Should I Buy the 2017 Honda Accord V-6 or Four-Cylinder?

The 2017 Accord comes in the fuel-thrifty hybrid, regular four-cylinder and Sport-themed V-6 trim. We put the four-cylinder and V-6 to the test in a head-to-head comparison to see if the V-6’s fun gains are worth the model’s price premium.

[timetowakeup]

My 2010 Accord 4 Cylinder has 232K miles on her and she has taken a BEATING. Engine and transmission still run like clockwork, while idling you can barely hear the engine running. 190 Horsepower is plenty of power for the everyday driver. I love my Honda.

[carlosbeltran]

I love my V6 for many reasons already stated above. What I really love about my Accord is how roomy the car is for passengers and gear. Took four golfers and four golf bags and all of us fit comfortably inside the car on a 3 hour drive and all of my passengers were impressed how smooth and powerful the car drove. And with all of the bells and whistles this car has, it makes for an enjoyable ride.

[theartist]

I'm so blown away by the V6, I got it because it was the only black Accord the dealer had left, and man did I get lucky, can't believe how fast it is and how well it drives, really love it!

[erik]

I got the '16 EX-L V6 new, and love it. Did a 1200 mile road trip within a few weeks, and got 36mpg (indicated on the display, so probably a bit optimistic) on the freeways. Never at a loss for power when needing to pass slow semi trucks on 2 lane highways or needing to get up to speed to merge on freeways. 66k miles now, and super reliable. Still love the sound when I have to get on it. The 4 cylinder is practical and almost nobody *needs* a V6 in a mid-size sedan, but for me, it was well worth it.

[kardiair]

Just got a 2017 Honda Acoord V6. And when I tell u she glides bruh...I am in love‼️‼️‼️

[RGMX]

I have the 2016 Honda Accord Sport with the 4Cy. Black paint 19 inch wheels. I absolutely love this car and I’ve owned Chevys my whole life. Good fuel economy, low maintenance cost, clean luxury look.

[jamesmyers]

I hate my 4 cylinder..Almost cried when a toyota passed me on the highway while i was flooring it lol

[bamac]

Last year for the V6.. Better get it while you can.

[oldtwinsna]

Had my V6 model for nearly 10 years now/140k so I can give some facts: overall lifetime mpg is 31. That is a mix of city/highway, although I can tell you that highway stretches w/o traffic will get you into the mid 30s, even up to 40mpg due to the VCM. Despite not having any indicator lights for the VCM, you learn where it engages and what to do or what not to do to get it kicked out of VCM. Without VCM, highway mpg is just meh so you really need to get it in that mode to benefit from the fuel savings. Acceleration is powerful but it is definitely more high-strung than a typical I4 turbo these days, so off the line it won't feel that fast, but at 60+ full throttle it will be a blast as any other low 14 second quarter mile car. Adding a K-tuner, MDX spacer, made the engine dynamics improve dramatically for everyday driving. 1/4 mile run is 14.2 at high elevation; no doubt I could get at least 13.9 at sea level. Best part through is just how smooth the engine is. It's refined like a luxury ride. No thrashing, boat engine sounds, or weirdness like that.

Suspension, you really need to add the progress sway bar to keep the car flat to which then you have zero body roll and no reduction in ride comfort. I also threw lightweight wheels which further helped off the line acceleration and made the car more nimble. Overall, this is honestly the best car I've ever owned. Absolutely zero mechanical issues.

[Just-a-guy]

I get 37 mpg highway with my 16 Accord EXL V6 navi Honda sense sedan. 2 other thing some buyers may want to consider when comparing the 4 cylinder versus V6 Accord is 4 cylinder engines have a timing chain while the V6 engines have a timing belt that requires the belts to be changed along with the water pump at 100, 000 miles which cost around $700.00. There are other minor differences the V6 models have an acoustic windshields and side front glass, gas struts for the hood instead of a prop rod like the 4's.

[mm-jeog]

He's right; the Touring is worth the indulgence. I traded up from a 2014 Touring to a 2017 yesterday and it feels like a different car; with the additional suspension and power steering work, it's much more refined. Engine feels smoother too.

[doctorsuarez]

If I may defend the honor of the I4 CVT a bit: I went to the dealership expecting to get the V6, and I wound up in the 4. Here's why:
-Smoothness. I don't know where you're all getting the notion that the 6 is smoother. It's the opposite. The CVT wafts effortlessly while the 6's traditional cog-swapper gets kind of lurchy in city driving. Also, Honda's CVT is a masterpiece compared to most. Very well behaved.
-Fuel economy. Here's the thing about the economy numbers they cite. The city MPG is always going to be optimistic. I drive in SF a lot and you wind up crawling most of the time. Big engines devour their gas tanks in these situations.
-Enough power. This is a bit unique to me, but where I live and work, I'm mostly going slowly despite my efforts. Most of the drivers around me are old or tourists, so I'm usually trapped behind them. Having 185 horses on tap is more than enough. I'd be strangling the poor V6 to death out here. Incidentally, 9+ seconds for 0-60 is hogwash. It'll do it in the mid 7s. Don't know where they got that ridiculous number.
-Cost. I wasn't super cost-sensitive when I got into this, and I bought at the end of the '16 model year so I was seeing prices 4k below sticker. Even still, the V6 cost as much as a nice CPO BMW 3-series. At that price point, you're nudging into a completely different world of car buying.

This is not to suggest that the V6 is bad. During my test drive I aimed it onto the freeway, mashed the pedal, and was very impressed. The damn thing felt like being in a cavalry charge. But I had to be honest with myself. Did I want to take on the added cost and rough shifting in exchange for sweetening that tiny percentage of my motoring existence? I personally decided not to. And the CVT model makes MOST of my driving time better. But that's a call you will all have to make for yourselves.

[StellarBlue]

I have the 2015 Accord V6 EX-L Coupe. I got the paddle shifted automatic because of a bum left leg. But, the V6 and the automatic are tremendous, so I do not miss the six speed manual. I actually think the 0-60 time is greater than advertised. When I launch the car in the regular auto drive mode, the car blisters to 60 in under 6 seconds. That is pull, baby. Two hundred and seventy eight bhp, stock. Not humongous, but enough to satisfy.
On the freeway, the engine is turbine smooth and 60 to over 100 mph comes very, very quickly. Yes, the four cylinder is adequate. I know, because my wife has one. But, it is nothing like the v6. It is really worth getting the v6 if you love driving and desire some modicum of power. More than adequate is the way to go!

[beefchuck]

Go for the V6, I have had it for 1 year now and it is efficient yet powerful for highway driving, especially out of state. Gas mileage difference is small. Plus on touring V6 get all kinds of goodies, like heated seats and big wheels and many other things. I have a new V8 mustang and F80 M3, trust me, this V6 is a dependable, no nonsense daily steed.

[reitzzell]

I’m way late on this but this might help someone buying a used car- I have both and you are spot on - get the V6.

[ssr]

GET THE TOURING V6 the accord you can get !

[aaz]

300, 000 miles later, I'm glad I got the last V6 Accord

[NipkowDisk]

I opted for the V-6 in the EX-L trim, with an extra pedal. It is comfortable and FUN to drive- especially with the manual trans!!! The Honda V-6 engine has an incredibly broad torque curve- worth the extra cost IMO.

[bluejays]

the Honda manual trans are so smooth you barely notice your shifting. smooth like butter

[NaijaBoiTellEm]

I'm a V6 type of guy. And I'd be more so at those price points.