The Accord has been around for 45 years. Although it started out as a fuel-efficient hatchback, it morphed into Honda’s largest sedan. What does that mean for its fuel economy?
Originally starting as a compact car, the Honda Accord was initially offered as a two-door hatchback and eventually as a four-door sedan. Down the line, it would be offered as a coupe or even a station wagon, however, the Accord is best known as a sedan. Not only was the Accord offered in many different configurations, but it also grew to the ranks of a mid-size car, still meeting these qualifications today.
Regardless of size or configuration, the Accord is a popular car. It has made Car and Driver’s “10 Best Cars List” more than any other vehicle ever. The Accord has been a staple of Honda for over 40 years, making it impossible to talk about it without talking about the brand as a whole, or vice versa.
Honda had great success manufacturing and selling motorcycles during the ’50s. However, it was not until 1963 that Honda would begin the production of automobiles, releasing several economical vehicles before the Civics’ release in 1972. As oil had nearly quadrupled in 1973, the Civic could not have hit the market at a better time. The economical Civic was a no-brainer when compared to its gas-guzzling competitors.
The Accord was initially slated to be a bigger, more powerful, and more comfortable version of the Civic. However, due to the success of the Civic, Honda scrapped plans for an I6 engine for a more efficient I4.
Although originally codenamed Project 671, Honda would later name the vehicle the Accord for Honda’s desire of “accord and harmony between people, society and the automobile.”
First-generation Accord (1977-1982)
Released for the 1977 model year, the fuel-sipping Accord was powered by a 1.6L I4 engine that produced 68 hp. The slender Accord only weighed about a ton. It sold well due to its adequate size and impressive fuel economy.
The Accord was also one of the first Japanese vehicles to offer some significant standard equipment such as cloth seats, a tachometer, intermittent wipers, and an AM/FM radio.
Although it came with excellent standard equipment for the time, there was not much choice when it came to color. The Accord was originally offered in three colors: red, beige, and silver. When Honda introduced the sedan for the 1979 model year, consumers did not seem interested, as Honda only sold a mere 18,000 units.
However, the sedan would later grow on buyers as annual sales totaled 195,524 at its peak in 1982.
First-gen. Accord Gas Mileage
1.6L CVCC (Compound Vortex Controlled Combustion) Carbureted I4 (1977-1978) EF
- Five-speed Manual
- MPG (Combined/City/Highway): 38/48/42
- Fuel Capacity: 13.2 gallons
- Fuel Range: 502 miles
- Two-speed Semi-automatic
- MPG (Combined/City/Highway): 25/31/28
- Fuel Capacity: 13.2 gallons
- Fuel Range: 330 miles
1.8L CVCC Carbureted I4 (1979-1982) EK
- Five-speed Manual
- Combined MPG: 26
- Fuel Capacity: 13.2 gallons
- Fuel Range: 343 miles
- Two-speed Semi-automatic (1979 Only)
- Combined MPG: 24
- Fuel Capacity: 13.2 gallons
- Fuel Range: 317 miles
- Three-speed Semi-automatic (1980-1982)
- Combined MPG: 24
- Fuel Capacity: 13.2 gallons
- Fuel Range: 317 miles
Second-generation Accord (1982-1985)
There was no hiding that the second-generation Accord was a product of the ’80s. Clad in shag carpet, velour trim, and chrome accents it fit right into the decade.
However, it did not only come with aesthetic touches, it also came with some useful technology like ventilated front disc brakes, cruise control, and an auto-reverse Dolby cassette deck.
In 1981, the first in-car navigation system ever was offered on the Accord. It was called the electro Gyrocator and it did not use GPS like modern navigation systems, rather it used an internal helium gyroscope to recognize its location.
In 1985, Honda released the SEi Accord, the fastest Accord yet boasting fuel injection and 101 hp. The sedan version was the first Japanese car ever to be produced in the U.S. at the Marysville, Ohio plant.
Second-gen. Accord Gas Mileage
1.8L CVCC Dual-Carburetor I4 (1982-1983) EK
- Five-speed Manual
- Combined MPG: 30
- Fuel Capacity: 15.9 gallons
- Fuel Range: 477 miles
- Three-speed Semi-automatic
- Combined MPG: 26
- Fuel Capacity: 15.9 gallons
- Fuel Range: 413 miles
- Four-speed Automatic
- Combined MPG: 29
- Fuel Capacity: 15.9 gallons
- Fuel Range: 461 miles
1.8L CVCC Three-Barrel-Carburetor I4 (1984-1985) ES2
- Five-speed Manual
- Combined MPG: 32
- Fuel Capacity: 15.9 gallons
- Fuel Range: 509 miles
- Four-speed Automatic
- Combined MPG: 29
- Fuel Capacity: 15.9 gallons
- Fuel Range: 461 miles
1.8L CVCC Fuel-Injected I4 (1985 SEi Trim Only) ES3
- Five-speed Manual
- MPG (Combined/City/Highway): 26/23/30
- Fuel Capacity: 15.9 gallons
- Fuel Range: 413 miles
- Four-speed Automatic
- MPG (Combined/City/Highway): 24/22/27
- Fuel Capacity: 15.9 gallons
- Fuel Range: 382 miles
Third-generation Accord (1986-1989)
The third-generation Accord is known for its impressive appearance with sharp body lines and of course pop-up headlights. Buyers loved the looks so much that it was named the Japanese Car of the Year for the 1986 model year.
Not only did the car look sporty, but it had the performance to back it up. With four-corner double-wishbone suspension, the Accord was planted in the corners.
In 1988 Honda added a coupe model. Interestingly the coupe was made in Ohio and sold back to its parent company in Japan, the first U.S.-built vehicle to ever do this.
Third-gen Accord Gas Mileage
2.0L I4
- Five-speed Manual (Carbureted)
- MPG (Combined/City/Highway): 24/22/28
- Fuel Capacity: 15.9 gallons
- Fuel Range: 382 miles
- Five-speed Manual (Fuel Injected)
- MPG (Combined/City/Highway): 26/23/31
- Fuel Capacity: 15.9 gallons
- Fuel Range: 413 miles
- Four-speed Automatic (Carbureted)
- MPG (Combined/City/Highway): 22/20/26
- Fuel Capacity: 15.9 gallons
- Fuel Range: 350 miles
- Four-speed Automatic (Fuel Injected)
- MPG (Combined/City/Highway): 24/21/28
- Fuel Capacity: 15.9 gallons
- Fuel Range: 382 miles
Fourth-generation Accord (1990-1993)
The fourth-generation Accord looked vastly similar to the third generation, although Honda dropped the most important styling feature, pop-up headlights.
Though it looked very similar to its predecessor, the new Accord was much bigger than the last, finally being considered a mid-size car. Honda dropped the hatchback and replaced it with a new wagon.
The new wagon marked yet another key first for Honda. It was their first vehicle to be designed, manufactured, and built in the U.S.
Fourth-gen. Accord Gas Mileage
2.2L I4
- Five-speed Manual
- MPG (Combined/City/Highway): 24/21/29
- Fuel Capacity: 17 gallons
- Fuel Range: 408 miles
- Five-speed Manual (Wagon 1991-1993)
- MPG (Combined/City/Highway): 22/20/26
- Fuel Capacity: 17 gallons
- Fuel Range: 374 miles
- Four-speed Automatic
- MPG (Combined/City/Highway): 22/19/26
- Fuel Capacity: 17 gallons
- Fuel Range: 374 miles
- Four-speed Automatic (Wagon 1991-1993)
- MPG (Combined/City/Highway): 21/18/24
- Fuel Capacity: 17 gallons
- Fuel Range: 357 miles
Fifth-generation Accord (1994-1997)
The fifth-generation Accord launched in 1994 and was the first Accord to have admirable performance specs by today’s standards. For the first time since Honda mentioned it back in the early ’70s, a 170 hp six-cylinder engine was made available on the Accord.
Also, Honda’s excellent Variable Valve Timing & Lift Electronic Control (VTEC) was offered for the first time on the Accord.
The new Accord grew yet again getting both longer and wider, leading to a roomier interior. Not only was the new interior roomy, but it was also more ergonomic and much safer with standard dual airbags and reinforced side-impact beams.
Fifth-gen. Accord Gas Mileage
2.2L I4
- Five-speed Manual
- MPG (Combined/City/Highway): 24/22/28
- Fuel Capacity: 17 gallons
- Fuel Range: 408 miles
- Five-speed Manual (Wagon)
- MPG (Combined/City/Highway): 23/21/27
- Fuel Capacity: 17 gallons
- Fuel Range: 391 miles
- Four-speed Automatic
- MPG (Combined/City/Highway): 22/20/26
- Fuel Capacity: 17 gallons
- Fuel Range: 374 miles
- Four-speed Automatic (Wagon)
- MPG (Combined/City/Highway): 21/19/25
- Fuel Capacity: 17 gallons
- Fuel Range: 357 miles
2.2L I4 VTEC
- Five-speed Manual
- MPG (Combined/City/Highway): 25/22/29
- Fuel Capacity: 17 gallons
- Fuel Range: 425 miles
- Five-speed Manual (Wagon)
- MPG (Combined/City/Highway): 24/22/28
- Fuel Capacity: 17 gallons
- Fuel Range: 408 miles
- Four-speed Automatic
- MPG (Combined/City/Highway): 23/21/28
- Fuel Capacity: 17 gallons
- Fuel Range: 391 miles
- Four-speed Automatic (Wagon)
- MPG (Combined/City/Highway): 23/21/27
- Fuel Capacity: 17 gallons
- Fuel Range: 391 miles
2.7L V6 (Offered 1995-1997 Only)
- Four-speed Automatic
- MPG (Combined/City/Highway): 19/17/23
- Fuel Capacity: 17 gallons
- Fuel Range: 323 miles
Sixth-generation Accord (1998-2002)
Unsurprisingly, the Accord got even larger than the previous generation. Cabin air filters were made standard. Due to lack of sales, Honda dropped the wagon. In an effort to further appeal to younger buyers, Honda started marketing the coupe separately from the sedan.
Honda put bigger engines in the Accord, too, with a 135 hp 2.3L I4 replacing the 2.2L and a 3.0L 200 hp V6 replacing the previous 2.7L.
Despite this, the 2000 Accord was still considered the first Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle (SULEV) vehicle for the Californian market.
Sixth-gen Accord Gas Mileage
2.3L I4
- Five-speed Manual
- MPG (Combined/City/Highway): 24/22/29
- Fuel Capacity: 17.1 gallons
- Fuel Range: 410 miles
- Four-speed Automatic
- MPG (Combined/City/Highway): 23/20/28
- Fuel Capacity: 17.1 gallons
- Fuel Range: 393 miles
2.3L I4 VTEC
- Five-speed Manual
- MPG (Combined/City/Highway): 25/22/29
- Fuel Capacity: 17.1 gallons
- Fuel Range: 428 miles
- Four-speed Automatic
- MPG (Combined/City/Highway): 23/20/28
- Fuel Capacity: 17.1 gallons
- Fuel Range: 393 miles
3.0L V6 VTEC
- Four-speed Automatic
- MPG (Combined/City/Highway): 21/18/26
- Fuel Capacity: 17.1 gallons
- Fuel Range: 359 miles
Seventh-generation Accord (2003-2007)
As is to be expected, the Accord swelled yet again. Exciting features included new higher quality materials as well as several optional creature comforts like heated seats, dual-zone automatic climate, and satellite navigation.
A new 160 hp 2.4L I4 replaced the 2.3L I4 and the 3.0L V6 found an extra 40 hp bringing it to a grand total of 240.
The four-cylinder came with key improvements, it was the first Accord with a four-cylinder engine to feature five lug nuts and had a timing chain instead of a belt.
Yet again, the Accord was offered in two variants, the more aggressive coupe, and the family-oriented sedan. The fun to drive and mildly fuel-efficient hybrid version was introduced in 2005. It used a 3.0L V6 sourced from the Odyssey minivan with variable cylinder management (VCM).
Seventh-gen Accord Gas Mileage
2.4L I4
- Five-speed Manual
- MPG (Combined/City/Highway): 26/23/31
- Fuel Capacity: 17.1 gallons
- Fuel Range: 445 miles
- Five-speed Automatic
- MPG (Combined/City/Highway): 25/21/31
- Fuel Capacity: 17.1 gallons
- Fuel Range: 428 miles
3.0L V6
- Five-speed Automatic
- MPG (Combined/City/Highway): 21/18/26
- Fuel Capacity: 17.1 gallons
- Fuel Range: 359 miles
- Six-speed Manual
- MPG (Combined/City/Highway): 21/18/27
- Fuel Capacity: 17.1 gallons
- Fuel Range: 359 miles
3.0L V6 Hybrid (Offered 2005-2007 Only)
- Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
- MPG (Combined/City/Highway): 27/24/32
- Fuel Capacity: 17.1 gallons
- Fuel Range: 462 miles
Eighth-generation Accord (2008-2012)
Yet again, the Accord grew, making it the longest and heaviest one yet. Whereas the eighth-generation Accord coupe was considered a compact car, the sedan was so big that the EPA classified it as a large car. This was not a good look, considering other cars were getting smaller and more fuel-efficient.
It was powered by the standard 2.4L whose power ranged from 177 to 190 hp and a new 268 3.5L V6 was optional.
To make the Accord even safer, it came standard with antilock disc brakes (ABS), stability and traction control, and curtain airbags.
Although Honda usually portrays itself as an eco-friendly company, they decided to offer the partial zero-emission vehicle (PZEV) Accord in only 15 states. This is because the profit margin was too low to sell the PZEV in the other 35 states.
Eighth-gen. Accord Gas Mileage
2.4L I4
- Five-speed Manual (Coupe)
- MPG (Combined/City/Highway): 26/23/31
- Fuel Capacity: 18.5 gallons
- Fuel Range: 481 miles
- Five-speed Manual (Sedan)
- MPG (Combined/City/Highway): 27/23/33
- Fuel Capacity: 18.5 gallons
- Fuel Range: 500 miles
- Five-speed Automatic (Coupe)
- MPG (Combined/City/Highway): 26/22/32
- Fuel Capacity: 18.5 gallons
- Fuel Range: 481 miles
- Five-speed Automatic (Sedan)
- MPG (Combined/City/Highway): 26/22/33
- Fuel Capacity: 18.5 gallons
- Fuel Range: 481 miles
3.5L V6
- Five-speed Automatic (Coupe)
- MPG (Combined/City/Highway): 23/19/29
- Fuel Capacity: 18.5 gallons
- Fuel Range: 426 miles
- Five-speed Automatic (Sedan)
- MPG (Combined/City/Highway): 23/20/30
- Fuel Capacity: 18.5 gallons
- Fuel Range: 426 miles
- Six-speed Manual (Coupe Only)
- MPG (Combined/City/Highway): 21/18/26
- Fuel Capacity: 18.5 gallons
- Fuel Range: 388 miles
Ninth-generation Accord (2013-2017)
At last, the ninth generation stopped the Accord’s trend of constantly growing, allowing the EPA to categorize it as a mid-size car once more. The new Accord was evolutionary rather than revolutionary, it seemed like nothing more than a redesign of the eighth generation.
However, to separate the ninth generation from its predecessor, Honda made loads of tech standard on the new generation. Standard technology included Bluetooth, dual-zone climate control, and a backup camera.
Honda also offered a new sport model which featured dual exit exhaust, sporty wheels, and a six-speed manual transmission. All of which led to a paltry four-hp bump. The hybrid Accord came back again for the 2014-2015 model years.
It then left for a year and returned in 2017. A plug-in hybrid version was offered for the 2014 model year only, never to return again.
Ninth-gen. Accord Gas Mileage
2.4L I4
- Six-speed Manual
- MPG (Combined/City/Highway): 27/23/34
- Fuel Capacity: 17.2 gallons
- Fuel Range: 464 miles
- Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
- MPG (Combined/City/Highway): 30/27/35
- Fuel Capacity: 17.2 gallons
- Fuel Range: 516 miles
3.5L V6
- Six-speed Automatic
- MPG (Combined/City/Highway): 25/21/34
- Fuel Capacity: 17.2 gallons
- Fuel Range: 430 miles
- Six-speed Manual
- MPG (Combined/City/Highway): 21/18/28
- Fuel Capacity: 17.2 gallons
- Fuel Range: 361 miles
2.0L I4 Hybrid (Offered 2014-2015 & 2017 Sedan Only)
- Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
- MPG (Combined/City/Highway): 47/49/45
- Fuel Capacity: 15.8 gallons
- Fuel Range: 743 miles
2.0L I4 Plug-in Hybrid (Offered 2014 Sedan Only)
- Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
- MPGe/MPG: 115/46
- Fuel Capacity: 12.2 gallons
- Fuel Range: 570 miles
- Electric Range: 13 miles
Tenth-generation Accord (2018-Present)
The current tenth-generation Accord was released for the 2018 model year. The tenth generation decided to follow tradition and grew yet again increasing in both width and length.
Unfortunately, the Accord did not completely honor its tradition as the coupe and V6 were offered no longer. To compensate for this, Honda upped the technology once more, offering things like front and rear parking sensors, acoustic glass, heads-up display, Honda Sensing, wireless phone charging, and four-way power lumbar for the driver’s seat.
Also, thanks to an aluminum front subframe, the new Accord is even lighter than before. The new Accord is now powered by either a 1.5T I4 or a 252 hp 2.0T I4 engine. With a smaller turbo and different pistons and camshafts, the 2.0T I4 found in the Accord is merely a watered-down version of the Civic Type R‘s engine.
Tenth-gen Accord Gas Mileage
1.5L I4 Turbo
- Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
- MPG (Combined/City/Highway): 33/30/38
- Fuel Capacity: 14.8 gallons
- Fuel Range: 488 miles
- Six-speed Manual
- MPG (Combined/City/Highway): 30/26/35
- Fuel Capacity: 14.8 gallons
- Fuel Range: 444 miles
2.0L I4 Hybrid
- Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
- MPG (Combined/City/Highway): 48/48/47
- Fuel Capacity: 12.8 gallons
- Fuel Range: 614 miles
2.0L I4 Turbo
- Six-speed Manual
- MPG (Combined/City/Highway): 26/22/32
- Fuel Capacity: 14.8 gallons
- Fuel Range: 385 miles
- 10-Speed Automatic
- MPG (Combined/City/Highway): 27/23/24
- Fuel Capacity: 14.8 gallons
- Fuel Range: 400 miles
Most Fuel-efficient Accord
As there are plenty of options, if you’re in the market for a fuel-efficient Accord, you’re in luck. Although the electric range is only 13-15 miles, the 2014 Honda Accord plug-in hybrid is easily the most fuel-efficient of the bunch.
However, they are rather scarce since they were only manufactured for a year. So, if you can’t find a plug-in variant, the hybrid version from either the ninth (2014-2015 & 2017) or tenth generation (2018-Present) should do just fine with an EPA estimated 47 and 48 mpg, respectively.
For those who don’t want a hybrid, the fuel-efficient 1.5T (2018-Present) which averages 33 mpg is a great choice. As fuel efficiency and space have always been key focus areas of the Accord, it does not take much effort to find an environmentally friendly option.
Photos: Honda
