We recently reviewed the 2023 Civic Sport and were blown away by the basic goodness of one of the Civic’s most affordable models. So now we’re doing the same thing but taking one step up to the evergreen Accord sedan. So, is bigger better? Let’s find out.
Big on Style
The Accord is all-new for 2023, and we already had a chance to review the Accord Touring Hybrid, and we loved it, but it also came in close to $40k – we’re being tight with the purse strings this time.
Like the Touring, this is one of the best-looking Accord sedans ever, and there’s a strong family resemblance to the Civic that was recently redone as well.
From the front it will be hard for anyone to tell you went affordable EX over luxo Touring. You get the same large hexagonal grille with a large chrome “H”, all flanked by blacked-out LED headlights with a slimline signature driving light that’s quite handsome.
The profile feels very European, maybe not as crisp as the new Civic, but it looks much larger and more substantial. And while the lines may fool you into thinking the Accord is a hatchback, it’s a sedan – but we like the sportiness of the swept back lines!
The EX reminds us of the Honda tradition giving you space for larger rims and tires. While our Touring tester had sexy 19-inch alloy wheels that really gave some visual oomph. The EX makes do with 17-inch alloy wheels, nicely designed, but frankly they look a little small to our eyes.
The rear keeps the clean, European feeling, with a wide horizontal LED line that goes the width of the vehicle, and slender LED taillight at the corner. Interestingly, our EX tester was the same color – Canyon River Blue – as our previous Touring tester. No problem there, it’s a handsome, expensive looking hue.
A Lesson in Civics
Inside, the cabin looks very much like the all-new Civic, clean and modern.
We’re really impressed with the quality of materials on the less-expensive EX trim. OK, so there’s no leather on the seats, steering wheel or shift lever, but most of the plastic trim has a soft touch feel to it, and the mesh trim that spans the width of interior gives an upscale vibe as well.
Pop into the front seats and you’ll find they’re comfortable and well-shaped. We’re not crazy about the design of the cloth – we liked the Civic Sport cloth better – but unlike the Civic, the driver seat has a power lumbar support (no lumbar on Civic), and it’s heated as well. (Also, not on the Civic)
The digital gauge set up is crisp and clear, with nice representations of an 8,000-rpm tach, and 160-mph speedo. There’s also loads of information that can be placed on the screen, including driver’s aids, audio info and more. Handsome and modern.
On the EX the infotainment is a 7-inch touchscreen, sitting tablet style on the center dash. After you’ve seen the beautiful 12.3-inch widescreen on the higher end models, it looks a bit small, but it works fine, and honestly with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, you’ve got everything you need to get around. And thank you Honda! – there are volume and tuning knobs on the screen!
Interestingly, Honda is walking away from putting SiriusXM radio on their vehicles, but we will say that the 8-speaker, 180-watt audio system sounded great.
In fact, that’s just part of what impresses with the EX – an full load of convenience, including dual zone climate control, power moonroof, adaptive cruise control, rear cross traffic alert and more.
Those in the back will enjoy class leading legroom, and pack rats will appreciate the largest trunk in its class. Another step up from our Civic, the Accord gives you split-folding rear seatbacks (the Civic was a cheaper single folding back) and a generous pass-through gives you plenty of space for larger items.
It’s Turbo Time!
Driving the EX brings another nice surprise. While our recent Civic had a normally aspirated 2.0-liter, the Accord rolls with a punchy, 1.5-liter, turbo 4-cylinder pumping out an impressive 192 horsepower and torque.
While a 1.5 may not sound like much for a big car, with all that torque coming in at just 1,700 rpm, the EX is certainly quick off the line, and putting the CVT transmission in Sport mode gives you quick response to the throttle and adds a bit of fun. The turbo/cvt combination serves up smooth, effortless driving, and with a combined EPA of 32 mpg, it’s impressively efficient.
Ride and handling show off what Honda does best, making even their modestly priced car give a buttery smooth and quiet freeway ride, while still being responsive to the wheel, and making it fun to zip around on your favorite roads. Special kudos to the brakes that have exceptional feel, firm and progressive.
Another part of that value equation comes with the impressive standard safety equipment, with the EX featuring Honda Sensing with Adaptive Cruise Control, Collision Mitigating, Lane Keep Assist, Road Departure Mitigation and Traffic Jam Assist.
EX-ceptional Value?
You bet! You can get into an Accord LX starting at $27,295. For a roomy well-equipped 4-door sedan with fresh looks, a great deal. We think our EX tester is the sweet spot though, giving you added goodies like heated seats, a power moonroof, upgraded audio system, dual zone climate control and Blind Spot Warning with Cross Traffic Warning, all for $29,610. Add in $1,095 for Destination, and we rang the bell at just $30,705.
If you’re looking at an Accord you should of course look at its nemesis the Toyota Camry LE which comes in at $30,275. We’d have to go for the all-new Accord, as the Camry will be all-new next year, and the current model is a bit long in the tooth. A better competitor might be the Hyundai Sonata, a stylish player, although a little more expensive at $31,190.
And since we mentioned it earlier, our EX was only $2,000 more than the Civic Sport we tested, and that had no turbo, no sunroof, heated seats and is a smaller car. We love that Civic, but the Accord gives you more bang for the buck.
The all-new 2023 Honda Accord EX is an amazing value, with great style, turbo performance, and loads of room. No wonder the Accord has been America’s best-selling sedan for 50 years!
Ben Lewis grew up in Chicago, and after spending his formative years driving sideways in the winter – often intentionally – moved to sunny Southern California. He now enjoys sunny weather year-round — whether it is autocross driving, aerobatics, and learning to surf.