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Honda Accord - What the Auto Press Says

The 2010 Honda Accord ranks 7 out of 21 Affordable Midsize Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 43 published reviews and test drives of the Honda Accord, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

The Honda Accord has been an excellent choice for most family sedan buyers for more than a generation.  The 2010 Accord does nothing to change that, with a roomy interior, performance that's just a little sporty and always predictable, strong safety scores and reliability that means few expensive surprises.

Edmunds explains it succinctly: “Few vehicles over the past three decades have garnered as much respect in America as the Honda Accord. It hasn't achieved this by being sporty, glamorous or sexy. Instead, it has, for every year, offered what most Americans want out of their daily transportation.” The Honda Accord has been one of Car and Driver's 10 Best for 23 straight years. After its 2008 redesign, the Honda Accord was named Motor Week's Best Family Sedan. It's also Consumer Reports' Best Pick of 2009 (and 2008) in the Family Sedan category. The list of awards and recognitions just don’t stop.

Reviewers praise the 2010 Honda Accord for its roomy interior (so large that the government classifies the Accord as a large car, though most reviewers treat it as a midsize), strong reliability history and high resale value. The Honda Accord’s exceptional available V6 engine, which can shut down three of its cylinders to cruise at highway speed without wasting fuel, earns high marks as well. 

Still, the Honda Accord isn’t perfect. Many midsize cars have been redesigned in recent years, leaving this as one of the oldest designs on the market. The 2010 Honda Accord also has limited trunk space compared to its rivals, and some critics complain of harsh shifts from the available automatic transmission.

Other Cars to Consider:

The Accord is an outstanding choice for many buyers. But the class of affordable midsize cars is changing. Once, the Accord and Toyota Camry easily ruled the segment. Today, car shoppers have far more interesting choices. The top of our affordable midsize car ranking list is a traffic jam of appealing cars priced between $18,000 and $30,000. 

Those interested in the 2010 Honda Accord should plan time to test drive the Ford Fusion, which has won over the automotive press with its sporty handling, upscale interior and high-tech features at an affordable price. The all-new 2011 Hyundai Sonata is also worth a close look, particularly for those shopping near the low-cost end of the midsize segment, where its equipment list stands out. 

The best choice may vary from month to month, depending on incentives and sales in your area. Be sure to check for current Honda Deals that may be available on a 2010 Honda Accord.

Honda Accord: The Details

Last redesigned in 2008, the Honda Accord enters 2010 with few significant changes. Bluetooth connectivity is now standard on every Accord with leather upholstery, and EX models now have a trunk liner. Otherwise, all Honda has changed are the ventilation buttons (now a lighter color) and the rear-seat vents (slightly repositioned to more effectively cool rear-seat passengers). The changes may seem tiny, but Edmunds says, “Hey, that's the kind of attention to detail that defines the Honda character.” If those changes don’t seem significant to you, we should note that Honda entered the Spring season with more than 1,000 2009-model Accords left on dealership lots -- and they’re a bargain if you can find them.

For 2010, the Honda Accord is available in base LX, LX Premium (which adds a power driver’s seat), more upscale EX, and long-wheelbase EX-L trim levels. Those who haven’t purchased a Honda before might want to note that Honda doesn’t offer many options on its cars. In general, if a specific feature is important to you, you can’t buy it a-la-carte. You’ll need to step up to a more expensive 2010 Honda Accord trim level to get it.

• "Though Accord is no longer leaps and bounds ahead of competitors, its rewarding balance of price, performance, and passenger accommodations make it a Best Buy for shoppers in this class." -- Consumer Guide
• "The Honda Accord offers an appealing combination of spaciousness, a relatively upscale feel and a reputation for reliability. However, its ride quality and overall performance are merely adequate for this segment. For one thing, the Accord has grown bigger and softer with its latest redesign; for another, the competition has caught up." -- Edmunds
• " The last time the Accord wasn't on [Car and Driver's 10Best] list was 1997, and the car has appeared a whopping 22 times. The reason? Simple: The Accord has everything you want in a sensible car -- reliability, a comfortable and friendly interior, and good fuel economy -- plus good engines and lively handling to keep pulse rates raised." -- Car and Driver
• "The benchmark by which other midsize sedans are judged in the 32 years since it debuted in the United States." -- Detroit Free Press
• In a comparison test with the new 2010 Ford Fusion, "By a margin as thin as its paint, the Honda's lower ownership cost and slightly comfier seating eke out a win." -- Motor Trend

Accord Performance - 8.2 (Very Good)

Depending on how much you want to spend, you can purchase an Accord ranging from mildly sporty to quite powerful. Three available engines and three transmissions give buyers a lot of choice. Regardless of the powertrain, reviewers agree that the Accord has sporty reflexes, with handling that is crisp and highway speed and easy to control in the parking lot, and responsive brakes. Read More

Accord Exterior - 7.7 (Good)

Though the automotive press treats the Accord as a midsize car, it has grown so large that the government formally classifies it as a large car.  Reviewers say, however, that it carries its heft well. "The latest model's new looks and gargantuan proportions may be a turn-off for those used to previous Accords," says Car and Driver, "but to those folks we say not to worry: this is one darn good car." Read More

Accord Interior - 8.6 (Very Good)

The 2010 Honda Accord's passenger cabin is a pleasant place to spend your commute every day. It offers more interior space than most midsize cars, and features the fit and finish that has earned Honda one of the industry's best reputations. The Detroit News calls it "comfortable, elegant and loaded with technology." That technology, however, divides the automotive press - Honda's newest navigation system hasn't been an unequivocal hit. Read More

Accord Safety - 9.8 (Excellent)

The 2010 Accord has earned excellent crash test scores from the federal government, and while the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety hasn't tested a 2010 Accord, the new car is largely the same as the 2009 model that earned the Institute's "Top Safety Pick" award.     Read More

Accord Reliability - 9.0 (Excellent)

The 2010 Honda Accord reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). Honda provides a three-year or 36,000 mile bumper-to-bumper warranty on the car.  The warranty may not be needed, however -- Honda has an industry-wide reputation for building solid, high-quality cars. Read More