The Honda Accord has been one of the best-selling midsize sedans for years, and for good reason. If you’re looking to buy an Accord for your family, you’re probably wondering how the Honda Accord LX vs EX compare. The LX is the base trim of the Accord, while the EX is the next level up. And although the main features that make an Accord what it is are the same, there can be quite a difference between the LX and EX.
The Honda Accord has long been a symbol of reliability and practicality. There are six trim levels available for the 2023 Accord, and the LX and EX are the two most affordable trim levels. In this blog post, we’ll compare the Honda Accord LX vs EX in terms of pricing, safety features, interior features, exterior features, and engine performance. Plus we’ll tell you how you can save money on an Accord and still get the luxury interior of your dreams.
Honda Accord LX vs EX
The Accord’s popularity stems from its well-earned reputation for reliability and resale value, among many other positive features. With comprehensive safety features, a comfortable interior, and a diverse range of trim levels to fit various budgets, there’s an Accord for just about everyone. By balancing quality and value, as well as a healthy commitment to innovation, the Accord is an appealing choice for new and used car buyers.
Both the LX and the EX come with spacious seating and a comfortable interior. So how do the Honda Accord LX vs EX compare? The LX is the base trim level of the Honda Accord, which means that it comes with the lowest price tag but the least amount of features. The EX has more bells and whistles, but with that comes an added price.
Safety Features
One of the reasons the Accord is such a popular family vehicle is because of the number of safety features it offers. In fact, one of the goals of the Honda company is for zero collision fatalities involving Honda vehicles by 2050. The 2023 Accord takes this goal seriously, which is why it was awarded the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) TOP Safety Pick +.
According to Honda, all Honda vehicles, including the Accord, come with their “Advanced Compatibility Engineering” body structure. Essentially, the way the body of the Accord is designed protects occupants in a number of collision types. Plus, pre-tensioning front seatbelts and airbags for the front, side, knee, and side curtain all help protect both the driver and the front passenger. Both the LX and the EX come with top-of-the-line safety features to protect occupants in case of a crash.
Driver Assist Differences
While both the LX and the EX are designed to be supremely safe, they differ slightly when it comes to driver-assist technology. The LX comes standard with Honda’s suite of driver assistance technology called Honda Sensing. When activated, Honda Sensing can assist with steering and braking as well as alert you to obstacles. Essentially, it keeps you on the road, in your lane and helps you stop in time. Other driver assist features include a multi-angle rearview camera and adaptive cruise control, which can adjust your speed to maintain a preset distance between you and the car in front.
The EX comes with the standard safety features of the LX, plus an added Blind-Spot Information System with Cross Traffic Monitoring. The Blind-Spot monitoring feature alerts you if there’s a vehicle in your blind spot. This makes changing lanes much safer. The Cross Traffic Monitoring helps when you’re backing up, beeping if there’s a vehicle coming behind you.
Price Difference
Another area where there is a big difference between the Honda Accord LX vs EX is in the pricing. As the base model, the LX trim is the more affordable option. The price starts at an MSRP of $27,295. On the other hand, the EX is the next-higher tier, with more premium features. The starting price of the EX is $29,060. Of course, depending on the dealership, taxes, fees, and add-ons, prices for a 2023 Honda Accord can differ from the manufacturer’s suggested retail price.
Interior Differences
The inside of your vehicle is where you’ll be spending a ton of time, whether it’s commuting to work or chaperoning your kids from activity to activity. So it’s pretty important that you consider the features of your Accord’s interior.
The LX, while still offering a comfortable cabin, has a more utilitarian interior than the EX. The seats are made of cloth and manually adjustable. It comes with a basic 4-speaker, 180-watt audio system, and a 7-inch color touchscreen with both Apple Carplay and Android Auto compatibility. All models of the Honda Accord come with a digital instrument cluster as well as a dash trim with an attractive honeycomb design. The rear seats of the LX do fold down, but it’s all or nothing. If you need to fold down the seats, you won’t be able to tote any passengers in the rear.
While the EX is a higher-trim level than the LX, it still comes with cloth seats and a 7-inch touchscreen. However, more interior features make the EX worth the extra cost. With heated front seats and a power driver’s seat, you get an even more comfortable ride (as long as you’re the driver). A one-touch power moonroof lets you see the stars, and the dual-zone automatic climate control gives your passenger control over their comfort. The 8-speaker, 180-watt audio system adds even better sound to the EX. Additionally, the rear bench can be split 60/40 in case you need more cargo space while also bringing rear passengers along for the ride.
Exterior Differences
The Honda Accord was redesigned for 2023, marking the model’s 11th generation. With this redesign comes the Accord’s most elegant and sophisticated design. When it comes to exterior features, both the LX and the EX are almost exactly the same. The lower trims of the vehicle come with fully LED headlights and 17-inch wheels with taller side walls that help with the comfort of the ride. The trunk is self-opening and comes with a cargo capacity of 16.7 cubic feet with all seats in place. The only real difference between the Honda Accord LX vs EX is the side mirror. The EX comes with heated side mirrors that will melt frost. For the LX, you’ll just have to scrape your side mirrors in order to drive safely.
Engine Performance
According to Car and Driver, both the LX and the EX come equipped with the same engine: a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine that produces 192 hp and 192 lb-ft of torque. This may not be the most astounding output, but Motor Trend calls it “appropriately powerful for the car.” Both trims are accompanied by a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), and FWD is the only choice for all 2023 models.
When it comes to fuel economy, both the LX and EX come with an EPA estimate of 32 mpg combined. The higher trim levels get a hybrid powertrain with even better fuel economy of 48 mpg combined, but 32 mpg is nothing to sneeze at, especially with gas prices these days.
With the same engine, both the EX and LX managed to go from zero to 60 in 7.3 seconds. While this doesn’t even compare to the capabilities of certain muscle cars, it’s really not a bad time for a family car.
How to Get A Luxury Interior for Less
The Honda Accord is known for its affordability and reliability. But if you want a luxurious interior, the EX and LX trim levels are probably not what you have in mind. In order to get a leather interior, you have to go all the way up to the EX-L Hybrid, which starts at $32,990, or around $5700 more than the LX. For budget-conscious buyers, there’s still a way to upgrade to leather seats without the extra costs of higher trim levels.
With Katzkin, you can customize the interior of your Accord EX or LX for less than the cost of a higher trim level. Katzkin offers high-quality automotive leather that is made to fit your seats precisely. Because Katzkin seats are installed by a professional, you get a fit as good as the factory finish. Plus, Katkin gives you hundreds of options for your interior: from a multitude of colors to designs and finishes that will truly transform your vehicle.
