Skip to main content

The Honda Accord has come a long way since its early days. Right now, it’s among the most luxurious affordable new cars. But not long ago, the Honda’s midsize sedan was an impressive Grand Touring car, combining eye-popping performance with comfort and athletic Honda handling. But which Honda Accord is the fastest ever? It’s not a current model, but it’s not all that old, either.

The Honda Accord packs some surprising performance

The Honda Accord has always been one of the most popular sedans and has earned quite a following for its driving dynamics. From its early roots as a small and agile sedan to the more recent iterations as a comfortable family sedan, the Honda Accord is a treat to drive.

The Honda brand is no stranger to performance, thanks to Honda Performance Development (HPD). Honda has never delivered a performance version of its midsize sedan, but that hasn’t stopped it from being a real driver’s car. It has come with various engines, including a stout V6 and, most recently, a host of turbocharged four-cylinder models. That gave the Accord some sporting credentials to pair with its five roomy seats.

What are the most powerful Accord models?

a gray 2022 honda accord 2.0t, a fun and sporty sedan with plenty of power
2022 Honda Accord 2.0T | Honda

When looking at the Honda Accord, a few models stand out for the performance they offer. Early models came with smaller four-cylinder engines that led to peppy performance and nimble handling, but the uptick in power didn’t start until 2003 with the introduction of a 3.5-liter V6 engine. The first version of this engine was found in 2003-2007 models, creating up to 255 horsepower and 232 lb-ft of torque, capable of a sprightly 5.8-second sprint to 60 mph.

This V6 engine underwent some changes starting in 2008. With the upgrades, this V6 engine could produce up to 271 horsepower and 254 lb-ft of torque. Thanks to the added power, it now achieved 60 mph in a minutely quicker 5.7 seconds. The final version of this V6 engine, available on the ninth generation models, 2013-2017, now created 278 horsepower and 252 lb-ft of torque. That took the sprint to 60 mph down to just 5.5 seconds, besting cars like the MK7 GTI and BMW 320i.

Finally, the fastest modern Honda Accord arrived in 2019 and left after 2022. The Honda Accord 2.0T Sport used a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo, versus the 1.5-liter engine we have today. This engine makes 252 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque and comes from the aggressive Civic Type-R. The turbo adds a heap of torque, allowing the four-cylinder to match the earlier V6’s 5.5-second acceleration to 60 mph.

The fastest Honda Accord models are…

a silver 2006 honda ex l v6 coupe, a fast coupe that can hit 60 mph in 5.7 seconds
2006 Honda Accord EX-L V6 Coupe | Honda

From slowest-to-fastest, the fastest versions of the Honda Accord are:

  • 2006 Honda Accord EX V6 Sedan: 0-60 mph in 5.8 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 14.3 seconds
  • 2008 Honda Accord EX-L V6 Coupe: 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 14 seconds
  • 2013 Honda Accord EX-L V6 Coupe w/manual transmission: 0-60 mph in 5.5 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 13.9 seconds
  • 2022 Honda Accord Touring 2.0T Sedan: 0-60 mph in 5.5 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 14.1 seconds per Car and Driver

These numbers are pretty impressive, but it should be noted that some drivers over at FastestLaps have gotten faster 0-60 and quarter-mile times with the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine. 

The Honda Accord is a sporty and family-friendly sedan

If you’re allured by the sense of speed but don’t want to commit to a sports car, you should consider a Honda Accord. The new and older models can offer you exciting performance on any road. Plus, if you enjoy this new turbocharged car and want more power, a wide range of aftermarket parts available could give you the performance you want.

Related

Fast-ish New Cars More Drivers Can Afford