2023 Honda Accord: The Midsize Sedan Modernized for Today's Driver

While automakers like Chevy and Ford have decided to exit the midsize sedan market altogether, segment leaders in Toyota and Honda continue to refine their midsize sedans for the modern market. For 2023, Honda brings us an all new Accord sedan, America’s best-selling car over the last 50 years, committing to their position in the market.

Looking forward to the slow demise of internal combustion, for the 11th-generation Accord, Honda bets big on its new 4th-generation hybrid powertrain estimating 50% of buyers will select the electrified option. We have not yet gotten to drive the Accord, but Honda claims it is more fun to drive and sets a new benchmark for sporty, yet comfortable and refined driving dynamics. This is thanks to a more rigid body structure and improved ride and handling.

LX and EX trims will get the non-hybrid 1.5L turbocharged four cylinder which makes 192 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque. EPA numbers have not been released, but we anticipate similar numbers to last year’s 1.5L at 30 mpg city, 38 highway, and 33 combined.

Sport, EX-L, Sport-L, and Touring models are all hybrids and receive the 2.0L Atkinson cycle four-cylinder with tow-motor hybrid drive. Combined power output of the hybrid powertrain is 204 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque. If you were wondering, that is significantly more than the 176 hp and 163 lb-ft of torque in the latest Toyota Camry Hybrid we tested.

Styling follows all other new Honda models as of late (Civic, Pilot, CR-V, HR-V) with cleaner and more simple lines and a more boxy and upright grille. This Accord has a more mature feel to the more athletically styled model it replaces. Inside we get an interior that feels familiar to anyone who has driven a modern Civic, with a full-width decorative element that hides the A/C vents. While the Civic and HR-V got a honeycomb design, this crosshatch patter looks a little more upscale to us. Honda has also included Google infotainment for the first time in any of their vehicles with the optional large 12.3-inch center screen (LX & EX get a 7-inch and no Google). We have sampled Google infotainment in modern General Motors products and have found it to be a good system. Other technological goodies include a 6-inch head-up display, 12-speaker Bose premium audio system, QI wireless charging, and more.

After spending a week with the aging Toyota Camry Hybrid XLE, we look forward to getting some wheel-time with this new Honda Accord to see just how much the midsize sedan segment is heating up.