What the experts say about the 2019 Honda Accord
Two editors and a safety official weigh in.
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2019 Honda Accord
On the road for 10 generations, America’s second-best selling sedan is still going strong. Following a full redesign last year, the 2019 Honda Accord has honed its recipe for blending performance, technology, and comfort to deliver a trim for every taste.
The five-passenger sedan comes in five versions: LX, Sport, EX, EX-L, and Touring. The base model is powered by a 192-horsepower, turbocharged, 1.5-liter, four-cylinder engine paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission. Buyers can upgrade to the 252-horsepower, turbocharged, 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine — standard in the Touring trim — paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Sport trim includes sport pedals, a rear spoiler, and an option for a six-speed manual transmission. In a market crowded with midsize cars, the Accord stands out for its confidence, agility, and smooth ride even on rough roads.
The degree of interior refinement varies by trim level. All models come equipped with dual-zone climate control, cloth upholstery, Bluetooth, a USB port, a four-speaker stereo, an easy-to-use infotainment system with a 7-inch display screen, and plenty of space for adults in either row. Options include heated and leather-trimmed seats, power-adjustable front seats, a high-resolution, 8-inch touch screen, navigation, HD Radio, an eight- or 10-speaker audio system, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration. That’s a heady list for a mainstream sedan. The top-of-the-line Touring trim, awash in stitched leather, silver accents, and knurled metal knobs, feels luxurious enough to rival entry-level sedans from Mercedes-Benz, Audi, BMW, and even Honda’s own Acura brand.
The 2019 Honda Accord earned top ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The sedan comes standard with the Honda Sensing suite of advanced driver safety features, including lane departure warning, collision mitigation braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, forward collision warning, and traffic sign recognition. Buyers can add blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert. All models come equipped with a rearview camera and driver drowsiness monitoring.
The sedan’s base model achieves 30 mpg around town and 38 mpg on the highway. Cars equipped with the more powerful engine deliver 23 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway.
The 2019 Honda Accord starts at $23,720.
What the experts say
Tenth generation
“A Honda Accord is the vehicle you want to drive your pregnant wife to the hospital in – it will get you there comfortably and reliably, without fail. Ten generations of innovative engineering, continual refinement, and fine polish have produced one of the world’s best vehicles. Roomy, safe, and fuel efficient in both gasoline and hybrid variants, it’s hard to go wrong with any trim level. Without question, this is the best Accord that the automaker has ever produced. It’s a shame that consumers are replacing sedans with crossovers and SUVs in droves — they are missing out.” — Michael Harley, executive editor at Kelley Blue Book
Editors’ choice
“When the fully redesigned Accord debuted last year, it reset expectations for the class with an interior that is as sophisticated as it is spacious, with plenty of performance and a lot of features for your money. No surprise that it earned one of the Edmunds Editors’ Choice Awards for 2019, edging out the Mazda 6 and handily beating the venerable Toyota Camry. The Accord really sets itself apart from crossover alternatives with the way it drives. Its surefooted handling is both pleasurable and reassuring, yet very comfortable for hours at a time. The base engine will be more than adequate for the vast majority of drivers. For those who desire a livelier performance, a 252-hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter is available on the top two trims. As an added bonus, the rare traditionalist can even opt for a six-speed manual transmission.” — Mark Takahashi, senior reviews editor at Edmunds
Crash prevention
“The 2019 Accord aces all six IIHS crash tests with good ratings across the board. It also comes standard with a superior-rated front crash prevention system that research shows can help drivers avoid some kinds of crashes altogether. The Accord qualifies for the IIHS Top Safety Pick award with state-of-the-art performance in virtually every category that we evaluate. It just misses earning our higher-level ‘Plus’ designation because its best-rated headlight system is rated acceptable rather than good. If you have young children, the Accord earns our highest rating for how easy it is to install a child restraint. Anchors for the car’s LATCH system aren’t too deep in the seat, are easy to maneuver around, and don’t require a lot of force to attach.” — Russ Rader, senior vice president of communications at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
