Honda Accord as Buyers Shift to SUVs and Electrified Options : America Is Falling Out of Love
The Honda Accord, long a pillar of the American midsize sedan market and a consistent second-place finisher behind the Toyota Camry, is showing signs of losing its grip. Recent sales data for 2025 indicates a decline in Accord units moved compared to 2024, signaling that consumer interest is beginning to wane for a model that once epitomized Honda’s image in the U.S. This trend reflects a broader market shift as buyers increasingly gravitate towards SUVs and electrified vehicle options.
Honda’s Popular Sedan Losing Its Grip
For years, the Honda Accord was the quintessential dependable choice for families and commuters. Its balance of comfort, efficiency, and understated style cultivated a loyal buyer base, allowing it to sell steadily even as the market began its migration toward crossovers. However, that consistency is now being challenged.
The data for 2025 reveals a noticeable decline in Accord sales compared to the previous year. While Honda’s passenger car sales in September still reached nearly 30,000 units, with the Accord contributing a large share and hybrids accounting for almost half of those sales, the overall picture for the Accord is less robust. Year-to-date, Accord sales are down by more than five percent compared to last year. Month-by-month sales might remain steady, but the Accord no longer commands the same weight or influence within Honda’s lineup as it once did.
Even the Civic Faces Issues Selling, While Acura TLX Sees Unexpected Uptick
The challenges facing Honda’s traditional sedans are not limited to the Accord. The Honda Civic, another long-standing popular model, is also confronting similar issues, with its year-to-date sales figures showing a downward trend. Although the Civic managed a slight rebound in September, the overall trajectory points to a weakening demand for conventional sedans across the board for Honda.
In a surprising contrast, the Acura TLX—the Accord’s more upmarket twin—has experienced an unexpected uptick in sales this year. This surge is particularly noteworthy as the TLX is nearing the end of its production run with no direct replacement planned. Buyers appear eager to secure one of the final units before the nameplate disappears, suggesting a collector’s mentality or a desire for its specific blend of luxury and performance. This final push has provided a timely boost for Acura at a moment when Honda’s traditional sedans are facing headwinds.
Strong-Selling Hondas That Aren’t “Real” Hondas
Honda’s shifting fortunes are most evident in other parts of its portfolio, specifically its foray into electric SUVs. The all-new Prologue, an electric SUV, has rapidly emerged as one of the brand’s standout performers. Customers are drawn to its blend of practicality and modern EV appeal, allowing Honda to gain traction in the highly competitive electric vehicle segment. Similarly, the Acura ZDX, another electric SUV, is also performing well.
The intriguing twist is that neither the Prologue nor the ZDX are purely Honda-developed models; both utilize a GM-sourced Ultium platform. This highlights a broader and crucial market trend: Honda’s strongest growth is currently coming from electrified crossovers rather than its long-established sedans. It’s an interesting paradox that two of the brand’s most promising new sellers are not entirely Honda-engineered, yet they undeniably represent the direction the automotive market is heading – a strong preference for SUVs, especially those that are electrified.
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