The 2022 Accord Sport is best described as comfortable practicality. It’s admittedly a bland car, but it does everything you could want a car to do. It’s not particularly handsome, there’s nothing ‘edgy’ or exciting about the car at all, and yet, it’s one of the most pleasant commuters you’ll find. It’s the perfect car for someone who “just needs a car.”
Approaching the car you won’t be disappointed, if typical is your taste. Nothing stands out about the car. An argument can be made for models wearing the blue “Still Night Pearl” paint, as it’s indisputably one of the most beautiful colors on the entire market today. But aside from this one paint option, it’s unremarkable.
The body lines don’t flow amazingly. There’s a disconnect between the roofline and the rest of the body; the architecture just doesn’t match. The entirety of the vehicle itself is angular, which doesn’t mesh particularly well with the sleek silhouette. Although modern design conventions have been trending towards more angular features, it’s overdone on the Accord – reminiscent of the Mercedes CLA-Class.
The interior, on the other hand, is exceptional. It’s simple, but in a good way. The seats are cloth (leather is available in higher trim levels,) but remarkably comfortable. The materials throughout the cabin are of a reasonably nice quality, and there isn’t a creak to be conjured out of any piece. The technology suits the car, in that this is Honda’s premium sedan, but still only $30,000. The screens (gauge cluster and radio) are responsive, appropriately sized, and easy to navigate. You’ll also find Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, however, that’s essentially become an industry standard by now. The Accord isn’t the most comfortable interior on the market, but for what it is, it’s perfect. In essence the interior is convenient, and while you may lust for more, the quality is high enough that it won’t be a complaint.
The only shortcoming is the rear seat area. There are no air vents, which albeit would be a reasonable ask, but shouldn’t be expected of what’s ultimately an economy car. Furthermore, there aren’t any outlets for the rear seat. These would be far easier and cost effective to add compared to vents, yet they were inexplicably left out. Legroom was a concern as well, because at 5’9 I found myself near the limit of comfort.
The ride quality is one of the best parts of the Accord. It’s not quite floaty, like a 90’s Suburban, but it’s a far cry from being as hard as steps in a pair of Converse. It’s an interesting balance, actually. It’s level and planted going down the road, with inoffensive communication of bumps – and you won’t even notice most of them. But when taking a turn at speed, the Accord thinks it’s the Civic Type R. It’s surefooted, expressing a lot of grip and inspiring a lot of confidence with minimal body roll – which isn’t normal behavior for a family sedan. A welcome outburst, nonetheless.
As for the powertrain, one thing that’s stayed on my mind ever since I got out of the vehicle is: why the hell are there paddle shifters? The Accord is equipped with a continuously variable transmission, the only transmission option for models equipped with the 1.5L engine. Continuously variable transmissions don’t shift, at all. I truly cannot understand why Honda would include paddle shifters. They’re a novelty at best, and if anything, will contribute to premature transmission failure as their use interferes with the transmission’s pre-programmed operation.
But for what it is, the engine and transmission are good. I might even say great, if not for the CVT. The combo yields about 32 MPG combined, which is trending on the higher side of the market. Using eco mode is sure to yield higher numbers there as well, however, in eco mode the Accord screams at you that it wants to be parked. There’s no “get up and go,” the Accord just doesn’t want to go at all. It’s as if you’re trying to take a sleeping dog on a walk. I’d reserve eco mode for highway cruising, only.
Sport mode is the exact opposite, but the difference is of an unexpected magnitude. As eco mode feels like half the engine turned off, sport mode feels like you’ve got an extra engine under the hood. By no means does sport mode make the car a rocket, but it certainly adds a surprising amount of pep. It’s an appropriate amount, enough to make dad smile on the drive home after dropping off the kids.
All in all, the 2022 Accord is the king of average. It doesn’t do anything new, it knows no cool tricks, and it’s certainly not flashy. However, everything that you want a car to do, it does exceptionally well. It’s comfortable, respectable, and sensible. For only $30,000, you’ll be hard pressed to find a more all-around winner.