The 2018 Honda Accord is one of the best-midsize sedans you can buy, period. Safety, performance, reliability, comfort–the Accord dominates most categories. While affordable, its used-car pricing can vary by trim level by as much as $5,000.
A Quick Overview of the 2018 Honda Accord
- The 2018 Accord comes in a total of 10 variations. Engine options include 1.5 or 2.0-liter four-cylinders with up to 252 horsepower.
- The Accord is overall reliable, has a below-average cost to own, and has just three issued safety recalls.
- The 2018 Accord presents an extremely safe pick in the midsize sedan class. It’s mostly problem-free and excels at almost everything.
How Long Will the 2018 Honda Accord Last?
The Accord’s 10th-generation redesign included two all-new engine options that, sadly, don’t have the same track record as past models. The 2021 Accords use the same engines, which notably have few registered engine-related complaints with the NHTSA. Even the powertrain accounted for only 40 of the 525 registered complaints.
Pre-2018 engines were notorious for lasting only 200,000+ miles. So, if Honda’s reputation for reliability is as good as we’ve all come to believe, the 2018 Honda Accords with the newer engines should last a long time when properly maintained. which according to Valley Honda should be every 7,500, 22,500, 37,500, 52,500, 67,500, and 82,500 miles.
How Much Does the 2018 Honda Accord Cost?
Originally, the MSRP of a 2018 Honda Accord ran between $24,445 and $34,675. Now three years old, here’s what Kelley Blue Book (KBB) puts the Fair Purchase Price at for an average 2018 Accord with 52,000 miles:
What Problems Does the 2018 Honda Accord Have?
Only 95 of the 2018 Accord’s over 500 complaints relate to the engine, 92 to the electrical system, 35 for the forward collision avoidance, and a whopping 146 complaints about brakes.
Car Complaints found interior issues the most prevalent, specifically involving a rattling sound in the dash. The electrical system, brakes, windshield wipers, and engine make up the bulk of the other problems.
The 2018 Honda Accord has had three recalls issued by the NHTSA, but only one was widespread, affecting over 737,000 models from 2018 to 2020. In this, the windshield wipers could stop working due to a software issue.
The two other recalls involved far fewer models and included a fuel pump that could fail and a backup screen that could go blank.
Is the 2018 Honda Accord Reliable?
Repair Pal gives the 2018 Honda Accord a 4.5 out of five score, or “Excellent” compared to its competitors. In fact, it currently stands as the most reliable vehicle out of 24 different midsize 2018 model-year cars.
What’s more, the average annual repair cost is just $345, a savings of roughly $55 a year over average cars in its class.
Which are the Best 2018 Honda Accord Models?
There are 10 different variations of the 2018 Accord, and one of our favorites is the entry-level LX 1.5T, which hits all the right marks. It’s fuel-efficient and reliable.
If you prefer a bit more performance, the Sport 2.0 delivers 252 horsepower at a cost of just $800 over an EX-L. In terms of creature comforts and performance, you can’t beat the Touring 2.0T.
How Big is the 2018 Honda Accord?
Overall, the midsize Accord offers plenty of space for even a six-foot-tall adult to sit comfortably, with two child seats in the rear. Front and rear headroom sit at 39.5 and 37.3 inches respectively. As for legroom, the front row offers 42.3 and the rear, 40.4.
Basic dimensions equal 192.2 inches long, 73.3 wide, and 57.1 tall. Accord also bests most rivals with 16.7 cu. ft. of trunk space, which equates to fitting about 23 shoeboxes with the seats upright.
Does the 2018 Honda Accord Have Good Performance and Gas Mileage?
The Accord is not designed to be a performance sedan, but it doesn’t disappoint either. Most sites put the 1.5-liter’s 0-60 time between 7.2 to 7.6-seconds, while the 2.0-liter drops that closer to within 5.4 to 5.7. Either way, the 2.0-liter offers more than enough oomph to merge off an on-ramp or pass a slow-moving vehicle.
As for fuel efficiency, at its worst, the 2018 Accord puts out 22 mpg in the city, and 32 at highway speeds. At its best, the 1.5-liter with the CVT delivers an impressive 30 around town and 38 at cruising speeds.
For the highest mpg figures, 2018 also featured a Hybrid version capable of 47 mpg in both city and highway.
Is the 2018 Honda Accord Expensive to Own?
In total, a 2018 Honda Accord should cost about $718 per month to own. This includes the $345 estimated annual maintenance, which equates to about $29 per month.
For monthly payments, U.S. News shows that in 2021, a 700-749 credit score should qualify you for about a 9.45% interest rate. On a 60-month loan for a $24,000 SE, expect about a $420 monthly note.
Using official EPA numbers, a 2018 Accord with the 1.5-liter should average around 31 mpg. At 15,000 miles a year with the 1.5-liter, expect to spend $1,550 annually, or just over $129 per month.
While car insurance is heavily influenced by your driving record, Bank Rate shows average full coverage to run about $1,674, or nearly $140 a month. The estimated total monthly cost of a 2018 Civic is $718.
How Safe is the 2018 Honda Accord?
The NHTSA gave the 2018 Honda Accord five stars in every test performed, and it had a total rollover risk of only 9.30%.
The IIHS reported similar findings, rating the 2018 Accord their best “Good” score in all crashworthiness tests, even labeling it a “Top Safety Pick.”
The 2018 Accord is safe, and when equipped with the Honda Sensing suite of safety features, even more so.
How Does the 2018 Honda Accord Compare to Other Sedans?
Head-to-head against the Camry, Sonata, and Malibu, we find the Accord to be one of the best vehicles on the market, whether new or used. Price-wise, you can see from the chart below, the Accord is on the costlier side:
As for safety recalls, the Accords had five recalls and 525 complaints while the Camry had six recalls and 368 complaints, Malibu had six recalls and 302 complaints, and the Sonata had one recall and 112 consumer complaints. Regardless, all earned overall five-star ratings with the NHTSA regarding crashworthiness.
Concerning fuel efficiency, the 2018 Honda Accord delivers 31 mpg compared to the Sonata’s 28 mpg. However, at 34 mpg combined, the Toyota Camry wins on fuel economy. Malibu comes in just below the Accord at a respectable 30 mpg average.
Should I Consider Buying a 2018 Honda Accord?
Yes, you should, as there’s nothing really wrong with it. It’s packed with modern safety and convenience features, it’s great on gas, provides some oomph with the 2.0-liter, and it can comfortably fit even larger adults and a couple of car seats.
Photos: Honda