The Honda Accord has a lot going for it. And when I say a lot, I mean a lot. It excelled in road toasts, it’s been named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, and earned a spot in Car and Driver’s annual 10Best list. But as great as the Honda Accord may be, that doesn’t mean it’s the perfect fit for you. That’s why, if you aren’t ready to commit to this year’s model, we recommend considering these alternatives to the Honda Accord instead.

For a reliable alternative to the Honda Accord, choose the Toyota Camry

Reliability is key when shopping for a new car. But, unfortunately for the Honda Accord, it hasn’t earned the most promising reliability ratings. In fact, according to Consumer Reports, this year’s model earned a three out of five predicted reliability rating. All in all, that score is pretty disappointing. For a more reliable alternative to the Honda Accord, consider the Toyota Camry. Unlike the Accord, this year’s Camry earned a five out of five predicted reliability rating from Consumer Reports. 

Reliability isn’t the only reason to choose the Toyota Camry over the Honda Accord either. This year’s Camry also offers a complimentary maintenance plan covering normal factory scheduled maintenance for two years or 25,000-miles, whichever comes first. Meaning, when it comes to time for your first oil change, you can count on Toyota to foot the bill. Unfortunately for Honda shoppers, there’s no such thing as a complimentary maintenance plan.

The Subaru Legacy is a rugged alternative to the Honda Accord

Maybe the Toyota Camry isn’t quite your style. Perhaps you had a more rugged alternative to the Honda Accord in mind. If that’s the case, consider the Subaru Legacy as an alternative to this year’s Honda Accord. Because, unlike the Accord, the new Subaru Legacy comes standard with all-wheel drive. 

The Subaru Legacy is more than a rugged alternative to the Honda Accord. It’s also cheaper. Opt for a base model Accord, and you’ll find yourself spending about $24,970. Opt for the range-topping Touring 2.0, and you’ll be spending a minimum of $34,900. As for the Subaru Legacy? It boasts a base price of $22,895 and will have you spending about $36,145 on a fully-loaded model.

Choose the Mazda6 for a more enjoyable driving experience

Now, there’s no getting around it. The Accord is not a sports car. In fact, it’s pretty far from it. Naturally, then, you shouldn’t expect this year’s model to drive like one. But, unfortunately, while it may not be a sports car, Car and Driver does report that when driving the Honda Accord, a little more feedback from the road below would be nice. 

For an alternative to the Honda Accord that offers a more enjoyable driving experience, consider the Mazda 6, which Car and Driver reports “offers above-average driving satisfaction for a family sedan, with a fluidity to its controls and handling that is uncommon at any price.” Car and Driver added that this year’s model “manages to provide the thrills without sacrificing refinement or ride quality.”

Ready to hit the road for a few test drives?

Here’s the thing, there are plenty of alternatives to the Honda Accord out there. These three? Well, they’re just a handful of them. That’s why, when it comes to finding the best fit for your needs, we recommend getting behind the wheel for a test drive. After all, that really is the best way to determine whether or not one of these alternatives to the Honda Accord is right for you.