2023 Honda Accord Review: A Non-Luxury Sedan That’s Worth All The Money
Review Highlights:
- 2023 Honda Accord: $27,295 – $37,890
- Pros: The Honda Accord was redesigned for 2023 with new trim levels, a new hybrid powertrain, and tech-savvy features.
- Cons: The Accord still does not have an option for an all-wheel drivetrain
The Honda Accord was completely redesigned for the 2023 model year. Now in its 11th generation, the Accord is set to take the top spot in the segment with its refined hybrid powertrain and trim-level configurations. There are even a few new technical features up its sleeve that you would only expect from a car from a class above.
We spent a week in the 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid Sport L and were completely blown away at how well-balanced and sophisticated it felt. Love it or hate it, the Honda Accord is even more grown up, and it’s worth every penny you’ll spend on it.
What’s new for the 2023 Honda Accord?
The Honda Accord is completely revised for 2023. It’s prettier than before and comes with a new hybrid powertrain and some new in-cabin technologies. The turbocharged 2.0-liter engine and six-speed manual transmission are no longer available.
Which 2023 Accord trim level is right for you?
There are six different Honda Accord trim levels to choose from:
- Honda Accord LX: $27,295
- Honda Accord EX: $29,610
- Honda Accord Sport Hybrid: $31,895
- Honda Accord EX-L Hybrid: $33,540
- Honda Accord Sport L Hybrid: $33,875
- Honda Accord Touring Hybrid: $37,890
Unless you really want the rear spoiler, rear diffuser, and black 19-inch wheels that our Accord Hybrid Sport L came with, we recommend the EX-L Hybrid. Selecting this trim level will give you the more powerful hybrid powertrain, a 12.3-inch infotainment system, parking sensors, and leather seats – which is most likely all you need.
How does the 2023 Honda Accord drive?
Driving the 2023 Honda Accord is a surprising experience. We say that because it’s super quiet and smooth, which is unlike any Accord model before it. Honda improved this new Accord’s chassis rigidity and made some tweaks to the car’s steering and suspension “for a more enjoyable drive.” We have to say, it worked.
It’s hard to detect any wind noise at any speed, and there wasn’t much road noise either, despite the large 19-inch wheels it had on. Adding to the serene experience is the car’s hybrid powertrain. Thanks to the all-electric motivation, the Accord accelerates smoothly and quietly in the low rpm range. Push the throttle pedal to the floor, and you’ll hear the gas engine kick in, but it’s not obtrusive like in the Toyota Camry Hybrid or the previous Accord models.
The power is plentiful when getting onto the freeway and passing other cars. The electric motor provides plenty of mid-range torque, which works extremely well when driving at a mile-high elevation, as we did. We were only able to drive the hybrid model, but we’re sure the base Accord’s turbocharged 1.5-liter engine work just fine.
There are also four different drive modes: Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual. We set the car in “Individual” and put the steering on “Sport” and the throttle on “Eco.” That way, we got a sporty feel while saving gas, which worked very well.
There’s also an “EV” button on the center console, which puts the car in all-electric mode. But it only works at lower speeds.
Is the Honda Accord comfortable?
The 2023 Accord is very spacious and comfortable. The front seat area has plenty of leg and headroom for tall occupants; the same can be said for the rear seat. However, there is a hump in the middle seat, which can make it cramped for anyone that draws the last straw.
Otherwise, the leather in our tester was supple, and we enjoyed the heated seats and dual-zone climate control during our time with it. We also liked the normal shifter stalk, as opposed to the shifter buttons in the last-gen Accord, for its ease of operation.
For comparison’s sake, the Accord Hybrid has the Toyota Camry Hybrid beat by five cubic feet of total interior volume and in rear seat legroom by nearly three inches.
What powers the new Honda Accord?
The first two Honda Accord trim levels (LX and EX) are powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter, four-cylinder engine. It’s the same base engine offered in the last Accord, and it produces 192 hp and 192 lb-ft of torque.
The higher trim levels are powered by a hybrid powertrain that consists of a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors. This system puts out a total of 204 hp.
How fuel-efficient is the new Accord?
The Honda Accord trim levels with the turbocharged gas engine can achieve up to an EPA-estimated 29 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway. The hybrid models are rated at 46 city/41 highway mpg (Sport, Sport L. Touring) and 51 city/44 highway (EX-L), depending on the trim level.
In our week of testing, which included highway cruising, city driving, and going uphill, we were able to average 42 mpg.
How’s the Honda Accord’s tech?
The 2023 Accord is filled with all kinds of tech features. The base Accord comes standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, but a 12.3-inch version is available on higher trims. However, the digital 10.2-inch digital gauge cluster is standard across all trim levels. We applaud Honda for making the panel completely digital, unlike the half-digital one in the last model.
An eight-speaker sound system is standard, but if you step up to the highest Touring trim level, you’ll get to experience the Bose premium 12-speaker sound system. We got to try it out in the 2022 Civic and can attest to its greatness.
The top-of-the-line Accord also gets an exclusive Google built-in suite (a Honda first), which includes apps like Google Assistant, Google Maps, and more apps on Google Play for a seamless connection. It also comes with a free three-year data plan.
Does the Accord have a lot of storage and cargo space?
We found the 2023 Accord to be practical due to its spaciousness and interior comfort, but it’s also pretty handy. There are plenty of little storage spaces and cubbies upfront for small items, and the center console storage is large enough to fit a whole spray bottle in it. Out back, the trunk measures 16.7 cubic feet, which is nearly two cubic feet larger than the one found in the Camry Hybrid.
How safe is the Honda Accord?
The 2023 Honda Accord has not been rated by either the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). However, the 2022 Honda Accord took home a Top Safety Pick + Award (from the IIHS) and a five-star overall rating (from the NHTSA), so we expect the new model will do the same.
Anyone that still not convinced the Accord is safe should check out the list of safety features below:
- Honda Sensing: A suite of driver-assist features that includes adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, forward-collision warning, and traffic jam assist.
- Automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Automatic high-beam assist
MotorBiscuit gives the 2023 Honda Accord a score of 8.7 out of 10
The editors at MotorBiscuit award the 2023 Honda Accord with an overall rating of 87 out of 10. Compared to other cars in its class, specifically the Toyota Camry, the 2023 Accord is levels above in terms of interior and exterior style and technology. We liked how smooth the car felt over every surface and how quiet its cabin was at every speed.
The new hybrid powertrain is very smooth and provides plenty of power when needed. As for the styling, we like the mesh grille inserts on the dash as well as the soft leather. On the outside, we think the Accord looks more sophisticated than ever, and its design should age gracefully. Overall, if you can find any 2023 Honda Accord trim level at or below MSRP, it will be worth all of the money.
