3
0
Midsize car; Built in USA, Japan
  • 2-door coupe
  • 4-door sedan
  • transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive
Good condition price range: $10,200 – $22,100*


2014 Honda Accord


2014 Honda Accord


2014 Honda Accord


2014 Honda Accord

Pros:
  • Refinement
  • Steering/handling
Cons:
  • Small trunk opening
  • Wind noise

In the face of ever-improving midsize rivals, Honda redesigned the Accord for 2013 with an admirable focus on maintaining the car’s individual character. The Accord delivers tangible improvements on most every front, but also stays true to its traditional strengths: a fine ride/handling balance, a spacious back seat, and a solid, cohesive overall feel. Highlights of the redesign include worthwhile new technology features and improved fuel economy figures with no significant penalty in performance. Now more than ever, the hyper-competitive midsize segment is filled with excellent vehicles, but the Accord’s redesign helps it keep pace with the best in the class.

Overview

One of the top-selling cars in the U.S., the front-wheel-drive Accord Sedan and Coupe have long been a benchmark among midsize cars. It has also been a consistent recipient of Consumer Guide Automotive awards. The sedan version was by far the most popular, though a Coupe was also offered. As coupes go, the Accord was more practical than most, offering slightly better rear-seat room and accessibility than some rivals. The Accord platform was also used for the SUV-flavored Crosstour (see separate report).

Accord sedan’s biggest competitor over the years has been the Toyota Camry, and the two typically battled it out for the #1 and #2 sales slots among cars in the U.S. Other class rivals included the Nissan Altima, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, Chevrolet Malibu, and Ford Fusion in what was perhaps the most competitive segment in all of autodom.

The only directly competing midsize coupe was the Nissan Altima, which was also front-wheel drive. However, the Altima Coupe was offered only with 4-cylinder power. The Accord Coupe’s indirect competitors included the Hyundai Genesis Coupe and V6-powered versions of the Chevrolet Camaro, Dodge Challenger, and Ford Mustang. All of those coupes were rear-wheel drive, however.Almost all Accords were built in the U.S. A small number of early-production Accords were built in Japan. A plug-in hybrid version (introduced for the 2014 model year) was also built in Japan.

The 2013 Accord was redesigned with new styling, new features, a new 4-cylinder engine, and an updated V6 engine. Wheelbase shrank by about an inch and overall length was down by 2.7 inches for 2013–despite this, both rear legroom and cargo volume improved slightly.

Two engines were offered in the Accord: an 185-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder or an 278-horsepower 3.5-liter V6. The V6 included Honda’s Variable Cylinder Management cylinder deactivation.

Four-cylinder Accords offered the choice of a 6-speed manual transmission or a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that behaved much like an automatic. V6 Accord Sedans came only with a 6-speed automatic transmission, while V6 Accord Coupes also offered a 6-speed manual.

All Accords had front-wheel drive.

All the expected safety features were standard on all Accords. Newly available safety features for 2013 included Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Warning, and Honda’s LaneWatch camera.

Yearly Updates

2014 Accord
Hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions of the Accord sedan were added for the 2014 model year. The non-hybrid Accords were little changed.
2015 Accord
Honda Accord saw only minor changes for 2015. EX-L models got a Homelink universal remote system, EX-L coupes got an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and EX Coupes added Honda’s LaneWatch rear-view camera system.

Engines

transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive

Two engines were offered in the Accord: a 185-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder or a 278-horsepower 3.5-liter V6. The V6 included Honda’s Variable Cylinder Management cylinder deactivation.

dohc I4
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 2.4/144
Engine HP 185
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 181
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
6-speed manual
CVT automatic		 24/34
26/35		 28
ohc V6
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 3.5/212
Engine HP 278
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 252
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
6-speed manual
6-speed automatic		 18/28
21/34		 21
28

Road Test

Four-cylinder Accords have decent power in around-town driving and adequate acceleration in highway merging and passing. The CVT is well-matched to the engine; it operates fluidly and responds quickly to throttle inputs. The manual transmission is easy and fun to use. Its shifter moves crisply, and the clutch pedal has a smooth (but very light) feel. The V6 engine offers robust acceleration, but its 6-speed automatic transmission was not always smooth to up- or downshift. With the V6, some testers observed some faint bogging and surging when cruising at highway speeds. We suspect this was the result of the engine engaging and disengaging its cylinder deactivation feature. The V6 Coupe’s manual transmission has a shifter that moves crisply and the clutch pedal has a smooth (but very light) feel. Some testers complained about the manual in one V6 example, citing a notchy and clunky feel to the shifter.

In Consumer Guide testing, a CVT-equipped 4-cylinder Accord sedan averaged 27.6 mpg. A V6 model returned 27.7. These results are surprising given that both cars were evaluated under similar driving conditions. A manual-transmission V6 Coupe averaged 21.4 mpg with slightly more city driving than highway use. All Accords use regular-grade gas.

All Accords offer a fine blend of comfort and control. Most bumps are easily absorbed with little drama. The Sport model’s 18-inch wheels have a minimal impact on ride quality.

Like previous Accords, the new models are a bit more sporty than most mainstream midsize sedans. Handling is stable and predictable, and body lean in corners is well controlled. Steering feel is accurate with good feedback at highway speeds, and is nicely boosted at low speeds for easy maneuvering when parking.

Wind rush is noticeable at highway speeds, as is tire noise on rough surfaces, particularly with the available 18-inch tires. The 4-cylinder has a decently refined exhaust note. It cruises quietly, but can get vocal in fast acceleration, a condition likely exacerbated by the CVT. The V6 sounds a bit richer. The V6 has a more aggressive and sporty tone in the coupe than it does in a comparably equipped sedan.

The main gauge cluster has big dials that are easy to read. Buttons are large and clearly marked. Climate controls are clearly separated from audio controls by a “step” in the dashboard design. The central-dashboard screen is shrouded, so it’s less susceptible to washing out in bright sunlight. The redesigned dashboard has fewer buttons and a less-daunting control layout than previous Accords. We do wish there was a separate dial to tune the radio, and repeatedly pressing virtual buttons on the touchscreen can get a bit tedious.

Accord interiors have a high-quality look and feel. Buttons and switchgear move with precision. Some models feature classy satin-finish silver trim, which helps dress up the dashboard. The Sport’s faux carbon fiber is appropriately racy. EX-L and Touring models’ leather upholstery delivers a more-upscale ambiance.

Front seats are comfortable and supportive. There’s ample headroom and legroom, even for taller adults. Large door openings and a high roofline make entering and exiting Accord easy. In sedans, visibility all-around is among the best in the class, thanks to generously sized windows and relatively thin roof pillars. In coupes, thick roof pillars can obstruct the view to the rear corners. Honda’s clever LaneWatch system functioned superbly during our test drives.

Rear comfort is an Accord Sedan strong point. The rear seats are comfortable and both headroom and legroom are better than most class competitors. Generous door openings and a high roof make for easy entry and exit. Large window openings give the back seat an airier feel than some 4-door sedans.

Rear seat space is surprisingly good in the 2-door coupe. Two average-size adults can ride in reasonable comfort. As expected, entry and exit are tricky in the coupe.

Accords have a large, deep, usefully shaped trunk, though a smallish opening may prevent loading of bulkier items. Uncovered sickle-type hinges intrude somewhat on overall space. Note that the folding rear seat back is one piece, rather than split like on most cars. Also, the aperture created by folding the rear seat isn’t particularly generous, and there is a step when the seatback is folded–this can complicate the loading of large items. Interior small-items storage is on par for the class: a roomy center console, twin cupholders, door pockets, and a cubby bin forward of the shifter.

Ratings

Model Tested: 2013 Honda Accord Ex 4-cylinder sedan

Ratings values are on a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the best. With the exception of Value, these numbers reflect how the vehicle compares against the universe of vehicles, not just against rivals in its class.

Performance

Acceleration - 5
50%
Fuel Economy - 8
80%
Ride Quality - 7
70%
Steering/Handling - 6
60%
Quietness - 6
60%

Accommodations

Controls/Materials - 7
70%
Room/Comfort Front - 8
80%
Room/Comfort Rear - 7
70%
Cargo Room - 4
40%

Other

Value - 8
80%

Total: 66

Specifications

2-door coupe
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
107.3 189.2 72.8 56.5 3186
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
13.7 17.2 5.0
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
39.0 37.2 42.2 33.7
4-door sedan
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
109.3 191.4 72.8 57.7 3192
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
15.8 17.2 5.0
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
39.1 37.5 42.5 38.5
Safety Ratings

Model Tested: 2013 Honda Accord sedan 4-door sedan

NHTSA

(5 is the highest rating)

Front Impact Test

Driver Injury - 4
80%
Front Passenger Injury - 4
80%

Side Impact Test

Driver Injury - 5
100%
Rear Passenger Injury - 5
100%

Trouble Spots

Engine misfire
Description: Engine can rattle or run rough because of a sticking VCM (Variable Cylinder Management) rocker arms. (2013-15)
Suspension noise
Description: There can be noise coming from the front wheel bearings. (2013-14)
Suspension noise
Description: There can be noise coming from the rear wheel bearings. (2014)
Electrical problem
Description: A loose connection in the roof wiring harness could result in the engine not starting or the engine starts and then stops. (2013-15)

Recall History

2013 Accord
Description: The fuel pump may not be properly sealed to the tank increasing the risk of leaks and fire.
2014-15 Accord with 4-cylinder engine
Description: The connecting rod bolts may have been improperly torqued which could cause the engine to lose power or stall.
2014-15 Accord Hybrid
Description: Electrical interference could cause the hybrid system to switch to fail-safe mode and run on only battery power. Once the battery is discharged, the car could stall.

Equipment Lists

Equipment lists are only viewable on larger screen sizes.

Pricing

Used-car pricing varies widely depending on local market conditions. Therefore, we recommend visiting websites that list used cars for sale to get a better idea of what a specific model is selling for in your area.

More about Tom Appel
Written by: Tom Appel on June 8, 2017.
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