2020 Honda Accord Trim Levels with Comparisons & Configurations.
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The 2020 Honda Accord continues the Accord's ten-generation legacy with its fuel-efficient engine options, upscale and cavernous cabin design, and seriously spunky handling. Sure, it is not the quietest mid-size sedan on the market this year, but if you get the Touring trim, its adaptive dampers doa fantastic job of smoothing out road imperfections.
Speaking of trim levels, you're probably wondering which Accord trim is the right one for you. Is the base LX enough for you? Do you need all the bells and whistles? What about the Accord's hybrid model?
Let us take a more in-depth look at each of the Accord's trim levels. By the end of this comparison review, you should have a clearer idea of which 2020 Honda Accord trim level - if any - will best fit your needs.
Compare the 2020 Honda Accord LX vs Hybrid. What is the difference?
The 2020 Honda Accord's base trim is known as the LX. While it is simply the base trim, the LX has quite a few desirable features. The LX is equipped with most Honda Sensing technology as well as active and passive safety features. The Honda Sensing bundle includes the collision mitigation system, road departure mitigation, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, and traffic sign recognition. Other safety features include automatic high-beam headlights, a rearview camera with dynamic guidelines and multiple angles, a feature that monitors your tires' pressure, LED daytime running lights, the LATCH system, braking assist, and child-proof locks on the rear doors.
The Hybrid has all of the same safety features as the LX, so don't expect to find any upgrades in that regard. You also will not find any differences in the infotainment system. Both vehicles come with a 4-speaker 160-watt sound system, a 7-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth connectivity, a radio data system, and a single 1.0-amp USB port on the front console.
There are some differences when it comes to convenience features inside the cabin. The LX and Hybrid each have a dual-zone automatic climate control system, push-button start, a tilt and telescopic steering wheel, 12-volt power outlets, and steering wheel-mounted controls that light up. However, the LX has an illuminated power window switch on the driver's side while the Hybrid gets them on both sides. The Hybrid also has a locking glove compartment and a trunk main switch.
Both of these vehicles can seat five people. The driver's seat is manually adjustable, and both rear seats can be folded down. However, the Hatchback has 60/40-split folding rear seats while the LX does not.
On the outside, the LX and Hybrid look exactly the same. They are both equipped with body-colored power-folding mirrors, a roof-mounted fin-style antenna, taillights with LED brake lights and integrated LED light bars, body-colored door handles, LED low-beam headlights, and variable intermittent windshield wipers.
Where the real difference lies is under the hood. The LX is powered by a turbocharged 1.5-L inline-4 engine that gets 192 hp and 192 lb-ft of torque. It comes with an eco assist system and engine immobilizer. The Hybrid gets a 2.0-L engine paired with an electric motor. Together, they get 212 hp. The LX is paired with a CVT to round out its powertrain. The chassis and suspension are relatively the same, aside from the Hybrid having a tire repair kit with 24-hour assistance included.
Compare the 2020 Honda Accord Hybrid vs Sport Trims. What is the difference?
The Sport trim level represents a major step up from the base LX and the Hybrid. The Sport has all of the Honda Sensing and active and passive safety features as the LX, but it has some differences when it comes to the infotainment features. It gains SMS text messaging, a 2.5-amp USB smartphone/audio port, an 8-speaker and 180-watt stereo system, and an 8-inch touchscreen display. Honda Link also gets included, as does smartphone app integration via Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The 2.0T model also gets SiriusXM Satellite Radio. This makes for quite a beefy upgrade.
But the upgrades don't end there. The interior gets sport pedals and a leather-wrapped shift knob and steering wheel. The driver's seat gains 12-way power adjustability and 4-way power-adjustable lumbar support, thereby amping up the comfort and ease of finding a good driving position behind the wheel.
The Sport's exterior gets a few nice upgrades as well. There is a body-colored decklid spoiler, LED fog lights, and chrome exhaust tips. But, of course, the biggest change is the optional 2.0 turbocharged engine. This engine gets 252 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, which is a massive boost from the 1.5-L engine. A 6-speed manual transmission comes standard, but the CVT is still an option if you do not like driving a stick.
Also take note that the Sport gets a slightly bigger stabilizer bar, bigger front brakes, and 19-inch machine-finished alloy wheels with black inserts in place of the 17-inch silver painted alloy wheels.
Compare the 2020 Honda Accord Sport vs EX Trims. What is the difference?
Not into something extra sporty? Then the EX trim level might be the right balance of sport and creature comfort. It gets some pretty nifty upgrades, including standard blind-spot monitoring with a cross-traffic monitor and a second 2.5-amp USB port (this one located on the center console). HD Radio also gets thrown into the mix.
The interior gets a few changes that separate it from the Sport. It loses the sport pedals and the leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter knob. The driver's side does get a seatback pocket, but that is about the only noticeable addition on the EX. Of course, the inclusion of heating on the front seats is a nice bonus that you might not realize is there until you check out all of the controls up front. It is a huge bonus if you live in a place with cold winters.
The outside of the EX trim level does get some of its own distinguishing characteristics. It takes the body-colored side mirrors and adds a heating function to them. Again, that is helpful when you live in a climate beleaguered by blustery winter weather. Another handy feature is smart entry with an automatic locking mechanism that is triggered when the vehicle detects you walking away. A one-touch power moonroof gets added up top and has a tilting feature. An active shutter grille gets added as well.
The 1.5-L engine still comes standard, but remote engine start gets equipped for your convenience. The 2.0-L engine is not available, but there is an option for a hybrid variant of the EX. Also, the EX rides atop 17-inch machine-finished alloy wheels.
Compare the 2020 Honda Accord EX vs EX-L Trims. What is the difference?
The EX clearly has some attractive upgrades, so what more could the EX-L possibly offer? They do happen to have all of the same safety features, but the 10-speaker 450-watt premium audio sound system is an appealing upgrade. Other additions to the interior include the Home Link universal transceiver (which allows you to control your garage door and home's electrical features from the comfort of your own vehicle) and an automatically dimming rearview mirror.
The focus here is on interior luxury. The driver's seat gains two-position memory capabilities. The passenger's seat also gains 4-way power adjustability. Of course, the most noticeable difference is the leather-trimmed seats, which represent a real shift toward luxury.
The only real change on the outside is that the side mirrors gain integrated LED turn indicators. Other than that, the EX and EX-L trim levels look pretty much the same. Again, the real changes are on the inside.
Compare the 2020 Honda Accord EX-L vs Touring Trims. What is the difference?
The line-topping Touring trim level is, of course, the most feature-packed trim of the bunch. It takes the luxury vibe that the EX-L introduces and ups the ante a little bit. The Touring trim level adds the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System (which comes with voice recognition and HD digital traffic), Honda Link subscription services, WiFi hot spot capability, a wireless phone charger, and near field communication.
On the interior, the Touring trim level gains door pull ambient lighting. Also, there is ventilation for the front seats, which can feel nice during the warm summer months. However, aside from that, the Touring and EX-L appear to be very similar on the inside.
The Touring's body does get a few changes in its details. The door handles get chrome added to them, and the Touring has the Sport's chrome exhaust finishers. The windshield wipers gain rain-sensing capability. There are also LED headlights with automatic on/off functionality, courtesy lights, body-colored parking sensors for both the front and rear of the vehicle, and side mirror that have reverse gear tilt-down.
The biggest difference between the EX-L and the Touring is that the Touring has the 2.0T engine as standard but does not offer the 1.5T as an option. As with the EX and EX-L, the Touring does have a hybrid variant that is available. The Touring has a 10-speed automatic transmission that nets this trim level the lowest fuel economy of the line-up. The Touring gets 26 mpg combined with 22 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway. There is an adaptive damper system that helps to smooth out the vehicle's ride quality.
Which Trim to Choose?
It is quite obvious that the 2020 Honda Accord's line-up offers quite a few different options. Trying to choose the one that is right for you might feel a little intimidating. Should you go with the base trim? The line-topping Touring trim? Should you consider getting one of the hybrid variants? It sure is a lot to consider.
There is one trim level that tends to get recommended above the rest, and that is the EX. It makes for a nice middle of the road option. You do not have to spend as much as you would on the Touring, and there are a good number of features that get included on the EX trim level. In fact, it has just about everything that you could ask for without going over the top. The addition of the blind spot monitoring system is a huge bonus, as this feature can really come in handy and helps to keep you safe while on the road.
The Touring trim is nice if you can afford it as it borders on being a luxury vehicle, and the Sport can be a fun one to drive. The base LX trim is the most affordable and is well-equipped for a base trim level, but it might feel a bit too basic for some drivers. And the EX-L does not add a whole lot more than what you get on the EX. That is why the EX is the trim level to buy if you are going to go for the 2020 Honda Accord. And, no matter which trim level you choose, you will be getting a solid vehicle.