The Honda Accord 2.0T Is The Sleeper You Weren’t Expecting

With a detuned Civic Type R engine under the bonnet and a short-throw manual gearbox, the latest addition to the Accord range makes an interesting family car

Matt Kimberley

Updated: 12 Sep 2024

The Honda Accord 2.0T Is The Sleeper You Weren’t Expecting

Honda in the US has launched a new version of the Accord, and it looks a lot like the sort of family car we can engage with.

Under the bonnet of the Accord 2.0T is essentially the same engine as you’ll find in the latest (and totally brilliant) Civic Type R. There’s a smaller turbocharger for lower inertia and faster response at lower revs, but the point stands.

You get 252bhp out of it, which is enough to shift the family saloon (or sedan, if you’re American) along pretty nicely, we’d imagine. It’s bolstered by – nerdy fact alert – the highest torque output ever for an Accord. It’s 273lb ft, if you’re wondering.

We don’t have official performance stats for the car, but we don’t think a 0-60mph time of around seven seconds is going to be too far wide of the mark, gearing permitting. We’d take this over what the Americans call a minivan, any time, if we needed family transport for five. Who really needs luggage anyway…?

It’s yours with a “short throw” six-speed manual gearbox or Honda’s latest 10(!)-speed automatic. It’s said to return a realistic 27 US miles per gallon on average, which is 32.4mpg in British.

Elsewhere the $30,310 (plus destination and handling) car is very safe, very clever and very luxurious. Neat new near field communication-based automatic Bluetooth connection joins the likes of a 12-way electric driver’s seat, connected car tech and a six-inch head-up display.

Comments

They should make an Accord Type-R!

Would be great to revive the ATR

A spiritual successor to the old Euro-R with K20A Type R engine? Sign me up for one lol

And sell it in America this time!

Planning on getting this car soon…Honda accord sport with 2 litre turbo and 6 speed manual. Looks even better in person. Has all the right features.

This is a family sedan with a manual. Absolutely fantastic

I’m not too big a fan of this car to be honest. It’s missing the V6. That V6 was the defining factor that made me fall in love with the Accord. It’s also missing a 2 door version. That kind of phases out the point of the Accord. I saw it as a sporty and muscley alternative to the Civic.
By the way, the Accord with the 2.0T is faster to 60 than the 9th generation Accord V6 Coupe. STILL MISSING THE V6 THOUGH.

The Accord (for me) is hardly the type of car that is defined by it’s engine in terms of smoothness like a Mercedes would be. It’s a relatively cheap saloon with a lot of space and if lucky and engineers made some sporting chassis/suspension mods could be a nice alternative for family oriented sporty driving. A V6 is not necessary for that, you just need a potent powerplant with good throttle response and a healthy midrange. I think powertrain wise this car is just right.

I feel like this is an interesting move for Honda to build a car like this. On one hand, they just canceled production of the Accord Coupe, which could have opened it up to a larger market. Making it as just a sedan could hamper sales but it may encourage these consumers to spend a little more to get themselves a more expensive Civic Type R.

The reason they killed off the Accord Coupe is because nobody is buying them. I talked to my Honda dealership about it. They have 6 very very lightly hail damaged Accord Coupes (they have like 2 extremely small dents each). They’re selling them for $10k-$15k BELOW MSRP. And nobody’s bought them. You can have a BRAND NEW Accord V6 Coupe for $20k-$25k (my dad can get it for $15k).

Kinda was..

Ooh, no one made the obvious and overdone joke? That means I get the title of first person to say the overdone joke! VTEC KICKED IN YO

Good mileage, room for the family, built by Honda, 6 spd manual, plenty of horses and torque to fling about, and decently cheap…what’s not to love about this car?