Top Ten Likes:
- IIHS Top Safety Pick+ with Frontal Crash Warning
- NHTSA 5-star Overall Rating
- Competent handling and braking
- Standard backup cam and bluetooth hands-free
- LX trim is a bargain with great fuel economy
- V6 has good fuel economy and strong performance
- Great driver visibility
- LaneWatch is an improved side mirror
- Good ride comfort and relatively quiet
- Roomy trunk
Top Dislikes:
- Outboard rear seat side bolsters will be a problem with some carseats
- Lower LATCH anchors more difficult than average to access
- Advanced safety features only on EX-L and Touring trim
- Ho-hum exterior styling
- Gauges and controls not the easiest to read
- Touch screen system not the most intuitive in Touring trim
- Quirks: Collision warning sensor makes front grille asymmetric
Conclusion:
The new Accord (refreshed in 2013) is an excellent midsize family sedan overall. While not exciting to drive, it is fairly roomy and provides a quiet, comfortable ride. I particularly like that Honda puts essential features like backup cameras and hands-free bluetooth in the base models that are readily available in dealer lots with great lease and financing deals. Competitive models often cram these in more expensive packages that can be harder to find. For fitting kids in back, the Accord will be a good choice for most families, though a few carseats will be problematic with the way the outboard rear seats are designed with side bolsters to improve comfort for adult passengers.
Really, the only major downside might be the styling. It’s fine if you like conservative looks, but definitely not as sleek as the new 2015 Hyundai Sonata or aggressive like the Ford Fusion we also like.
Honda provided the Accord used in this review. No other compensation was provided and all opinions are our own.
I am a CST and I completely agree that the LATCH lower anchors are VERY difficult to access in this car!
Hi Arden,
I usually do have a Diono Radian in most of my reviews, especially for 3-across. This review was a little more brief than most, sorry! I do have a Graco Headwise that I use sometimes as well.
Thanks for another car review! Request: Can you show some bigger/taller RF car seats in your reviews? It’s great to see the Britax seats, but I already know that they fit in most cars. I would love to see something like a Diono convertible with and without an angle adjuster — and the remaining leg room for the passenger up front.
I have a 2014 Accord that was bought to replace a 2013 Kia Sorento. While the Accord is a nice car and you’re right, you can’t beat the features you get in the base and lower trim levels, I really missed driving an SUV, especially when it came to installing car seats! I hated how hard it was to tether forward facing seats in the Accord! I also missed sitting up higher and having the cargo room. So much so that my DH traded in his gas guzzling 2007 Toyota Tundra for a CR-V which I am happily driving now and he is driving the Accord which gets way better gas mileage for his longer commute to work!
Ah, I’d almost forgotten about the Crosstour — I’d initially been intrigued but later ruled it out when I saw the pricetag and the relatively small increase in cargo volume that it affords. Dealers in our area also seldom stock anything other than the V6/4WD version, so it’s a $35K vehicle that gets something like a combined 22 mpg and still doesn’t have that big of a trunk.
As consumers it seems like we are somewhat spoiled for choice in the compact SUV and midsize sedan category, with lots of great choices. The non-luxury wagon category is getting kind of lonely; I can think of only the VW Sportwagen, Subaru Outback, Toyota Prius V and Ford C-Max. I appreciated and enjoyed your reviews of those last two and look forward to others.
cantabdad, thank you for the comments! There is the Crosstour, of course, though it doesn’t seem to be as well received as the Accord. To me it seems like they could have made it a bit more wagon-like rather than the sporty hatchback design. That would have made it a little more practical in terms of cargo volume.
I’m very encouraged by the 2015 Subaru Outback as being more friendly for those camping trips, though the Legacy is the more natural competitor to the Accord.
Another great review – thank you, Darren! It is hard to beat the Accord for all-around value and safety. I just wish they still made a wagon version — the trunk, while spacious for its class, just seems a little too small for a family of 4 on trip that might involve multiple suitcases, stroller, pack & play, etc., not to mention any sporting or camping gear.