The sleek 2012 Honda Accord is the latest in the line of this iconic midsize car. However, some believe that while this latest version is an excellent vehicle, it’s slipped a bit when compared to the 2011 Accord.
It has been noted that the Hyundai Sonata and the Kia Optima (MSRP $19,500; 24 city / 35 hwy) have more horsepower and have better fuel economies.
But reviewers still adore the Accord’s roomy and comfortable insides, its mighty V6 engine and its spacious trunk. The problem seems to be that the Accord has been around for so long and has been good for so long that it’s simply not as sexy as it used to be. Still, the Accord remains a great family car.
Specifications
| Vehicle Type: Sedan | Base Price: $21,480.00 |
| Fuel Tank Capacity: 18.5 gallons (70 liters) | MPG: 23 city / 34 hwy |
| Length: 194.9 in. (495 cm) | Wheel Base: 110.2 in. (279.9 cm) |
| Height: 58.1 in. (147.5 cm) | Width: 72.7 in. (184.6 cm) |
| Curb Weight: 3216 lbs (1459 kg) | Ground Clearance: NA |
| Luggage Capacity: 14.7 cu ft | Maximum Seating: 5 people |
| Engine: Inline 4, 2.4L, 16-Valve DOHC i-VTEC® | Displacement: 2354 cc |
| Horsepower: 177 HP | Max RPM: 6500 RPM |
| Torque: 161 lb-ft @ 4300 rpm | Transmission: 5-Speed Manual |
| Option:Accord Coupe | MSRP: $23,080; MPG: 23 city / 32 hwy |
| Option:Accord SE | MSRP: $24,030; MPG: 23 city / 34 hwy |
| Option:Accord EX | MSRP: $24,405; MPG: 23 city / 34 hwy |
| Option:Accord EX V6 | MSRP: $27,380; MPG: 20 city / 30 hwy |
| Option:Accord EX-L V6 | MSRP: $29,730; MPG: 20 city / 30 hwy |
Engine
The 2012 Accord sedan offers two types of engines and transmissions. The Base LX and SE sedans have a four cylinder engine that provides 177 horsepower. The EX and EX-L trims each have a more impressive 190 HP engine.
The optional V6 engine is available in the EX and EX-L which will ramp it up to 271 HP. The Accord LX-S, EX and EX-L coupes are equipped with the 4 cylinder, 190 horsepower engine and the EX-L models offer an optional 271 horsepower V6 engine.
Performance
Performance-wise, the 2012 Accord gets the driver where they want to go in comfort, if not style. It’s not considered the most fun car to drive and some people even think of driving it as “bland” and not “sporty.” However, it steers beautifully and can smoothly handle the twists and turns of country roads.
The Accord sedan gets 23 miles per gallon in the city and 34 mpg on the highway, with the four cylinder engine and the V6 getting 20/30 with automatic transmission. As for the 2012 Accord Coupe, the four cylinder engine gets 22/33 if i has an automatic transmission and 23/32 if it has a manual transmission. The coupe with the V6 engine has 19/29 with automatic and 17/26 with manual.
Exterior
Though some people find the Accord’s exterior attractive, other people believe it’s nothing to get excited about.
Interior
Reviewers used to prize the Accord for the high quality of its interior, but they find it not quite so praiseworthy in 2012. Still, one of the amazing things about the Accord, which is really a midsize car, is that it’s so roomy inside that the EPA considers it a large car.
Tall people will find the inside roomy. The sedan’s trunk is 14.7 cubic feet, which is considered small for the car’s size, but the coupe’s is 11.9 cubic feet, which is considered large for its size. The rear seats fold flat as one and don’t split, which limits the number of passengers the car can hold.
Safety
One of the things that make the Accord such a good family car is its safety record. The 2012 Accord sedan gets the top ratings from the government in all safety tests, enough to earn it a rare score of 10.0.
Reliability
J.D. Power gave the 2012 Accord a 4.5 out of 5 score in Predicted Reliability. It comes with a rather standard three year or 36,000 mile warranty, and a five year or 60,000 mile power-train warranty, and a corrosion warranty that lasts for five years or unlimited miles.
Still, the Kia Optima and Hyundai Sonata have longer warranties. The Accord also doesn’t offer free maintenance, even though the Volkswagen Passat and Toyota Camry have free maintenance programs that are in effect for a few years.
Pros
Reviewers enjoy the 2012 Accord’s handling and steering and appreciate its stellar safety record. It’s also a good bargain that has a high resale value.
Cons
The Accord doesn’t have all wheel drive, which is important if the driver lives in a place where there’s a lot of snow and ice in the winters. Some claim that the base four cylinder engine is underwhelming when it comes to power, and they’d pick the 190 horsepower four cylinder engine because it’s more powerful but has the same fuel efficiency.
Drivers complained that the car feels much larger than it is when it goes around turns. While some drivers might find this feeling of “bigness” comforting, other drivers don’t like it very much. The hinges of the trunk can also get in the way when cargo is stowed.
Competition
There are a few manufacturers that the Accord can be compared to, these include the Nissan Altima (MSRP $20,550; 23 city / 32 hwy), Chevy Malibu (MSRP $22,110; 22 city / 33 hwy), and the Hyundai Sonata (MSRP $20,895; 24 city / 35 hwy) which is in equal footing with the Kia Optima when it comes to fuel economy. Honda has been used as a standard by which these other vehicles have been made.
Overall Rating
78 out of 100
What others say:
“The 2012 Honda Accord is more enjoyable to drive than most other mid-size sedans or coupes, even if its specs aren’t all that much different.”Car Connection
“Accords are on the sporty side of the midsize class, with light but direct steering and well-controlled lean in corners.”Consumer Guide
“The well-rounded Accord family sedan is falling behind some newer and better competition.”MSN Auto-ConsumerReports
“Ample passenger space; excellent visibility; good fuel economy in four-cylinder model; available coupe body style; high resale value. Intrusive road noise; disappointing interior quality; so-so braking distances; V6 lacks the get-up of rivals.”Edmunds
“The 2012 Honda Accord Sedan continues to thrive for a number of reasons. Its design is clean and simple, yet sophisticated enough to attract buyers young and old alike.”KBB
