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If you need a roomy, reliable and fuel-efficient ride, check out our pick for the best pre-owned family sedan in Canada.
With a decades-long history of reliability, owner satisfaction, safety and strong resale value, the Honda Accord easily earns a place on my list of the 10 best used cars in Canada. Experts and owners agree that the Accord is well loved for its delivery of a fuss-free ownership experience. Plus, the introduction of turbocharged and hybrid-powered engines in recent years have pushed the model’s appeal to new heights with improved fuel efficiency and performance.
The 2023 model year marked the introduction of the all-new, 11th-generation Accord, meaning that the 10th-generation model (on sale from model years 2018 to 2022) officially moved into used car territory.
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This generation of Honda’s best-selling family sedan was built in various plants around the globe, thanks to the Japanese automaker’s “build where you sell” philosophy. North American models are built in Marysville, Ohio.
The 2018 Accord was all new from the wheels up, including a new platform that enabled a more menacing stance and was both wider and lower than its predecessor. The structure was lighter and more rigid, the suspension and ride were the Accord’s best yet, and three new engine options were available under the hood—including the model’s first-ever turbo engine and a new third-generation hybrid.
Designers created a sportier and more commanding seating position, and they stretched the Accord in key dimensions to make a roomier interior without overinflating the machine’s total footprint.
This generation of Accord hit the road at a time when shoppers expected little less than the market’s latest safety technologies, so all models featured the full suite of Honda Sensing safety and driver-assistive technologies as standard. This networked and integrated array of safety features included a collision mitigation braking system, lane departure warning, road departure mitigation, adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, and traffic sign recognition. In addition, a blind spot system, front and rear parking sensors, rear cross traffic monitor and driver awareness monitor add to the appeal for safety-minded buyers.
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Yes, and especially if you’re buying a 2021 or newer unit. That year, updates were applied to styling, technology, feature and equipment packaging, and overall driveability. Notably, the Accord’s top-level infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto became standard across the model range, no longer reserved for top-line models. Honda added wireless charging, too.
For 2021, the Accord Hybrid was updated with a more responsive drive, and it offered the most power and torque in its class—despite a miserly fuel bill. Note that buying a used hybrid is a smart idea, as you’ll likely get a higher resale value than you would with a non-hybrid model when it’s time to sell or trade in. In the meantime, you’ll save fuel on every drive, compared to a non-hybrid.
The Accord has enjoyed a virtually permanent spot on many “10 best” lists of cars in recent years, too, including its designation as a Car and Driver 10 Best winner time and again. There’s something that Honda just gets right with every generation of the Accord, and sales figures show that shoppers are taking notice.
The 2022 Honda Accord was rated Canada’s Best Large Car by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) after extensive testing and scoring against a field of competitors. This win comes as part of the association’s Canadian Car of the Year program, a decades-long annual testing event in which the latest models are ranked and scored by a panel of road test experts and automotive writers who live and work in Canada. (I’m a former co-chair of the program.)
Under the hood of the Accord, depending on the trim, you’ll find either the same 2.0 turbo four used in the racy Civic Type R, though detuned to 252 horsepower; the 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder, which offers 192 horsepower; or the 2.0-litre hybrid-powered version, which offers 212 horsepower.
Channelling the turbocharged thrust to the tarmac is a 10-speed automatic transmission that works exceptionally well. Advanced programming logic allows this transmission to skip gears when needed, making for a smooth and refined experience that’s free of gear hunting and lurching. A six-speed manual transmission is also available, catering to driving enthusiasts who like to drive with three pedals.
With more Canadians than ever opting for vehicles equipped with all-wheel drive (AWD), a used Accord may not appeal to some shoppers, since it comes front-drive only. Competitors that offer AWD include the Subaru Legacy, Nissan Altima and Toyota Camry.
Note that the Accord’s sportier-than-ever driving position puts occupants lower into the vehicle’s body, which has seen some owners wishing for an easier time boarding and exiting the vehicle.
The infotainment system is powerful and easy to use, but the graphics and overall interface design lag behind numerous competitors that have more enticing-looking systems.
Other owner-stated gripes include poor audio system sound quality and uncomfortable seating on long trips.
This generation of Honda Accord was subject to several safety recalls, so you’ll want to check with your local dealership (have your VIN ready) to see which, if any, of these apply to the specific model you’re considering.
When shopping for used Accords, check the windshield and front and rear bumpers for signs of damage or shoddy repairs that could negatively affect the performance of safety equipment, whose components and sensors are often mounted just behind. Confirm proper operation of the backup camera several times during your test drive, too.
Have a walk around the car and open the hood. Use your nose here—there’s no good reason to smell gasoline. If you do, have the vehicle checked out by a technician before you buy, as a fuel leak may be present.
Inside the car, spend a few moments accessing the navigation system and checking out the destination history. If you see a long list of hotels, airport terminals or bus stations, the model you’re considering may have had a previous life as a shuttle or cab, and you’ll want to proceed with caution.
This generation Accord uses direct-injection engines, meaning it’s extremely important to use a top-quality fuel at every fill. Regular-grade gas is just fine, but make sure you’re filling up at a reputable retailer. On-time oil changes and early spark plug changes can help keep direct-injection engines ticking healthily for the long haul, too.
Fancy a family sedan? Then yes, you should buy a Honda Accord. But you’d better act fast, because sedans are fast becoming an endangered species. Most people will cast their glances across the showroom to a CR-V or Passport. While those are good cars, that’s a bit of a shame. The Accord is a great vehicle. And you can get it with a manual gearbox. For those VTEC bros (or just the set of the population who like driving) of the ’90s and early ’00s, Honda hasn’t forgotten about you, which will make the Accord a true pleasure to park in your driveway, guilty or otherwise.
Auto insurance quotes are based on several factors, including your age, location and more. Here’s the estimated monthly cost to insure a 2019 Honda Accord 2.0 Touring for these driver profiles:
Quotes provided by Ratehub*. (Ratehub and MoneySense are both owned by Ratehub Inc.) Policies include $1 million liability coverage, $1,000 collision deductible and $1,000 comprehensive deductible, with discounts for bundling and UBI.
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I would never recommend anyone purchase an Accord or any other Honda.
My Accord had oil loss issues for over a year and Honda did nothing to determine the cause. The engine ended up blowing a piston rod. Company claimed we abused the car- revving the engine until the piston rod stretched and snapped. Totally unacceptable as it was well maintained and looked after.