Honda Accord (10th Gen)
18-22 · Honda Accord
The 10th generation Accord is the benchmark midsize sedan. Other manufacturers compare themselves to it.
Score breakdown
Our take
What it really is
Honda reinvented the Accord for the 10th generation. The 1.5T and 2.0T engines replaced the V6 across the range. The 2.0T with 10-speed automatic is genuinely quick. The platform handles better than any mass-market sedan at this price.
Why it's on this list
IIHS Top Safety Pick+ every year. 5-star NHTSA. Reliability matching Toyota. The 10th gen Accord improves on every prior generation without adding complexity.
The honest trade-offs
The 1.5T had documented oil dilution issues in cold climates, specifically 2018-2019. Honda issued a software fix. Verify it's applied. The CVT on the 1.5T is not as engaging as the 2.0T's 10-speed automatic.
What to buy and what to avoid
2020-2022 for the updated safety tech and resolved 1.5T issues. The 2.0T Sport is the sweet spot: 252hp, 10-speed, sport suspension, under $30k used. Avoid the Sport Hybrid unless you specifically want the electric assist.
Annual cost of ownership
Key specs
Safety
Rust vulnerability
Reliability data
Repairability
References
Sources used to research and score this vehicle. Superscript numbers in the sections above link here.
- [1]datasetRepairPal
Annual maintenance cost, reliability rating, unscheduled visit frequency, severe issue probability
- [2]governmentNHTSA Crash Test Ratings
Overall crash test stars, rollover risk %, rollover stars, frontal and side ratings
- [3]governmentNHTSA Technical Service Bulletins
Manufacturer-acknowledged technical issues and dealer fixes
- [4]datasetIIHS Safety Ratings
Small overlap, side impact, overall safety rating, Top Safety Pick status
- [5]governmentEPA Fuel Economy Guide
MPG city/highway/combined, fuel grade required, tank size
- [6]forum threadCarComplaints
Most complained-about model years, common failure patterns by year and mileage band
- [7]datasetiSeeCars Long-Term Reliability
250k-mile survival rate, depreciation curve, best age to buy used
- [8]publicationBankrate / Insurify Insurance Estimates
Insurance cost estimates by vehicle class and driver profile
Looking to buy a Honda Accord?
Start with our fully customized pre-purchase inspection checklist for you or your mechanic. Three versions: one for buyers who are not mechanics, one for enthusiasts with tools, one for handing off to a professional. Print or save as PDF.
Modernize this car
CarPlay, backup cameras, blind spot monitoring, TPMS, and dashcams. Researched picks and honest watch-outs.
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