Used 2018 Honda Accord Buyer’s Guide

Considering a used 2018 Honda Accord? Here is everything you need to know to make an informed buying decision about Honda’s popular, best-selling sedan.

2018 Honda Accord Super-review Summary

For 40 years, the Honda Accord has been the best-selling car in America. Across 10 successful generations of Accords, Honda has slowly improved its midsize car. But the modern market demands midsize sedans do more than improve incrementally if this vehicle class is to remain relevant.

In this comprehensive 2018 Honda Accord super-review, we will take you through the many exciting features and options of the vehicle to provide answers to any questions that you may have when considering a 2018 Honda Accord as your next pre-owned purchase.

Our buyer’s guide covers pre-owned 2018 Honda Accords as they stand today, over three years after their debut. We’ll cover their record of reliability as well as any recalls, providing a balanced overview of one of Honda’s most popular vehicles.

You will learn about the exterior and interior color options, and the two available engines that will help you decide just how much power you need in your used 2018 Accord. So that we can present the widest coverage possible, automotive experts will lend their suggestions, too, via sourced reviews and news reports from 2018 up to today from iconic and reputable publications like Car and Driver and Motor Trend. How well has the 2018 Accord held up? Has the vehicle proven to be true to its original estimated mpg? Has the Accord exceeded original expectations from 2018, or has it fallen flat? We answer these questions and many more here, in Vehicle History‘s Used 2018 Honda Accord Buyer’s Guide. Here’s what’s ahead:

• Five Available Trim Levels
• Hybrid & Options Packages
• Prices When New
• Powertrain Options & Fuel Economy
• 2018 Accord vs. 2018 Civic Type R
• Driving Performance
• Cargo Capacity
• Technology Features
• Safety Features & Ratings
• Exterior & Interior Color Options
• Retro & Current Reviews
• Reliability Scores & Maintenance Costs
• Recalls & Complaints
• Used Accords Hold their Value

All-new 2018 Honda Accord Kicks Off 10th Generation

For the 2018 model year, Honda rolled out the all-new tenth-generation Accord. The automaker had obviously studied what worked well for other recent midsize sedans. The 2018 Honda Accord is a well-balanced celebration of everything a sedan can offer: comfort, fuel efficiency, style on par with a Hyundai Sonata, better acceleration than a Toyota Camry, and agility equal to a Mazda6.

Like every Accord since 2002, the 2018 Honda Accord won a five-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). As of this writing in 2021, it also logged only three recalls, according to the NHTSA.

Like 31 previous Accords, the 2018 model won a place on Car and Driver’s “10 Best Cars of the Year” list. The new car was also named the “North America Car of the Year” by a jury of automotive journalists, and the “Canadian Car of the Year” by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada.

However, even the award-winning, universally applauded tenth-generation Honda Accord could not reverse the downward trend of midsize sedan sales. Accord demand continues to fall every year. But for car enthusiasts, a used 2018 Honda Accord is one of the sweetest deals around.

Five Trim Levels

The 2018 Honda Accord was available in five trim levels: the LX, Sport, EX, EX-L, and Touring (pictured above). Additionally, there were hybrid options and a sub-trim called the EX-L Navigation.

2018 Honda Accord LX

The base-level 2018 Honda Accord LX was only offered with a 1.5T engine but boasted many features. One standard feature was the Honda Sensing driver aid suite, which includes forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, full-speed adaptive cruise control, and lane-centering steering.

Also standard was a seven-inch multimedia infotainment system with a backup camera, Bluetooth, and a USB port.

Finally, the base trim came with 17-inch alloy wheels, LED low-beams, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a single-piece folding backseat.

2018 Honda Accord Sport

The Accord Sport was only the second level of the 2018 Honda Accord but has become sought-after in the used market. The Sport trim offered either the 1.5T or 2.0T engine and a choice of an automatic or manual transmission. The Accord Sport also came with 19-inch wheels, tuned suspension, larger front brakes, and racing-inspired exterior accents.

Honda upgraded the Accord Sport’s interior with an eight-inch multimedia system equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; more stereo speakers and wattage; an eight-way power driver’s seat; a split-folding backseat; vinyl-and-cloth upholstery and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

When ordered with the more powerful 2.0T engine, the Accord Sport also came with heated front seats, a moonroof, keyless access with remote start, and satellite and HD radio.

The Car Connection warned that while the 2018 Honda Accord Sport came standard with 19-inch rims and low-profile tires, this trim-level lacked the adjustable dampening of other Accords with 19-inch rims and suffered from a stiffer ride.

2018 Honda Accord EX

The Honda Accord EX trim added several luxury options while losing several sporting options. The EX came with satellite and HD radio; a moonroof; keyless access; remote starting; heated side mirrors and front seats; a rear-seat air vent and second USB port; and a blind-spot warning system with cross-traffic alert.

The EX models were available with the 1.5T engine and not the more powerful 2.0T engine.

2018 Honda Accord EX-L

Also available was the 2018 Honda Accord EX-L–the “L” stood for leather. The EX-L featured leather upholstery; a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter; a memory driver’s seat; four-way power passenger seat; and a top-of-the-line audio system.

The 2018 Honda Accord EX-L Navigation was a sub-trim outfitted with a navigation system that cost $1,000 more than the standard EX-L.

The EX-L was available with the 1.5T engine or the 2.0T engine. When ordered with the 2.0T engine, the EX-L also featured the larger brakes of the Accord Sport.

2018 Honda Accord Touring

The top-trim sedan was the 2018 Honda Accord Touring. This car came standard with high-tech features like a navigation system, heads-up display (HUD), automatic phone pairing, and wireless phone charging. The Accord Touring also boasted luxury features, such as LED high-beam lights; ventilated front seats; heated rear seats; front and rear parking sensors; rain-sensing wipers; and unique chrome exterior accents.

Every Accord Touring benefited from the adaptive shock absorbers, 19-inch alloy wheels, and larger disc brakes of the Accord Sport, whether or not the buyer ordered it with the 1.5T or 2.0T engine.

2018 Honda Accord Hybrid & Options Packages

The 2018 Honda Accord Hybrid drivetrain was available at every trim level except for the Accord Sport. Buyers could also order 2018 Honda Accord options packages. Packages included:

• All-Season Protection Package 1: all-season floor mats, trunk tray, and splash guard set
• All-Season Protection Package 2: wheel locks, all-season floor mats, and a trunk tray
• Protection Package: wheel locks, trunk tray, and a splash guard set

Prices When New

In 2018, brand-new Honda Accord prices varied from the $20,249 entry-level sedan to a $35,800 fully-loaded example.

The base trim Accord LX fetched $20,249-$24,702 and was only available with the 1.5T engine.

The Accord Sport had an MSRP of $21,826-$26,985 when outfitted with the 1.5T engine, and it started at $30,310 with the 2.0T engine.

The Accord EX was priced at $22,446-$27441 and was only available with the 1.5T engine.

The Accord EX-L with a 1.5T went for $23,521-$28,814 and increased to a starting price of $31,970 when ordered with the 2.0T engine.

The EX-L Navigation went for $24,258-$29,441 with the 1.5T, while the 2.0T bumped the trim level to $32,970.

The top-trim 2018 Honda Accord Touring cost $25,686-$31,106 with the 1.5T, and it was $35,800 with the 2.0T.

Powertrain Options

Every 2018 Honda Accord features a front-wheel-drive (FWD) drivetrain powered by a turbocharged inline-four-cylinder (I4) gasoline engine. The tenth generation of the Accord benefits from needed upgrades to its predecessor’s powertrain options. The old Accord came with a naturally aspirated engine in either a V6 or 2.4-liter I4 configuration.

When engineering the tenth-generation Accord, Honda sought to offer two engine choices that could equal the outgoing motors’ performance while improving on their fuel economy.

L15BE VTEC Engine

The base motor available in the 2018 Accord is Honda’s turbocharged 91.4 ci (1.5L) inline-four, dubbed the L15BE VTEC engine or the 1.5T. The engine is a variable valve lift version of the CR-V engine with its turbocharger dialed up to 20.2 pounds of boost. It is rated for 192 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 192 lb.-ft. of torque from 1,600 to 5,000 rpm.

“Turbo lag is a bit more pronounced than that of the (top-trim) 2.0T, but the engine comes alive around 2,250 rpm and pulls strongly and evenly right to the rev limiter, with peak torque delivered right all the way to 5,000 rpm,” wrote Automobile Magazine after test-driving the 1.5T Accord.

In two-pedal Accords, Honda has mated the 1.5T to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that is more responsive than the old Accord’s CVT thanks to an 11% shorter axle ratio. The automaker has programmed this transmission to simulate downshifts in either sport mode or when the driver flips the paddle shifters. Motor Trend proclaimed them to be “among the best and most responsive (CVTs) in the business.”

“The CVT does its job, snapping the engine up into its torque band when power is needed and promptly dropping it down into run-silent mode when the driver eases off the accelerator,” said Automobile Magazine.

In rare three-pedal Accord Sports, Honda has coupled the 1.5T to a six-speed. Car and Driver said the manual 1.5T “forces the driver to work a bit harder for the desired amount of acceleration, although that’s part of the fun of driving a stick shift.”

K20C4 Engine

One of the most talked-about drivetrain options for the 2018 Accord is Honda’s K20C4 engine. This top-trim powerplant is a 121.8 ci (2.0L) turbocharged I4, often called the 2.0T. It makes 306 horsepower in the fearsome Honda Civic Type R. In the Accord, it is detuned to run on regular gas and only makes 252 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 273 lb.-ft. of torque between 1,500 and 4,000 rpm.

“Some other 2.0Ts stumble when floored from a standstill, but the Accord’s jumps off the line, picks up sharply at 2,000 rpm, breaks the tires loose at 3,500, and spins them all the way to redline…this is the first four-cylinder turbo that is genuinely better than the V-6 it replaces,” wrote Automobile Magazine.

All two-pedal, 2.0T Accords come with Honda’s proprietary 10-speed torque-converter automatic. Car and Driver writes, “The 10-speed automatic is a willing partner for this flexible engine, with quick and unobtrusive shifts that lend the powertrain a polished character.”

In the few three-pedal Accord Sports, the 2.0T gets its own six-speed manual transmission. Car and Driver says of the 2.0T, “with the sweet-shifting manual in the Accord Sport, the engine’s isolation is less of a positive, as it lacks some of the thrill and character that the V-6 returned in spades.”

Hybrid Refresh

Honda completely re-engineered the Hybrid Accord (seen above) for the midsize sedan’s tenth generation. The automaker painstakingly perfected the drivetrain and did not launch the 2018 Accord Hybrid until march of 2018, five months after the internal combustion models went on sale.

The 2018 Honda Accord Hybrid features an LF-series 2.0L I4 i-VTEC gasoline engine that leverages the Atkinson combustion cycle for better fuel efficiency. The car is also powered by an electric motor.

The gasoline engine produces 143 horsepower at 6,200 rpm, and the electric motor produces an additional 181 horsepower at 5,000 to 6,000 rpm, for a total of 212 horsepower. The electric engine offers 232 lb.-ft. of torque from zero to 2,000 rpm, and then the gasoline engine is rated for 129 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,500 rpm.

Like every 2018 Accord, the hybrid features paddle shifters. The shifters allow the driver to toggle between four levels of regenerative braking performance.

Motor 1 reviewed the Accord Hybrid and said the vehicle’s 212 horsepower is “enough to make merging and passing a worry-free affair. Accessing the full extent of that power, though, requires either burying foot into the floor or turning on the car’s Sport mode.”

The Motor 1 review points out that the 2018 Honda Accord started at a lower price than competitors like the Ford Fusion Hybrid, Kia Optima Hybrid, Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, and even the most expensive option, the Toyota Camry Hybrid.

Even better news, the 2018 Honda Accord Hybrid boasted better fuel mileage than its Ford, Kia, and Hyundai counterparts. The expensive Camry Hybrid LE does offer slightly better fuel efficiency than the 2018 Honda Accord.

But when loaded with all the features that the Accord offers standard, the hybrid Camry’s fuel efficiency falls below the Accord’s. For this reason, Motor 1 awarded the 2018 Accord Hybrid a fuel economy score of eight out of 10, and an overall score of seven out of 10.

Fuel Economy

The most fuel-efficient 2018 Honda Accord model is the hybrid version, which earned an EPA fuel economy rating of 47 city/47 highway mpg, endowing it with a 602-mile range.

The second most efficient Accord is the base-engine (1.5T) automatic transmission car. This Accord won a 29 city/35 highway mpg (31 combined) fuel economy rating. The manual transmission version of the base engine Accord maintained the same highway rating while sacrificing some around-town efficiency for a final rating of 26 city/35 highway mpg (30 combined).

Finally, the upper-trim engine (2.0T) paired with the 10-speed automatic earned a rating of 22 city/32 highway mpg (26 combined); the manual six-speed version of the 2.0T Accord matched its automatic counterpart’s rating.

When Car and Driver subjected an automatic transmission, 2.0T-powered 2018 Honda Accord, to 40,000 miles of assorted road testing, they found it exceeded its EPA rating.

The test car maintained an average fuel efficiency of 30 mpg for its first 30,000 miles, then dipped slightly to a 29 mpg average for the final 10,000 miles of the test.

During a designated fuel economy review, Car and Driver put a 2.0T automatic transmission Accord, a 2.0T manual transmission Accord and a 1.5T manual transmission Accord through their paces. The team of automotive journalists drove all three cars on a 200 mph loop, trying to maintain 75 mph and use the cruise control as much as possible–in an attempt to simulate real-world driving conditions. They found all the cars beat or tied their EPA fuel economy ratings.

The Accord Sport, with its six-speed manual transmission, tested at 32 mpg, tying its EPA rating. The Accord Touring with a 2.0T engine and 10-speed automatic transmission also had an EPA rating of 32 mpg. Finally, the 1.5T Accord Sport had an EPA rating of 35 mpg. Car and Driver found that all three Accords demonstrated at least somewhat better fuel mileage than the old V6 Accord.

Honda’s goal for the tenth-generation Accord was to maintain all outgoing engine options’ performance benchmarks while beating fuel efficiency. The 2.0T did not improve upon the outgoing V6’s mpg drastically but did not fall behind.

The tenth-generation hybrid lost some fuel efficiency, EPA ratings slipping from 49 mpg to 47 mpg between 2017 and 2018. But the base engine Accord from 2018 earns a much better fuel mileage rating than its 2.4L, non-turbocharged predecessor, which only got 26 city/34 highway mpg (29 combined).

2018 Accord vs. 2018 Civic Type R

Honda aimed to match the performance numbers of the ninth-generation Accord with its 2018 redesign and nailed every metric. Car and Driver tested the acceleration time of a brand-new 2018 Accord with the 2.0T engine and found it did zero to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds. Interestingly, they found a used Accord with 40,000 miles shifted more smoothly and could reach 60 mph in just 5.3 seconds.

Both of these times are faster than the manual-only Honda Civic Type R. That is not a typo: the 2018 Honda Accord has a better zero to 60 mph time than the manual-only 2018 Civic Type R. That said, with its 50 extra horsepower, the Type R pulls ahead of the Accord shortly after 60 mph.

The 2018 2.0T Accord also has a better zero to 60 time than the Camry XSE V6. The Accord’s official 5.7-second zero to 60 time is identical to the outgoing V6-powered Accord–says Motor Trend. The new 2018 Accord also ran a 1/4-mile race in 14.3 seconds at 100 mph even, and after driving 40,000 miles, Car and Driver found the same car broke into the 13s.

Motor Trend found the 1.5T Accord could do zero to 60 mph in 7.6 seconds. It could also run the 1/4-mile in 15.9 seconds at 89.3 mph. These numbers are identical to the base ninth-generation Accord with the 2.4L I4. Though they tie in acceleration numbers, the newer model trounces the older one when it comes to handling.

Driving Performance

The 2018 Accord stands head-and-shoulders above its competition in the twisties. Engineers of midsize sedans must balance the comfort of weekday commutes against the thrill of a spirited weekend drive. Incredibly, the 2018 Honda Accord improves over its predecessors on both counts. One of the 2018 Honda Accord’s secrets is that it is 166 pounds lighter than the 2017 model (and 315 pounds lighter than a contemporary Camry).

Honda engineered the Accord’s new control arms with fluid-filled bushings to float over any bumps–without sacrificing stiffness while cornering. In addition, higher trim cars benefit from Honda’s adaptive suspension system with sport and normal damper settings. The Car Connection puts it succinctly, “Composed and confident when the road turns into a workout, relaxed and sedate everywhere else.”

Finally, Honda upgraded the 2018 Accord with an electric power steering system leveraging adjustable ratios. The Car Connection explains: “It’s a quicker rack at the edges, slower in the middle for longer slogs on the interstate when the steering wheel should feel optional. It’s well-weighted and much better than the outgoing version, which felt soggy to us in comparison.” Car and Driver agrees, reporting that “the sense of precision puts many luxury cars to shame.”

Cargo Capacity

Honda only offered its 2018 Accord as a four-door sedan–discontinuing the Accord coupe that was available until 2017. The tenth generation of the popular car has a 111.4-inch wheelbase and a 192.2-inch overall length. It is 73.3 inches wide and 57.1 inches tall. Honda shaped this car around 103 cubic feet of passenger volume and 16.7 cubic feet of trunk space.

The curb weight of a 2.0T automatic transmission Accord with leather seats is 3,312 pounds. The heaviest Accord is the hybrid, ladened with its under-seat battery pack and electric motor. The 2018 Accord hybrid tips the scales at 3,428 pounds.

The 2018 Honda Accord enjoys a two-inch wheelbase stretch compared to the ninth-generation Accord, and all that length ends up as rear passenger legroom.

The 2018 Accord is lower (and wider) than its ninth-generation predecessor, and Honda set the outboard rear seats one inch closer to the floor. Getting in and out may require some ducking, but entry and exit from the car are otherwise relatively easy, thanks to wider opening rear doors. Honda could not lower the center of the back seat further, making “the hump” a less comfortable place for a passenger than in previous Accords.

Every configuration of the 2018 Accord offers 16.7 cubic feet of cargo space in the trunk. The storage space in previous Accord hybrids suffered from in-trunk battery packs. With the tenth-generation 2018 Accord, the hybrid car has a smaller battery pack tucked under the rear seat and storage space is equal to the internal-combustion-powered models.

Honda split the rear tail-lights between the car’s body and the trunk lid to widen the trunk opening and partially solve the trunk access issue. In addition, the rear seats are capable of folding flat and even tumbling forward–in most trims–which gives owners more storage space and another way to access the trunk.

Cabin & Interior

Early reviews of the 2018 Honda Accord praised the car’s luxurious interior. Car and Driver loves the “nicely grained plastics, soft leather, and even convincing faux-wood trim,” but they do add, “just don’t touch (the faux-wood), as there’s no texture to match the open-pore appearance.”

Honda further improved interior comfort by making an upgraded three-microphone active noise cancellation system standard on all Accords. Trim levels EX and higher also feature wheel resonators to reduce tire noise. With 19-inch rims and no wheel resonators, the Accord Sport is the loudest trim level.

Many reviewers were unhappy with the ninth-generation Accord’s infotainment screens but appreciated the more traditional system in 2018’s tenth-generation Accord. Automobile Magazine minced no words, “The previous Accord’s ridiculous dual-screen dashboard has been tossed into the dumpster, where it belongs. Replacing it is a dash that is smooth and sleek and modern.”

Car and Driver specified, “The company has gradually corrected itself, culminating in the new Accord’s easy-to-use and attractive touchscreen. It combines the volume knob first seen on the new CR-V with the redesigned software first implemented on the new Odyssey, while taking the extra step of adding a tuning knob and eight hard buttons.”

In his Accord Touring interior review for Motor Trend, Christian Seabaugh says, “the Accord Touring’s knobs are also particularly noteworthy, as the knobs feature knurled metal rims and turn with a satisfying heavy click. Also worth mentioning are the HVAC knobs, which are backlit in blue or red, depending on whether you’re cranking the heat or the air conditioning.”

In addition to the center touchscreen, the 2018 Accord features a digital gauge cluster. Automobile Magazine approves, “One of the coolest details is the semi-digital dash. The speedo on the right is the real thing, but the center display and left-side tach are a 7-inch TFT screen. The tach can be substituted with navigation, phone, audio and trip computer displays, but leaving it in rev-counter mode is a real treat—the animation is classic-era-Disney-movie-smooth.”

Recent reviews of high-mileage 2018 Accords found the interior showing its age. The Car Connection warns, “Base Accords feature a handsome cloth that doesn’t feel especially durable.” After Car and Driver subjected a 2018 Accord to 40,000 miles of driving, they warned, “our white-leather seats were showing signs of wear by the end of our test.”

Finally, the most common car complaint filed for the 2018 Accord is a rattling sound from inside the dash, though the problem appears to be exclusive to the top-trim Accord Touring equipped with a heads-up display (HUD) projector in the dashboard.

Technology Features

From its initial review of the 2018 Honda Accord, Consumer Reports approved of the new infotainment setup. The report says of the new system, “It’s more user-friendly than before, featuring vivid, colorful graphics and the ability to rearrange icons,” but warning, “there is still a learning curve for drivers.”

2018 Honda Accords come with seven-inch or eight-inch infotainment screens. These are relatively small by modern standards. But Motor Trend points out, “the screen appears far bigger because of its high resolution, the way it’s mounted high on the dash, and visual tricks like its black border.” This screen handles most of the Accord’s navigation, music and phone duties.

In addition to the central infotainment screen, the 2018 Accord features a seven-inch screen in the instrument cluster. This high-resolution screen defaults to displaying a tachometer. Drivers seeking something different can use steering-wheel-mounted buttons to toggle the display through fuel economy data, range to empty, media and even information from their phone.

Even the entry-level 2018 Honda Accord is well outfitted: the stereo is a four-speaker, 160-watt sound system that features an AM/FM radio, Bluetooth streaming audio, USB audio interface, Pandora compatibility, illuminated steering wheel-mounted controls, speed-sensitive volume compensation and a fin-type roof-mounted antenna. Stereo upgrades begin with the first trim upgrade, the Accord Sport, which has a 180-watt, eight-speaker system compatible with Sirius Radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Upper-trim infotainment features include a 450-watt 10-speaker stereo, mobile hotspot capability, Honda navigation with voice recognition and digital traffic turn-by-turn directions, wireless phone charging station, and even a heads-up display (HUD). The heads-up display is a third screen, visible only to the driver and overlaid over the road ahead. On cars with a HUD, the driver can configure it via two buttons mounted to the left of the steering wheel; the HUD can show speed, navigation directions and even phone call information.

Safety Features and Ratings

The 2018 Honda Accord’s safety features were ahead of their time–and received mixed reviews. New for the 2018 Accord, every trim level of the midsize sedan offered the Honda Sensing suite of driver aids.

The Honda Sensing system has many features: A forward-collision visual and audible warning and, for extreme situations, automatic emergency braking, even in manual transmission models. It also has full-speed adaptive cruise control, which slows the Accord when following slow-moving cars. And lane-centering steering provides a warning system for drowsy drivers.

In 2018, high-tech driver aids were often limited to luxury vehicles or top-trim vehicles. In this area, the 2018 Honda Accord was much more advanced than its competition.

Reviewers agree that the Honda Sensing features are reliable and safe, but some complained about how Honda had calibrated them.

“The forward-collision warning system is often too quick to call for a slowdown in traffic when it wrongly senses an impending crash,” reports Car and Driver. “The lane-keeping system causes the steering wheel to wobble disconcertingly as it alerts drivers to an approaching lane line; and swerving to avoid pot holes…can confuse the car’s driver-drowsiness monitoring system.”

Other safety features on the entry-level Accord LX included electronic stability control; ABS and driveline traction control; dual-stage driver and passenger seat-mounted airbags; dual-stage driver and passenger front airbags; curtain first and second-row airbags; driver and passenger knee airbags; airbag occupancy sensor; and outboard front lap and shoulder safety belts as well as a rear center three-point safety belt, all with height adjusters and pretensionsers. There are also side-impact beams, a backup camera, rear child safety locks, and a low tire pressure warning system.

The 2018 Accord Sport and higher trims added the HondaLink system with its Emergency SOS function. The Accord EX and higher trims added the Blind Spot Information mirror alert lights and the rear cross-traffic alert option to the Honda Sensing driver aid suite. The Accord Touring trim added front and rear parking sensors.

Thanks to all its safety features, the 2018 Honda Accord aced its crash-test scores according to both government and independent entities. The Car Connection says, “Five-star ratings across the board, Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS, and standard advanced safety systems earn the Accord a nine (out of 10).”

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) not only named the 2018 Accord a “Top Safety Pick,” but only recorded one complaint about one trim level of the car: The Institute rated the headlights of most every trim 2018 Accord as “acceptable” but downgraded the LED high-beams exclusive to the 2018 Honda Accord Touring as “marginal.”

For the 2021 model year, Honda increased the headlight brightness of the Accord to rectify the safety concern. Several owners on the Drive Accord message board found ways to upgrade their 2018 Touring headlights.

Exterior Colors

The Honda offered a total of 10 2018 Accord color options, though no trim level was available with all 10. Accord trim levels from the base LX to the Touring (with the exception of the Accord Sport) were available in the same eight colors:

The Accord Sport only came in six colors, adding the exclusive San Marino Red and Still Night Pearl (Blue) while retaining the standard Platinum White Pearl, Lunar Silver Metallic, Modern Steel Metallic and Crystal Black Pearl.

Interior Colors

Honda distributed interior color options in much the same way as exterior color options: All Accord trim levels (with the exception of the Accord Sport) were available with three color options:

• Black
• Gray
• Ivory

Accord trim levels EX-L and Touring came with leather seats available in the same three color schemes. The Accord Sport was only available with black seats.

Retro Reviews

When the tenth generation of the Honda Accord launched in 2018, critics raved about the new car. Many journalists lauded the vehicle’s styling, performance, comfort, quality and safety. Critics admitted they had to look long and hard at the car to come up with any complaints.

Most reviewers preferred the larger (2.0-Liter I4) engine mated to the automatic transmission, and some felt the smaller (1.5-Liter I4) engine was underpowered and the manual transmission was redundant (as 2018 Accords feature quick-shifting automatics and paddle shifters).

The first thing every reviewer noticed about the Accord was the car’s good looks.

“On-trend angles and traditional proportions merge to make the 2018 Honda Accord one of the best-looking mainstream sedans that we’ve seen in a while,” said The Car Connection.

And Car and Driver noted that “A fastback-like roofline…combines with a pronounced crease just below the beltline to give the car a sinewy, athletic stance.”

Finally, Automobile Magazine said, “The new Honda Accord sports the same fastback shape as the Civic, and it wears it well…when it comes to design, proportion is king, and the Accord rocks it. From any angle, this is a great-looking car.”

The only stylistic complaints logged by journalists surrounded some trim and grill treatments. Automobile Magazine specifies, “The grille is a bit fussy and the chrome-trimmed rocker panels on the Touring model are a bit silly.”

Car and Driver agrees: “The front-end styling has proved polarizing among our ranks, but from any other angle, it’s undeniably a handsome piece.”

Inside the cabin, reviewers applauded Honda’s restraint. Car and Driver says, “The new Accord’s cabin is both a return to the simplicity that was once a Honda hallmark and a leap forward in sophistication,” adding, “Material selection and build quality are top-notch.” The Car Connection puts it succinctly, “In many trims, the 2018 Honda Accord could have just as easily have come from a luxury automaker.”

Next, all reviewers noted the surprising performance perks of the 2018 Honda Accord. Motor Trend said the 2.0T 2018 Accord is “way more fun to drive than any midsize sedan has any right to be.”

“Greater powertrain responsiveness certainly contributes to a car’s general sense of nimbleness, but the Accord’s new chassis does its fair share in that regard, as well,” added Motor Trend.

Finally, reviewers agree that the 2018 Accord excels in space and comfort. Car and Driver points out that despite the low roofline, “rear headroom is reduced by only 0.2 inch thanks to a scooped-out headliner that allows plenty of noggin space even for tall adults.”

C&D added: “The front seats are well padded and enveloping, while rear-seat legroom is positively palatial, having benefited from the wheelbase stretch. Storage space is generous, too.”

U.S. News said of the 2018 Accord, “Its weaknesses are nearly nonexistent,” listing only one: “small trunk opening.

Current Reviews

The 2018 Honda Accord has aged gracefully; this sedan stands up well to high-mileage use and present-day sensibilities.

During 2018 and 2019, the writers at Car and Driver put 40,000 miles on a 2018 Honda Accord and were impressed with the car’s reliability. The reviewers complained that the 10-speed automatic transmission (limited to the top-trim 2.0T engine) “doled out harsh one-two shifts for about 15,000 miles before finally smoothing out.”

This eventual “smoothing out” left them with a drivetrain more capable in every metric at 40,000 miles than it had been when brand new.

The Car and Driver team also noted a slight flutter of the aluminum hood at highway speeds. Driving Canada addressed the same flutter, urging drivers to adjust the rubber bumpers that hold the hood in place or ask a dealer to do so.

Finally, the Car and Driver team observed their white leather seats showing signs of wear by the end of their test; do a careful examination of the seats when considering a used example equipped with white leather.

Overall, the Car and Driver team concluded that the Accord is “all substance, no gimmick. For people who love driving but need a reasonably priced car that can easily fit four passengers and their suitcases, the Accord is the best choice out there.”

Over the years, Car and Driver’s 2018 Accord became a favorite commuter and road-trip car. After their test, the C&D team was not ready to bid their Accord farewell: one of the automotive journalists bought the well-used test car for personal use.

A veteran YouTube car reviewer test drove a used 2018 Honda Accord in 2021; the car exceeded his modern expectations: “You do not expect it to be this quick…this is on par with a lot of V6s in terms of power…it is a very very balanced car…steering has an excellent weight to it, good amount of feedback…all-in-all the Accord is the four-door sports car…it is impressive.”

His experience inspired him to hunt down a rare, manual transmission 2018 Accord Sport and film another review in which he rated the Accord Sport a “proper rocket.”

Over the past three years, Kelley Blue Book has compiled 82 owner reviews of the 2018 Honda Accord, with an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars. Reliability, performance and styling all earned a higher rating, an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Right here on Vehicle History, 717 owners have shared their experience with their 2018 Honda Accord. 72% of drivers gave their car a five-star review for an overall average of 4.62 out of five.

Many 2021 reviewers continue to give their 2018 Accords five stars. Jeff S. writes, “My 2018 Honda Accord Sport is incredible. It’s smooth, fast, very comfortable.” Kelly C. agrees, “Love my car! It is very comfortable and super sporty!…Never want another car again!”

Glen M. says, “The best car I have ever had!…The outside is very sporty and stylish. The inside gives a very comfortable feel.”

Another testament to the staying power of the 2018 Accord is Honda’s decision to continue producing the car, almost unchanged. The tenth-generation Accord only received a minor facelift for the 2021 model year. As a result, a 2018 Accord still looks at home–and modern–on today’s roads.

Reliability Scores

Honda is confident in the reliability of the 2018 Accord; the automaker offered its midsize car with a three-year and 36,000-mile limited warranty, a five-year and 60,000-mile powertrain warranty, and a five-year and unlimited mile corrosion protection guarantee.

In 2018, J.D. Power gave the Honda Accord a three out of five predicted reliability rating (based on previous Accords), which translates to “average.” Later, when J.D. Power gave 2018 cars a 100-Point Score based on thousands of opinions of verified car owners, the 2018 Accord won a quality and reliability score of 78/100, which is well above average.

At Vehicle History, we studied the numbers for the 2020 Accord and concluded that the tenth generation of the Accord offers reliability for days.

Here on Vehicle History, many verified owners continue to espouse the reliability of their 2018 Accords into 2021. Gerald G. says his Accord offers, “That same Honda dependability that has made us all feel safe for so many years…with its sleek luxurious looking new designs.”

Thomas V. writes, “I love it and it is so reliable.” Jo S. says, “This car is very reliable.” And Adrian D. shares, “Modern tech and sleek look for a great price…Great reliable car as Honda always is!”

Maintenance Costs

When Car and Driver tested a 2018 Accord over 40,000 miles, they had few complaints about maintenance costs. Their Accord’s first several dealership service visits each only required a $79 oil change.

During one visit, Honda updated the backup camera software free of charge. The 30,000-mile scheduled dealer service visit–which included an oil change, tire rotation and new air filters for the engine and cabin–only cost them $185. By 40,000 miles, the team only had $435 into standard service of their Accord.

The only cost the Car and Driver team complained about was a broken windshield. When a rock accidentally cracked their Accord’s windshield, they found out that they not only needed to pay for a new piece of glass but had to have the windshield-mounted Honda Sensing safety camera recalibrated. The total bill came to $1,131.

Based on owning a 2018 Accord for five years and driving it for 15,000 miles a year, Edmunds estimates the average driver will spend $4,495 in maintenance and $1,887 in repairs.

Average maintenance costs for the fourth year in the life of a 2018 Accord (from 45,000 through 60,000 miles) are $829, while repair costs are $442. The averages costs for the fifth year of a 2018 Accord’s lifespan (60,000 through 75,000 miles) are $999 in maintenance and $515 in repairs.

Recalls and Complaints

The first model year of a redesigned vehicle often suffers from a couple of noteworthy recalls, and the 2018 Accord is no exception.

In September 2018, Honda recalled 230,000 Accords and Insights to update their backup camera software–according to Consumer Reports. The software update was a simple procedure dealerships completed at no cost to the owner.

In May 2020, Honda notified its North American dealer network that it had assembled over 628,000 Vehicles–including some 2018 Accords–with faulty fuel pumps that were prone to failure. Owners of affected vehicles will likely see a “Malfunction Indicator Lamp” illuminate on their instrument panel first; eventually, the affected vehicle will fail to start.

Honda dealers have replaced many of the defective fuel pumps and are still offering to fix any remaining cars free of charge.–according to Auto Week.

If you are considering a specific 2018 Accord, you can always enter the VIN right here on Vehicle History to find out if it has any outstanding recalls. You can also check with your local Honda dealer.

The team on the Car Complaints website compiles consumer complaints from vehicle owners. The majority of recorded 2018 Honda Accord complaints are filed under “Interior Accessory Problems,” and most of those (26 complaints) cite a “rattle in the dashboard.”

Many owners specified that the problem depends on temperature and is worse while accelerating. Owners on the Drive Accord forum collaborated to troubleshoot the issue, and many felt it was caused by the Heads-Up Display (HUD)–limited to the Accord Touring trim level.

Though very real issues, problems with the 2018 Honda Accord are relatively rare. For comparison’s sake: Car Complaints only recorded 26 owners who had encountered a 2018 Honda Accord dashboard rattling, while the same site recorded 897 complaints about a 2001 Honda Civic transmission failure.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has logged 503 complaints on the 2018 Honda Accord. One hundred forty-four of these complaints are about the vehicle’s rear brakes; common issues include wearing through brake pads quickly and slowing the car too aggressively.

Sales of the 2018 Accord

The 2018 Honda Accord simply could not fight upstream against the tides of time: The 2018 Honda Accord won multiple awards and the hearts of critics everywhere.

It is one of the most storied nameplates in the North American auto market. Despite its acclaim, it could not cease the flow of drivers abandoning their midsize sedans for crossovers.

By March of 2018, The Detroit Free Press noted the widely celebrated 2018 Accord’s slumping sales numbers. The Detroit Free Press analyzed sales figures published by Autodata Corp and realized that Accord sales were down 15.8% in February, 14.7% for the entire year. The Detroit Free Press admitted that the entire market was down 2.8%, so the Accord’s market share was only down 11.7%.

The Detroit Free Press floated several theories. They quoted Autotrade senior analyst Michelle Krebs saying, “Camry incentives averaged $2,900 a car…The Accord averaged just under $1,200.” They went on to say that even if the lower incentives only translated to a $50 difference in a monthly car payment, that was enough to dissuade many buyers.

Krebs also pointed out that Honda does not sell to rental fleets, saying, “18% of Toyota’s new vehicle sales were to fleets.”

In addition to these missteps by Honda, the Detroit Free Press points out that the midsize sedan market is slipping as midsize SUVs become America’s “favorite family vehicle.” What’s more, many gently-used midsize sedans came off leases in 2018, when their owners traded them for a crossover SUV.

These factors all contributed to lagging sales for the 2018 Accord. Honda sold 322,655 Accords in 2017, only 291,071 in 2018, 267,567 in 2019 and 199,458 in 2020. You can find quarterly and monthly sales data on the Car Figures website.

Do falling midsize car sales mean that used Accords will get cheaper every year? Or will some rarer Accords soon become coveted collectors cars–as the last of their kind? Only time will tell. What we do know is that Honda’s failed attempt to slow the exodus away from the midsize sedan resulted in one of the best Accords ever.

Used Accords Hold their Value

The price difference between base and top-trim Accords has flattened out in the used car market: According to the North American Dealers’ Association and J.D. Power‘s valuation guide, the average entry-level 2018 Accord LX in rough condition currently has a trade-in value of $19,100. In a “clean” condition, the same car has a retail value of $24,300. A top-trim 2018 Honda Accord Touring in rough shape has an average trade-in value of $28,025, and a pristine example retails for $33,725.

The valuation guide by Kelley Blue Book concurs: a fair 2018 Accord LX is listed at an average price of $24,599 and sells for between $21,999 and $26,563. Meanwhile, an average 2018 Honda Accord Touring is listed for just $29,558 and sells somewhere between $26,594 and $31,931. The experts at Kelley Blue Book have not yet recorded a pattern of any premium for the rare manual-transmission equipped Accord Sport or the Accord Hybrid in the used car market. Yet, the only manual 2018 Accord Sports currently for sale are listed at about $4,000 above market. During the Accord’s mid-generation facelift, Honda discontinued the manual transmission option: three-pedal enthusiasts have been forced to search for used Accord Sports.

The Car Edge website notes that the Honda Accord is “a model known for holding its value.” They predict the average 2018 Accord will depreciate 42% after five years. The Accord fares better than average; most cars depreciate 49.% over five years–according to a recent study.

J.D. Power awarded the 2018 Honda Accord a resale value rating of 83 out of 100. In the used midsize sedan market, only the Kia Optima beat this score. The Chevrolet Malibu tied with this 83 out of 100 score. Both the Hyundai Sonata and Toyota Camry earned lower resale scores than the Accord.

Conclusion: Is the 2018 Accord a Good Preowned Buy?

The midsize sedan market is shrinking, and these demands have forced Honda to step up its game with the well-sorted and fully loaded tenth-generation Accord. If you need a four-door vehicle and yearn for performance, style and fuel efficiency, look no further than a used 2018 Honda Accord.

Why You Should Trust Us

Vehicle History has spent over five years building a comprehensive source of trusted vehicle information. We draw from our 140 million pieces of ownership data to help our three million monthly visitors through their automobile research and purchase journey. While compiling everything you need to know about the 2018 Honda Accord, we considered hundreds of verified owner reviews across Kelley Blue Book, the NHTSA, and right here on Vehicle History. We also reviewed reputable articles by many automotive journalists and professional critics to provide a balanced and unbiased review of the 2018 Honda Accord.

Photos: Honda