I am a firm believer that when humanity slips the surly bonds of Earth and heads into the stars, and our accomplishments are cataloged, the Honda Accord will fall somewhere between “electric refrigeration” and “the flu vaccine.” I’ve owned two generations of Accords and reviewed several others, and every single one I’ve ever sat in is the platonic ideal of a mid-size car for its era. So when I was offered a 2025 Honda Accord to drive, I accepted without hesitation. A week with one of my favorite cars? Yeah, sounds good!
There are very, very minor tweaks to the Accord this year, mostly consisting of feature shuffling and a new base trim. The only difference for 2025 is that my top-level Hybrid Touring has a heated steering wheel, which wasn’t offered for 2024. Otherwise, it’s the same car as when the eleventh-generation model debuted in 2023, with the same 2.0-liter four-cylinder mated to an e-CVT and electric hybrid motor.
Photo by: Victoria Scott / Motor1
Photo by: Victoria Scott / Motor1
Photo by: Victoria Scott / Motor1
So far I’ve driven all of five miles in it, but my memory did not fail me: It’s still excellent. This test car in its Urban Gray Pearl finish looks phenomenal in overcast, rainy Christmas weather, and I love the two-tone interior finish. This Touring model, with pearl paint as its sole option, punches in at $40,850. That’s on the pricey side of the mid-size sedan category, but it’s also nicer inside than most of its competitors.
So far I’m finding very little to complain about except some relatively loud road drone; I think the 235/40 tires on these 19-inch wheels are not helping that. Otherwise, I’m sticking with slotting this firmly between my Frigidaire and the flu shot.
Let me know if there’s anything you’re curious about, and I’ll do my best to either answer in the comments or in the full review. In the meantime, happy holidays!
- The Accord remains my benchmark for a “good sedan”, and the eleventh-gen is no exception. The hybrid drivetrain is efficient, quiet, smooth, and plenty powerful.
- The Accord’s UI is more user-friendly than most German luxury sedans today, while also feeling roughly as premium. It is also cavernous inside, with enough room for four full-size adults.
- Road noise on the Touring’s 19-inch wheels is on the loud side.
- Black finish below the touchscreen feels odd to rest a finger on and seems to smudge easily.