A popular used Honda Accord for sale, a red 2021 Honda Accord, is shown parked on a covered bridge.

One of the hallmarks of an exceptional vehicle is its ability to sustain itself over time and offer consumers the quality and craftsmanship that so many hold dear. This is precisely what the Honda Accord has been doing since it first came to American shores. In production for almost 50 years, the Accord is one vehicle that always seems to be in good shape, regardless of the year it was built. This is undoubtedly true if you’re looking at a used Honda Accord for sale; you’re almost guaranteed exceptional quality. Some of the best pre-owned options come from the tenth generation of the Accord, which lasted from 2018 to 2022. We’ll review what made the tenth generation tremendous and how you can benefit from a Honda Accord from this period.

A Sixth Sense for Safety

The automotive industry is guided by trends and practices. You can certainly see this in the number of similar safety and driving assistance features offered by several different manufacturers. The similarity between these features notwithstanding, one aspect that comes into question is which brands make them standard on all trims and which limit accessibility. One of the most notable things to happen with the tenth generation of the Honda Accord is that all trims come equipped with Honda Sensing, a comprehensive suite of features that allow any driver to have the peace of mind they are entitled to whenever they are behind the wheel.

These features include a Collision Mitigation Braking System and Forward Collision Warning, both essential in preserving reaction time. Lane Departure Warning and a Lane Keeping Assist System are also in place to assist drivers with maintaining their proper position. Honda also added Adaptive Cruise Control and a Driver Attention Monitor, which are vital for limiting driver fatigue during long travel periods. A radar-based Blind Spot Information System with Cross Traffic Alert was also introduced for the tenth generation, replacing the camera-based LaneWatch system in the previous generation, and is available on select trims.

Apart from the multiple driver assist features that Honda included to provide additional protection and oversight, the tenth-generation Accord was bestowed with numerous honors regarding its structural design and safety in collision testing. The Accord was rated as an IIHS Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ every model year from 2018 to 2022.[a] The sedan also received perfect five-star safety ratings in collision testing from the NHTSA for the duration of the generation.[b] These attributes help make a used Accord a great family vehicle as well as an amazing choice for anyone who is safety conscious.

A silver 2021 Honda Accord is shown driving on a city street.

When Style Meets Substance

The average consumer expects a lot from the vehicle they choose. Exceptional fuel economy and a host of standard safety features certainly appeal to our basic needs, but the love of style and aesthetics are sometimes just as important. To this end, Honda implemented a stylistic change to the Accord for the 2021 model year.

The facelifted Accord has a new front grill that is stylish and pleasing to the eye, and its sloping rear is somewhat reminiscent of the fastback pony cars from decades prior. The sporty exterior of the tenth-generation Accord is complemented by the refined and sophisticated nature of the interior, which offers an eight-inch infotainment screen compatible with Apple and Android products and is spacious for passengers and drivers alike. A high-end stereo system on the top-tier Touring trim features ten speakers and a subwoofer producing 450 watts to ensure pristine audio quality.

Turbocharged and Living Large

While the Honda Accord is well-regarded by drivers with a keen eye for fuel economy, what about those who desire high performance? Do not worry; Honda found a way to offer powertrains that are ideal for both. The base engine for the tenth-generation Accord is a turbocharged 1.5L four-cylinder engine that provides drivers the benefit of 192 hp. To further enhance performance, a turbocharged 2.0L replaced the previous generation’s V6 and has the advantage of 252 hp and the capacity to generate an impressive 273 lb-ft of torque.

The base engine is paired with a CVT, which is extremely smooth and efficient in the stop-and-go patterns that accompany city driving, while the 2.0L turbocharged engine comes with a 10-speed automatic for more responsive gear shifts. Both engines were available with a six-speed manual transmission from 2018 to 2020, which is ideally suited for drivers who love to exert firm control over their drive.

While these engines emphasize performance, they do not diminish the sustainable fuel economy of the Accord. Drivers who opt for the base 1.5L turbocharged engine in the 2018 Accord can expect an EPA-estimate 30 MPG in the city and 38 MPG on the highway for 33 MPG combined.[c] Drivers who are keen to take advantage of the elevated performance of the 2.0L still get an EPA-estimated 23 MPG in the city, which increases to 34 MPG on the highway for 27 MPG combined.[c]

A white 2020 Honda Accord is shown driving near city buildings.

Awards and Recognition

It’s one thing to lay claim to being one of the best vehicles on the road. It’s another to be continually recognized as such. However, this is what separates the Honda Accord from other vehicles in its class. We previously mentioned that the IIHS has consistently named the Accord a Top Safety Pick and that the NHTSA has awarded it a five-star safety rating on numerous occasions. Still, the Accord's accolades from the industry don’t stop there.

The tenth generation of the Honda Accord was continually praised, earning the highly coveted North American Car of the Year award in 2018.[d] Car & Driver Magazine has named the Accord one of its 10Best vehicles on no fewer than 38 separate occasions.[e] No other sedan has this recognition and praise. Multiple sources have praised the Accord as the best sedan on the road today. The J.D. Power 2024 U.S. ALG Residual Value Awards even stated that the Honda Accord retains the highest residual value over any other midsize car, which shows the brand's continuing dedication to quality.[f] Between the information we’ve presented today and the praise bestowed on the tenth generation, it’s no wonder the Honda Accord is so exceptional.

A Perfect Ten

The tenth generation of the Honda Accord certainly deserves recognition and praise. It is undoubtedly one of the finest examples of a vehicle aging like a bottle of vintage wine. Not only did the Accord embrace the advent of modern infotainment and convenience technology during this particular era, but the brand also made great strides in making more advanced driver assist features accessible to the general public.

There’s no denying that the automotive industry is fiercely competitive in attracting customers with high expectations who want the best in what they purchase. The tenth generation of the Honda Accord is proof that these expectations can be met when it comes to quality, safety, economy, and sustainability, and thanks to the tireless efforts of Honda, they’re continually surpassed. If you’re in the market for a used Honda Accord and you have high standards for the type of vehicle you drive, the tenth generation is an exceptional place to look. Pay us a visit, and we'll get you behind the wheel for a test drive!


 

[a]2018-2022 Honda Accord was named an IIHS Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+. For more information, visit the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety at www.iihs.org. IIHS is a registered trademark of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
[b]2018-2022 Honda Accord received a Five-Star Overall Safety Rating from the NHTSA. For more information, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration at www.nhtsa.gov. The NHTSA is a part of the United States Department of Transportation.
[c]Based on EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Mileage will depend on model year, trim, and condition of the vehicle. Your mileage will also vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle, driving conditions and other factors.
[d]2018 Honda Accord won the 2018 North American Car of the Year. For more information, visit North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards at www.northamericancaroftheyear.org. North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year is a registered trademark of the North American Car, Truck and Utility of the Year Awards.
[e]Honda Accord was named a Car and Driver 10Best 38 times. For more information, visit Car and Driver at www.caranddriver.com. Car and Driver is a registered trademark of Hearst Autos, Inc.
[f]Honda Accord won the 2024 U.S. ALG Residual Value Awards for the Midsize Car class. For more information, visit J.D. Power at www.jdpower.com. ALG Residual Value Awards is a registered trademark of J.D. Power.