Is a Used Honda Accord a Good First Car? Here’s What to Know
There’s a first time for everything—and that includes getting your first vehicle. We know from experience that joining these ranks is simultaneously exciting and stressful. Part of the challenge is deciding what car to buy. Experts recommend getting a vehicle that’s affordable, reliable, and forgiving for what is most likely a relatively inexperienced driver. At the same time, you don’t want it to be a car that’s so barebones and behind the times that you dread driving it.
Finding a used Honda Accord for sale at Eskridge Honda may be the right choice for you or a family member who’s looking for a good first car. This midsize sedan is known for finding the balance between practicality and forward-thinking, so people of all experience levels and budgets will feel empowered getting behind the wheel. Here are some reasons why you should consider a used Honda Accord when shopping for a first-time car.
The Accord Is Easy to Drive
As fun as a sports car, SUV, or truck might be down the road, they’re often not the best maiden voyage. Jumping straight into one can be a steep learning curve and increase the risk of accidents. The Honda Accord, on the other hand, has been designed to make it easy to learn the ropes. They have good power and torque, but not so much that the car will jump away from you if you stomp the gas. The automatic transmissions offer smooth shifting—and many used Accords are available with a manual transmission if you want to learn this technique for a later high-end machine.
Honda also gives the Accord a solid suspension and responsive electric power steering, giving drivers sufficient road feedback without being overwhelming. The interior is also easy to navigate with steering wheel controls, intuitive screens, different driving modes, and other features drivers can select on the fly. New car owners can focus on the road instead of wrestling with the vehicle or figuring out what buttons to press.
Hondas Are Known for Reliability
From the beginning, Honda’s reputation has been built in part on vehicles that last. The Accord is no exception, winning countless reliability awards. As far back as the mid-2000s, the Accord was topping lists of the most reliable vehicles, and it’s a big reason why the vehicle has made the Car and Driver 10Best list nearly 40 times.[a] Honda takes reliability seriously, and this is evident in its continuous accolades from the automotive press.
The consensus is that a well-maintained Honda Accord can go between 200,000 and 300,000 miles total. This means even older Accords like the ninth generation (2013-17) and eighth generation (2008-12) have a lot of miles left in them, making them more attractive as a first car. Some travel even farther—we’ve read multiple reports of Accords topping half a million miles on the odometer with the original powertrain intact.
They’re Fuel Efficient Yet Spacious
Experienced car owners know efficiency and comfort are often a balancing act. Smaller, lighter vehicles burn less fuel, which is good for a budget-minded first car—but they can be a tight squeeze, especially for tall people. As a midsize sedan, the Honda Accord walks this tightrope quite well. For example, a 2018 Accord offers an EPA-estimated 30 MPG in the city and 38 MPG on the highway.[b] Its hybrid counterpart provides an astonishing EPA-estimated 47 MPG for both city and highway traversal.[b]
Drivers won’t feel cramped, either, with more than enough front legroom to extend their legs. When you’re ready to bring some passengers, the Accord has a lot more second-row legroom than a compact like its Civic sibling—plus there’s more cargo room for college suitcases, holiday gifts, music gear, or sports equipment.
The Accord Has Excellent Safety Ratings
Whether you’re a novice car owner or a concerned parent, a good, safe vehicle is a must. The Honda Accord is designed with safety and protection in mind. It’s designed with well-placed airbags and crumple zones to absorb impacts if an accident occurs. Honda developed an advanced Vehicle Stability Assist system for the Accord back in 2008 with anti-lock brakes, traction control, and other ways to keep drivers in command. Honda was also at the forefront of driver assistance technology, debuting the Honda Sensing suite in 2016 with an evolving set of features.
Experts agree these efforts have had an impact. The last four generations of the Honda Accord received five-star overall safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).[c] Recent model years have also gotten a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).[d]
The Infotainment Tech Is Top-Notch
Although a first car puts functionality first, a few goodies are still nice to have—and some enhance that function for a better driving experience. Along with safety technology, the Honda Accord has also led the way in infotainment technology. Even older generations of the Accord have technology like Bluetooth wireless, Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, USB audio, and SiriusXM radio, which are considered essential today. You can even get satellite-based navigation, Wi-Fi hotspots, HD Radio, and wireless phone charging on many used Honda Accords. It’ll be much less expensive than adding those same features to a new car, letting first-time owners splurge a little and have a vehicle they’re proud of.
It’s Easy to Find Parts and Technicians
For a first vehicle, getting a car that’s easy to maintain is a smart play. A vintage muscle car or special-edition coupe will have the style and curb appeal a youngster craves, but parts can be difficult to track down and are often pricey, too. The same goes for finding someone to install them. The Honda Accord, on the other hand, is a relatively easy vehicle to repair, and its parts are easy to find.
When you add the reliability we talked about, that means there are a lot of vehicles to choose from—and plenty of affordable parts, too. Furthermore, Honda still trains certified technicians such as those at Eskridge Honda to work on the older generations because so many are on the road. You’ll never have an issue getting the oil changed or replacing tires and sensors—and teaching a young driver how to do certain maintenance tasks can be a great bonding experience.
Start Your Honda Accord Journey With Our First Time Buyer Program
The Honda Accord offers just about everything a beginner car owner could want when they’re about to sign on the dotted line. It’s not just a placeholder car, either; the Accord is a vehicle someone can happily drive for years.
At Eskridge Honda, we make it even easier to own a used Honda Accord with the First Time Buyer Program. Lack of credit can be an obstacle for many first-time vehicle buyers—but not with us. All you need is one year of service at your current job, a $1,000 down payment, and 30 seconds to fill out an application. We’ll help you find a great rate from our network of local and national lenders, securing the right Honda Accord for you and helping build credit for future vehicles or other major life purchases. You’ll never forget your first vehicle, so give us a call or stop by Monday through Saturday to talk about making that vehicle a Honda Accord and enjoying those memories.
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