The Best Year For The Honda Accord
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Since the 1980s, the Honda Accord has been one of the most commercially successful cars in the United States. The Honda Accord is a midsize car that delivers in terms of convenience, driving dynamics, reliability, and value proposition – it’s hard to go wrong with an Accord, even if you’re planning to buy a used model.
With many decades worth of model years, choosing the best year for the Honda Accord can be daunting. We considered numerous factors like vehicle history, reliability issues, price, noteworthy specs, and safety features for this pick. After careful deliberation, our pick for the best Honda Accord year is the 2012 model.
Is the 2012 model the best Honda Accord year and is it worth buying used? Keep reading to know if the 2012 Accord is worth ending up on your shortlist.
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2012 Is the Best Year for Honda Accord
For the most part, most models of the Honda Accord have excellent reliability scores except for the 2003, 2004, and 2008 models – primarily due to significant mechanical woes like transmission issues. The 2012 Honda Accord offered an outstanding balance of reliability, good safety ratings, and engaging driving dynamics.
Furthermore, the 2012 Honda Accord is an affordable midsize car that you can get for less than $20k, with higher mileage vehicles costing below $10k. If you’re looking for a used car that will serve you well in the coming years with little to no issues, the 2012 Accord is a solid choice.
How Much is the 2012 Honda Accord?
According to Truecar.com, the average price of a used 2012 Honda Accord is between $4,995 and $21,998. Since the 2012 Accord is a decade old, you can find many affordable used models in the marketplace – perfect for used car buyers on a tight budget.
For the most basic driving duties, the base 2012 Accord should meet most of the buyer’s needs. One of the most affordable used 2012 Accord we’ve found is an LX Automatic model with 206k miles for about $6,700. Meanwhile, an entry-level 2012 Accord LX with a relatively low mileage of 74,000 can be yours for only $13,789.
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Meanwhile, the EX-L trim adds various features, such as dual front air conditioning zones, USB auxiliary input, power adjustable lumbar support, a dimming rearview mirror, heated seats, and a moonroof. You can find a 2012 Honda Accord EX-L with 97k miles for about $10,500. On the other hand, the same model with only 78k miles on the odometer is available for $14,999.
Lastly, the higher-end EX-L V6 comes with heated front seats, driver’s seat memory controls, a 7-speaker sound system, one-touch windows, and a 3.5-liter V6 engine. One of the best listings we’ve found is an EX-L V6 with 133k miles for only $8,499. Meanwhile, a lower mileage unit with 58k miles can be yours for $17,437.
The Specs of the 2012 Honda Accord
Like many of its iterations, the 2012 Honda Accord delivers the qualities that matter the most in this particular segment. Sizable cabin dimensions, good fuel efficiency, engaging driving dynamics, and proven reliability – just to name a few.
Under the hood, the LX, LX-P, and SE sedans have the 2.4-liter inline-4 engine that cranks out 177 hp and 161 lb-ft of torque, while the coupe LX-S and all EX models are powered by a modified version of the same engine with 190 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque. The upper EX and EX-L trims have an available 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces an impressive 271 hp and 254 lb-ft of torque, with an acceleration of 0-60 mph in 7 seconds.
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The interior is a mixed bag. Honda always sets the standard for smart space management, and the 2012 Accord is no exception. Passenger and cargo spaces are both spacious, especially in the rear seats. On the other hand, the cabin of the 2012 Accord looks and feels low-rent, no thanks to the various hard plastics peppered throughout the cabin. Design is also seriously lacking, as the cabin looks plain and dull overall.
In terms of fuel economy, the base 4-cylinder engine delivers an impressive 23 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 26 combined. For the older models, 2012 is the best Honda Accord year in fuel economy.
2012 Honda Accord Reliability and Recalls
According to RepairPal, the Honda Accord has an overall reliability score of 4.5 out of 5.0, making it the most reliable model out of all midsize cars. In addition, the annual repair cost is impressively low at only $400 and only 0.3 times per year for unscheduled repairs.
Over at CarComplaints.com, the 2012 Honda Accord has 239 NHTSA complaints. The top three reliability issues of the 2012 Accord are as follows:
- Uncomfortable seats
- Slipping transmission
- Hesitates when accelerating
As of this writing, the 2012 Honda Accord has 8 safety recalls, all involving incorrectly installed airbags.
2012 Honda Accord Safety Features and Ratings
The NHTSA gave the 2012 Accord a safety rating of 5 stars out of 5. Meanwhile, the IIHS tested the 2012 Accord’s crashworthiness and was rated “Good” across all categories.
Being an older model, don’t expect the 2012 Accord to have modern safety and driver assistance features. However, it does have various standard safety features like anti-lock brakes, stability control, anti-whiplash head restraints, and a key security system. Nothing too fancy, but the Accord offers enough features to keep drivers safe.
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Other Honda Accord Years to Consider
Overall, all models after 2012 are good options for Honda Accord buyers. In particular, according to owner satisfaction and overall reliability, the 2013 and 2015 models are considered some of the best Accord models in recent years.
For a newer model, it’s hard to go wrong with the 2019 Accord, which received a 10⁄10 from CarAndDriver. With the 2019 model, Honda has not only ironed out the kinks with earlier Accords but also included an updated infotainment system (finally!). Another best Honda Accord year you’ll want to check out is the 2021 Accord, which excels with its peppy engines, nimble handling, and excellent driving experience.
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