2022 Honda Accord Trim Levels, Configurations & Comparisons.

Perhaps your beloved (but definitely now vintage) Honda Accord that has fared many, many miles with you is ready to enter retirement. Or perhaps you've been driving an SUV or minivan, but the kids have grown up and gotten their own vehicles and it is time to downsize. Whatever the case may be, 2022 is prime to be a great time to buy the Honda Accord.

Let me be clear: the Accord isn't the quietest sedan around. You get a little more gusto from the engine, and some wind and road noise make their way into the otherwise pleasant cabin. Aside from that, the only real grievance to be had with the new Accord is that, like basically all of its predecessors, it sits low to the ground - and this hampers entry and exit.

The Accord is easy to live with. You get to choose between two powerful engine options that blend power with efficiency. Honda also crafts its cabin to look upscale and maximizes space as much as possible. With many standard driver aids equipped and a sporty handling performance, it should come as no surprise why Honda keeps this sedan around.

But is it the right fit for you? With six trim levels and two powertrain options to choose from, the selection might feel overwhelming. To make the decision process a bit easier, let's go over what is equipped on each of the 2022 Honda Accord's trim levels and what to expect performance-wise.

Compare the LX vs Sport Trims. What is the difference?

The first trim level in the 2022 Honda Accord line-up is the base LX. The first thing you should know about the LX is that it comes equipped with Honda's suite of driver aids, which is known as Honda Sensing. This bundles together a collision mitigation braking system, a traffic sign recognition function, a warning for lane departure, forward collision warning, a system for road departure mitigation, lane keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. The adaptive cruise control has a low-speed follow feature. Adaptive cruise control typically works well, but it will sometimes erroneously detect vehicles in a neighboring lane and not the one you're in. Also, forward collision warning tends to be a tad sensitive. Otherwise, these features work well and are helpful to have equipped.

Both the LX and Sport come with automatic high-beam headlights, but you have to upgrade to the Sport 2.0T to get the blind-spot monitoring system (and a few other handy safety features). You do get a standard multi-angle rear-view camera with dynamic guidelines, traction control with the vehicle stability assist function, brake assist, a tire pressure monitoring system, and LED daytime running lights.

Both vehicles are well stocked with infotainment features, but the Sport makes a few changes. The LX comes with a 4-speaker sound system, but the Sport has an 8-speaker system that pumps at 180 watts instead. Both trims come with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen display, Bluetooth connectivity, a radio data system, speed-sensitive volume compensation, and Honda Link. Smartphone app integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is wired. There are two 2.5-amp USB smartphone/audio ports on the front console.

The cabin is heated and cooled by a dual-zone automatic climate control system. Windows are power-operated with auto-up/down on both front windows. Push button start lets you get the Accord going, and you can use one-touch turn indicators while driving. The steering column is tilting and telescoping, making it easy to move the wheel in order to find a good driving position. You can rest your arm on the armrest atop the center console, which covers a sizable storage bin. There are plenty of beverage holders fore and aft.

A rear window defroster comes standard. Lighting is abundant with illuminated vanity mirrors on the front sun visors, map lights, and cargo area lights. The front and center consoles each feature a 12-volt power outlet. Also, there are illuminated controls mounted onto the steering wheel for easy access, day or night. The LX has illuminated power window switches on just the driver's side while the Sport expands them to the front passenger's side. The Sport also equips a main trunk switch, locking glovebox, sport pedals, and a gear shift knob and steering wheel that are wrapped in leather.

The LX's driver's seat is manually adjustable, but on the Sport, it has 12-way power-adjustability along with power-operated 4-way lumbar support for extra comfort. The LX's basic fold-down rear seatback becomes foldable with a 60/40-split on the Sport.

These two trims looks pretty similar on the outside. Both come with an aluminum hood, LED taillights and integrated brake lights, and variable intermittent windshield wipers. While the LX equips LED low-beams, the Sport gets the full LED treatment with LED headlights and fog lights. Another way you can tell them apart is that the LX's fin-style roof antenna is body-colored while the Sport's is gloss black. The Sport also has chrome exhaust finishers, a decklid spoiler done in that black glossy tone, and matching black gloss side mirrors.

As far as power goes, both get theirs from the base 1.5-L turbocharged engine (1.5T, as Honda calls it), which musters up 192 hp and 192 lb-ft of torque. It redlines at 6600 rpm and has a 10.3 :1 compression ratio. Other standard features include the Eco Assist System, Hill Start Assist, Active Noise Cancellation, and an engine immobilizer. A CVT sends power to the front wheels. The body is built with a MacPherson front strut suspension and rear multi-link suspension. The LX rides atop 17-inch silver painted alloy wheels while the Sport upgrades to 19-inch machine finished alloys that come with black inserts.

Compare the Sport vs Sport Special Edition (SE). What is the difference?

How does the Sport SE differ from the regular Sport trim level? They aren't terribly different, but there are a few upgrades to take note of. To start with, a rear seat reminder is tacked onto the list of driver-assist technology. Inside the cabin, you get a seatback pocket on the driver's side. The seats are trimmed in leather, and the front passenger's seat gains 4-way power-adjustable lumbar support.

The exterior features Smart with Walk Away Auto Lock, which will lock the vehicle as soon as the system senses you have left the vehicle. The gloss-black power side mirrors are heated, and there is an active shudder grille. Idle-stop and remote engine start round out the list of features found under the hood.

Compare the Sport Special Edition (SE) vs EX-L Trim. What is the difference?

The EX-L sits in the middle of the line-up and offers quite a few upgrades over the Sport and Sport SE. The blind-spot information system with rear cross-traffic alert comes standard, as does wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The second row gains an extra charging port that sits at 2.5 amps, plus you get access to SiriusXM, HD Radio, and a wireless charger. Also, a 10-speaker, 450-watt sound system comes standard along with its own subwoofer.

Other features that get included inside of the cabin are an auto-dimming rear-view mirror and the HomeLink remote system, which allows you to control your garage and smart electrical features in your home from the comfort of your Accord. Two-position memory is built into the driver's seat.

What differentiates the EX-L from the outside? A few things - most notably the switch back to the body-colored fin-style antenna and power side mirrors that are body-colored (and also come with integrated LED turn indicators and a heating function). You also get a one-touch power moonroof for extra ventilation, courtesy lights, and parking sensors - two up front and four in the rear. Also, the EX-L reverts back to the LX's 17 inch machine finished alloy wheels.

Compare the EX-L vs Sport 2.0T. What is the difference?

The Sport 2.0T refers to the 2.0-L turbocharged engine that powers this vehicle. It is a lot like the regular Sport, but with this major mechanical difference. Its power output is 252 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, which means it feels more powerful from the get-go. It redlines at 6800 rpm and has a 9.8 : 1 compression ratio. Remote start comes equipped. A shift-by-wire 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters delivers power to the wheels. And the wheels themselves are 19-inch versions of the machine-finished alloys with black inserts included.

As far as tech goes, the 2.0T does offer SiriusXM, HD Radio, and the wireless charger. However, it sticks with the 8-speaker sound system equipped on the Sport. Also, it comes with heated front seats, which is an upgrade from the regular Sport.

Compare the 2.0T vs Touring Trims. What is the difference?

So, how is the Touring different from the trim levels beneath it? Just how much more luxurious does it get for the Accord? Well, let's start with the safety features. The Touring gains low speed braking control and a head-up display that projects important vehicle information onto the windshield in front of the driver's eyes.

On the tech front, you get a few key upgrades. A satellite-linked built-in navigation system featuring Honda HD traffic recognition and voice control comes standard. You can also utilize the Honda Link subscription services if you so choose. WIFI hot-spot capability is also built into the Touring trim level.

Inside of the Touring's cabin, you get a select number of upgrades, including the door pull ambient lighting, heating for the rear outboard seats, and ventilated front seats.

On the exterior, the Touring gains a handful of new and upgraded features. There are windshield wipers that can sense rain, chrome-trimmed door handles, a body-colored roof-mounted antenna, chrome exhaust finishers, and side mirrors that have passenger-side reverse gear tilt-down. You also get four parking sensors up front and four in the back.

Final Thoughts

Which 2022 Honda Accord trim level is going to best meet your needs? If horsepower isn't a big deal for you, the Sport Special Edition (SE) should do just the trick. It adds a few extra features over the Sport without jacking up the price tag too much. You get keyless entry, heated front seats, and leather upholstery on this trim level, which feels quite nice for the cost.

If horsepower is a thing though, the Sport 2.0T is the way to go. It beefs up the Accord's horsepower rather significantly and equips a few extra features that you might enjoy. For someone who craves more launch power, you will get that with the 2.0-L turbo engine equipped. Plus you get the benefit of a smoothly shifting 10-speed automatic transmission.

Overall, it is hard to go wrong with the Accord. While a few more features should probably be made standard on the LX and Sport, every trim level above them gives you a pretty good deal. You get a plethora of safety features bundled in, and they all seem to work rather well. The 2022 Honda Accord is absolutely geared for the practical-minded folks out there who still want to enjoy a spunky performance.