Honda Accord Review in Saudi Arabia: Is the Sedan Still Relevant in 2026?

Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia’s sedan market has been highly popular and dynamic, with many marquee brands fighting it out in this competitive segment. While sedans overall remain popular among the mass market, SUVs are becoming the name of the game. Among the popular badges, Honda’s Accord has been a midsize sedan staple for decades, but as it enters 2026, it seems to be finally facing the realities of the market.

However, the shift in the market towards SUVs has increasingly attracted even budget-conscious buyers away from traditional sedans. But not all is lost; sedans still account for over 50% of Saudi vehicle sales, making the Kingdom one of the few places where four-door saloons remain genuinely popular. The Accord has always been known for its turbo power, hybrid efficiency, and Honda's legendary reliability. But the popularity of hybrids has pushed the prices a little too high, racing near to several compact SUVs. It doesn’t raise any doubt about the Accord as a quality car; it certainly is. The question is whether buyers still want what it offers.

What You Get: Key Specifications

Turbo Petrol (1.5L):

• Power: 192 hp, 260 Nm torque
• Transmission: CVT automatic
• Fuel Economy: 17.3 km/l
• 0-100 km/h: 7.5 seconds

Hybrid System (2.0L):

• Combined Power: 204 hp, 335 Nm torque
• Transmission: e-CVT automatic
• Fuel Economy: 24.9 km/l
• 0-100 km/h: 7.1 seconds

Standard Features Across Range:

• 12.3-inch touchscreen 
• Wireless Apple CarPlay
• Dual-zone climate control
• LED headlights (2025 update)
• 473 litres of trunk space
• The Honda Sensing safety suite

The exterior got subtle updates for 2025: sleeker LED headlights, a bolder front grille, and refined lines. Materials feel upscale without being flashy.

Variants and Pricing

Variant	Engine	Price (SAR)
1.5T LX	1.5L Turbo	115,000
1.5T EX	1.5L Turbo	135,000
1.5T EX-L	1.5L Turbo	155,000
2.0L Hybrid Sport	2.0L Hybrid	165,000
2.0L Hybrid EX-L	2.0L Hybrid	185,000

Five variants split between turbo gasoline and hybrid powertrains. The price range puts it above most sedan competitors and into compact SUV territory.

Why Choose the Accord: What Sets It Apart

Feature	Accord Advantage	Why It Matters
Hybrid Efficiency	24.9 km/l vs 14-16 km/l rivals	Save SAR 15,000+ over 5 years
Rear Legroom	Beats most compact SUVs	Three adults fit comfortably
Driving Dynamics	More engaging than SUVs	Lighter, more responsive handling
Build Quality	Premium feel, tight panel gaps	Feels more expensive than it is
Hybrid Smoothness	Seamless gas-electric transition	Runs purely electric in city traffic

The Turbo Engine Experience is known

The 1.5-litre turbo offers 192 hp and is known to respond quickly while being smooth at the same time. It's undoubtedly punchy enough for highway driving with confidence, and you don’t compromise on efficiency. Honda has worked on the CVT, so it no longer shows the rubber-band feel like the earlier versions. The light steering helps a lot in crowded roads and also makes parking effortless and weights up nicely at speed.

The Hybrid System Advantage

One big advantage that makes the Accords truly shine is their hybrid system. Unlike many hybrids that feel compromised, the Accord drives seamlessly; especially the transition between gas and electric happens so quietly and smoothly, totally unnoticeably. In crowded cities in Saudi traffic, it runs purely electric for extended periods, while on the highways, the petrol engine takes over without any trouble at all. What surprises you is the instant torque the electric motor makes, and it feels quicker than the numbers suggest.

Interior Space and Comfort

Another comfortable feature is the generous space and elegant design. This is an area in the rear, which is just great, much better than many SUVs. Three adults have ample legroom and are comfortable even for longer drives, and the seats provide good support without being overly firm. The visibility is clear thanks to slim pillars and large windows. And to help you carry all your stuff, the cabin storage is practical, with deep door pockets, a useful centre console, and cupholders that hold large bottles.

Practical Technology 

The cockpit gets a 12.3-inch screen that responds quickly without lag, and the wireless charging works with most phones. The digital display shows information clearly without clutter, and the tighter trims are offered with a 12-speaker audio system that sounds impressive and takes care of your entertainment and music needs. Interestingly, the voice controls work reliably for basics like navigation and music, so overall most tech works seamlessly.

Safety Equipment

Like most Japanese brands, the Accord has a lot of safety. The Honda Sensing suite monitors surroundings constantly, the adaptive cruise maintains smooth spacing from traffic ahead, and lane keeping provides gentle corrections without being intrusive. The higher trims include rear cross-traffic alert and parking sensors. The overall build quality is undoubtedly long-lasting, with doors closing with a reassuring thunk, panels constructed tightly, and materials resistant to wear. Such quality is something Honda has always been known for.

Can It Compete in an SUV-Dominated Market?

The segment the Accord competes in is highly competitive, with some of the most popular and well-established sedans already present in the market. The Accord faces competition not only from other sedans but also from the entire SUV category. Here's how it stacks up:

Price Comparison

Model	Starting Price (SAR)	Top Trim Price (SAR)
Honda Accord	115,000	185,000
Toyota Camry	105,340	149,500
Nissan Altima	112,626	141,500
Mazda 6	91,425	132,825

The Accord costs more than its direct sedan rivals, and it is more expensive than compact SUVs like the Nissan Kicks or MG HS that start under SAR 90,000. The price premium reflects Honda's confidence in the product, but it makes the value proposition harder to justify.

Engine Performance Comparison

Model	Engine	Power	Torque	Fuel Economy
Honda Accord	1.5L Turbo	192 hp	260 Nm	17.3 km/l
Honda Accord Hybrid	2.0L Hybrid	204 hp	335 Nm	24.9 km/l
Toyota Camry	2.5L	203 hp	243 Nm	14.2 km/l
Nissan Altima	2.5L	188 hp	244 Nm	15.8 km/l
Mazda 6	2.5L	187 hp	252 Nm	14.5 km/l

The Accord hybrid wins fuel economy by a giant margin. The turbo model matches rivals in power while delivering better efficiency than most. This aspect is where the Accord makes its strongest case—real-world savings that offset the higher purchase price.

Sedan vs SUV Reality

Let's look at the overall sale data to understand the market better, and it does reveal something intriguing about buying patterns and what is popular among buyers. The Saudi sales data provides valuable insights. In the sedan segment, the compact ones, Hyundai Accent, Kia Pegas, Toyota Yaris, and Toyota Camry, are the best sellers. The Accord doesn't crack the top ten, the reason is that buyers choosing sedans look for economy models under SAR 100,000 or proven workhorses like the Camry.

SUVs have about 30% of sales but dominate over SAR 120,000. At the Accord's price point, buyers can get capable SUVs with more space. The Honda CR-V starts around SAR 145,000, only slightly more than a well-equipped Accord.

Another critical factor that plays a key role in Saudi Arabia is the importance of family within the culture. Families are large, and so naturally SUVs suit multi-generational travel better. The desert driving remains popular, wherein high ground clearance is highly regarded, and lastly, status plays a role; SUVs project success more than sedans in many buyers' minds. Here is a quick comparison of why sedans are losing ground to compact SUVs in KSA. 

Ownership Considerations

Most buyers should actually look at the overall ownership of the car and not just the upfront cost. Being a Japanese brand, Honda's service network in KSA is solid but not at Toyota's level. Parts availability is good, and the maintenance costs are moderate; expect to spend in the neighbourhood of SAR 2,000–3,000 annually for routine service. The dealer network is one big strength of the Accord.

Then come the resale values; as an overall market scenario, the sedans' prices have softened as SUV demand grew. However, on a positive side, the Accord holds value better than average sedans but loses more than comparable SUVs. A three-year-old Accord retains about 55% of its value, compared to 60–65% for popular SUVs.

You can also consider the 5-year/150,000 km warranty, which certainly provides peace of mind, and it is difficult to discount Honda's reliability reputation, which remains strong. The hybrid battery warranty covers eight years, addressing the main concern about hybrid ownership.

The Hybrid Factor

For buyers who place more emphasis on the mileage, they should seriously consider the hybrid. At SAR 20,000, the price premium over the turbo is likely to pay back within three years if you drive more than 20,000 km annually. Moreover, the Accord drives genuinely well, refined, quiet, and effortless. While the city driving becomes more relaxing, the highway cruising stays smooth and efficient.

It is quite visible that the cabin space actually exceeds many compact SUVs, and rear legroom certainly triumphs the CR-V. Boot space almost matches crossovers when you don't need vertical cargo height. So for couples or small families doing primarily city driving, the Accord provides everything necessary.

Looking at the overall pricing perspective, the Camry costs less and holds value better if the budget is tight, while the Mazda 6 offers sportier handling at a lower price if driving dynamics matter most. If you require seven seats or regularly navigate challenging terrain, an SUV is unquestionably the more practical choice.

But if you primarily transport people, not cargo, the sedan body style offers advantages such as better aerodynamics, improved efficiency, and a lower centre of gravity, which enhances handling. It is easier entry and exit for older passengers. Moreover, it boasts a larger boot space compared to many compact SUVs.

Verdict

Returning to the initial query, is the sedan still relevant in 2026? In Saudi Arabia, the answer is yes. In terms of pure numbers, sedans still outsell SUVs overall, though the gap is narrowing every passing year. The sedan in question, the Honda Accord, is worthy enough to prove sedans can compete when they offer genuine advantages.

All those buyers who are willing to look past the preference for SUVs and still value substance over style will appreciate sedans as appealing as they were in the past. Sedans have always been better in running cost and handling and offer a far more refined experience. All of these are still very relevant for buyers who prefer long-term value over short-term trends.

The Accord in 2026 is not for everyone, but it is for buyers who still appreciate sedans. Honda is offering a lot in this tried and tested sedan, and it ticks all the right boxes to serve owners exceptionally well.