2022 Honda Accord Configurations: Trims, Engines, and Options Explained

The 2022 Honda Accord was offered in multiple trim levels, each with distinct engine choices, feature sets, and price points. Understanding how those configurations are structured helps you compare what you're getting — and what you're giving up — across the lineup.

How the 2022 Accord Lineup Is Organized

Honda structured the 2022 Accord around two engine options and six trim levels. The trims stack progressively, meaning higher trims generally include everything from the trims below them plus additional features. But engine availability isn't uniform across all trims — that's one of the more important variables to understand before comparing models.

The Two Engine Options

1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder (base engine)

• Found in the LX, Sport, Sport Special Edition, and EX-L trims
• Produces approximately 192 horsepower
• Paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT)
• Front-wheel drive only

2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder (performance engine)

• Available on the Sport 2.0T and Touring trims
• Produces approximately 252 horsepower
• Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission
• Front-wheel drive only

Neither engine option included all-wheel drive in 2022 — the Accord has historically been a front-wheel-drive platform.

The Six 2022 Accord Trim Levels

What Came Standard Across All Trims

Every 2022 Accord — regardless of trim — included Honda Sensing, the brand's driver-assistance package. That suite covers:

• Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) — automatic emergency braking
• Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS)
• Road Departure Mitigation (RDM)
• Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow

This is worth noting because some competitors offered safety tech as optional or reserved it for higher trims. In the 2022 Accord, it was standard across the board.

Understanding the Sport vs. EX-L Split 🔀

One of the more confusing aspects of the 2022 Accord lineup is that the Sport and EX-L trims are priced similarly but prioritize different things:

• Sport leans into appearance and driving feel — larger wheels, sport suspension tuning, sport-styled interior accents
• EX-L leans into comfort and premium materials — leather seats, heated fronts, power moonroof, and a more refined cabin feel

Neither is objectively better. They serve different buyer priorities. The Sport 2.0T is where you get both the performance engine and sport-oriented packaging.

The Hybrid Question

The 2022 Honda Accord Hybrid was a separate model — not a trim of the standard Accord. It ran a different powertrain entirely: a 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle naturally aspirated engine paired with two electric motors, producing a combined output of approximately 212 horsepower. It offered its own trim lineup (Base, EX, EX-L, Touring) and was EPA-rated at approximately 48 mpg combined in most configurations.

If fuel economy is a priority, the Hybrid deserves its own comparison against the standard Accord trims — they're not directly interchangeable options within the same model.

Key Variables That Shape Which Configuration Makes Sense

Several factors affect which 2022 Accord configuration fits a given situation:

Budget — MSRP spread across the lineup was significant. LX models started considerably lower than Touring trims. Used market pricing varies further by region, mileage, and condition.

Driving priorities — Buyers focused on highway commuting and fuel economy weigh the 1.5T differently than buyers who value responsiveness and acceleration, where the 2.0T's 252 hp and 10-speed automatic feel more relevant.

Feature priorities — Comfort-focused buyers often find the EX-L's leather and moonroof more meaningful than the Sport's larger wheels. That trade-off is personal.

Intended use — Long-distance drivers may favor the Touring's head-up display and Bose audio. Urban drivers might find those features less relevant than parking sensors.

Insurance and registration costs — Higher trim levels typically carry higher insured values, which can affect premiums. Registration fees in some states are tied to vehicle value or weight — rules vary by state.

Maintenance and parts — All 2022 Accord trims use Honda's standard maintenance schedule, but the 2.0T's more performance-oriented drivetrain can affect service costs over time, depending on how the vehicle is driven.

What the Configurations Don't Tell You

The spec sheet tells you what each trim includes. It doesn't tell you the condition of a specific used vehicle, what maintenance has been done, whether there's been collision history, or what the local market looks like for that trim. 📋

A well-maintained LX with low miles and documented service history may represent better value than a Touring with deferred maintenance and unreported damage. Configuration is the starting point — the vehicle's actual condition and history are what complete the picture.