2026 Honda Accord EX-L Review: Specs, Price, and How It Compares

The EX-L's 51 city / 44 highway / 48 combined EPA ratings are noticeably higher than the Sport, Sport-L, and Touring hybrids, which all rate 46 city / 41 highway / 44 combined. That 4-MPG combined gap is meaningful over time: a driver covering 15,000 miles annually would consume fewer gallons per year in the EX-L than in any other Accord trim. The gas-powered LX and SE, by comparison, rate 29–32 MPG combined — roughly two-thirds the efficiency of the EX-L. The difference comes down to powertrain tuning; both the EX-L and the Sport-family hybrids use the same two-motor hybrid-electric setup, but Honda's calibration for the EX-L produces a measurably better efficiency result.

The Accord lineup runs from the gas-powered LX at $28,395 through the Touring at $39,495. The EX-L at $35,095 is the fourth of six trims and the second-least-expensive hybrid option, undercutting the Sport-L by $400. That positioning is unusual: typically a higher-content trim costs more and trades some efficiency for features. Here, the EX-L actually outperforms the pricier Sport-L on EPA ratings while costing less. Shoppers choosing between the two should weigh whether the Sport-L's additional content justifies that $400 premium given the EX-L's fuel economy advantage. The Touring, at $4,400 more than the EX-L, shares the Sport-family's lower 44 combined MPG rating.

The EX-L is assembled in the United States and seats five with 16.7 cubic feet of cargo space — identical figures across every trim in the lineup. Honda covers it with a 3-year / 36,000-mile basic warranty, a 5-year / 60,000-mile powertrain warranty, and a 5-year / unlimited-mile rust-through warranty. One year or 12,000 miles of complimentary maintenance is included. The powertrain warranty on the hybrid system is the same as on the gas trims, so there's no added coverage for the electrified components beyond the standard terms. Roadside assistance runs concurrent with the basic warranty at 3 years / 36,000 miles.

The 2026 Accord EX-L is the fuel economy leader of the lineup at 48 MPG combined, and at $35,095 it costs less than the Sport-L while posting better efficiency numbers. For a buyer whose priority is minimizing fuel costs in a midsize sedan, the EX-L makes a straightforward case on the numbers alone.