The 2018 Accord comes in two body styles with five trim levels in each
The 2018 Honda Accord is built as either a four-door sedan or a two-door coupe. Within each body style, Honda offers five trim levels: LX, Sport, EX, EX-L, and Touring. The sedan is the more common choice and has a larger back seat; the coupe is sportier to drive but has less rear legroom. Your choice of body style determines which features are available, and your trim level determines which of those features come standard.
The LX is the base model in both body styles and comes with the essentials — air conditioning, power windows and locks, and a basic infotainment system. As you move up through Sport, EX, EX-L, and Touring, you gain features like leather seats, a sunroof, a more powerful sound system, and advanced safety technology. The jump between trims is usually a few hundred dollars, but the features you gain vary depending on which body style you choose.
Key Takeaways
- The 2018 Accord comes as a sedan (four doors) or coupe (two doors), and this choice affects interior space and available features.
- Both body styles offer five trim levels — LX, Sport, EX, EX-L, and Touring — each adding more comfort and technology features.
- The sedan has more back-seat room and is better for families; the coupe is lighter and more responsive to drive.
- Engine options depend on trim level: the LX and Sport come with a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine, while EX and above offer a 2.0-liter turbocharged or a 3.5-liter V6 option.
- Transmission choices are either a continuously variable transmission (CVT) or a six-speed manual, depending on trim and engine selection.
Sedan vs. coupe: which body style fits your needs
The sedan is the practical choice. It has four full-size doors, a larger trunk, and significantly more rear legroom — about 38 inches of back-seat legroom compared to the coupe's 33 inches. If you regularly carry passengers or need cargo space, the sedan is the better fit. It also tends to hold its value slightly better because more buyers choose it.
The coupe appeals to drivers who prioritize handling and appearance over practicality. It weighs about 100 pounds less than the sedan, which makes it feel more responsive in turns. The two-door design gives it a sportier profile, and some drivers prefer the tighter, more connected driving feel. The coupe's trunk is smaller and the back seat is cramped, so it works best for single drivers or couples who rarely carry passengers in back.
Engine and transmission options by trim level
The LX and Sport trims come standard with a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 174 horsepower. This engine pairs with either a continuously variable transmission (CVT) for automatic driving or a six-speed manual transmission if you want to shift gears yourself. The manual is available only on the Sport trim in both sedan and coupe.
The EX, EX-L, and Touring trims give you two engine choices. You can stick with the 1.5-liter turbo, or you can upgrade to a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 252 horsepower. There is also a 3.5-liter V6 option on the Touring trim that produces 278 horsepower and is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The 2.0-liter turbo and V6 engines come only with the CVT; there is no manual option for these powertrains.
Fuel economy varies by engine choice. The 1.5-liter turbo achieves around 30 to 33 miles per gallon on the highway depending on transmission type. The 2.0-liter turbo drops to around 26 to 28 mpg highway, and the V6 sits at approximately 25 to 26 mpg highway. Real-world numbers depend on driving habits and conditions.
What features come standard at each trim level
The LX sedan and coupe include air conditioning, power windows and locks, a rearview camera, and a 5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You also get Honda Sensing, which is Honda's suite of safety features including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping information, and collision mitigation braking.
The Sport trim adds a sport-tuned suspension, 18-inch alloy wheels (up from 16-inch steel on the LX), a sunroof, and a more aggressive exterior design. Inside, you get a larger 7-inch touchscreen and a six-speaker audio system instead of the LX's four speakers.
The EX adds leather-trimmed seats, heated front seats, a power driver's seat, and a dual-zone automatic climate control system. The infotainment system gains a backup camera with guidelines and Bluetooth audio streaming. The exterior gets LED headlights and fog lights.
The EX-L includes everything from the EX plus a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a power moonroof (larger than the Sport's sunroof), and a premium 10-speaker audio system. The back seat gains heated seats on the sedan.
The Touring is the top trim and adds navigation built into the infotainment system, a power rear window on the sedan, and additional exterior chrome trim. On the sedan, you also get a power trunk lid. The Touring is the only trim that offers the 3.5-liter V6 engine.
Sedan trim comparison table
| Trim Level | Engine Options | Transmission | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| LX | 1.5L Turbo | CVT or Manual | Rearview camera, 5-inch touchscreen, Honda Sensing |
| Sport | 1.5L Turbo | CVT or Manual | Sport suspension, 18-inch wheels, sunroof, 7-inch touchscreen |
| EX | 1.5L or 2.0L Turbo | CVT | Leather seats, heated front seats, LED headlights, backup camera |
| EX-L | 1.5L or 2.0L Turbo | CVT | Power moonroof, heated rear seats, 10-speaker audio, leather steering wheel |
| Touring | 1.5L, 2.0L Turbo, or 3.5L V6 | CVT | Navigation, power trunk, premium audio, additional chrome trim |
Coupe trim comparison table
| Trim Level | Engine Options | Transmission | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| LX | 1.5L Turbo | CVT or Manual | Rearview camera, 5-inch touchscreen, Honda Sensing |
| Sport | 1.5L Turbo | CVT or Manual | Sport suspension, 18-inch wheels, sunroof, 7-inch touchscreen |
| EX | 1.5L or 2.0L Turbo | CVT | Leather seats, heated front seats, LED headlights, backup camera |
| EX-L | 1.5L or 2.0L Turbo | CVT | Power moonroof, 10-speaker audio, leather steering wheel |
| Touring | 1.5L, 2.0L Turbo, or 3.5L V6 | CVT | Navigation, premium audio, additional chrome trim |
How to narrow down your choice
Start by deciding between sedan and coupe based on how you use the car. If you need back-seat space or a larger trunk, the sedan is the clear choice. If you drive alone most of the time and want a sportier feel, the coupe makes sense.
Next, think about engine power and fuel economy. The 1.5-liter turbo is efficient and adequate for most driving. The 2.0-liter turbo gives you noticeably more power if you want quicker acceleration or plan to tow. The V6 is the most powerful but uses the most fuel and is only available on the Touring sedan.
For trim level, the EX is often considered the sweet spot — it adds leather and heated seats without the premium price of the EX-L or Touring. If you want the manual transmission, you are limited to the LX or Sport. If you want navigation, you must go to the Touring. Write down which features matter most to you, then check which trim level includes them all.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get a manual transmission on the EX or higher trims?
No. The manual transmission is available only on the LX and Sport trims, and only with the 1.5-liter turbocharged engine. All EX, EX-L, and Touring models use the continuously variable transmission.
What is the difference between the sunroof on the Sport and the moonroof on the EX-L?
The Sport's sunroof is a smaller panel that tilts and slides open. The EX-L's moonroof is larger and typically has a tinted glass panel that lets light in even when closed. The moonroof also usually has a power shade. Both let in light and air, but the moonroof is a more premium feature.
Is the 2.0-liter turbo worth the extra cost over the 1.5-liter?
That depends on your driving style. The 1.5-liter is sufficient for highway and city driving and gets better fuel economy. The 2.0-liter turbo accelerates noticeably faster and is better if you frequently merge on highways or want more passing power. The difference in price is usually $1,500 to $2,000.
Does the sedan have significantly more trunk space than the coupe?
Yes. The sedan trunk holds 16.7 cubic feet, while the coupe trunk holds 11.6 cubic feet. If you regularly carry luggage, sports equipment, or groceries, the sedan's extra space is noticeable.
Which trim level has the best value?
The EX is often the best value because it adds leather seats, heated seats, and LED headlights for a moderate price increase over the Sport. The Touring adds navigation and a power trunk, but the cost jump is larger. The LX and Sport are better if you want to minimize price.