The 2022 Accord lineup breaks into five trim levels, each with different standard equipment and price points
The 2022 Honda Accord comes in LX, Sport, EX, EX-L, and Touring trims. Each step up adds features, comfort items, and technology — but the core engine and transmission stay the same across all five. The LX is the entry point; the Touring is the fully loaded version. Your choice depends on which features matter most to you and what you want to spend.
All 2022 Accords use the same 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Fuel economy ranges from 33 city / 42 highway for the automatic to 32 city / 42 highway for the manual transmission (available on LX and Sport only). The differences between trims are what you sit on, what you see on the dashboard, and what safety systems come standard.
Key Takeaways
- The LX and Sport trims offer manual transmission as an option; EX and above are CVT automatic only.
- Heated seats, leather upholstery, and a power driver's seat appear first on the EX-L trim.
- Honda Sensing (the suite of driver-information features like adaptive cruise and lane-keeping) is standard on all five trims.
- The Touring adds a 10.2-inch touchscreen, wireless phone charging, and a premium audio system not found on lower trims.
- Real-world price differences between trims can be $2,000 to $4,000 depending on the dealer and current incentives.
LX: The Base Configuration
The LX is the starting point and includes the essentials: air conditioning, power windows and locks, a 5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a six-speaker audio system. You get Honda Sensing as standard, which means adaptive cruise control, collision mitigation braking, and lane-keeping information come with every LX.
The LX seats are cloth, and the interior trim is plastic. There is no sunroof, no heated seats, and no power driver's seat. The steering wheel does not adjust for reach, only tilt. If you drive a short commute and want the lowest price, the LX covers the basics. If you spend more than an hour a day in the car, the lack of a power seat and reach-adjustable steering wheel becomes noticeable.
The LX is the only trim where you can order a manual transmission at no extra cost. The CVT automatic is standard. Fuel economy with the manual is 32 city / 42 highway; with the CVT, 33 city / 42 highway.
Sport: More Grip, Same Cabin
The Sport adds a sport-tuned suspension, 18-inch alloy wheels (versus 17-inch on the LX), and a more aggressive front grille. The interior is still cloth and plastic — no leather, no heated seats, no power driver's seat. The touchscreen is still 5 inches. You are paying for handling and appearance, not comfort or technology.
The Sport also offers a manual transmission at no extra cost, making it the last trim where that option is available. If you want a manual Accord, you choose between LX and Sport; everything above is automatic only. The suspension tuning makes the Sport noticeably firmer than the LX, which some drivers prefer and others find too stiff on rough roads.
EX: Where Comfort Features Begin
The EX is where the Accord starts to feel like a more premium car. It adds a power driver's seat with lumbar support, a sunroof, heated front seats, and a 7-inch touchscreen (larger than the LX and Sport). The steering wheel is now adjustable for both tilt and reach. Cloth upholstery remains, but the seat cushioning is thicker and more supportive than the LX.
The EX also includes a backup camera and rear parking sensors as standard — features not on the LX or Sport. The wheels are 17-inch alloy (same as LX, smaller than Sport). The CVT automatic is the only transmission available; the manual option ends at the Sport trim.
If you spend significant time driving, the power seat adjustment and reach-adjustable steering wheel make a real difference in comfort. The sunroof and heated seats are conveniences that become habits once you have them. The EX is where most buyers find the balance between price and features.
EX-L: Leather and Premium Audio
The EX-L adds leather upholstery, a power passenger seat (in addition to the driver's seat), and a 10.2-inch touchscreen — the largest in the lineup. The audio system upgrades to an eight-speaker setup. Dual-zone automatic climate control replaces the single-zone system on lower trims, so the passenger can set their own temperature.
The wheels stay at 17 inches. The sunroof and heated seats carry over from the EX. The EX-L is where you get the features that feel noticeably more upscale: leather seats, the larger screen, and the ability to adjust the passenger seat without getting out of the driver's seat.
The jump from EX to EX-L is primarily about materials and convenience. If you frequently have passengers and want them to be comfortable, the power passenger seat is useful. If you are usually alone or with one regular passenger, the EX covers what you need.
Touring: The Fully Equipped Version
The Touring is the top trim and adds wireless phone charging, a premium 12-speaker audio system (versus eight speakers on EX-L), and 19-inch alloy wheels. The leather is perforated (more breathable and easier to clean than standard leather). The interior trim upgrades to brushed aluminum accents instead of plastic.
The Touring also includes a power rear sunshade, a hands-free power trunk, and a larger 10.2-inch touchscreen with an integrated navigation system (the lower trims require you to use your phone for turn-by-turn directions). The climate control and heated seats carry over from the EX-L.
The Touring is the choice if you want every feature Honda offers in the Accord and do not mind paying for them. The 19-inch wheels look more aggressive but ride slightly firmer than the 17-inch wheels on lower trims. The wireless charging and power trunk are conveniences rather than necessities, but they add up to a more refined ownership experience.
Comparing the Five Trims Side by Side
| Feature | LX | Sport | EX | EX-L | Touring |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual transmission available | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Touchscreen size | 5 inches | 5 inches | 7 inches | 10.2 inches | 10.2 inches |
| Power driver's seat | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Heated front seats | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Leather upholstery | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Sunroof | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Wheel size | 17 inches | 18 inches | 17 inches | 17 inches | 19 inches |
| Honda Sensing standard | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless phone charging | No | No | No | No | Yes |
Which Trim Makes Sense for Your Situation
If you drive fewer than 10,000 miles per year and want the lowest price, the LX with a manual transmission is the logical choice. You get all the safety features and basic comfort, and you save money upfront. The manual transmission is also more engaging to drive if you enjoy that aspect of ownership.
If you drive 10,000 to 20,000 miles per year and want comfort without overspending, the EX is the sweet spot. The power seat, sunroof, heated seats, and larger touchscreen make a noticeable difference in daily driving. The jump from LX to EX is typically $2,000 to $3,000, which spreads across the life of the loan or lease.
If you drive more than 20,000 miles per year or frequently have passengers, the EX-L adds leather and the power passenger seat — features that hold up better to heavy use and make shared driving more comfortable. The Touring is for buyers who want every available feature and view the Accord as a premium sedan rather than a practical commuter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a manual transmission on the 2022 Accord EX or higher?
No. The manual transmission is available only on the LX and Sport trims. The EX, EX-L, and Touring come with the CVT automatic only. If a manual transmission is important to you, you must choose between those two lower trims.
What is the real-world price difference between trims?
The gap between each trim is typically $2,000 to $4,000 before incentives, depending on the dealer and current market conditions. The LX-to-Sport jump is smaller (mostly wheels and suspension); the EX-to-EX-L jump is larger (leather, larger screen, power passenger seat). Check local dealer inventory for actual pricing in your area.
Is Honda Sensing worth paying extra for, or does it come standard?
It comes standard on all five trims, including the LX. You do not pay extra for adaptive cruise control, collision mitigation braking, or lane-keeping information — they are included in every 2022 Accord regardless of which trim you choose.
Do the different wheel sizes affect fuel economy?
The EPA fuel economy ratings are the same across all trims: 33 city / 42 highway for the CVT automatic. The larger wheels on the Sport (18 inches) and Touring (19 inches) may result in slightly lower real-world economy due to increased rolling resistance, but the official ratings do not change.
What happens if I want features from two different trims?
Honda does not allow mixing features across trims on the 2022 Accord. You choose a trim level, and you get the standard equipment for that trim. Some dealers may offer aftermarket additions (like a larger touchscreen or upgraded speakers), but factory options are tied to the trim you select.