2026 Honda Accord Reviews, Pricing & Specs

The 2026 Accord is available in LX and SE trim levels. Prices range from $29,690 to $31,990, including the $1,295 destination charge for shipping from the Marysville, Ohio, assembly plant. We urge buyers to get the SE trim level, which includes blind-spot monitors and rear cross-traffic alert, items that are unavailable on the base LX.

We tested the Accord SE, which looks so much better with its new 19-inch wheels (shared with the Accord Hybrid Sport). Dressed out in extra-cost Radiant Red paint, the test car had a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $32,445 with destination. With one of the four standard colors, it would have snuck in under $32,000.

Considering how stylish the Accord is, the size of its interior, and how this car exudes quality in nearly every way, that sticker price represents a remarkable value. Yes, it has conservative lines penned to age gracefully, but with those new wheels and the test car’s glowing red paint job, this affordable sedan sparks pride of ownership.

The interior cements the impression of quality and attention to detail. From the appealing light-gray fabric upholstery (black is also available) and the intricate mesh panel decorating the dashboard, to the way the doors solidly thunk shut, the Accord SE’s cabin looks and feels like buyers paid more for their car. However, while we really liked the high-contrast light-gray interior, the fabric soils easily. An artificial leather would be preferable for clean-up purposes.

Anyone feeling a need for speed should skip the Honda Accord. Don’t misunderstand; this car is enjoyable to drive thanks to its finely tuned ride and handling qualities, but its turbocharged gas engine has its work cut out for it, especially when the Accord is loaded up with passengers.

The turbo 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine supplies 192 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and a satisfying swell of 192 pound-feet of torque between 1,700 and 5,000 rpm. Together, they give the Accord smooth, consistent acceleration and responses, and the continuously variable transmission (CVT) is agreeable most of the time thanks to simulated gear changes. Honda offers the Accord only with front-wheel drive (FWD), though, so those who prefer all-wheel drive (AWD) should check out the Nissan Altima, the Kia K5, and the Toyota Camry.

Drivers can switch the powertrain from Normal to Econ mode to conserve fuel, but it puts the car into a somnambulant state. A Sport setting is also available for the transmission. In Normal mode the Accord SE test car averaged 29.3 mpg on our fuel economy evaluation loop with a 50:50 mix of city and highway driving, falling short of the official rating of 31 mpg in combined driving. During a week driving the Accord all over Southern California, we saw 31.3 mpg over 540 miles of travel, often with four people aboard.

The new 19-inch wheels replace last year’s dark-painted 17s, and with them is a set of P235/40R19 Goodyear Eagle Touring all-season tires. They shave the fuel economy estimate from 32 mpg for the LX to 31 mpg for the SE, but the added grip, firmer ride quality, and more appealing look are worth it. They might elevate road noise a bit; on some paved surfaces, the Accord was louder inside than we would have liked.

From behind the wheel, the Accord SE rides and handles more like a sports sedan than a typical commuter or family car. The ride is compliant enough for comfort, yet communicative enough so drivers know what’s happening at the road surface. The steering feels quick and precise off-center for rewarding handling, combined with secure and steady on-center behavior for easy long-distance travel. The brake pedal feels natural underfoot, and bringing the Accord to a clean, smooth stop is no trouble at all.

Overall, the Accord’s driving dynamics are engaging and communicative. Those might not be at the top of buyers' lists of requirements in an affordable midsize sedan, but they’re what make this Honda enjoyable to drive.

In addition to the cool wheels and the added safety features, choosing the Accord SE also adds a dual-zone automatic climate control system, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with power lumbar support, heated front seats, and a 60/40 split-folding back seat. Other SE-exclusive features include heated side mirrors, a power sunroof, and double the number of stereo speakers (eight).

Unfortunately, the Accord SE’s front seats are unpleasant, denting driving satisfaction. Seat-track travel is limited, the front passenger’s seat is low, mounted too close to the floor with no way to raise the height, and has firm cushions. Ultimately, they’re adequate during hours spent on the road, but a Toyota Camry is a lot more comfortable for the driver and the front passenger.

Where the Accord shines brighter is rear-seat comfort. The expansive legroom, good headroom, supportive bottom cushion, and natural backrest angle all contribute to happy back-seat campers. Rear air conditioning vents and two USB-C charging ports kept two teenagers reasonably satisfied for most of a Saturday. For those with younger children, a child safety seat will fit without any trouble.

Storage space is decent up front, with large center cupholders, a big tray with a wireless charging pad, and a sizable bin located underneath the densely padded center armrest. The glove compartment is somewhat small, though, as are the bins carved into the lower door panels. Few surfaces are lined, so items can slide and rattle around. Rear storage space is limited.

Buyers will find 16.7 cubic feet of cargo space inside the Accord’s trunk, which is more than any other car in the class. As noted above, the LX trim’s rear seatback folds down as a single piece, but our SE test car offered a more convenient 60/40 split, allowing the trunk to hold longer items and a rear passenger at the same time.

Every Accord has a 10.2-inch digital instrumentation panel that mimics a traditional speedometer and tachometer. Drivers can customize what data appears within each virtual gauge, and in the center there is a pictogram of the car. It illustrates when the headlights, taillights, and brake lights are on or off, and when the turn signal or hazard flashers are active. When using the driver-assistance features, it shows the status of the systems and the surrounding traffic.

Perched atop the dashboard is a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment display, replacing the former 7-inch screen for 2026. That upgrade also brings wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; previously, buyers needed a cable to use the smartphone mirroring tech. A wireless smartphone charger is newly standard for 2026, too.

This technology is not difficult to operate. Thumb wheels on the steering wheel cycle through the digital instrumentation data panels, and the infotainment system includes a volume knob and shortcut buttons to the Home screen and to launch Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. A radio tuning knob or button—the same one from the Honda Civic—would be nice to have, but it seems like car companies have decided customers don’t want those anymore.

Given the modest feature set, we elected to use Apple CarPlay during our week with the Accord. Most of the time, it worked fine, but it can occasionally be finicky about reconnecting with a device.

The standard Honda Sensing collection of driver-assistance features offers most of what we expect but omits two critically important features.

Standard features include high-beam assist, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and lane-centering assist. Those who want blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert must upgrade from the base Accord LX to the SE.

While outward visibility to the front and sides is good, and the large side mirrors help drivers see vehicles that might be tucked into one of the Accord’s blind spots, the view to the back is not ideal. The low front seating position, tall rear deck, and rakish roof pillars make it hard to see in that direction, and the standard rearview camera’s resolution isn’t great. Honda should make blind-spot monitors and rear cross-traffic alert standard on all Accords.

Overall, the Honda Sensing tech works as expected, but with occasional false lane-departure warnings issued as a steering wheel wobble instead of a preferable tactile vibration. We also experienced one inaccurate forward collision warning while rounding an exit ramp at sunset. The cause was unclear. It could have been glare on a guardrail, something related to the low lighting situation, or confusion about another vehicle going around the ramp in an adjacent lane but ahead of the Accord.

In crash testing performed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Accord earned a five-star overall rating. Moreover, it got a five-star rating in every individual assessment, including for rollover resistance. It doesn’t get better than that.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety calls the 2026 Accord a Top Safety Pick. It missed its chance to get the higher Top Safety Pick+ rating because Honda Sensing’s pedestrian detection capability rates as Acceptable instead of Good.

Spending $32,000 on a new 2026 Honda Accord SE seems like a cost-effective way to get into an affordable new car. This is the kind of vehicle buyers can own through multiple life stages, from being single in their 20s, through the different phases of parenthood, and into empty-nest years.

However, as much as we like the Accord, it may not be the most cost-effective decision in the class. The Accord Hybrid starts at $35,090 with destination, and it may be worth paying the extra to get the hybrid’s better EPA-rated fuel economy of up to 48 mpg combined.

If affordability is of utmost importance, buyers can option a base Toyota Camry LE with equipment similar to the Accord SE's for $33,425, including destination. The Toyota also includes two years or 25,000 miles of scheduled maintenance, compared to the Honda’s one-year/12,000-mile offer. And the Camry LE’s standard hybrid powertrain is EPA-rated at 51 mpg combined with FWD. An AWD Camry LE is also available for slightly more, with a 50-mpg combined rating.

Hyundai has the Sonata Hybrid to consider. In mid-grade SEL trim, it costs $33,985 including destination and comes with Hyundai’s legendary warranty and roadside-assistance plan, generous ownership perks such as free Bluelink+ connectivity for original owners, and superior technology. The Sonata Hybrid also achieves up to 51 mpg combined in EPA testing. Hyundai also offers more affordable gas-only trims, and there is a powerful turbocharged N Line variant for those who favor quick acceleration.

Kia has a similarly speedy K5 GT, but there is no hybrid powertrain in that automaker’s midsize car. AWD is available, though, and the Kia K5 is priced lower than its rivals while offering a warranty and roadside assistance plan equal to the Hyundai Sonata's. A 2027 Kia K5 GT-Line with AWD goes for $31,535, including destination, and is EPA-rated at 27 mpg combined.

Despite its questionable cost-effectiveness equation, we still think the 2026 Honda Accord is worthy of consideration. There is more to ownership satisfaction than numbers on a spreadsheet, and at the SE trim level’s MSRP, we think it offers a compelling blend of style, practicality, efficiency, safety, and driving satisfaction.