Alternatives That Do Reliable Commuting Just As Well

The newest Honda Accord continues the Japanese brand’s long-running nameplate since the 1970s, as well as serving as the latest iteration of one of the best-selling cars in the United States. Though the midsize sedan segment is shrinking as SUVs and trucks continue to dominate the market, Honda remains one of the few brands in North America that offers at least one sedan model in their lineup for those who don’t require the elevated driving height or larger size (exterior and interior-wise) of an SUV. But Honda is not alone, with cars similar to the latest Honda Accord also on offer for buyers to explore. But how does the Honda Accord’s current competition stack up? In the following piece, we’ll outline some Honda Accord competitors that are worth considering.

2025 Honda Accord Overview: MSRP – $28,295

The Accord entered its eleventh generation in the 2023 model year, replacing the preceding tenth-gen Accord made for the 2018 to 2022 model years. A new body design with a more minimalist front grille design and lower-profile light designs is featured, though the wheelbase and height remain the same as the previous Accord. Taking center stage in the redesigned interior is an available 12.3-inch infotainment screen, running an all-new user interface utilizing the ‘Android Automotive’ system (aka Google-in car) that Honda has also rolled out in other models.

Powertrain-wise, the 2.0L turbocharged K-Series inline four-cylinder is no longer available in the Accord, leaving the 1.5L turbocharged inline-four as the only non-hybrid engine option. The Accord Hybrid returns, now featuring a more powerful 2.0L four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors to produce a combined output of 204 hp. Also dropped from the Accord are the options for a six-speed manual and the 10-speed automatic transmission – both the non-hybrid Accord and Accord Hybrid come only with a continuously variable transmission as standard. Both models are only available with front-wheel drive.

For 2025, prices for the Honda Accord begin at $28,295 for the Accord LX, and go up all the way to $39,300 for the Accord Touring Hybrid.

2025 Volvo S60

Base Price: $42,600

Combining Nordic minimalist styling, luxury, and the option for a fairly potent PHEV powertrain, the Volvo S60 is among cars comparable to the Honda Accord, if money is no object. To go with its premium price range, the Volvo S60 is also the only sedan on this list to be available with a more sophisticated plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain, found in the S60 T8 AWD that provides a great combination of competitive power and efficiency numbers.

Similar to the Honda Accord’s infotainment system, the Volvo also uses integrated Google services – allowing owners to utilize Google’s voice assistant, Maps, and Play Store apps for further connectivity features. The 2025MY, though, is the final model year for this Volvo sedan as it’s set to be discontinued from Volvo’s North American lineup, as the Swedish brand shifts focus to its electrified/PHEV SUVs.

2025 Lexus IS

Base Price: $40,535

Another product of the Toyota brand’s high-end luxury division, Lexus, the entry-level Lexus IS models’ prices begin right above the high-end Accord Hybrid trims, just shy of the $40,000 price range. Especially for buyers looking for slightly more engaging driving dynamics, the Lexus brings rear-wheel drive as standard, along with a more varied powertrain lineup – from turbocharged four-cylinders to 3.5L naturally aspirated V6s or, at the top of the range, a 5.0L V8. It’s worth noting that Lexus plans to retire the IS sedan from the product lineup in the coming year; if buyers desire a familiar hybrid option within Lexus sedans of this price range and segment, the Lexus ES hybrid in its current form is worth looking into, and it also starts below $45,000 (before its successor for the 2026 model year makes its arrival).

2026 Toyota Crown

Base Price: $41,440

The Toyota Crown is a well-known sedan nameplate in its native country of Japan and has only recently arrived on American shores, serving as another one of the Honda Accord’s more premium competitors. Although its design has been divisive, being a hybrid of sedan and crossover SUV (evidenced by its slightly raised ride height), this is yet another high-end sedan package that rivals the Accord Hybrid’s most expensive trims. Hybrid powertrains are exclusively featured in the Toyota – buyers can choose either a 2.5L inline four-cylinder hybrid or the more powerful 2.4L turbocharged inline four-cylinder hybrid (marketed as Hybrid MAX). All-wheel drive is also standard across the entire lineup, with the 2.5L non-turbocharged hybrid delivering competitive gas mileage numbers on par with the Accord Hybrid.

2025 Toyota Camry

Base Price: $28,700

One of the best-selling sedans in Toyota’s lineup remains one of the Honda Accord’s key rivals. The latest generation Toyota Camry not only brings an all-new appearance, but under the hood, it has gone hybrid only, with a 2.5L four-cylinder gasoline hybrid now serving as the only available powertrain. The Camry also has a slight advantage over the Honda with available all-wheel drive across its entire model lineup, with AWD also bringing an additional electric motor (bringing a total of three electric motors) that outmatches the Accord Hybrid’s system when it comes to power output – a selling point we praised the Camry for in our test drive.

2026 Kia K5

Base Price: $27,390

Previously known as the Kia Optima, the Kia K5 is another Korean midsize sedan that faces the Honda Accord as one of its key competitors. Unlike its Hyundai counterpart, the Kia K5 is only available with full gasoline engines, a pair of 2.5L four-cylinder engines with or without turbocharging. The ‘sport-inspired’ trim on the K5 we also feel offers more sporting credentials over the Accord Sport, as the K5 GT not only adds improved aesthetics like bigger alloy wheels and an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, but also brings bigger brakes and upgraded suspension. Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto is also standard across all trims, whereas this feature is only applicable to the Accord Sport Hybrid and up.

2025 Nissan Altima

Base Price: $27,000

Even as it’s due to be phased out from Nissan’s lineup, there remains enough ‘big energy’ within the Nissan Altima when it comes to competing against cars like the Honda Accord in the sedan segment. The current Altima has been reduced to just one engine, a 2.5L naturally aspirated four-cylinder (the 2.0L VC Turbo engine has been dropped), available with front or all-wheel drive. The Honda Accord definitely wins in the styling and in-car tech aspects over the Altima, but if buyers are looking for a reasonably priced, spacious midsize sedan within this price segment below $30,000, the Altima may tick all the essential boxes, which may be just enough to satisfy some buyers.

2025 Hyundai Sonata

Base Price: $26,900

With its radical, futuristic styling and advanced cabin tech, combined with competitive pricing to match the cheapest Honda Accord trim, the latest Hyundai Sonata has a lot going for it. The Sonata is one of the few hybrid models paired with a traditional torque converter-based automatic transmission, compared to the continuously variable transmission largely seen in Japanese hybrid sedans like the Honda. Combined with its competitive combined mpg figures, this allows the Korean sedan to be slightly more engaging to drive compared to its Japanese rivals. The exterior and interior design also make the Hyundai stand out significantly with its own unique design language, in contrast to the largely restrained current-generation Accord. The Sonata also has the potential to win over prospective buyers with its very generous warranty coverage, which includes a 10-year/100,000-miles limited battery warranty for the Hybrid models.

2025 Subaru Legacy

Base Price: $26,810

The latest Subaru Legacy is one of the few cars similar to the Honda Accord that comes with the added benefit of all-wheel drive. While no hybrid option is available for the Subaru, nor are gas mileage figures competitive enough to match the Honda, the Subaru’s standard all-wheel drive and flat-four engines – a 2.5L naturally aspirated and 2.4L turbocharged unit – are a rare combination that make this midsize sedan stand out from Japanese, European, and American rivals. Subaru’s EyeSight Driver Assist and other advanced safety tech are featured onboard, rivaling the Honda Sensing systems in the Accord. Another victim of the diminishing sedan segment, 2025 will be the final model year for the Subaru Legacy.

2025 Volkswagen Jetta

Base Price: $22,995

One of the few European offerings on this list, the Volkswagen Jetta is also one of the more budget offerings among sedan models like the Honda Accord. Since the removal of the Volkswagen Passat from the North American market, the Jetta remains as VW’s offering among the Honda Accord’s competition. It got a midlife update for the 2025 model year, slightly refreshing the exterior light designs, adding more body color options, and new dashboard design that now includes an eight-inch touchscreen design. The Jetta doesn’t offer any hybrid option to rival the Accord Hybrid, but on the other hand, drivers eyeing a more performance-focused variant can look into the separate Jetta GLI model, which is also one of the remaining new cars on sale with a manual transmission for added enjoyment.

2025 Hyundai Elantra

Base Price: $22,125

Among cars comparable to the Honda Accord, the Hyundai Elantra is one of the cheapest options available, with a starting price for the non-hybrid Elantra below $23,000. The latest Elantra can be had with a variety of powertrains, from non-turbocharged to turbocharged four-cylinders, as well as a gasoline hybrid option. It’s especially worth highlighting the Elantra Hybrid Blue, with its very impressive gas mileage, including returning up to 54 combined mpg. Hyundai’s class-leading maintenance and warranty packages also bring further attractive selling points.

Sources: Honda, Hyundai, Lexus, Toyota, Nissan, Kia, Volvo, Volkswagen, Subaru