If you’re looking for a comfortable, stylish, and reliable midsize sedan and want to shop in the preowned market, don’t skip out on exploring a used Honda Accord for sale. The Accord has been one of the best-selling sedans in the US for half of a century and has earned itself a spot on Car and Driver’s 10Best list multiple times. Honda delivers consistent quality in the Accord, so used vehicle shoppers should not sleep on this popular sedan.
If you’re wondering which generation of the Accord you should be shopping for, the tenth generation boasts a great batch of model years to look through, comprising the 2018 through 2022 models, so it will have many of the tech and safety features that today’s drivers have grown accustomed to while still offering you those great used prices. You won’t need to sacrifice things like desirable driver assistance features or fast-acting and crisp touchscreens, but you won’t have to pay a new vehicle price, either. Let’s take a look at some of the best features that were added during the Accord’s tenth generation that make it the one to shop…
Performance
Not many drivers think of sedans as performance vehicles, but the Accord lives up to the expectations of people who love a refined behind-the-wheel experience. This became especially true in 2018, because, that year, Honda introduced several new engines and transmissions to the Accord.
First off, a new 1.5L 16-valve direct-injected turbo engine was added with a power output of 192 hp and a torque of 192 lb-ft. (For reference, that’s up from 185 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque from the previous generation). Additionally, a 2.0L 16-valve direct-injected turbo engine was added to the engine choices. The 1.5L could be paired with either a continuously variable transmission or a six-speed manual transmission, while the 2.0L could be paired with a brand-new 10-speed automatic transmission or an available six-speed manual transmission. So, whatever you want under the hood or the level of intimacy you want with your gear-shifting, you can experience it in the 2018 Honda Accord.
Also new for 2018 was a redesigned hybrid powertrain. The Accord has been available as a hybrid since 2005, but this new hybrid powertrain relied on a 2.0L Atkinson cycle engine that boasted 40% better thermal efficiency than its predecessor and is paired with what was, in 2018, the first drive motors that relied on magnets with no rare earth metals globally, making this an environmentally friendly powertrain on several fronts. It not only allows drivers to rely on less fuel but is also created with non-renewable resources. The 2018 Accord was designed to be lower, wider, and longer, too, creating more aerodynamic efficiency; the result meant a greater feeling of connection with the road and better fuel economy thanks to less drag. The Accord had always been fuel-efficient, but in 2018, that efficiency got a whole lot better.
Comfort
Let’s take a look at the comfort features added during this generation since the Accord is such a commuter-friendly vehicle. It’s worth quickly mentioning that the new hybrid powertrain developed in 2018 put the battery pack and associated systems under the rear floor; the previous generation hybrid powertrain put these components in the trunk, taking up much of the cargo space. So now, after 2018, drivers could again use the trunk for storage, as it was supposed to be. Paired with a 60/40 split and folding rear seat, this opens up a world of cargo possibilities.
The 2018 Honda Accord also boasts more interior volume than the previous generation. This is mostly thanks to a total redesign of the frame and chassis, which resulted in a longer, lower, and wider vehicle. This unique redesign, which improved the center of gravity, also meant more rear-seat legroom because Honda was able to move the second-row seats back. Honda also increased the height of the shoulder bolstering for the 2018 model and introduced what they refer to as “high-accuracy seat padding,” which provides improved levels of firmness where it counts. So the interior is more comfortable and spacious than ever before.
The driver of a 2018 or newer Honda Accord will also be more comfortable than previous owners thanks to the 12-way power adjustment with adjustable lumbar support that became available in this model year. Even the front seat passenger will be more comfortable due to the heated and ventilated available front seats. Just a few years later, in 2021, we got a new trim, the Sport SE, which received leather seats and a four-way power passenger seat (in addition to the pre-existing 12-way power adjustable driver’s seat), plus heated mirrors to melt away ice and frost on cold days.
Technology
Staying aware of important vehicular and journey stats became easier in 2018 when Honda introduced a new six-inch driver head-up display. Here, drivers can view things like speed, turn-by-turn navigation, traffic sign recognition, and other pertinent data, all on the bottom of the windshield. Also new for 2018 was wireless device charging for Apple and Android smartphones.
Little changed in 2019 or 2020, but by 2021, we received some exciting new features such as a remote engine start option, allowing drivers to turn on their ignition before getting in their vehicle, which also enabled them to turn on the climate control from outside the car. This feature would be found in a Sport SE trim for that model year. Additionally, the EX-L and Touring trims received new wireless Apple and Android smartphone integration for the traditional gas engine models. (You’ll find this feature on the EX and higher trims for the hybrid models.) So between this and wireless charging, drivers could leave their USB cords at home.
On the safety front, the 2021 Honda Accord received a new rear seat reminder, which alerts drivers to check the second row for valuables (and younger passengers) before exiting the vehicle. Also new for 2021 was a Low-Speed Braking Control System; when moving forward or in reverse at low speeds, this system can detect objects in the driver’s path and activate the brakes when needed to avoid collisions; it activates at speeds between 1 and 6 mph.
Get Behind the Wheel of a Tenth-Gen Accord for High Refinement
Shopping for a used vehicle can be emotionally complicated. On the one hand, you might get an amazing deal; on the other hand, you might get a lemon. But Accords are, historically, rarely lemons. In fact, some of the leading authorities on quality vehicles continue to call the Accord the midsize sedan to beat—and so far, nobody has beaten it.
The Accord has sophisticated styling that makes it perfect for taking clients out to lunch or impressing a date. Its comfortable seats and smooth performance make it a pleasure to ride in, and its innovative technology and safety features make it feel like it’s anticipating your every move and need. The tenth generation saw many improvements that further refined an already impressive sedan, so if you’re looking for a used Accord, we recommend shopping model years 2018 through 2022.
So long as you get a 2018 or newer, you’ll enjoy a beautiful and advanced model; snag yourself a 2021 or 2022 model, and you’ll benefit extremely.
