The Best Midsize Honda Cars
The Honda Accord and Honda Clarity are Honda’s two midsize cars on the market—both offer hybrid trim options and competitive specs.
Written by Jaya Anandjit
Reviewed by Georgina Grant
Honda has three options for midsize cars: the Honda Accord, the Honda Accord Hybrid, and the Honda Clarity. The Accord and Accord Hybrid are leading-class vehicles with fuel-efficient engines and cavernous interiors, while the eco-friendly Clarity includes plug-in hybrid electric features that provide a competitive driving range.
Let’s be honest—when most people think of Honda, the first vehicle that comes to mind is the world-famous Honda Civic. However, while the Civic is a sedan class leader for safety, fuel economy, reliability, and affordability, it isn’t the only noteworthy vehicle in Honda’s innovative lineup.
When it comes to midsize cars, Honda is the proud manufacturer of the Honda Accord, Honda Accord Hybrid, and Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid. To walk you through each model,
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2022 Honda Accord
If you’re looking to match the fuel efficiency and reliability of the
Honda Civic
but need a little extra space, the Honda Accord
may be the midsize Honda for you. The 2022 Honda Accord is part of the Accord’s 10th generation, introduced in 2018, and includes numerous safety and driving features that set it apart from its competition. It’s a class leader for reliability and safety, paired with an evolved exterior that mirrors innovation. With six trim levels highlighting the elevated modern conceptualization of the classic Accord, this midsize vehicle is a leading car in the sedan category.
Pricing
The 2022 Honda Accord starts at an MSRP of $27,615, which is pricier than the average midsize sedan. The top-tier Touring trim level, which includes a 10-speed automatic transmission, starts at $39,545.
Performance
The Honda Accord’s performance is dependent on your trim selection. In most trims, the Accord comes with a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with up to 192 horsepower from a continuously variable transmission. These models come standard with front-wheel drive and deliver an extremely smooth driving experience with sporty handling.
The most luxurious iterations of the Honda Accord, the Accord EX-L and the Accord Touring, feature turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engines with up to 252 horsepower from a 10-speed automatic transmission. These upgraded trims also come equipped with navigation systems, adaptive suspension dampers, and low-speed anti-collision braking systems.
Fuel economy
When it comes to fuel efficiency, your trim and powertrain selections will make a difference. For example, the standard Honda Accord with front-wheel drive (FWD) and the 1.5-liter engine gets up to 30 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway for a combined EPA rating of 33 mpg. This is pretty good for a midsize car, but if you’re looking for better gas mileage, the EX-L and Touring trims each return 22 mpg city, 41 mpg highway, and 43 mpg combined.
Interior and tech
The Accord’s sleek and functional interior features user-friendly innovative technology in a spacious cabin made with deluxe materials. Each trim comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, premium audio systems, dual-zone automatic climate control, and advanced safety features.
If you’re looking for a luxurious ride, the Accord Touring trim includes numerous upgrades, such as a head-up display, sunroofs, rain-sensing wipers, and Wi-Fi hotspot capability.
Each Accord includes an 8-inch touchscreen for easy use and Honda Sensing with advanced safety features.
Safety and reliability
The Honda Accord receives excellent ratings and praise for its suite of driver assistance features that increase with each trim, including front collision mitigation, adaptive cruise control, low-speed anti-collision braking, and lane-keeping assist.
In response to the Accord’s fantastic performance, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the 2022 Honda Accord a perfect five-star rating for safety. Additionally, the Accord was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
For reliability, the Accord received a 4.5/5 from RepairPal, and 83/100 from J.D. Power, making this midsize car a top pick for safety and reliability.
Trim levels
The 2022 Honda Accord comes in six trim levels: LX, Sport, Sport SE, EX-L, Sport 2.0T, and Touring. The LX and Sport trims come well-equipped with standard features like dual-zone automatic climate control and push-button ignition. Alternatively, the Sport trim includes some sporty stylings and convenience features, like fog lights, rear spoilers, paddle shifters, leather steering wheels, and an eight-speaker audio system.
On the luxurious side, the upgraded trims like the Accord EX-L and Accord Touring include sunroofs, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a premium 10-speaker audio system, satellite radio, rain-sensing wipers, head-up display, and adaptive suspension dampers.
Competitors
You may be wondering where the Honda Accord falls amongst midsize competitors. The table below highlights the 2022 Accord alongside three leading
Honda Accord competitors
in the midsize sedan category. Model | MSRP Range | Base powertrain | Fuel economy | Safety ratings | Reliability ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
$27,615 to $39,545 | 192-hp 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder w/ continuously variable transmission and standard FWD | 22-30 mpg city/38-41 mpg hwy | 5 stars (NHTSA), Top Safety Pick+ (IIHS) | 4.5/5.0 (RepairPal), 83/100 (J.D. Power) | |
$23,790 to $31,190 | 180-hp 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder w/ eight-speed automatic transmission and standard FWD | 24-29 mpg city/32-38 mpg hwy | 5 stars (NHTSA), Top Safety Pick+ (IIHS) | 4.0/5.0 (RepairPal), 3/5 (Consumer Reports), 84/100 (J.D. Power) | |
$26,045 to $36,070 | 191-hp 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder w/ eight-speed automatic transmission and FWD | 27 mpg city/37 mpg hwy | 5 stars (NHTSA), Top Safety Pick (IIHS) | 81/100 (J.D. Power) | |
$25,845 to $36,270 | 203-hp four-cylinder w/ eight-speed automatic transmission and standard FWD | 22-28 mpg city/32-39 mpg hwy | 5 stars (NHTSA), Top Safety Pick+ (IIHS) | 4.0/5.0 (RepairPal), 4/5 (Consumer Reports), 84/100 (J.D. Power) |
MORE: Are Hondas expensive to maintain?
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2022 Honda Accord Hybrid
The 2022 Honda Accord Hybrid counts as Honda’s first hybrid midsize vehicle. For drivers who love the Accord but prefer an eco-friendly budget-conscious option, the
Honda Accord Hybrid
is a great choice!Pricing
The 2022 Honda Accord Hybrid starts at $28,825 for the base trim and up to $38,685 for higher trims. These prices are relatively similar to the 2022 Honda Accord prices, making the Hybrid Accord an affordable choice.
Performance
Like the gas-powered Accord, the Accord Hybrid provides a smooth and speedy driving experience thanks to a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine across all trims, paired with a hybrid system that produces 212 horsepower with FWD.
Fuel economy
The 2022 Honda Accord Hybrid delivers great fuel efficiency for a hybrid vehicle, making it the perfect midsize option for saving money on gas. The sedan’s base trim returns 48 mpg in the city, 47 mpg on highways, and an ETA-estimated 47 mpg combined.
If you’re opting for a high-tech trim like the Sport or Touring Accord Hybrid, your fuel efficiency will take a dip to approximately 44 mpg in the city, 41 mpg on highways, and 43 mpg combined. These are pretty good numbers, but other Hybrid vehicles like the 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid and the 2022 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid return higher EPA-estimated miles per gallon.
Interior and tech
If the Accord Hybrid’s fuel economy wasn’t enough to convince you, the impressively roomy interior and advanced features like blind spot-eliminating outward visibility may do the trick.
The Honda Accord Hybrid reflects the sleek but classic appearance of the regular Honda Accord and includes an 8-inch touchscreen that conveniently displays Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wireless functions. In addition, tech favorites like a wireless charging pad and a 10-speaker audio system make for an enjoyable ride in this partially electric vehicle.
With dual-zone climate control and keyless entry and ignition, the Honda Accord Hybrid also comes with Honda Sensing, which incorporates a number of driver assistance features such as:
- Adaptive cruise control
- Forward collision mitigation
- Lane departure mitigation
- Lane-keeping system
- Traffic sign recognition
- Adaptive suspension dampers
- Blind-spot monitoring with cross-traffic alert
Safety and reliability
When it comes to expert testing, the 2022 Honda Accord Hybrid returns outstanding ratings thanks to its impressive selection of safety features. For example, the NHTSA gives the 2022 Accord Hybrid a perfect overall five-star rating, and the IIHS claims this midsize vehicle as a 2022 IIHS Top Safety Pick+.
Like its gas-powered twin, the 2022 Accord Hybrid received a 4.5/5 reliability rating from RepairPal, and 82/100 from J.D. Power for quality and reliability.
Trim levels
There are four trim levels for the 2022 Honda Accord Hybrid: Base, Sport, EX-L, and Touring. While the Base trim comes standard with enough specs to justify the price, the Sport trim happens to be the most popular Accord Hybrid and includes sporty features like bigger wheels, LED fog lights, back rear spoilers, and sport pedals for an extra $3,350.
The EX-L favors styling and tech upgrades like leather upholstery, sunroofs, power-adjustable passenger seats, and blind-spot monitors with rear cross-traffic alerts. Finally, the 2022 Honda Accord Hybrid Touring tops the range with adaptive suspension dampers, automatic wipers, heated rear seats, Wi-Fi hotspot capability, and a head-up display.
Competitors
The Honda Accord Hybrid is pretty in line with the competition, but it doesn’t necessarily top the charts. Here’s how it compares to other hybrid midsize cars.
Model | MSRP range | Base powertrain | Fuel economy | Safety ratings | Reliability ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
$28,825 to $38,685 | 212-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder w/ continuously variable automatic transmission and FWD | 44-48 mpg city/41-47 mpg hwy | 5 stars (NHTSA), Top Safety Pick+ (IIHS) | 82/100 (J.D. Power) | |
$27,980 to $33,420 | 280-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder w/ continuously variable automatic transmission and FWD | 51 mpg city/53 mpg hwy | 5 stars (NHTSA), Top Safety Pick+ (IIHS) | 83/100 (J.D. Power) | |
$27,350 to $35,700 | 192-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder w/ six-speed automatic transmission and FWD | 45 mpg city/51 mpg hwy | 5 stars (NHTSA), Top Safety Pick (IIHS) | 81/100 (J.D. Power) | |
$37,850 to $44,150 | 215-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine w/ continuously variable transmission and FWD | 43 mpg city/43 mpg hwy | 5 stars (NHTSA), Top Safety Pick (IIHS), | 80/100 (J.D. Power) |
2021 Honda Clarity
With two eco-friendly variations that set this midsize sedan apart from the rest of Honda’s lineup, the Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) has up to 47 miles of electric range. This comfortable and nearly silent vehicle is definitely worth a look if you’re chasing a spacious and affordable car with electrical power and great fuel efficiency.
Also, for California residents, the Honda Clarity comes in a hydrogen fuel cell variation with the power of an electric motor and the smoothness of a battery-powered EV.
Pricing
The 2021 Honda Clarity starts at an MSRP of $34,415 for the base Plug-In Hybrid trim and $37,615 for the Touring Plug-In Hybrid trim. The hydrogen fuel cell version is priced at a model-high MSRP of $59,505.
Performance
The Honda Clarity PHEV is equipped with a 212-horsepower 1.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine, plus an electric-motor hybrid system with a 17-kWh lithium-ion battery.
The fuel cell system uses hydrogen to create electricity and powers an electric motor with 174 horsepower and up to 360 miles of range.
Fuel economy
The 2021 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid is fairly fuel-efficient on both electric power and gas, or fuel alone. The Clarity delivers around 110 MPGe combined or 42 mpg combined with gasoline.
Interior and tech
When it comes to safety features, exterior styling, and tech upgrades, Honda seems to hit the spot with most cars in its impressive catalog. The 2021 Honda Clarity is yet another Honda vehicle that includes Honda Sensing advanced safety features, such as collision mitigation braking, lane keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control.
The upgraded Touring trim includes a top-of-the-line navigation system, and if you live in California, you can opt for a head-up display and a 12-speaker audio system and subwoofer for the hydrogen fuel cell iteration.
Safety and reliability
Experts like the NHTSA, IIHS, and RepairPal have yet to rate the safety and reliability of the 2021 Honda Clarity, but J.D. Power gave this PHEV a rather below-average hybrid rating of 67/100 for reliability and quality.
Trim levels
There are two trim levels for the 2021 Honda Clarity, excluding the Cali-exclusive hydrogen fuel cell edition. The base Plug-In Hybrid trim makes it easy to get in and go with keyless entry and a push-to-start button, and an eight-speaker audio system provides an entertaining ride alongside your favorite playlists.
The only upgrades on the 2021 Honda Clarity Touring Plug-In Hybrid trim are the navigation system, the power-adjustable front seats, and the leather finishes.
Competitors
Just like the Honda Accord Hybrid, the Honda Clarity is subject to considerable competition. The table below highlights three comparable midsize cars that stand out.
Model | MSRP range | Base powertrain | Fuel economy | Safety ratings | Reliability ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
$34,415 to $37,615 ($59,505 for hydrogen fuel cell model) | 212-hp 1.5-liter four-cylinder w/ continuously variable transmission and FWD | 110 MPGe/42 MPG combined | N/A | 67/100 (J.D. Power) | |
$28,770 to $34,550 | 121-hp 1.8-liter four-cylinder w/ continuously variable transmission and FWD | 133 MPGe/54 MPG combined | 5 stars (NHTSA) | 76/100 (J.D. Power) | |
$37,520 | 148-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine w/ continuously variable transmission and AWD | 90 MPGe/35 MPG combined | 5 stars (NHTSA), Top Safety Pick (IIHS) | 83/100 (J.D. Power) | |
$20,200 to $33,650 | 139-hp 1.6-liter four-cylinder w/ six-speed automatic transmission and FWD | 49-53 MPG city/52-56 MPG hwy | 5 stars (NHTSA), Top Safety Pick (IIHS) | 78/100 (J.D. Power) |
MORE: Is a Honda hybrid worth it?
How to save on Honda insurance
Honda’s midsize lineup provides reliability and safety while avoiding the costliness of a luxury vehicle—but insurance rates for these roomier sedans can get pretty expensive, especially if you’ve selected a higher trim level.
Thankfully,
Jerry
, the car insurance
broker app, can help you find the best rates for your midsize Honda in as little as 45 seconds! Simply download the app, answer a few questions, and Jerry will connect you with customized quotes from our pool of over 55 top-rated insurance providers. Jerry handles all the paperwork to get you switched over to your new policy, and we’ll continue shopping for lower rates at every renewal!The best part? On average, Jerry users save around $800 a year on car insurance!
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Is the Honda Insight a midsize car?
No, the Honda Insight is a compact sedan, originally designed with two doors. The now-discontinued Honda Insight was a four-door small car.
Does Honda have a mid-size SUV?
Yes—the Honda HR-V and the Honda CR-V are both two-row midsize SUVs from Honda’s renowned SUV lineup. The HR-V is Honda’s smallest crossover SUV, whereas the CR-V is one of the overall smallest SUVs on the market. Other Honda SUVs include the Honda Pilot and the Honda Passport.
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