2020 Honda Accord Review

The 2020 Honda Accord continues it’s highly awarded 10th generation.  And there’s plenty that I love about the 2020 Accord.

I was this/close to buying one.  So, what stopped me?  My wife suddenly gave me the okay to finally buy a pick-up truck. :0)

Nevertheless, I am certain that there will be an Accord in our family’s garage soon enough.

And with that in mind, I was happy to take a 2020 Accord out for a day-cruise through Southern California’s Inland Empire.

Honda Accord Overview

So the Accord sits at the top of all sorts of best-of lists.  In the non-luxury midsize sedan segment, the Accord is always a top contender.

That’s because it always ranks high in categories like safety, fuel efficiency, technology, performance, and comfort.

If you’re a regular reader/podcast listener than you know I’m all about value.  And that’s why I, and so many other drivers love the Honda Accord.

Because luxury badges are nice if you can afford them and justify the expense.

2020 Honda Accord driver profile

2020 Accord Sport

So why financially bury yourself in something that is only going to depreciate?  And if you like that philosophy then you have to check out our podcast on buying versus leasing.

2020 Honda Accord Trim Configurations & Prices

The trim configuration options and MSRPs are as follows.  And just a heads up that I’ll soon be reviewing the 2020 Accord Hybrid separately.

2020 Honda Accord Trims & starting MSRPs:

  • LX $23,870
  • Sport $26,530
  • EX $27,770
  • EX-L $30,270
  • Touring $36,100

Available 2020 Accord Engines & Transmissions

So, depending on the trim configuration, 2020 Honda Accord buyers have two optional turbocharged 4-cylinder engines.

First, there’s the 1.5-liter DOHC direct-injected engine providing 192-horsepower and 192-lb-ft of torque.  That’s standard on the LX and optional on the Sport, EX and EX-L.

2020 Honda Accord wheel

Sport Trim 19″ machined alloy Wheel

Plus there’s the more powerful 2.0-liter VTec Turbo with 252-horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque.  And the 2.0 is an option on the 2020 Honda Accord Sport and EX-L trims while it comes standard on the Touring trim.

Also, that 2.0-liter also comes with Honda’s smooth-shifting yet sporty 10-speed automatic transmission.

2020 Honda Accord Center console

Automatic transmission console above – Manual trans available

Paddle shifters are also available with the 2020 Honda Accord – they’re available on the Sport trim and standard on the Touring.

2020 Honda Accord instruments. steering wheel and paddle shifters

Sport – Available Paddle Shifters

And one last note about transmissions for the 2020 Honda Accord.  Honda touts the Accord being the last midsize sedan in its class that also offers a manual transmission.

Even though you probably don’t want a stick shift for sitting in traffic.  It’s still a fun option that us driving purists can appreciate.

Fuel Economy

No matter what trim, engine and transmission configuration you go with, we’re still talking about a Honda.  Which means fuel efficiency is basically in the carmaker’s DNA.

So the 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder is going to give you the best MPG.

It basically comes in at 30 mpg in the city and up to a whopping 38 mpg on the highway.

Instrument cluster

Adjustable Digital Instrument Cluster

And the 2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinder is rated to deliver 22 mpg in the city and up to 34 mpg on the highway.

Again, I’ll be reviewing the Accord Hybrid separately.

Outside The 2020 Accord

Since 2020 is the third year for the current generation, the exterior of the Accord has become a common sight.

LED headlights and available LED fog lights give the Accord a distinctive and sharp look – especially as the sun goes down.  Available 19″ wheels, LED taillights and dual-chrome exhaust ends further accent the Accords sportiness and athletic overall look.

2020 Honda Accord passenger profile

And the downward swooping roofline nicely adds to the sporty and sleek design.  There’s a slight loss of headroom for backseat passengers but you’d have to be a bit over average male height to even notice it.

2020 Honda Accord Interior

The 2020 Honda Accord is spacious and, of course, well designed.  The infotainment screen comes on Sport trim and above.  It’s big, crystal clear and the controls include buttons as well as the touchscreen.

2020 Honda Accord front seats from backseat

Available heated and ventilated front seats

Adjusting the climate in the cabin is a breeze (pun intended).  And drivers can manage a variety of tasks without taking your hands off the steering wheel.

I drove the 2020 Accord with Sport trim for this review.  And I was impressed by the comfortable but firm bolstered front seats.

2020 Honda Accord backseat with armrest down

Available heated rear seats

Plus, I like the fabric Honda’s using for the seats both the look and feel.  You can kind of tell by the pictures but the fabric gives the seats a leather look.

And I can best describe it as quality and high-tech to the touch.

2020 Honda Accord center stack bottom storage

Center stack bottom storage

There’s a great cubby storage area at the bottom of the center stack.  It has connectivity and charging ports with available wireless charging.

But what I really like about it is that when it’s closed would-be thieves don’t really know that it’s there.

2020 Honda Accord cargo area with backseat down

Cargo area with backseat down

The 2020 Honda Accord’s trunk gives you 16.7 cubic-feet of cargo space and all trims but the LX includes standard 60/40 split fold-down rear seatbacks.  The only time you curse not having that is when you don’t. ;0)

Honda Technology

And the Accord can come loaded with tech.  Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Wi-Fi hotspot capability are all available.

2020 Honda Accord center stack and center console

Center stack and center console

Accord Touring Technology

And if you go with the top-of-the-line Touring model you can subscribe to HondaLink.  That technology allows you to lock and unlock your doors through your smartphone from basically anywhere.

Additionally, it includes more features to keep you safe on the roads like emergency calling, stolen vehicle tracking, and automatic collision notification.

The Touring trim, with subscriptions, also offers 4G LTE Wi-Fi and, for Amazon Prime Customers, package deliveries via Amazon Key.

Personally, I’m not so sure about Amazon having access to my car… even just my trunk.  But, it’s available and some people are cool with it.

One of my favorite Accord Touring features is the heads-up display.

2019 Accord heads up display MPH

Available heads up display

The display is crystal clear and you can select from a number of different views easily.

Honda Sensing Safety Technology

Plus, all 2020 Honda Accord’s come standard with Honda Sensing.  And that is Honda’s suite of driver-assistance technologies and safety features.

Honda Sensing Technology:

    • Lane Keeping Assist
    • Adaptive Cruise Control
    • Driver Attention Monitor
    • Multi-Angle Rearview Camera
    • Automatic High Beam Headlights
    • Collision Mitigation Braking System

Additional available driver assistance technology includes blind spot information and rain-sensing windshield wipers.

Accord 5-Star Safety Rating

And Accord’s many awards are nice reassurance regarding the vehicle.  But the standout is definitely from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Because of the organization’s 5-star overall vehicle score drivers can feel all the more secure in their decision to buy a Honda Accord.

 

Plus, the 2020 Honda Accord is expected to receive a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

2020 Honda Accord Top-3 Features

So here are my top-3 favorite features for the 2020 Honda Accord – in order:

  1. Value: No matter what trim level you go with the Accord is a great deal.
  2. Technology: If you go with the Touring trim you’re getting all the tech content that carmakers in putting in cars 3 to 4x the cost.
  3. Interior: Great design from user-friendliness to style.  While the Touring would be my pick I was very impressed with the Sport’s quality look and feel.