Accord

Make
Honda
Segment
Sedan

With the announcement of its 2021 lineup, Honda confirmed that the manual transmission option in the Accord is no longer available. The 2020 Honda Accord is the last one you can get with a stick shift, and the final remaining new examples are likely sold. Don't be too sad if you missed the last opportunity to buy an Accord with three pedals because there is always the used market.

There is no shortage of used Accords that can offer seconnd owners the chance to drive a competent sedan with a slick-shifting Honda transmission. No matter your budget, there is a manual Accord out there for you. Here's why you should buy one.

Why You Should Buy One

Regardless of its transmission, the Accord is a perennial top option in the midsize sedan market. Some generations are more handsome than others, but more often than not, the Accord feels more engaging to drive than many of its rivals. There was even a sportier coupe version offered up until 2017 if you want something more exciting to look at than a sedan. Honda's reliability track record speaks for itself, so you should not anticipate any costly repairs, even if you purchase a high-mileage example.

The Price

With a wide range of used Accord generations sitting on the used market, prices range drastically depending on the model year. You can find used manual Accords starting for less than $1,000 and hitting up to $30,000 for a near-new example with the larger 2.0T engine. Examples of the current tenth-generation Accord with a manual are now considered the last of their breed, so prices start at around $20,000. Since Honda only offered the manual on the Sport trim, we suspect these examples could hold their value better than other trims now that the manual option is gone.

The Performance

For years, Honda offered the Accord with a choice of either a four-cylinder engine or a potent V6, both of which were normally aspirated. These powertrains peaked in the ninth-generation model with 189 horsepower from the 2.4-liter four-cylinder or 286 hp from the 3.5-liter V6. In the tenth-generation, Honda dropped the V6 in favor of two turbocharged engines each with four cylinders. The 1.5-liter engine generates 192 hp while the 2.0-liter makes 252 hp. Though all Accords send power to the front wheels, the slick Honda manual transmission adds to the driving enjoyment.

The Interior

Honda's cabins rarely encroach into luxury territory, but they've always been competitive with other mainstream options. The company took a strange detour with the eighth and ninth-gen Accord models, adding multiple screens and buttons onto the dashboard before cleaning up the design for the tenth-gen model. In all generations, the Accord can go from spartan to cozy depending on the trim level, meaning there is bound to be one to suit your needs. Most Accords feature a sizable back seat and trunk, and even the Accord Coupe features usable space compared to most two-door cars.

Verdict

The Accord may not be the most exciting car on the market, but with a manual transmission, it makes for an impressively durable and enjoyable first car for a first-time driver or anyone else who enjoys driving. We particularly love the Accord Coupe V6, which is bound to become a rare unicorn as the years go on. Honda may not make an Accord with a stick shift anymore, but used examples will be enjoyed by manual lovers for years to come.