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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2013 Honda Accord

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Overview

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2013 Honda Accord Review

By Matt Degen

KBB Expert Rating: 8.3

The Accord is synonymous with Honda and has been known for nearly four decades as a reliable, comfortable, pragmatic way to move families. What began as a 2-door hatchback in 1976 has grown into today's full-size sedan and coupe. For 2013, the Accord has been revamped inside and out, and found its way to a prime spot on our 10 Best Family Cars of 2013 roundup. With the choice of two fuel-efficient gasoline engines, new transmissions, a more refined interior and quieter ride, the 2013 Honda Accord has taken the steps needed to keep up with ever-better competitors like Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima, Ford Fusion, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima and Chevy Malibu in this sizzling segment. In 2013, plug-in hybrid and regular hybrid versions will debut as 2014 Honda Accord models.

You'll Like This Car If...

The Honda Accord is the Labrador retriever of sedans. If you want a hassle-free, pleasing family car with a reputation for quality and an immediate familiarity, it's hard to go wrong with the Accord. Coupe versions, meanwhile, add an element of sportiness, especially when fitted with the strong V6 engine.

You May Not Like This Car If...

If cutting-edge looks, all-wheel drive or fuel economy over 36 mpg are among your must- haves, look beyond the Accord. The Honda is good at many things, but its balanced approach isn't for all. A Kia Optima has the looks, Nissan's Altima and VW's Passat TDI obtain superior fuel economy, and the Subaru Legacy offers all-wheel drive.

KBB Expert Ratings

Overall Rating

8.3
Driving Dynamics

8.6
Comfort & Convenience

7.6
Design: Interior & Exterior

7.4
Value

9.4
Safety

N/A

How It Ranks

#9

out of 20

MPG

#5

out of 20

Horsepower

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Consumer Rating

9.1 out of 10

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consumer ratings

What's New for 2013

The 2013 Honda Accord is all new inside and out. Sleeker, rippled sheetmetal defines an exterior that has shrunk around an interior that is magically roomier. The 4-cylinder engine has direct injection and is mated to a CVT automatic transmission for better fuel economy, while the V6 has more power and exceptional fuel efficiency. New trims are Sport to capture younger buyers and, at the top, a Touring version.

Driving the Accord

2013 Honda Accord Front angle view photo

Driving Impressions The most surprising thing about the Accord is its refined continuously variable transmission (CVT). Mated to the 4-cylinder, this CVT feels much like a normal automatic, mimicking gear changes. Even...

a base Accord has good power for acceleration and passing, yet attains an impressive 36 mpg on the highway. Move up to a V6 model with 6-speed automatic transmission, and the Accord is downright quick. Coupe models with the V6 can be mated to a 6-speed manual transmission that offers great engagement but whose shift lever could use a bigger knob for better grip. Thankfully, Honda has remedied much of the road noise in the previous Accord. Visibility remains a strong point, and the telematics and audio/climate controls are relatively straightforward. The available LaneWatch system works well, giving the driver a camera image of what's happening in the right-side blind spot, while a specialized expanded-view mirror on the driver's-side aids visibility to the left.

Favorite Features

LANEWATCH
This first-of-its-kind technology for the Honda Accord uses a tiny video camera mounted underneath the passenger-side mirror that displays what's happening in the driver's blind spot. Ingeniously, this system – included in EX and Touring models – can be configured to stay on or automatically turn on when the right-hand turn signal is engaged.

V6 POWER, 34-MPG FUEL ECONOMY
With the optional V6 engine, the 2013 Honda Accord lets you have your cake and eat it, too, giving you both power and superb fuel economy. This V6 is more powerful than the previous version, yet at 34 mpg highway matches the fuel economy of the previous generation's 4-cylinder.

2013 Honda Accord Details

2013 Honda Accord Dashboard, center console, gear shifter view photo

Interior

Like the rest of the car, the 2013 Accord's 5-passenger interior is a pleasing step forward. The cabin boasts soft-touch materials for a quality feel. Among the biggest changes is, on select models, an additional LCD screen in the middle of the dash, below an upper 8-inch VGA screen. The bottom screen is touch-sensitive for controlling features like audio and phone, while the upper screen conveys navigation, rear- and side-view camera images, and more. The upper display can be customized with your own photos, so the smiling kids always travel with you. The front seats are comfortable, and we liked that the driver's seat actually toned down the lumbar support. The rear seats gain even more room, as does the trunk.

Exterior

The sheet metal has more curves, the front and back have been tweaked, and the Accord's overall length has decreased by more than three inches. Yet even at first glimpse, few will wonder what car this is. The 2013 Accord still looks like, well, an Accord. Just one that is a bit more modern to keep up with changing tastes, such as LED exterior lights and the ever-popular honeycomb grille. We like the Accord's downsized footprint, as the previous sedan was beginning to feel largish. The coupe, too, has gotten smaller, but only by less than an inch. Sport models are meant to attract slightly younger buyers with its more aggressive appearance that includes 18-inch wheels, spoiler and dual exhaust pipes.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

Even a base Honda Accord LX is well-equipped, with features such as an 8-inch color display with rear-view camera, dual-zone automatic climate control, 16-inch wheels, and a 160-watt AM/FM/CD stereo with Pandora Internet radio compatibility. Sport models add a power driver's seat, 18-inch alloy wheels, and a slight increase in horsepower. EX models include a power moonroof and the LaneWatch system. EX-L models get leather surfaces, upgraded audio, heated front seats, and lane-departure warning. At the top is the Touring model with a standard V6 engine, forward collision warning, LED headlights, and adaptive cruise control.

Optional Equipment

Major options in the 2013 Accord are obtained by moving up trim levels. Among the biggest features are satellite navigation, the V6 engine, a 7-speaker/360-watt audio system, 18-inch wheels, leather seating, multi-angle rear-view camera, LED headlights, blind-spot display, and adaptive cruise control. Accessories for further personalization include a sport grille, underbody kit, rear spoiler, remote engine starting, and an illuminated door sill.

Under the Hood

Two gasoline engines and three new transmissions are offered in the 2013 Honda Accord. The base engine is a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder that makes a healthy 185 horsepower (189 in Sport versions). The optional engine, also part of Honda's new Earth Dreams technology highlighting fuel economy, is a 3.5-liter V6 that makes a robust 278 horsepower. In the sedan, 4-cylinder engines are linked to a 6-speed manual transmission or CVT automatic, and V6 engines are connected to a 6-speed automatic. In the coupe, the V6 can be connected to a 6-speed manual transmission for those who want a more engaging experience. All models can run on regular fuel. Some coupe versions get slightly lower fuel economy, mainly due to aerodynamics.

2.4-liter inline-4
185 horsepower @ 6,400 rpm
181 lb-ft of torque @ 3,900 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 24/34 mpg (manual), 27/36 mpg (automatic, sedan), 26/35 mpg (automatic, coupe)

3.5-liter V6
278 horsepower @ 6,200 rpm
252 lb-ft of torque @ 4,900 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/28 mpg (manual, coupe), 21/34 mpg (automatic, sedan), 21/32 mpg (automatic, coupe)

Pricing Notes

A 2013 Honda Accord LX sedan with manual transmission has a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) starting slightly over $22,000, while a top-level Touring edition reaches about $34,000. At these prices, the Honda is in line with competitors such as the Toyota Camry, Ford Fusion, Nissan Altima, Chevy Malibu, and Kia Optima. Undercutting the Accord's starting price are base models of the Chrysler 200, Subaru Legacy, Volkswagen Passat, and Hyundai Sonata. Be sure to check the Fair Purchase Price to get the latest pricing on the 2013 Accord and to see what others in your area are paying. In the longer-run, the Honda Accord's resale value is expected to hold up well, staying fully competitive with the best-selling Toyota Camry.

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2013 Honda Accord Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

9.1

Out of 10

Based on 43 Ratings for the 2013 - 2014 models.

Review this car

Value

9.0/10

Quality

9.1/10
Reliability

9.6/10

Performance

9.3/10
Comfort

9.0/10

Styling

9.4/10

OUTSTANDING CAR AND VALUE

By BILL (IL) on Tuesday, July 30, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 11,600

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "PERFORMANCE, COMFORT, FUN TO DRIVE, GREAT VALUE"

Cons: "NO SIX DISC CD PLAYER"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"MY EXL-V6 REGULARLY GETS 34 MILES PER GALLON WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE AND COMFORT. IT RIDES LIKE A BMW 5 SERIES AT LESS THAN HALF THE COST. PASSING ON TWO LANE ROADS IS EFFORTLESS. THE CAMERAS, LANE DEPARTURE WARNING SYSTEM AND ETC HAVE ADDED TO DRIVING ENJOYMENT. THE LEATHER INTERIOR IS VERY COMFORTABLE. HONDA HAS REALLY OUTDONE THEMSELVES."

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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AMERICAN Honda - Called AMERICAN for a Reason

By AMERICAN Honda(Not Japan) (SC) on Friday, July 19, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 9,900

10 7.0

overall rating 7 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 7/10
Value: 1/10
Reliability: 9/10
Quality: 5/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "Great styling overall."

Cons: "Poor mechanics overall. See NHTSA Complaints."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1

"Major mechanical failure at 9,200 miles. Replaced transmission and torque converter. Major warranty commitment failure at 9,900 miles. AMERICAN Honda has adopted the warranty service policies of Ford, Chrysler and GM. Tell the owner there is nothing wrong, the vehicle operates normally. Do not fix the problem if it is costly or difficult. Make it the consumer's problem."

11 people out of 15 found this review helpful

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This is an outstanding car.

By Aubrey (NC) on Thursday, July 18, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 7,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "Value, Ride, Comfort"

Cons: "Passenger side leg room, radio and driver mirror"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"We bought a 2013 Accord EX-L about 2.5 months ago. We now have ~7k miles on it. This is only the second Honda I have owned. We evaluated most of the vehicles in this class. For the most part, you can’t go wrong. They are all good vehicles and great values. Ultimately, our choice came down to the Ford Fusion SE (Loaded, 1.6 EcoBoost) or the Accord EX-L. We drove each multiple times before making a decision. We went with the Accord because a) it was a little more refined and b) it achieved similar MPG with much simpler technology and c) the reviews on the MFT were so mixed that I just could not get comfortable with it. Truth be told, I wanted to go with the Ford for I wanted to buy American but didn’t for the reasons above. The Accord is very close to perfect. It is extremely comfortable and smooth. Now, here is the really surprising and good news. The MPG has been much better than advertised. All measurements are using the car’s onboard computer so I acknowledge that the accuracy is subject to the manufacturer quality. My extended family lives about 350 miles away. The path there is roughly divided into three equal segments (>100 miles each) that have distinctly different speeds: 70 MPH (drove ~78ish), 60 MPH (drove ~65ish) and 55 (drove 58ish). I reset the computer at each segment. Here are the amazing results (remember, the car Highway is rated at 35 MPG): @ 78MPH – 34.5 MPG, @ 65 MPH – 37 MPG and @ 58ish – 41.3 MPG. I was blown away by those numbers but have to admit it was ideal conditions (flat, Highway). So, we took the car 1,400 miles to Indiana. Round trip including 80+ MPH, Mountains (both ways), 2 days city driving and up to 4 people in the car at times … 34.5MPG!!! Way cool. THINGS THAT ARE LESS THAN PERFECT: The radio sound is lacking bass. It is not exciting. The passenger side leg room is MUCH less than the driver side. The firewall seems to be set at different points. Finally, the driver side mirror has a section that is for blind spots. It is more distracting than helpful. Overall, I paid 27k OTD and thought it was a great value. My wife is the primary driver and absolutely loves it. If I told her “either that car goes or I go”, I am not sure what her answer would be!!! (Kidding)."

9 people out of 12 found this review helpful

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Great car for the money

By Randy (WV) on Monday, July 15, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 10,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "Nothing but praise for this car"

Cons: "None"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Initially, I planned to purchase a new Fusion with the large 4 cylinder turbo. Due to limited availability, I became impatient and bought a 2013 Accord Sport with the six speed manual transmission. I have nothing but praise for this car. This car delivers the most car for the money in my opinion. For $ 23,000 I bought a car that has every feature I need and none that I didn't really want. Over 10,000 miles, the car has averaged 32.2 MPG. Over the last 700 miles of driving in slightly flatter terrain than normal and at varying speeds below 70mph, the car has averaged 36.5 mpg. I have used the econo mode for probably 70% of the miles driven on this car. My Accord drives much better than my 2008 Camry SE V-6. My Accord has a firm ride which I personally like. I think this contributes to the great driving characteristics of this car but some may consider the ride too firm for a car of this type. I have no complaints after 8 months of ownership. In fact, I am strongly considering trading our 2008 Camry for another Accord for my wife."

4 people out of 7 found this review helpful

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Nice car over all, needs some minor changes

By Phetzer (VA) on Sunday, July 07, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 1,000

10 8.0

overall rating 8 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 8/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 8/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 7/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Interior and features"

Cons: "Desined to work with I Phones not Android phones"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 8

"Stiff ride, blind spot camera is useless at night, would prefer the older style blind spot detection. Interior is very nice. It has plenty of power. My transmission failed at 150 miles but I realize this can happen in manufacturing and is extremely rare."

8 people out of 12 found this review helpful

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2013 Honda Accord EX-L w/Navi-- First time buyer..

By Bob M. (OR) on Sunday, June 30, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 800

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 9/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Ample interior space for someone 6'2" in height"

Cons: "None so far"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 8

"My reasoning behind buying this vehicle was primarily to get better fuel economy. I purchased it on 5/31/2013 for $27,850, which is about $400 below invoice. I now have around 800 miles on it and I'm pleasantly surprised at the the gas mileage I'm getting. In city driving I'm getting 30 to 32 mpg. and on the highway I've gotten as good as 44.5 mpg. Now,this is driving at 65 mph with cruise on, econ on, AC off, and flat terrain. Normally, I see mpg range of 40 to 42 mpg highway(AC on)at 65 mph cruise on. I sure hope this vehicle is as reliable and dependable as far as it's ratings."

10 people out of 11 found this review helpful

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See all 43 reviews