The Honda Accord has been with us since 1976, and as we celebrate 50 years of legacy, the current Honda Accord is in the midst of a mid-generation refresh, which focuses heavily on refinement, technology, and revamping the different trim levels. Somehow, the Accord has always felt somewhat in the background, overshadowed by more mass-focused Civics and more sport-focused Type R models.
This hasn’t stopped the Accord from quietly dominating certain metrics, as it holds the record for the most inclusions in Car and Driver’s 10 best lists, proving it has certainly won the hearts of the critics. With the original Accord starting life as a compact hatchback, and growing through different phases of wagons and sedans, the model has found new life as a sensible yet unique hybrid family car.
Why The Honda Accord Continues To Set The Standard For Midsize Sedans
The timeless Accord always seems to be directly in tune with the changing market. Here’s why.
- Base Trim Engine
-
1.5L Inline-4 Turbo
- Base Trim Transmission
-
CVT
- Base Trim Drivetrain
-
Front-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
-
192 HP @6000 RPM
- Base Trim Torque
-
192 lb.-ft. @ 1700 RPM
- Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)
-
29/37/32 MPG
- Make
-
Honda
- Model
-
Accord
- Segment
-
Midsize Sedan
2026 Accord Facelift Details
The 2026 Accord features a few key styling alterations to improve upon the existing model. The overall look has been sharpened up with a revised front fascia. Being 0.4 inches longer and featuring a sportier grille design with slimmer LED headlights, the Accord’s look has become slightly more aggressive and purposeful. The SE trim has undergone a major overhaul of its stance and demeanor, with 19-inch black alloy wheels, a substantial change in appearance compared to the previous 17-inch wheels.
Further embracing a sportier nature with the 2026 facelift, the Accord also goes further with its commitment to sports variants, with an emphasis on the contrast between the many metallic paint options and the new black bodywork accents. Mirrors and window trims are black, along with the shark-fin antenna, giving the facelift a more menacing approach to a family car.
Interior And Technology Of The 2026 Accord
Arguably, the most essential upgrade for the 2026 Honda Accord is the generous introduction of traditionally higher-end spec technology, now featured in lower-spec trims. Whilst before you had to climb up the list of trims to get into a car that feels distinctly modern, Honda has democratized its premium features for more people to enjoy. With complaints focusing on the inadequate seven-inch screen in the low-spec previous models, Honda has upped this to a more reasonable nine-inch panel and includes a physical volume knob for more tactile operation.
More Technology Included In The 2026 Accord
- All trims now include fully wireless phone connectivity
- 10.2-inch digital cluster that is customizable to your needs
- The SE includes blind spot info and front heated seats
- The Sport Hybrid model includes a 12.3-inch screen and unique drive modes
Why This 5-Year-Old Hybrid Beats Most Brand-New Cars In Reliability
Many buyers prefer a good used car to a brand-new. But, how old is too old? Here’s a five-year-old hybrid that offers excellent value for money.
Powertrain Options In The 2026 Accord
Honda still offers two avenues of propulsion for the 2026 Accord, with a traditional gasoline-only 1.5-liter engine in the more entry-level models, the LX and the SE. There are still people who choose gasoline over a hybrid, so having a cheaper internal combustion option allows more people to experience the Accord at a lower price.
If you want to spend more on the Sport or Touring trims, introduce yourself to Honda’s fourth-generation hybrid system. Including excellent efficiency, slightly more performance, and instant torque, for a modern purchase, the hybrid might just be the one to go for. Especially considering hybrids, which are starting to become even more reliable than purely gasoline cars.
2026 Honda Accord Specifications
|
1.5-liter Turbo |
2.0-liter Hybrid |
|
|
Powertrain |
Turbocharged 4-cylinder |
4-cylinder non-turbo + two motors |
|
Transmission |
CVT |
Electronic CVT |
|
Horsepower |
192 HP |
204 HP |
|
Torque |
192 LB-FT |
247 LB-FT |
|
0-60 mph |
7.3 seconds |
6.6 seconds |
|
Economy |
32 MPG (combined) |
48 MPG (combined) |
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2026 Accord Trim Levels And Pricing
Whilst lower-spec models of the Accord have been introduced to a more modern quality of gadgetry, this hasn’t been done without a price increase to reflect the upgrades. The lowest entry into the family is the base model LX, which clocks in at $28,395, which includes the upgraded nine-inch screen and a fully wireless suite of connectivity, making the base model a more tempting package than before. The SE replaced the EX trim and includes a moonroof, heated front seats, and 19-inch alloys, which really do give the Accord a more premium edge. This model costs a respectable $30,695.
For only $3000 more, you can jump up to the Sport Hybrid. This includes the even larger touchscreen and sporty black accents, which reflect the more instant and punchy power delivery of the hybrid powertrain. It also includes the individual drive modes to better enhance how you are utilizing the hybrid system. The EX-L hybrid comes in at $35,095 and gets leather-trimmed seats and both front and rear parking sensors. This model is the most efficient, achieving an astonishing 51 MPG. The Sport-L Hybrid is the same, but with the sharp inclusions of the Sport Hybrid for $400 more. The Touring sits at the top of the tree, costing $39,495 with a luxury suite of features such as a 12-speaker Bose stereo and ventilated front seats with heated rear seats.
Here’s How Much It Costs To Replace A Honda Accord Hybrid Battery
You’ll find that a new battery pack for your Accord Hybrid comes at a fairly high cost.
Release Date Of The 2026 Honda Accord
Honda unveiled the exciting details of the 2026 Accord facelift in December 2025, and the wait is pretty much over. With primarily the LX and SE trims making their debut in showrooms through January 2026, it is now possible to go and purchase one for yourself. However, if you are in the market for a hybrid, they are proving to be a little more sought-after, with demand being so high for the Sport and EX-L trims, they are more commonly making their debut on showroom floors through February and March. Due to the influx of the 2026 Accords, many 2025 models are getting excellent dealer discounts with the incentive of selling older stock ready for the fresh facelift.
With an extraordinary 11 generations of not only adapting to the needs of the consumer, but also shapeshifting into completely different types of vehicles over 50 years, it seems the most recent hybrid-centric approach to the most current generation is securing the Accord’s place in the future.
Common Buyer Questions
With many buyers still unsure about the ins and outs of hybrid powertrains, it is understandable that many questions arise from this topic. But like with any car, there are basic questions to be asked about the 2026 Honda Accord that could sway someone’s purchasing decisions, so let’s clear up three common questions regarding the 2026 Accord, both specific to the facelift and in general.
“Does The Hybrid system need to be plugged in?”
The Accord uses its gasoline engine and regenerative braking to charge the battery, so you will not need to utilize charging stations or at-home charging infrastructure. You would treat it purely as if it’s gasoline; the hybrid system takes care of itself.
“Does it come with a spare tire?”
The gasoline-only LX and SE trims do include a spare tire. The hybrids require more space than the gasoline models, due to their electric motors. So they do not include a spare tire to make physical room for the hybrid powertrain.
“How long does the battery last on the hybrid versions?”
Honda includes a warranty of eight years or 100,000 miles for the Accord, meaning you will be covered for a long time, and Honda is confident the battery will outlast the warranty. Hybrids are actually ranked in 2025 as being more reliable than gasoline cars, so battery health concerns shouldn’t be too big an issue.
Sources: Honda, The EPA