2017 Honda Accord

It may not be the most exciting car on the block, but there are reasons why the Accord has earned our 10Best award more often than any other vehicle. It’s well balanced, efficient, and reliable, and it can be an excellent value when thoughtfully outfitted. As a family sedan, it performs admirably, with plenty of space for passengers and cargo. With two body styles, three engines, and a hybrid variant, the Accord offers something for nearly everyone in this hotly contested segment, which includes the Mazda 6, Chevrolet Malibu, Volkswagen Passat, and Toyota Camry.

Highs

A flavor for every palate, above-average driving dynamics, plenty of space for four adults.

Lows

Doesn’t stand out from the crowd, dual-screen infotainment system needs more physical buttons, upper trim levels are expensive compared to the competition.

Verdict

Practical, comfortable, and pleasant to drive, the Accord remains one of our favorite family cruisers.

What’s New for 2017?

The Accord is unchanged in 2017 after a mid-cycle refresh in 2016. That update brought a stiffened chassis, larger wheels on some models, and greater feature availability inside. The Accord coupe added a Touring trim to the top of its lineup, and LED headlights made an appearance in upper trim levels. The front and rear also got some attention from Honda’s design team. Honda’s suite of driver-assistance technologies—including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-departure warning—is now available on all Accords. We expect that the Accord will be totally redesigned for 2018.

Standard Feature Highlights

• Remote keyless entry • Backup camera • Cruise control with steering-wheel controls • Chrome grille, chrome door handles, and chrome side-window trim

Trims and Options We'd Choose

With 14 different trim and body-style combinations, picking an Accord can seem like a daunting task. We narrowed the list down considerably by opting for the sedan, which is far more practical than the available coupe, and nixing the buzzy-engined hybrid, which we like less and which has a hefty markup. The Sport model, one step up from the base LX, features various trim upgrades along with handling and braking enhancements, including 19-inch wheels, that please the enthusiast in us. Choosing the six-speed manual means a satisfying and engaging driving experience and avoids an $800 premium for the continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Forgoing the heated front seats in the Sport SE model keeps the out-the-door price close to $25,000 (our model comes in at $25,250, to be exact). The only decision left to make is paint color; all four are no-cost options. We’d pick the handsome San Marino red, but no hard feelings to those with a penchant for Bergman films.

Standard features on the Accord Sport include:

• 189-hp 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine • Six-speed manual transmission • 19-inch aluminum wheels • 10-way-power driver’s seat with lumbar support • Piano-black and leather steering wheel • Simulated carbon-fiber instrument-panel and door-panel inserts