10 Reasons the 2018 Honda Accord is the AutoWeb Buyer’s Choice Best Sedan

These days, many buyers have switched from sedans to crossovers — but sedans still have their advantages. Their lower bodies help them out-handle crossovers, and their lighter weight and superior aerodynamics yield advantages in gas mileage and acceleration alike. Furthermore, sedans often look more dynamic than boxy SUVs and are often less expensive.

The mid-size Honda Accord, fully redesigned for 2018, embodies each of those advantages. As a result, it's a worthy winner of the 2018 AutoWeb Buyer's Choice Best Sedan Award which reflects car shoppers' inquiries for price quotes across the USA. 

Thanks to the new design direction, the 2018 Accord looks simultaneously sportier, larger and more upscale. Aside from the Honda logos and the chrome bar on the grille, the new Accord looks nothing like its predecessor. All of these factors help this sedan stand out to buyers who still want a car rather than a truck. Moreover, by making the Accord sedan more exciting to look at, Honda makes up for discontinuing last year's Accord coupe.

Mid-size sedans have traditionally been affordably priced family cars, and the 2018 Accord retains that tradition of accessibility. Prices start at just $23,570, and even the least-expensive LX trim is too well-equipped to be considered truly entry-level.

Standard equipment on the base LX includes 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic climate control, a proximity key with push-button start and many advanced safety features. Even the top-of-the-line $33,800 Touring model is a bargain when you consider how many luxury-grade features you get for that money. Also note that the Accord has strong resale values, meaning that you'll get back more of your purchase price when you're ready to sell it or trade it in.

Today's cars must be compatible with our phone-centric lifestyles, and the Accord delivers. Every model has Bluetooth hands-free connectivity, and all but the base LX model include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. For 2018, the touchscreen grows to 8 inches (on all but the base model) and the system responds more quickly.

To further support occupants' devices, most Accord models have two quick-charge USB ports, and the top-of-the-line Touring adds a wireless phone charger. The Touring also includes a wi-fi hotspot and near-instant smartphone pairing using the same “near-field communication” technology that lets phones share files when pressed together. Lastly, all trims but the LX allow owners to use the HondaLink mobile app to start the car and lock or unlock the doors using your phone.

Hondas are known for their user-friendly controls, but last year's audio system relied almost entirely on touchscreen controls which were frustrating for many buyers. For 2018, the Accord's dashboard still features a touchscreen, but it's flanked with physical buttons, including volume and tuning knobs. Thus, the driver can make quick adjustments without the distraction of carefully pressing at just the right spot or sorting through complex menus. The improved control layout comes as part of a complete redesign of the Accord interior, which also features upgraded materials and a more modern appearance.

It's impressive when a mid-size sedan even offers such high-end safety features as automatic emergency braking, a lane-departure warning, automatic lane-keeping steering and adaptive cruise control. But the Accord takes safety a step further. For the 2018 model year, all these features — the "Honda Sensing" safety suite — are standard equipment on every Accord. On many competitors, they're extra-cost options, frequently only on high-end models, if they're even available at all.

The accident-avoidance technology is complemented with perfect scores in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's five crash tests.

Although the Accord is sometimes considered almost interchangeable with its Toyota Camry rival, the Honda has always been the go-to option for buyers who value driving enjoyment. That's as true as ever for the 2018 model, which delivers peppy powertrains, alert steering responses and composed handling. The latter is particularly outstanding on the Touring model, which lets drivers adjust the suspension's settings to favor comfort or performance.

The Accord's base engine is a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder making 192 horsepower, already respectable for a mid-size sedan. For extra kick — and a smoother, quieter engine note — buyers of the Accord's sport and luxury models can upgrade to a 2.0-liter, 252-hp four-cylinder turbo.

The 1.5-liter Accord comes standard with a continuously variable automatic transmission, or CVT, while the 2.0-liter has a 10-speed automatic. But both engines also offer another tempting option to the car enthusiast, and one that's rare in the mid-size sedan class: a six-speed manual transmission. A well-executed manual is a joy to use, creating a visceral connection between an automobile and its driver.

The Accord offers the manual on its Sport model, with either engine. Although Sport is the second-lowest Accord trim, it's already quite well-equipped — ensuring that you don't need to forego creature comforts to get the maximum driving enjoyment. A 12-way power driver's seat, Android Auto/Apple CarPlay connectivity, an eight-speaker sound system, 19-inch alloy wheels and an available sunroof are among the Accord Sport's many amenities. It also comes with a sport-tuned suspension.

Despite the Accord's focus on performance and style, Honda hasn't neglected the car's interior space. This sedan continues to excel as a family car. The rear seat, in particular, is generously spacious. It's no surprise that Honda doesn't sell a full-size sedan — the mid-size Accord is already roomier than many other automakers' full-size models. The 2018 redesign also improved the Accord's trunk space, which reaches a best-in-class 16.7 cubic feet.

The 2018 Accord also adopts a lower seating position than recent models. That's good news for drivers who don't want to feel too far from the road, or who like to stretch out behind the wheel rather than sitting upright.

The mid-size Accord sips fuel better than some economy cars, with EPA ratings of 30 mpg in the city, 38 mpg on the highway and 33 mpg overall on its most popular models: the LX, EX, and EX-L with the 1.5-liter engine and CVT. (Opting for the Sport or Touring models, or the manual transmission, drops mileage by 2 to 3 mpg.)

The 2.0-liter four-cylinder delivers the acceleration of a good V6 yet still manages EPA ratings of 23 mpg city, 34 mpg highway and 27 mpg overall on the EX-L, or 1 mpg less on the Sport or Touring with either the manual or automatic transmission. The Accord requires regular 87-octane fuel despite its turbocharged engines, further saving money at the pump.

The Accord is a multi-talented sedan whose many versions offer it uncommonly broad appeal. The base 1.5-liter model can challenge an economy car for value and fuel efficiency. The Sport model offers the driving dynamics and excellent manual transmission of, well, a sports sedan. The Touring is a glorious blend of luxury, performance, and practicality — think of it almost as a roomier and more affordable alternative to an Audi. And on every trim, the Accord offers some appealing mix of those qualities.

In short, this is a car that does darn near everything right, and many things outstandingly, and all for reasonable prices. If you still prefer sedans over crossovers, the 2018 Honda Accord is the first one car buyers check out.