SPOT.
Photo of a Honda Accord

Honda Accord

America's best-selling car in 1989; a record 40 Car and Driver 10Best appearances by 2026.1

Researched October 26, 2026 from 40 sources

Also called

  • 7.5Enthusiasts' shorthand for the substantial 2006 refresh of the North American seventh generation.2

At a glance

0150300
68–278 hpPower
07.515
5.6–13.8 s0–60 mph
0125250
146.5–228.5 km/hTop speed
0200400
115–380 N·mTorque
01,0002,000
890–1,723 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.1561012131415

Engine
CVCC/VTEC I4s, V6s, diesels and hybrids; turbo I4s from 2018146
Layout
Front engine, FWD; Japanese CL8/CM3 versions also offered AWD1011
Gearbox
5/6-speed manuals; Hondamatic; CVT; 10-speed auto; later hybrids: direct drive169
Built at
Sayama Plant, Japan; Marysville Auto Plant, USA; Swindon, UK1012
Units built
Over 15 million worldwide by 2007; over 13 million in Ohio by 202549

The story

Created as a cleaner, more economical step above the Civic after the oil crisis, the Accord arrived in 1976 as a 68-hp hatchback whose CVCC engine met emissions rules without a catalytic converter.34

1976: 68 hp without a catalytic converter19761982: Marysville starts building Accords19821988: Marysville exports the Accord Coupe19882005: 255 hp from the first V6 hybrid20052013: 278 hp with a six-speed manual20132014: Two-motor Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid20142018: Turbo fours replace the V620182023: Six trims, four hybrids20232026: A record 40 Car and Driver 10Best nods2026 Accord (first generation) (SJ/SM): 1976–1981SJ/SMAccord (second generation) (SY/SZ/AC/AD): 1982–1985 (U.S. model years)Accord (fourth generation): 1990–1993 (U.S. model years)Accord (fifth generation) (CD3/4/5/6/7/9): 1994–1997 (U.S. model years)Accord (sixth generation): 1997–2003 (regional production)Accord (seventh and eighth generations): 2002–2015 (regional production)Accord (ninth generation) (CR1–CR3, CR6–CR7; CT1–CT2): 2013–2017 (U.S. model years)Accord (tenth generation): 2018–2022 (U.S. model years)Accord (eleventh generation): 2023–present 19801990200020102020
GenerationsMilestones146789101112151819
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1976–1981Accord (first generation) (SJ/SM)
1982–1985 (U.S. model years)Accord (second generation) (SY/SZ/AC/AD)
1990–1993 (U.S. model years)Accord (fourth generation)
1994–1997 (U.S. model years)Accord (fifth generation) (CD3/4/5/6/7/9)
1997–2003 (regional production)Accord (sixth generation)
2002–2015 (regional production)Accord (seventh and eighth generations)
2013–2017 (U.S. model years)Accord (ninth generation) (CR1–CR3, CR6–CR7; CT1–CT2)
2018–2022 (U.S. model years)Accord (tenth generation)
2023–presentAccord (eleventh generation)
197668 hp without a catalytic converter
1982Marysville starts building Accords
1988Marysville exports the Accord Coupe
2005255 hp from the first V6 hybrid
2013278 hp with a six-speed manual
2014Two-motor Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid
2018Turbo fours replace the V6
2023Six trims, four hybrids
2026A record 40 Car and Driver 10Best nods
  1. 1976

    68 hp without a catalytic converter

    The first Accord arrives as a three-door hatchback with a 68-hp 1.6 L CVCC engine that meets emissions rules without a catalytic converter.14

  2. 1982

    Marysville starts building Accords

    On November 1, Marysville starts building second-generation sedans: the first passenger cars produced in America by a Japanese automaker.1

  3. 1988

    Marysville exports the Accord Coupe

    Honda R&D Americas designs the first coupe, built only at Marysville and exported to Japan. Its third-generation chassis has double wishbones front and rear.1

  4. 2005

    255 hp from the first V6 hybrid

    The 255-hp Accord Hybrid combines a 3.0 L i-VTEC V6 with IMA electric assistance, becoming the world's first V6 gasoline-electric hybrid.1

  5. 2013

    278 hp with a six-speed manual

    Four-cylinders gain a CVT; the V6 manual coupe weighs 1542 kg and hits 60 mph in 5.6 s. It's shorter than the sedan, whose V6 is automatic-only.15

  6. 2014

    Two-motor Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid

    Both the Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid pair a 2.0 L four-cylinder with a new two-motor system, each rated at 196 hp.1

  7. 2018

    Turbo fours replace the V6

    Sedan-only, the tenth generation swaps the V6 for 192-hp 1.5 L and 252-hp 2.0 L turbos. The 2.0 L offers a 10-speed auto; manuals end for 2021.67

  8. 2023

    Six trims, four hybrids

    The eleventh generation offers turbo LX and EX plus hybrid Sport, EX-L, Sport-L and Touring, with hybrids targeted at about 50% of annual sales.8

  9. 2026

    A record 40 Car and Driver 10Best nods

    The Accord reaches 40 Car and Driver 10Best appearances, 28 consecutively; hybrids had already exceeded 50% of Accord sales in 2025.19

Every generation

  • Accord (first generation)
    SJ/SM1976–1981
  • Accord (second generation)
    SY/SZ/AC/AD1982–1985 (U.S. model years)
  • Accord (fourth generation)
    Accord (fourth generation)1990–1993 (U.S. model years)
  • Accord (fifth generation)
    CD3/4/5/6/7/91994–1997 (U.S. model years)
  • Accord (sixth generation)
    Accord (sixth generation)1997–2003 (regional production)
  • Accord (seventh and eighth generations)
    Accord (seventh and eighth generations)2002–2015 (regional production)
  • Accord (ninth generation)
    CR1–CR3, CR6–CR7; CT1–CT22013–2017 (U.S. model years)
  • Accord (tenth generation)
    Accord (tenth generation)2018–2022 (U.S. model years)
  • Accord (eleventh generation)
    Accord (eleventh generation)2023–present

Power over the years

From 68 hp to 278 hp in 37 years.

0100200300 19801990200020102020 hp 1976 · 68 hp · 1.6 L CVCC1985 · 101 hp · SE-i 1.8 L fuel injection1994 · 145 hp · EX 2.2 L VTEC1995 · 170 hp · First 2.7 L V62002 · 217 hp · CL7 Euro R 2.0 L K20A, 6MT2003 · 240 hp · 3.0 L V6 six-speed coupe2005 · 255 hp · 3.0 L V6 IMA Hybrid2013 · 278 hp · 3.5 L V6 six-speed manual coupe2014 · 196 hp · 2.0 L two-motor Hybrid / Plug-in2017 · 212 hp · 2.0 L second-generation Hybrid2018 · 252 hp · 2.0 L turbo, manual or 10-speed auto2023 · 204 hp · 2.0 L Hybrid Touring 278 hp 3.5 L V6 six-speed manual coupe 68 hp 1.6 L CVCC
1456111617
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
1976681.6 L CVCC
1985101SE-i 1.8 L fuel injection
1994145EX 2.2 L VTEC
1995170First 2.7 L V6
2002217CL7 Euro R 2.0 L K20A, 6MT
20032403.0 L V6 six-speed coupe
20052553.0 L V6 IMA Hybrid
20132783.5 L V6 six-speed manual coupe
20141962.0 L two-motor Hybrid / Plug-in
20172122.0 L second-generation Hybrid
20182522.0 L turbo, manual or 10-speed auto
20232042.0 L Hybrid Touring

Versions

6 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Standard

    CVCC hatchback / LX (first generation)

    1976–1981

  • DX / LX / LXi (third generation)

    Standard

    DX / LX / LXi (third generation)

    1986–1989

  • EX / EX-L four-cylinder (eighth generation)

    Standard

    EX / EX-L four-cylinder (eighth generation)

    2008–2012

    190 hp
  • SE / SE-i / Special Edition

    Special

    SE / SE-i / Special Edition

  • Performance

    V6 manual coupe (2013)

    2013

    278 hp
  • SiR / SiR-T (Japan)

    Performance

    SiR / SiR-T (Japan)

    1997–2002

How to spot one

Look for

  • Original hatchback: extended nose, coupe-like cabin and a sloping rear hatch.10
  • 1986–1989: pop-up headlights, a low cowl and a large glass area mark the third generation.1
  • Eighth generation: the smaller body is the Acura TSX twin; Japan's larger body is the Honda Inspire.12
  • 2018 sedan: a fastback roof, bulging taillights and a large Honda badge dominate the shape.23
  • 2023 generation: blacked-out LED headlights, an upright grille and wide, straight-line LED taillights.8

Year by year

  1. 1986 / 1990

    The third generation adopted pop-up headlights; the fourth generation dropped them and the hatchback body.6

  2. June 2001 (Type R)

    CH1 gained fog lights, a slatted grille and a red front Honda badge; rear bumper cutouts vanished as the exhaust tips turned down.14

  3. 2011

    A new grille, front bumper and trunk lid updated the eighth-generation body.1

  4. 2016

    The ninth generation received a new front fascia, grille, headlights, taillights and alloy-wheel designs.15

  5. 2026

    SE gained five-spoke 19-inch wheels. Sport Hybrid added black window trim; Sport and Sport-L Hybrids gained black trunk badges.9

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Honda Accord
    Accord
    Photo of a Toyota Camry (2018)
    Toyota Camry (2018)

    Toyota Camry (2018)

    For 2018, the Accord has a fastback roofline; the Camry keeps a more traditional three-box profile.23

  • Photo of a Honda Accord
    Accord
    Photo of a Honda Torneo Euro R (CL1)
    Honda Torneo Euro R (CL1)

    Honda Torneo Euro R (CL1)

    The CL1 Euro R twins share their mechanical package; their minor exterior differences are most obvious at the front.19

Against its rivals

  • Nissan Altima (four-cylinder)

    Accord vs Nissan Altima (four-cylinder)

    Power

    Accord190 hp
    Nissan Altima (four-cylinder)175 hp
    25

  • Accord vs Toyota Camry XLE 2.5 (2018)

    0–97 km/h lower is better

    Accord7.6 s
    Toyota Camry XLE 2.5 (2018)7.6 s
    23

Prices

Value today $10.0K–$37.5K3132

Price when newAuction saleValue today
$0$10K$20K$30K$40K 19801990200020102020 Value today: $9,989–$37,500 1976 · $3,995 · US hatchback, base1977 · $4,145 · US hatchback, base1988 · $14,960 · US LXi coupe, MSRP2013 · $31,140 · US V6 manual coupe, base2014 · $39,780 · US Plug-in Hybrid, base2023 · $39,285 · US Hybrid Touring, base2026 · $28,395 · US LX; +$1,195 destination2026 · $30,695 · US SE; +$1,195 destination2026 · $33,795 · US Sport Hybrid; +$1,195 destination 1976 · $3,995 · US base price, 1976 model year 2022 · $12,250 · 1977 hatchback, 5-speed, Bring a Trailer2024 · $18,500 · 2014 EX-L V6 coupe, 6-speed, 70k miles, BaT2025 · $18,000 · 1977 Hondamatic, 7k miles shown, BaT2026 · $18,500 · 1977 5-speed, 62k miles shown, Bring a Trailer2026 · $37,500 · 2017 EX-L V6 manual coupe, 3,300 miles, Bring a Trailer2026 · $9,989 · 1989 LXi sedan, 57k shown; mileage title flag, Bring a Trailer2026 · $15,150 · 2000 Euro R, 64k km shown, BaT2026 · $6,500 · 1988 LX-i sedan, 5-speed, 114k miles shown, BaT2026 · $8,100 · 2004 EX V6 sedan, 59k miles, BaT2026 · $6,000 · 1993 LX sedan, 116k miles shown, BaT $37.5K Bring a Trailer, 2026
45689131517313233343637383940
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
1976Launch price$3,995US base price, 1976 model year
1976Price when new$3,995US hatchback, base
1977Price when new$4,145US hatchback, base
1988Price when new$14,960US LXi coupe, MSRP
2013Price when new$31,140US V6 manual coupe, base
2014Price when new$39,780US Plug-in Hybrid, base
2023Price when new$39,285US Hybrid Touring, base
2026Price when new$28,395US LX; +$1,195 destination
2026Price when new$30,695US SE; +$1,195 destination
2026Price when new$33,795US Sport Hybrid; +$1,195 destination
2022Auction sale$12,2501977 hatchback, 5-speed, Bring a Trailer
2024Auction sale$18,5002014 EX-L V6 coupe, 6-speed, 70k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$18,0001977 Hondamatic, 7k miles shown, BaT
2026Auction sale$18,5001977 5-speed, 62k miles shown, Bring a Trailer
2026Auction sale$37,5002017 EX-L V6 manual coupe, 3,300 miles, Bring a Trailer
2026Auction sale$9,9891989 LXi sedan, 57k shown; mileage title flag, Bring a Trailer
2026Auction sale$15,1502000 Euro R, 64k km shown, BaT
2026Auction sale$6,5001988 LX-i sedan, 5-speed, 114k miles shown, BaT
2026Auction sale$8,1002004 EX V6 sedan, 59k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$6,0001993 LX sedan, 116k miles shown, BaT
2026Value today$9,989–$37,500

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 6 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 11 stories from its legend
    • “24 hours at 209.8 km/h, pending FIA ratification”
    • “Two JTCC crowns and the 1997 finale collision”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 9 generations

  • Market

    • 4 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 40 sources
  1. Honda Accord Timeline and Milestones hondanews.com
  2. Honda Accord (North America seventh generation) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  3. Honda Global | Introducing the Accord / 1976 global.honda
  4. History of the Honda Accord - 1976 through 2008 hondanews.com
  5. Tested: 2013 Honda Accord Coupe V-6 Manual caranddriver.com
  6. Honda Accord: History, Generations, Specifications motortrend.com
  7. 2018 Honda Accord: First Drive roadandtrack.com
  8. 2023 Honda Accord Press Kit hondanews.com
  9. 2026 Honda Accord Adds More Standard Tech and Sportier Styling; Now Arriving at Dealers hondanews.com
  10. Honda Accord - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  11. Honda Accord (Japan and Europe seventh generation) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  12. Honda Accord (Japan and Europe eighth generation) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  13. Tested: 1977 Honda Accord Changes the Game caranddriver.com
  14. Swindon Special - a Historical & Technical Appraisal of the Honda Accord Type R (CH1) & Accord Euro R / RX (CL1) — Supercar Nostalgia supercarnostalgia.com
  15. Honda Accord (ninth generation) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  16. Honda Announces a Full Model Change for the Accord and Accord Wagon | Honda Global Corporate Website global.honda
  17. 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid Touring First Test Review: A Step Forward or Back? motortrend.com
  18. Honda Accord (North America eighth generation) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  19. Honda Accord (sixth generation) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  20. Honda Launches the 6th Generation Accord Series | Honda Global Corporate Website global.honda
  21. Honda Accord Aerodeck: The Shooting Brake Experiment - Old Motors oldmotors.net
  22. Used Honda Accord Type R (1998 – 2002) – review, history and specs of the forgotten Japanese icon | evo evo.co.uk
  23. 2018 Honda Accord 1.5T vs. 2018 Toyota Camry 2.5 Comparison motortrend.com
  24. Used Honda Accord review | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  25. 2008-2012 Honda Accord: problems, fuel economy, engine, pros and cons samarins.com
  26. Osamu Nakako - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  27. North American Touring Car Championship - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  28. Super Touring Register : Honda Accord (FT-EI-2000-02) supertouringregister.com
  29. Honda Diesel Sets New World Records | Honda Global Corporate Website global.honda
  30. 'It was fun to destroy a beautiful car' – how we made Honda's Cog ad | Media & Tech Network | The Guardian theguardian.com
  31. No Reserve: One-Family-Owned 1989 Honda Accord LXi Sedan for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $9,989 on September 17, 2026 (Lot #263,639) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  32. 3,300-Mile 2017 Honda Accord EX-L Coupe 6-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $37,500 on July 31, 2026 (Lot #255,212) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  33. No Reserve: 1977 Honda Accord 5-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $18,500 on June 29, 2026 (Lot #250,043) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  34. No Reserve: 1993 Honda Accord LX Sedan for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $6,000 on March 11, 2026 (Lot #233,005) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  35. 2024 Honda Accord Price, Cost-to-Own, Reviews & More | Kelley Blue Book kbb.com
  36. 2000 Honda Accord Euro R for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $15,150 on September 16, 2026 (Lot #263,403) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  37. No Reserve: 1988 Honda Accord LX-i Sedan 5-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $6,500 on August 8, 2026 (Lot #256,644) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  38. No Reserve: 2004 Honda Accord EX Sedan V6 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $8,100 on April 10, 2026 (Lot #237,224) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  39. No Reserve: 1977 Honda Accord for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $18,000 on July 7, 2025 (Lot #199,406) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  40. 2014 Honda Accord Coupe EX-L V6 6-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $18,500 on January 14, 2024 (Lot #133,334) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  • hondanews.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • global.honda
  • caranddriver.com
  • motortrend.com
  • roadandtrack.com
  • supercarnostalgia.com
  • oldmotors.net
  • evo.co.uk
  • autoexpress.co.uk
  • samarins.com
  • supertouringregister.com
  • theguardian.com
  • bringatrailer.com

Photo credits

Other car files