Article Highlights:

• The 2022 Accord manages excellent MPG
• A new Accord hauls people better than the rest
• A redesign is all that’s holding the new model back

Despite consumers’ recent shift in preferences towards larger crossovers and SUVs, the midsize sedan segment has kept things going strong. The Toyota Camry just got a new update, and Honda has made some changes too. Enough to put the 2022 Honda Accord at the top of its game, at least in the eyes of legacy publisher MotorTrend.

Is the 2022 Honda Accord the best midsize sedan?

In fact, on their list of midsize sedans, MT ranks the Accord as the best of the best. High praise, indeed, and for good reason. First, there’s pricing. The 2022 Honda Accord is spread across six trim levels and two motors, a 1.5L turbo four (192 hp) and a 2.0L turbo four (252 hp). Prices range from $25,470 to $37,400. It’a big spread, and top-level Accords are fighting with used Audi models at that price point.

Then, there’s the interior comfort. The accord has a large trunk and folding seats with 16.7 cubic feet of cargo capacity. Plus, when those seats are folded back up, there’s plenty of room for a couple of grown adults in the rear. This midsize sedan holds more than kids and dogs. Then there’s the tech. This Accord gets an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Carplay and Android Auto, as well as wireless charging and connectivity in higher trim levels.

MotorTrend says the Accord is a worthy buy

So, it’s really not hard to believe MotorTrend when they say that the 2022 Honda Accord is the best midsize sedan around. Another boon for the Accord is rather predictably, safety. Honda shares a strong commitment to safety alongside brands like Subaru, and it shows here. The IIHS earned the outfit’s “Top Safety Pick+” award for 2021, and we won’t be surprised if the new model manages the same for 2022. Happily, the NHTSA also gave the Accord a 5 Star crash safety rating for 2021.

Then there’s the fuel economy. With EVs on the horizon, gas (and hybrid) cars like the Accord need to bring their A game to continue to be a viable commuting options for many. The Accord does. The smallest 1.5L model manages 30 mpg city and 38 mpg highway. Honda’s 2.0L manages 23 and 34 mpg, again in the city and on the highway respectively. As for the hybrid, that tops out around 44 and 41 mpg.

A redesign is all that’s holding the Accord back

It would seem that MT is pretty spot-on with their analysis of the new Accord. However one thing is holding it back. Honda’s design for the model draws clear ties to the new Civic, but we’d prefer at the very least a different front end. A lot of brands have new models that carry similar design language (Integra), and we long for the days when you knew an Accord was an Accord and a Civic was a Civic.