2019 Honda Accord Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?

After decades of successful sales, Honda shows no signs of slowing down. Even amidst the competition's elimination of a lot of sedans from their line-ups, Honda's sedans are still popular sellers. This remains true for the new 2019 Honda Accord. Fresh off of last year's revamp, the Accord boasts powerful engine options paired with a surprisingly effective CVT automatic, sporty handling, and a ton of cabin and cargo space. The only gripes to be had with this vehicle are minor, and drivers can expect great things from the Accord.

What's New for 2019?

A few important changes have been made on the 2019 Honda Accord. However, since the 2018 line-up went through a redesign, there are not too many alterations to speak of. The biggest change is that the Touring trim no longer comes with the 1.5T engine. Also, the price has gone up slightly from last year, but not by a whole lot. Other than that, most things should carry over from the previous model year.

 

Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2019 Honda Accord – The Pros

1. The Turbocharged Engines

A 1.5-L turbocharged engine comes standard on the base LX trim, and the Sport, EX, and EX-L trims can be equipped with either that engine or a 2.0-L 4-cylinder engine capable of getting 252 hp. The line-topping Touring trim is only available with the 2.0T engine, which is the only significant change made from the last model year, which offered both the 1.5T and 2.0T. Regardless of which engine you go with and whether or not you equip them with the standard CVT or optional 6-speed manual transmission, you will get plenty of power delivered smoothly and efficiently. Overall, each powertrain is sufficient at getting the 2019 Honda Accord up and going.

2. Sporty Handling Capabilities

The entire Accord line-up has relatively good handling capabilities. Of course, on the line-topping Touring trim level, handling becomes superbly sporty thanks to the vehicle's multi-link adaptive suspension system. The vehicle does an excellent job at remaining stable and grounded, even when making difficult turns. The Accord is never hesitant about shifting course, either, which is a huge bonus. In fact, it is easy to make the case for the Accord having some of the best handling capabilities for a sedan.

3. A Spacious Cabin

Sedans are not exactly known for having the most spacious cabins, but the 2019 Honda Accord outdoes most of them. The Honda Accord is actually considered a full-sized sedan. Up front, there is plenty of space for most average-sized adults, and in the rear, leg space is plentiful for all sizes of adults - something that can be difficult to find in many vehicles.

4. High-quality Interior Materials

Although the new Honda Accord is competitively priced for sale, nothing about the interior looks cheap. Honda does not seem to be willing to cut costs when it comes to using high-quality interior materials. Naturally, there are a few hard plastics to be found, but none of the surfaces look poorly-designed or out-of-date. The whole cabin feels contemporary and well-crafted. There are no noticeable gaps in the paneling or mysterious rattling noises to speak of.

5. A Long List of Standard Driver Aids

Safety, it seems, is typically a top priority for Honda, and this is evidenced by the long list of standard driver aids on the 2019 Honda Accord. On the base LX trim, you will get lane departure warning and mitigation, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The higher up in trim levels you go, the more features you can get. The Touring trim, for example, comes with parking sensors for both the front and rear of the vehicle.

6. The CVT Automatic

The Honda Accord features a standard CVT automatic transmission that is especially well-tuned for performance. You should expect this transmission to do a lot of upshifting in order to try to boost the car's fuel economy (which can help garner up to 33 mpg on front-wheel drive models), but this is not really an issue. When you demand power from the CVT, it quickly and calmly adheres to your request.

7. Extremely Secure Brakes

Braking on the 2019 Honda Accord is remarkably smooth and predictable. The pedal provides just the right amount of firmness, making it easy for the driver to judge how much distance they will need to make a safe stop. Even emergency stops feels secure since the vehicle tracks as straight as possible for a sedan its size. Overall, drivers should feel confident that their Accords will keep them safe on the road.

8. A Refined Ride Quality

Riding around in the new Honda Accord is nothing short of pleasant. As a daily driver, the Accord provides a refined ride quality that places it above many of its rivals. The vehicle does well with absorbing both small shocks and large bumps in the road surface, especially if you get the Touring trim with its adaptive suspension. Most noise does not seep in, especially at slower speeds. All around, comfort can be found throughout the cabin thanks to its cozy seats, well-functioning climate control settings, and plenty of space.

9. Superb Outward Visibility

Outward visibility on the 2019 Honda Accord is as close to perfection as you can get for a full-size sedan. The rear windows have been smartly placed so that the driver has a broad three-quarter view outside of the vehicle. Of course, forward visibility is superb due to the large windshield and slender roof pillars. There are no major blind spots to speak of, but the standard rearview camera does help with seeing out of the rear windshield.

10. A Massive Amount of Cargo Space

Cargo space abounds in the new Honda Accord, outdoing numerous competitors with its 16.7 cubic feet of cargo space. Many other vehicles in this class struggle to get even 15 cubic feet. Taking the 60/40-split folding rear seats down is easy and allows you to get larger items into the cargo area. The opening into the cargo area itself is wide, so those bulkier items are less of a hassle to load and unload.

 

Reasons Not to Buy a 2019 Honda Accord – The Cons

1. The Low Seat Position

All of the issues that can be taken with the 2019 Honda Accord are relatively minor and nitpicky. For example, the low positioning of the driver's seat might make the vehicle feel a bit sportier for some drivers but could prove to be a nuisance for taller individuals who need the knee and leg space. It also means that you have a bit of standing up to do when you exit the vehicle. Additionally, the steering wheel simply does not telescope as much as it could for taller folks, who will also have to duck their heads while getting out.

2. The Noise

While noise is not terribly intrusive inside of the cabin, some tire noise does seep in when you take the Accord up to highway speeds. A small amount of wind noise will also find its way into the cabin at such high speeds. Still, it is not really enough for drivers to need to speak louder during conversations or crank up their music just to be able to hear it.

3. Issues With Voice Commands

One of the areas where there is some struggle is with the voice commands. The 2019 Honda Accord has a voice command system that seems to get easily confused by the directions the driver gives to it, and it can take several tries for the system to get it right. Drivers will need to be very precise in how they phrase their commands and resort to the on-screen prompts.

4. Some Controls Are Confusing

Another issue regarding technology on the Accord is that some of the infotainment controls are downright confusing. Although the 2018 revamp saw a huge improvement in the infotainment system, there are still some controls that need refinement. For the most part, the controls work as expected, but the learning curve might be a little steep for drivers who are not accustomed to using this kind of a set-up.

How it stacks up to the competition:

2019 Honda Accord vs. 2019 Toyota Camry

The 2019 Honda Accord faces stiff competition from the 2019 Toyota Camry. With its competitive fuel economy, easy-going nature, and good amount of cabin space, the Camry is still a fan favorite. However, it does have less cargo space than the Accord and produces a lot more engine noise than the Accord does when you take it up to speed on the highway. Also, a lot of the driver aids on the Camry are extremely sensitive and therefore not very helpful to drivers.

2019 Honda Accord vs. 2019 Mazda 6

Another strong rival for the Honda Accord is the 2019 Mazda 6. The Mazda 6 looks like one of the coolest cars in its class, both on the interior and exterior. It also has a turbocharged engine option that provides a good return on fuel and has handling that rivals what you get on the Accord. However, the 6 does not offer a hybrid variant like the Accord does, and there is strangely no all-wheel drive option available.

Conclusion

Honda seems to abide by the adage that if it is not broken, do not fix it. Nothing was really broken on the revitalized 2018 Honda Accord line-up, so not a whole lot needed to be fixed for the 2019 Honda Accord. This year's model is fun to drive with its powerful engine options, smooth CVT, stellar brakes, and spunky handling capabilities. The only area where this vehicle might fall short is with its voice commands, but that can be remedied by simply following the series of on-screen prompts. Overall, the Honda Accord should be a top-seller for the model year.