AutoTrader SCORE
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STYLING8/10
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Safety9/10
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PRACTICALITY8/10
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USER-FRIENDLINESS8/10
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FEATURES8/10
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POWER8/10
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COMFORT8/10
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DRIVING FEEL8/10
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FUEL ECONOMY9/10
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VALUE6/10
The 2023 Honda Accord arrives as a redesigned model, riding on a new platform and with sleeker styling, new technology, and a marketing strategy that puts focus on the hybrid version.
To that end, the sole gas-only choice is the entry EX trim, at $38,780 including a non-negotiable delivery fee of $1,780. The next two are hybrid-only: the Sport at $42,780, and my Touring tester at $46,280. Because it’s self-charging and doesn’t plug in, the hybrid isn’t eligible for any federal or provincial rebates.
Styling: 8/10
The Accord’s styling makeover is impressive, with a better-integrated front end and smooth rear with long, horizontal tail lights. Both hybrid trims come with 19-inch wheels, up from 17-inch on the base EX. The interior contains a fair bit of hard plastic for the price but has some attractive design cues, including the honeycomb mesh strips that incorporate the climate vents.
Safety: 9.5/10
At the time of writing, the 2023 Accord had not yet been crash-tested by the United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). However, it did earn the highest Top Safety Pick+ award from the not-for-profit Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). That included the top “Good” rating for the organization’s updated side test, which better simulates being struck by a larger SUV; and its updated front test, which now assesses potential injury to a rear-seat passenger as well as those in front.
All trims come standard with emergency front braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure assist, traffic sign recognition, and the back-up camera that’s mandatory on all new vehicles.
Features: 8/10
All Accords include such items as dual-zone climate control, heated seats, sunroof, and power driver’s seat, but the two hybrid models get the bulk of desirable features. The midrange Sport adds a 12.3-inch centre touchscreen in place of the base EX’s seven-inch unit, plus a heated steering wheel, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and integrated Amazon Alexa.
My Touring tester topped that off with subscription-based satellite radio, a premium audio system, rain-sensing wipers, an acoustically-insulated windshield, rain-sensing wipers, auto-dimming mirror, head-up display, rear-seat ventilation, driver’s side seat memory, power passenger seat, heated rear seats, ventilated front seats, leather upholstery, rear USB charging port, embedded navigation, and Google Built-In, a new feature for 2023.
User-Friendliness: 8/10
Makeovers often stuff more functions into digital buttons, but the Accord remains refreshingly simple, which in turn helps to reduce distraction. The climate control uses buttons and dials, and the touchscreen is easy to use and has a dial for the stereo volume. The heated and ventilated seats are also accessed with buttons. The doors open wide, but the rear seats are set deep inside on the riser, and it can take a wide step to get in and out. If you’re carrying older passengers or young children, make sure they can navigate over it.
Practicality: 8/10
The redesigned 2023 Honda Accord has a similarly-sized interior to the model it replaces, save for marginally more legroom in the rear seat. It has more rear-seat leg space than its Hyundai Sonata and Toyota Camry competitors, but you get slightly more headroom in those. The big deal is the Accord’s trunk, which at 473 L is larger than that of the Sonata at 453 L, or the Camry at 428 L. While that’s not as much as most small SUVs, it might be enough for many buyers to consider a sedan instead.
Comfort: 8/10
All trims have an eight-way power driver’s seat and heated front seats, but the Touring exclusively adds ventilated seats, driver’s side memory, and a power passenger seat. You also need to buy either of the hybrid trims to get a heated steering wheel.
The seats are supportive and comfortable, including on longer drives. Legroom is good both front and back, although tall passengers might want a smidgen more headroom in the rear. While I drove the gas-only Accord EX and found its ride to be firm and noisy on bumps, my Touring was quieter and smoother, even with larger wheels and correspondingly lower-profile tires.
Power: 8/10
The Accord Hybrid uses a 2.0L four-cylinder engine that, on its own, makes 146 hp and 134 lb-ft of torque. Combined with the electric motor, that rises to 204 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque. It uses an automatic continuously-variable transmission (CVT) and is front-wheel drive (FWD). Paddles on the steering wheel let you sequentially “shift” between six simulated gears, although it’s really more of a novelty than a useful driving tool.
The hybrid system automatically switches between gasoline, electricity, or a combination of both, depending on driving conditions; and the battery self-charges. It includes a console-mounted button that keeps it in battery-only if driving conditions are right, but you must be whisper-light on the accelerator or the gas engine will start up. Toyota has a similar system but it’s much touchier than the Honda’s; and while Toyota’s switches off at higher speeds, I was able to keep the Accord on electric-only at 80 km/h – although it didn’t take long to deplete the battery and it switched to gasoline. The button can also be used to charge the battery using the gas engine, although it seems wasteful.
Driving Feel: 8.5/10
The 2023 Honda Accord hybrid is a very pleasant vehicle to drive. I find it preferable to the gas-only version by virtue of that switch from gas to battery, which is very smooth and generally seamless, and that when you need passing power, the combined 247 lb-ft of torque is more than the 192 lb-ft from the gas model.
The steering is responsive, and light enough that it’s easy to get it around tight parking lots. It takes curves very well, and while some regenerative braking systems can result in harsh brake pedal feel, the Honda brakes smoothly and quickly. Hybrids have a pedestrian warning sound at low electric-only speeds, and the Accord’s is a lovely one that sounds like a church choir.
Fuel Economy: 9/10
The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid is rated by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) at 5.0 L/100 km in the city, 5.7 on the highway, and 5.3 in combined driving, and it asks for regular-grade gasoline. In my week with it, I came in below that number at 4.9 L/100 km. Among its midsize hybrid sedan competitors, the Accord’s 5.3 L/100 km combined is the highest, although the difference is marginal, with the Hyundai Sonata at 5.0, and the Toyota Camry at 5.1. And, of course, it’s better than the gas-only Accord, which rates 7.3 L/100 km combined.
Value: 6/10
The Accord hybrid does so much right, but tends to be expensive, with the Sport starting at $42,780 and my Touring at $46,280. The Toyota Camry Hybrid comes in four trims that range from $34,550 to $43,350; while the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, which comes only in top Ultimate trim, is $43,274. All prices include delivery.
The Verdict
Those price differences mean shoppers will want to test-drive all three and look for the one that best meets their desire for features along with fitting their wallets. While it is pricey, the redesigned 2023 Honda Accord is a sharp-looking sedan that’s great to drive.
| Engine Displacement | 2.0L |
|---|---|
| Engine Cylinders | I4 |
| Peak Horsepower | 146 hp @ 6,100 rpm (gas only), 204 hp net (hybrid) |
| Peak Torque | 134 lb-ft @ 4,500 rpm (gas only), 247 lb-ft net (hybrid) |
| Fuel Economy | 5.0 / 5.7 / 5.3 L/100 km cty/hwy/cmb |
| Cargo Space | 473 L |
| Model Tested | 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid Touring |
| Base Price | $44,500 |
| A/C Tax | $100 |
| Destination Fee | $1,780 |
| Price as Tested | $46,807 |
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Optional Equipment
$427 – Protection Package of floor and trunk liners, $427
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