2022 Honda Accord Performance

All the engine options available to the 2022 Accord are potent and lively while remaining surprisingly frugal. The base 1.5-liter turbo-four develops 192 hp and 192 lb-ft, which is more adequate than thrilling. It doesn't struggle to motivate the sedan, but it lags far behind the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-pot, which develops 252 hp and 273 lb-ft. For regular city and even highway driving, the base motor is more than competent, but if you want to really enjoy what the Accord has to offer, the 2.0T models are must-haves. Honda doesn't supply any performance figures, sadly, but independent testing has shown that the 2.0T Sport and Touring can sprint from 0-60 mph in around 5.5 seconds.

The 2.0-liter hybrid engine falls somewhere between the two gas engines, with 212 hp combined, and it lacks the grunt of the 2.0T unit. That said, it still delivers good immediate acceleration, thanks to the electric motors and 232 lb-ft of torque

For the entry-level LX, the Sport, Sport SE, and the EX-L, Honda commissions a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 192 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque. Doing the job of simulating gear shifts is a continuously variable transmission, with a set of paddle shifters on the Sport and Sport SE trims. This setup doesn't have any problems moving the midsize sedan, but it is definitely more suited to sedate city driving than hurtling down the highway or overtaking.

The 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four is definitely more exciting and is available to the Sport and standard on the 2.0T Sport and Touring. Developing 252 hp and 273 lb-ft, this motor comes paired with a more versatile ten-speed automatic transmission with shift-by-wire and paddle shifters. For spirited driving, it's the setup to go for thanks to its smooth-shifting gearbox and ample supply of power. A manual transmission may be preferred by some, although the Accord doesn't pretend to be a sports sedan in any manner.

The hybrid models in the range use a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated engine that comes paired with two electric motors for combined outputs of 212 hp. What really makes the difference here is that in addition to the gas engine's 129 lb-ft, the AC synchronous permanent-magnet electric motor makes an immediate 232 lb-ft up to 2,000 rpm. It definitely isn't as lively as the 2.0-liter turbo-four but it makes up for this with significantly improved fuel economy. It comes paired with a single-speed transmission with shift-by-wire.

Unlike many rivals, the Accord lacks access to AWD, with every model and motor restricted to front-wheel drive only.

One of the greatest strengths of sedans in a world dominated by heavier crossovers is improved fuel economy. The Honda Accord doesn't disappoint in this regard, though hybrid Accord models are significantly more impressive. The entry-level 1.5L four-pot achieves a very respectable 30/38/33 mpg across the city/highway/combined cycles. However, this does drop noticeably to 29/35/32 mpg in the Sport and Touring trims with the same engine. The 2.0L four-cylinder sacrifices efficiency for power, but it still manages 22/32/26 mpg.

Naturally, the best mileage figures come with the hybrid powertrain. These vary between trims again, with the base Hybrid and Hybrid EX-L getting 48/47/47 mpg, while the Hybrid Sport and Hybrid Touring only manage 44/41/43 mpg.

Gas-only variants get a 14.8-gallon fuel tank, which means you can travel for 488 miles with the 1.5L and 385 miles with the 2.0L. Meanwhile, the hybrids get a smaller 12.8-gallon tank, but still manage a maximum range of 602 miles in its most efficient guise.