Honda Accord vs CR-V: Sedan or SUV?
Published November 5, 2026 · Last updated November 5, 2026
Choosing between the Honda CR-V and the Honda Accord is really a choice between a trunk and a hatch. Both seat five adults with almost identical rear legroom, 41.0 inches in the CR-V and 40.8 in the Accord, and both offer the same 204-hp two-motor hybrid. The Accord starts $3,125 lower, at $28,395, and its hybrid reaches 48 mpg combined. The 2027 CR-V answers with more than twice the cargo space behind the back seat, a higher seating position and all-wheel drive on every trim, which the front-drive Accord can't offer.
Accord or CR-V: Which Honda Fits You?
- Pick the Accord if you mostly carry people, not cargo: the lower price, the 48-mpg EX-L Hybrid and a 12.3-inch screen on every hybrid trim.
- Pick the CR-V if you haul strollers, bikes or boxes, or want AWD for snowy upstate weekends: 39.3 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 76.5 with it folded.
- Look at the HR-V if budget comes first: Honda's smallest SUV starts at $26,600 and adds AWD for $1,500, but gives up room and mpg.
Model years on this page: Honda hasn't announced a 2027 Accord for the U.S., so we use the 2026 Accord on sale now. It's measured against the 2027 CR-V, priced September 9, 2026, and the 2027 HR-V. All three sit on the same Plaza Honda showroom floor, so you can sit in each one in a single visit. Figures were checked on November 5, 2026.
How Do the Accord and CR-V Compare at a Glance?
| Spec | 2026 Honda Accord | 2027 Honda CR-V | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $28,395 (LX) | $31,520 (LX) | Accord |
| Hybrid from | $33,795 (Sport Hybrid) | $36,030 (Sport Hybrid) | Accord |
| Engines | 1.5L turbo, 192 hp; hybrid, 204 hp | 1.5L turbo, 190 hp; hybrid, 204 hp | Even |
| Best EPA combined | 48 mpg (EX-L Hybrid) | 40 mpg (Hybrid FWD) | Accord |
| Drivetrain | FWD only | FWD or AWD on every trim | CR-V |
| Rear legroom | 40.8 in | 41.0 in | Even |
| Cargo behind rear seat | 16.7 cu ft trunk | 39.3 cu ft (gas); 36.3 (hybrid) | CR-V |
| Max cargo | Fold-down rear seat (60/40 from SE up) | 76.5 cu ft (gas); 71.8 (hybrid) | CR-V |
| Ground clearance | 5.3 in | 7.8 in FWD; 8.2 in AWD | CR-V |
| Touchscreen | 9 in; 12.3 in on every hybrid | 9 in, every trim | Accord |
| IIHS 2026 award | Top Safety Pick | Not on the list | Accord |
| KBB 2026 Best Resale Value | Midsize car award went to the Camry | Winner, compact SUV | CR-V |
Get a Price on an Accord or CR-V
Still torn between sedan and SUV? Tell us which models you're weighing, gas or hybrid, and the best way to reach you. A Plaza Honda product specialist will send matching Accord and CR-V stock with today's incentives applied and offer back-to-back test drives, usually within the hour during showroom hours.
Which Has More Room, the Accord or the CR-V?
Passenger space is closer than most shoppers expect. The CR-V's back seat offers 41.0 inches of legroom and the Accord's 40.8, a gap you won't feel with a tape measure, let alone with a teenager behind you. Up front, the Accord gives the driver 42.3 inches of legroom against 41.3 in the CR-V, per Honda's spec sheets. The real difference is how you get in. The Accord is 57.1 inches tall, so you step down into a low seat; the CR-V stands about 9 inches taller, at 66.2 to 66.5 inches, and you slide across at hip height, which is easier on knees and makes buckling a child seat less of a crouch.
On screens, the sedan pulls ahead. The Accord LX and SE use a 9-inch touchscreen, and every Accord Hybrid gets a 12.3-inch display with Alexa built-in; the Touring adds Google built-in, according to Honda's 2026 Accord specifications. Every 2027 CR-V uses a 9-inch screen. Both have Honda Sensing, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard.
Which Holds More Cargo, the Trunk or the Hatch?
This is where the two Hondas part ways. The Accord's trunk holds 16.7 cubic feet, generous for a sedan, and from the SE up the back seat splits 60/40 for long items; the LX's seatback folds in one piece. A gas CR-V carries 39.3 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 76.5 with it folded flat. The hybrid's battery takes a little of that, leaving 36.3 and 71.8, and the Sport Touring Hybrid has 34.7 behind the seat. In practice, a folded double stroller plus a week of groceries fits in the CR-V with room to spare, and the liftgate opening takes boxes the Accord's trunk lid can't.
Which Gets Better Hybrid MPG?
Honda builds both hybrids around the same system: a 2.0-liter engine working with two electric motors for 204 hp, with no conventional gearbox. It often drives on electric power alone at low speeds, which makes it a good fit for crosstown traffic. Where the hybrids differ is efficiency. The Accord EX-L Hybrid is EPA-rated 48 mpg combined, and the Sport, Sport-L and Touring 44. The CR-V Hybrid is rated 40 mpg combined with front-wheel drive, 37 with AWD and 35 for the TrailSport, per fueleconomy.gov.
The gas models follow the same pattern. The Accord LX's 192-hp turbo is rated 32 mpg combined (31 for the SE), while the CR-V's 190-hp turbo gets 30 with FWD and 29 with AWD. A lower, lighter sedan simply pushes less air and carries less weight. Deciding between gas and hybrid on the SUV? Our Honda CR-V vs CR-V Hybrid guide runs the numbers.
Does the Accord Have AWD?
Every Accord is front-wheel drive, and Honda doesn't offer AWD on it. The CR-V adds Real Time AWD to any trim for $1,500, and the TrailSport Hybrid and Sport Touring Hybrid come with it standard. Combined with 8.2 inches of ground clearance in AWD form, against 5.3 for the Accord, the CR-V is the easier choice for unplowed side streets, steep driveways and ski trips up I-87. Good winter tires narrow the gap for the Accord, but they can't add clearance.
Which Drives Better, the Accord or the CR-V?
The numbers favor the sedan for road feel. The Accord weighs 3,239 to 3,532 pounds, per Honda's Accord specifications, and the CR-V 3,472 to 3,926, per Honda's CR-V specifications. The Accord rides on a 111.4-inch wheelbase, 5.1 inches longer than the CR-V's 106.3, and its body sits roughly 9 inches lower. A lower center of gravity generally means less body lean in corners and a steadier feel at highway speed on the BQE. The CR-V trades some of that for a commanding view over traffic, a softer step-in and clearance for potholes and curbs. At 184.8 inches, the CR-V is also 10.9 inches shorter than the 195.7-inch Accord, which helps with parallel parking in Brooklyn.
How Much Do the Accord and CR-V Cost?
| Trim | MSRP* | Powertrain | EPA combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accord LX | $28,395 | 1.5L turbo, FWD | 32 mpg |
| Accord SE | $30,695 | 1.5L turbo, FWD | 31 mpg |
| Accord Sport Hybrid | $33,795 | Hybrid, FWD | 44 mpg |
| Accord EX-L Hybrid | $35,095 | Hybrid, FWD | 48 mpg |
| Accord Sport-L Hybrid | $35,495 | Hybrid, FWD | 44 mpg |
| Accord Touring Hybrid | $39,495 | Hybrid, FWD | 44 mpg |
| CR-V LX | $31,520 | 1.5L turbo | 30 mpg (AWD 29) |
| CR-V EX | $33,550 | 1.5L turbo | 30 mpg (AWD 29) |
| CR-V EX-L | $35,800 | 1.5L turbo | 30 mpg (AWD 29) |
| CR-V Sport Hybrid | $36,030 | Hybrid | 40 mpg (AWD 37) |
| CR-V Sport-L Hybrid | $39,125 | Hybrid | 40 mpg (AWD 37) |
| CR-V TrailSport Hybrid | $39,200 (AWD) | Hybrid | 35 mpg |
| CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid | $42,950 (AWD) | Hybrid | 37 mpg |
Trim for trim, the Accord costs less. The LX is $3,125 below the CR-V LX, and its destination fee is $355 lower. Hybrid against hybrid, the Accord Sport Hybrid saves $2,235 over the CR-V Sport Hybrid, and the flagship Accord Touring is $3,455 less than the CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid, though the CR-V includes AWD at that price. Check this month's Honda specials, apply for Honda financing or see where each model stands in 2026 vs 2027 Honda Accord.
What About the Accord vs the HR-V?
The HR-V is Honda's subcompact SUV and the cheapest way into a Honda with a hatch: $26,600 for an LX with FWD, $1,795 under the Accord LX, plus a $1,450 destination fee. AWD costs $1,500 on any trim. It carries 24.4 cubic feet behind the back seat and 55.1 folded, more than the Accord's trunk. The trade-offs are real, though. Its 2.0-liter engine makes 158 hp, it is rated 28 mpg combined (27 with AWD), there's no hybrid, and rear legroom is 37.7 inches, 3.1 less than the Accord, per Honda's HR-V specifications. Like the CR-V, the HR-V won a 2026 KBB Best Resale Value award, in the subcompact SUV class. It also earned a 2026 IIHS Top Safety Pick+, a step above the Accord's Top Safety Pick, while the CR-V isn't on the IIHS list. If the HR-V and CR-V are both on your list, read 2027 Honda HR-V vs 2027 Honda CR-V.
Accords, CR-Vs and HR-Vs at Plaza Honda
The inventory below shows Accord, CR-V and HR-V models on our lot and in transit. Call (855) 528-6785 and name the two you want to compare; we'll park them side by side for your visit, and delivery within 25 miles is free.
| MSRP | $34,570 |
| No Hassle discount | -$1,500 |
| Doc fee | $175 |
| Plaza Price | $33,245 |
| MSRP | $34,570 |
| No Hassle discount | -$1,500 |
| Doc fee | $175 |
| Plaza Price | $33,245 |
| MSRP | $32,445 |
| No Hassle discount | -$1,700 |
| Doc fee | $175 |
| Plaza Price | $30,920 |
| MSRP | $34,570 |
| No Hassle discount | -$1,500 |
| Doc fee | $175 |
| Plaza Price | $33,245 |
| MSRP | $35,025 |
| No Hassle discount | -$1,500 |
| Doc fee | $175 |
| Plaza Price | $33,700 |
| MSRP | $39,305 |
| No Hassle discount | -$1,500 |
| Doc fee | $175 |
| Plaza Price | $37,980 |
| MSRP | $31,990 |
| No Hassle discount | -$1,700 |
| Doc fee | $175 |
| Plaza Price | $30,465 |
| MSRP | $32,445 |
| No Hassle discount | -$1,700 |
| Doc fee | $175 |
| Plaza Price | $30,920 |
| MSRP | $35,025 |
| No Hassle discount | -$1,500 |
| Doc fee | $175 |
| Plaza Price | $33,700 |
| MSRP | $32,445 |
| No Hassle discount | -$1,700 |
| Doc fee | $175 |
| Plaza Price | $30,920 |
| MSRP | $38,850 |
| No Hassle discount | -$1,500 |
| Doc fee | $175 |
| Plaza Price | $37,525 |
| MSRP | $38,850 |
| No Hassle discount | -$1,500 |
| Doc fee | $175 |
| Plaza Price | $37,525 |
| MSRP | $36,600 |
| No Hassle discount | -$1,500 |
| Doc fee | $175 |
| Plaza Price | $35,275 |
| MSRP | $38,850 |
| No Hassle discount | -$1,500 |
| Doc fee | $175 |
| Plaza Price | $37,525 |
| MSRP | $31,990 |
| No Hassle discount | -$1,700 |
| Doc fee | $175 |
| Plaza Price | $30,465 |
Which Should You Buy?
If your weeks are commutes and weekend dinners, the Accord delivers more for less: a lower price, better mpg and a bigger screen, plus a 2026 IIHS Top Safety Pick award that the CR-V didn't earn. If your weeks involve car seats, sports bags, a dog or snow, the CR-V's cargo hold, AWD and easier step-in are worth the premium, and it won Kelley Blue Book's 2026 Best Resale Value award for compact SUVs.
Most efficient
48 mpg combined, leather and a 12.3-inch screen for $35,095.
Lowest price
192-hp turbo and 40.8 inches of rear legroom from $28,395.
Best family hauler
204 hp, 40 mpg and 36.3 cubic feet of cargo space for $36,030.
Tightest budget
A small Honda SUV with available AWD from $26,600.
Accord vs CR-V Scorecard
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Accord | $3,125 less to start; $2,235 less as a hybrid |
| Fuel economy | Accord | 48 mpg best vs 40 |
| Rear-seat room | Tie | 40.8 in vs 41.0 in |
| Cargo | CR-V | 39.3 cu ft behind the seat vs a 16.7 cu ft trunk |
| All-weather ability | CR-V | AWD on every trim, up to 8.2 in of clearance |
| Road feel | Accord | Lower, lighter, longer wheelbase |
| Tech and safety awards | Accord | 12.3-in screen on hybrids; 2026 IIHS Top Safety Pick |
| Resale value | CR-V | KBB 2026 Best Resale Value, compact SUV |
Still deciding? Add the smallest Honda car to the mix in Honda Civic vs CR-V vs HR-V, compare the two Honda sedans in 2027 Honda Civic vs 2027 Honda Accord, size up the SUVs in Honda HR-V vs CR-V, or weigh gas against electrified power in Honda CR-V vs CR-V Hybrid.
Your new Honda, dropped at your door. Whether you choose the sedan or the SUV, Plaza Honda delivers it free within 25 miles, a zone that covers the five boroughs and most of Nassau County. Service visits can include pickup and return across the NYC metro area too.
Arrange Free DeliveryHonda Accord vs CR-V: Common Questions
Is the Accord or CR-V better on gas?
The Accord. The 2026 Accord EX-L Hybrid is EPA-rated 48 mpg combined and the other Accord hybrids 44, while the 2027 CR-V Hybrid is rated 40 with FWD and 37 with AWD. With gas engines, the Accord LX gets 32 mpg combined and the CR-V 30 with FWD.
Which has more room, Accord or CR-V?
For people, it is nearly a tie: 41.0 inches of rear legroom in the CR-V against 40.8 in the Accord. For cargo, the CR-V wins easily, with 39.3 cubic feet behind the rear seat in gas form and 76.5 folded, against the Accord's 16.7-cubic-foot trunk.
Is the Accord cheaper than the CR-V?
Yes. The Accord LX starts at $28,395, $3,125 below the $31,520 CR-V LX, and its destination fee is $355 lower. The Accord Sport Hybrid, at $33,795, is $2,235 less than the CR-V Sport Hybrid. Prices exclude destination.
Honda CR-V vs Honda Accord: which should I buy?
Buy the CR-V if you need cargo space, AWD or an easier step-in; it also won KBB's 2026 Best Resale Value award for compact SUVs. Buy the Accord if you want the lower price, up to 48 mpg and a 2026 IIHS Top Safety Pick. Both offer Honda's 204-hp two-motor hybrid.
Is the Accord or HR-V the better buy?
The HR-V costs less, from $26,600, and offers AWD and a hatch with 24.4 cubic feet of cargo space. The Accord gives you more power (192 or 204 hp against 158), more rear legroom (40.8 inches against 37.7) and far better fuel economy, up to 48 mpg against 28. On safety the HR-V leads, with a 2026 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ against the Accord's Top Safety Pick.
Drive Both at Plaza Honda in Brooklyn
The quickest way to settle sedan versus SUV is to drive one after the other. Plaza Honda (2740 Nostrand Ave, Brooklyn) keeps the Accord, CR-V and HR-V in stock, and the Plaza Auto Mall family has been selling cars on Nostrand Avenue since 1975. No Hassle, No Pressure, No Middlemen. Book your back-to-back drive at (855) 528-6785.
*MSRP excludes destination ($1,195 Accord, $1,550 CR-V, $1,450 HR-V), tax, title and registration. Accord figures are from Honda's 2026 Accord pricing release and specifications; CR-V figures from Honda's 2027 CR-V pricing release and specifications; HR-V figures from Honda's April 1, 2026 HR-V pricing release and specifications. EPA ratings are estimates for comparison, and your mileage will vary. Current as of November 5, 2026; confirm details with Plaza Honda.
