Here’s our review of the 2015 Honda Accord sedan!
The Honda Accord has been the leader for midsize sedans for decades now. Long established as the benchmark by which others are judged, it stands the test of time by being unique in that it’s occasionally the best at one criteria, yet as often very good at almost all of them. To quote the adage; “it really is greater than the sum of it’s parts.” For the Accord though, being top dog also means having competitors sights set on you. With the latest round of midsize domination with the Ford Fusion, Hyundai Sonata, and Kia Optima nipping at your heels, how does the Accord compare?
Let’s start with the styling. Honda has waged a different war in bucking the trend toward couple-like styling among it’s competitors. Instead the Accord retains a classic three-box shape with a strong character line running across it’s flanks. While the front end might be somewhat bland looking, it finishes off nicely in the rear mimicking some premium offerings. Viewed as a whole the Accord comes off conservatively handsome with a slightly upscale look especially in upper trim lines with bigger wheels.
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Inside Honda has continued with the same formula of conservative styling that looks contemporary yet doesn’t offend. The Accord’s dashboard is topped by a large S-curve to house it’s standard display screen, once again giving an upscale impression. Upper trim lines house a secondary screen for radio and navigation controls with separate climate controls. Fit and finish are top rate although the door panels look very plain and some trim that is trying to look different, ends up looking cheap. At least Honda has scattered chrome and metal looking bits throughout to dress things up a bit.
Under the hood the Accord gets more energetic with the choice two available powertrains. The standard engine is a 2.4L direct-injected four-cylinder with 185-hp and 181 lb-ft. of torque that cab be mated to either a 6-speed manual or CVT transmission. If you want more power, there’s an available 3.5L V6 with 278-hp and 252 lb-ft. of torque that is paired with a 6-Speed automatic. Both engines offer very good performance, the V6 being the better choice for sporting enthusiasts and the four-cylinder the better choice for fuel economy. My EX-L test vehicle with the four-cylinder and CVT managed an impressive 31-mpg over its week with us in mixed driving.
While it’s no sports sedan the Accord does excel at having a very tactile feel in its controls. It responds well to all the driver’s commands yet doesn’t feel like your piloting a marshmallow. The suspension soaks up irregularities well while still communicating what’s going on down below. Honda also cancelled out cabin noise and vibration very well to almost luxury car levels – this is by far the quietest Accord ever. Best of all the Accord doesn’t protest if you decide to take the back roads home and have a little fun.
Honda has also imbued the Accord with the latest technology. As you climb up in trim levels standard equipment like Honda’s Lane Watch, Forward Collision Warning, Land Departure Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control, and Audio Touch Screen with Premium Audio join the roster. Honda has kept optioning an Accord simple by offering just five trim lines. My EX-L tester started at $28,420, while the base level starts at $22,105. Regardless of trim level though, you really can’t go wrong with a Honda Accord.
