2012 Honda Accord Sedan: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

2012 Honda Accord Sedan: What is it?

Long one of the top-selling cars in the U.S., the midsize, front-wheel-drive Accord Sedan has also been a consistent recipient of Consumer Guide Automotive's Best Buy or Recommended awards. The Sedan version is by far the most popular, though a Coupe is also offered, and the platform is used for the SUV-flavored Crosstour (see separate reports).

Accord's biggest competitor over the years has been the Toyota Camry, and the two typically battle it out for the #1 and #2 sales slots among cars in the U.S. Recent rivals have included the Nissan Altima, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, Chevrolet Malibu, and Ford Fusion in what is perhaps the most competitive segment in all of autodom. All Accords are built in the U.S.

2012 Honda Accord Sedan: What's New

The 2012 Accord Sedan sees few changes following its freshening last year.  

2012 Honda Accord Sedan: Model Lineup Features and Options

No options are offered on the Accord Sedan, so the desire for additional features requires moving up to a higher trim level. And there are quite a few from which to choose.

The entry-level LX has all of the basics, plus power mirrors/windows/locks with remote, tilt/telescopic steering wheel with radio controls, cruise control, interior air filter, height-adjustable driver seat, folding rear seat, trunk pass-through, digital-media player connection, and USB port. LX-P adds a power driver seat and alloy wheels. The SE model brings leather upholstery and heated front seats. All come only with the 177-hp 4-cylinder engine.

Starting with the EX trim level, versions are offered with either the 190-hp 4-cylinder engine or the 271-hp V6, and they're listed as separate models.

The EX drops the SE's leather upholstery and heated front seats but adds heated power mirrors, power sunroof, and an in-dash CD changer.

Moving up to the EX-L gives you back leather upholstery and heated front seats, and ups the ante with satellite radio, wireless cell-phone link, and several other goodies; V6 versions add driver-seat memory.

Topping the line is the EX-L w/navigation, which gains (you guessed it) a navigation system with voice recognition along with a rearview camera. 

2012 Honda Accord Sedan: Engines, Transmissions, and Drive Wheels

Three engines are offered in the Accord. Lower-line models come with a 177-horsepower 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine.

Mid- and top-line models offer the choice of a 190-horsepower 2.4-liter 4-cylinder or a 271-horsepower 3.5-liter V6. The V6 includes Honda's Variable Cylinder Management cylinder deactivation.

A 5-speed manual transmission is offered on 4-cylinder versions. A 5-speed automatic is available on those and standard on the V6.

All Accord Sedans have front-wheel drive.

2012 Honda Accord Sedan: Fuel Economy

Both 4-cylinder engines are EPA rated at 22 city/31 highway mpg with manual transmission, 23/34 with automatic. The V6 with automatic is rated at 19/30. All three engines use regular-grade gas.

In Consumer Guide tests, 4-cylinder models have averaged 22.2-25.8 mpg, with our extended-use sedan averaging 24.0 mpg over its 15,000-mile run. V6 models have averaged 19.5-23.9 mpg.

2012 Honda Accord Sedan: Safety Features

All the expected safety features are standard, and there are no others offered.