ownership costs: Routine maintenance is typically reasonable; insurance costs are moderate; hybrid variants can offer lower fuel costs but may carry a higher upfront price.

In short, owning an Accord tends to be predictable and affordable over the long term, making it a reliable choice for families and commuters alike.

What to Consider Before Buying in 2025

When shopping for a new or used Accord in 2025, consider your priorities, budget, and preferred powertrain. This guidance helps you choose the configuration that best fits your needs.

Smart shopping checklist

1. Decide your powertrain: hybrid for maximum efficiency, 1.5T for a balanced approach, or 2.0T for performance. Your daily driving and fuel costs should drive the choice.


2. Set your budget and trim level: LX, Sport, EX-L, and Touring offer different features like leather, premium audio, and safety tech; ensure you get the features you want.


3. Test drive for comfort and feel: evaluate ride quality, NVH (noise, vibration, harshness), and seating comfort; listen for drivetrain quirks or transmission feel.


4. Check recalls, service history, and warranty status: verify any campaign notices and confirm the hybrid battery’s condition if buying used.

Following these steps can help ensure you select an Accord that matches your needs and budget.

Summary

The Honda Accord remains a leading choice in the midsize sedan segment in 2025, offering a compelling combination of reliability, comfort, technology, and efficiency. With three powertrain options, it can be tailored to different priorities—from fuel economy with the hybrid to performance with the 2.0T. For many buyers, the Accord continues to be a practical and rewarding long-term ownership proposition.

Are Honda Accords still reliable?

Yes, Honda Accords are well-known for their long-term durability. The vehicle's robust build quality, combined with Honda's commitment to reliability, makes it a popular choice for drivers seeking a car that will last many years.

Which is better, Honda Accord or Toyota Camry?

The better car depends on your priorities: the Honda Accord is generally preferred for a more engaging drive, spacious interior, and standard features, while the Toyota Camry is often favored for its superior reliability ratings, slightly better hybrid fuel economy in some configurations, and available all-wheel drive. The Accord offers a more premium feel with larger standard screens and more standard features, but comes at a higher starting price. The Camry offers better value and potentially greater long-term reliability, though its hybrid MPG may be lower on certain trims compared to the Accord.
 
Honda Accord 
This video provides a detailed comparison of the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, including driving dynamics and comfort: 1mBros FOURR SpeedYouTube · Nov 22, 2024

• Driving Experience: More precise and engaging handling. 
• Interior and Features: More passenger and cargo space, larger standard infotainment screen, and more standard features like heated front seats. 
• Safety: Earned top safety awards from both the IIHS and NHTSA. 

Toyota Camry 
This video discusses the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, highlighting their design, interior, and technology: 57sBembliYouTube · Aug 12, 2025

• Reliability: Higher predicted reliability ratings from J.D. Power. 
• Fuel Efficiency: Potentially better hybrid fuel economy in some configurations. 
• Drivetrain: Offers available all-wheel drive, which the Accord does not. 
• Value: Has a lower starting price and offers better value in terms of its initial purchase price. 

Which is right for you?

• Choose the Honda Accord if you prioritize a sportier driving experience, a more spacious and feature-rich cabin, and the latest standard technology. 
• Choose the Toyota Camry if long-term reliability, a lower starting price, and the availability of all-wheel drive are your main concerns. 

Is Toyota or Honda a better car?

Neither brand is definitively "better"; the best choice depends on individual priorities, as Toyota often leads in long-term reliability and resale value, while Honda is frequently praised for its engaging driving dynamics and performance. Both are highly reliable and have strong reputations, but they have different strengths. 
Choose a Toyota if:

• You prioritize long-term reliability and resale value: Toyota consistently scores high for dependability and its vehicles are often considered to have slightly better resale value and longevity, with many models having a higher likelihood of reaching 200,000 miles. 
• You want a wider selection: Toyota offers a larger number of models across its lineup, including a greater variety of hybrids, notes Toyota of Kirkland and galaxytoyota.net. 
• You want complimentary maintenance: New Toyotas come with complimentary scheduled maintenance for a period, which is not standard on new Hondas. 

Choose a Honda if:

• You prioritize a more engaging driving experience: Honda is often credited with having more spirited performance and a more enjoyable driving feel compared to Toyota's more practical and comfortable approach. 
• You want the best fuel efficiency: Some models, especially non-hybrid ones, may offer better fuel efficiency than their Toyota counterparts. 
• You need more interior space: Some Honda models, like the Accord, offer more passenger and cargo space than comparable Toyota models. 

Both are great choices because:

• Both are highly reliable: Both brands consistently rank high in reliability and are known for building dependable vehicles. 
• Both are cost-effective: Maintenance and repair costs are low for both brands compared to the average vehicle. 
• Both have great reputations: Both Honda and Toyota have strong, long-standing reputations for quality and dependability. 

Which Honda Accord to stay away from?

Honda Accord models to avoid include the 1998-2005, 2008-2010, 2013-2014, and 2018 model years due to issues like transmission failures, excessive oil consumption, and problems with newer turbocharged engines and infotainment systems. Specifically, 2003 models had high transmission complaint rates, 2008-2010 models suffered from oil consumption, and 2018 models saw engine and tech issues.
 
Years to avoid and their issues

• 1998–2005: This generation (especially the 2003 model) is known for significant automatic transmission failures. Interior trim and rattles are also common complaints. 
• 2008–2010: These models frequently experience excessive oil consumption, often due to piston ring issues. The 2008 model also saw premature brake wear. 
• 2013–2014: Both years had reliability concerns, with the 2014 model in particular experiencing issues with its CVT transmission, such as shuddering and stalling. Both years also had problems with their early infotainment systems. 
• 2018: This was the first year for the new turbocharged engines, and many owners reported engine problems. Infotainment and safety system issues (including driver-assist malfunctions) were also reported. 

Other considerations

• Transmission issues: Beyond the specific years listed, Honda Accords have had a history of transmission problems, so it's crucial to have any used model's transmission checked thoroughly, especially those with automatic transmissions. 
• Maintenance: A lack of proper maintenance can lead to major engine and transmission problems in many Accord models, regardless of the specific year.