2013 Honda Accord: MSRP Pricing Preview

Sedan Entry Point Rises Just $200

by Charles Krome

・

September 10, 2012

・

3 min. Reading Time

With an MSRP that begins at $21,680—$200 more than for the 2012 version—the 2013 Honda Accord is slated to go on sale at dealerships across the country beginning on September 19. The high-value approach is combined with a higher level of standard equipment, too, as well as new Sport and Touring models, for an overall package that should leave Honda in a very strong competitive position against the new wave of mainstream mid-size sedans.

And while that all may sound like it comes straight from the Honda propaganda department, the 2013 Honda Accord sedan—as you’ll see below—truly does break new ground for the brand by moving from its traditional place as one of the premium-priced mid-size competitors to a more family-friendly choice that is closer to ye olde sweet spot of the segment. In other words, as explained by John Mendel, executive vice president of sales for American Honda Motor Co. Inc.: "The 2013 Accord excels in all areas with sophisticated design, a luxurious interior, world-class dynamic performance, class-leading standard features and legendary Honda quality, all at a tremendous value for the customer. 2012 is the year of the midsize sedan, and the new Accord will once again solidify Honda's position at the head of the pack."

(Note: Pricing for the 2013 Honda Accord Plug-in Hybrid and “regular” hybrid, both of which are scheduled to hit the U.S. marketplace early next year, is not yet available.)

2013 Honda Accord Sedan: Getting More with the I4

The 2013 Honda Accord LX starts things off with a new 2.4-liter, “Earth Dreams” I4 engine that makes 185 hp and 181 lb.-ft. of torque while enabling EPA grades of up to 27 mpg city/36 mpg highway 30 mpg combined with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) or a line of 24/34/28 with a six-speed manual. The LX makes for an eminently livable choice, since—unlike the case with past Accord entry models—its sticker price of $21,680 for the manually transmissioned doesn’t require much in the way of sacrifices. Standard features include dual-zone climate control, Honda’s intelligent Multi-Information Display with eight-inch screen, Bluetooth functionality, an interface for Pandora Internet radio, a rearview camera setup, an Expanded-View Driver’s Mirror, SMS text-messaging technology, and a 160-watt sound system with full USB/iPod integration. Adding on the CVT instead of the DIY gearbox will set drivers back $22,480—again, a relatively low $200 bump over the 2012 Accord with an automatic.

Moving up the I4 pricing hierarchy brings us to the 2013 Honda Accord Sport, which is a new model for 2013. The Accord Sport has been specifically tailored to reach younger buyers, offering exterior upgrades like a rear decklid spoiler, dual chrome exhaust finishers and bigger, 18-inch wheels and fog lights, along with cabin enhancers like a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and paddle shifters for CVT models. And yes, there are some actual performance improvements in the mix: Honda engineers have retuned both the Accord Sport’s suspension and its steering performance, added a more robust tower-strut bar, and even managed a small output increase to 189 hp and 182 lb.-ft. of torque. The 2013 Honda Accord Sport is stickered from $23,390 with a six-speed manual transmission or $24,190 with the CVT.

2013 Honda Accord Sedan: I4 Carryovers

For the 2013 model year, the Honda Accord sedan also will once again offer a trio of increasingly well-equipped four-cylinder trim levels, including:

Honda Accord EX—Adding features like Honda’s Lane Watch Blind Spot Display, intelligent entry and push-button start, the price of admission to the Accord EX starts at $24,605 with a six-speed manual transmission or $25,405 with CVT.
Honda Accord EX-L—Along with all the features of the EX, the L model introduces standard content like lane-departure warning, forward-collision warning, LED brake lights, and heated seats, and is available from $27,995 (only with a CVT).
Honda Accord EX-L with Navi—Drivers also can add a satellite-linked navigation system into the mix for an MSRP of $29,995.

The automaker’s next-gen connectivity system—called HondaLink—is among the key options available throughout the 2013 Accord lineup, allowing driver’s to leverage their paired smartphones for voice and touchscreen access to numerous online services and apps.

2013 Honda Accord Sedan: V6 Portfolio Debuts Touring Sedan

Owners who prefer a bit more muscle under the hood will be happy to see that the 2013 Honda Accord sedan sets a new benchmark for V6 power, with a six-cylinder Earth Dreams engine that puts up 278 hp and 252 lb.-ft. of torque—and the best EPA ratings of any V6 rival. The bottom line: 21 mpg city/34 mpg highway/25 mpg combined with a six-speed automatic transmission.

The V6 Accords are geared to premium customers and are offered in the same up-level EX-L and EX-L with Navi trims as in 2012, with similar equipment levels as their I4 counterparts, and now with MSRPs of $30,070 and $32,070. But there’s also a new model at the top of the food chain in the form of the 2013 Honda Accord Touring V6. It’s stuffed with all of the content found in the more plebian variants, then introduces LED projector headlamps, adaptive cruise control, and a price of $33,430.

2013 Honda Accord Sedan: Cost Comparison

As mentioned above, the 2013 Honda Accord has become a bit easier on the wallet, relatively speaking, and here’s where we put that into context by seeing how it stacks up against the automatically transmissioned starter models from some of the other mainstream mid-size contenders.

Vehicle

MSRP

hp/lb.-ft. torque

EPA city/hwy./comb.

Honda Accord

$21,680

185/181

27/36/30

Ford Fusion

$21,700

175/175

TBD