It wasn’t something I was looking to do, but, we are getting wild deals for the next couple of days. I’d be going from a 2024 Accord Sport L to a 2026 CRV Sport L FWD. The monthly goes from $380 to $415, but, also going from 10K miles a year to 12K. Don’t necessarily need 12, but, gives me a bit of play room. New Accord weirdly is about $435. Usually get the best leases on Accords (and Ridgelines). So, kinda writing out this info for my thoughts
Accord benefits:
- The seats are bit better. A little wider, a little longer. Unbelievably comfy
- Built in compass. CRV weirdly doesn’t have one
- Center touch display is wider, so, can see info like the compass, music playing if you have full map on Android Auto (or Apple Carplay if you have that), and can binge obsess over instant fuel economy with it being a hybrid. Maybe it’s better to not obsess?
- I’m more of a sedan person. I do not have issues getting into one
- 4 MPG better than a CRV FWD (you lose a lot going to AWD with hybrids)
- Things are hidden in the trunk
- Side view mirrors are bigger than CRV
CRV benefits
- Parking sensors (not a biggie, I know how to park)
- Power tailgate. Not a biggie, but, can be easier when grabbing groceries and being able to press button on remote or tailgate
- Heated mirrors. Huge. Weirdly do not have that on Accord, even though the much lower trim SE has them. I live close to the river, and can get really bad ice and fog. I keep deicer in the trunk
- A little easier to see the blindspot monitors in the mirrors
- Rear wiper. I miss this from my previous Civic Hatchback. Accords need them, rain kinda sits there, makes hard to see out the back window
- Big one, 320 watts for the stereo vs 180 for Accords (which boggles the mind. They could at least do 240). 180 is not a lot over 8 speakers
- Silver is all we have for non-premium colors. Because I will not take black. If I did white it would be about another $12 a month. Do not like the Urban Grey. Not going to do a dealer trade for blue or dark gray, not at this price. It’s what’s on the lot, and the dark gray isn’t coming till next month, too late. I could live with silver. Never had a silver car before.
- 15 watt wireless charging pad. Would have to get some sort of stuff holder which hangs off the side of the console, I have too much crap in that tray.
I’d love the green Trailsport CRV, but, it’s cloth seats. Nah. Not for that price. Does have a heated steering wheel, nice when cold. Nah. You do lose a lot of MPG being AWD and with the “all terrain” tires. Funny, about the only reason people buy them is because they are green. I’ve never sold a different color.
Hmm, I think I might have convinced myself.
The only single thing that would make me say
No to a car is a CVT. I’d prefer a manual to an automatic, but, I’ll take a regular, old style, with bands automatic,reluctantly. But it damn well better have a frikken dipstick and be serviceable. Drop the pan, swap the filter.
Absolute must haves for me.
I came to this way of thinking after suffering losses.
Manuals are difficult these days. Did you know you cannot even buy a Mini with a stick anymore? That seems nuts. The CVT is heavily dependent on manufacturer. Honda and Toyota are great. Subaru are reliable, though, a bit loud. Some like Nissan and Ford give the rest a bad name.
I would have to say no, the Toyota CVT is no better than others. My wife drives a couple year old Corolla Cross and the moaning & droning of that CVT thing is bad. Not terrible, but it can be irritating on the highway. I would never buy a vehicle with one just for that reason.
Interesting. Never had a problem with one, at least in terms of gently used. Have sold a bunch
Agree on the dipstick! Had to replace the sealed 6 speed trans in my 2011 Mazda around 100K miles.
On the other hand, one son has an Outback CVT pushing 200K miles with no problems. But his old Silverado bass boat hauler lives in the shop.
If in price range check out the hybrid CRV. Went from 2018 Accord to 2025 CRV Hybrid Sport. Went from filling the tank once a week to every two weeks.
The Sport L is a Hybrid CRV. I’ve had the Accord Sport L Hybrid for a year and a half now, and I love it. Do not miss the straight gas turbo charged engine at all. For the most part, the vehicles are almost identical with features.
Just being devil’s advocate, but… it doesn’t sound as if you *need* a car. If you already own a 2024, what’s the rush?
Why not pay it off over the next couple of years, save money, and build wealth?
Just a thought.
From the article, it seems he’s already leasing the Accord and is considering upgrading to a newer model(s) with 12K/yr vs 10/yr mileage allowance, (that’s the tell that he doesn’t own the car, he’s leasing it).
I was seriously considering riding out the lease, but, with the absurd discount and backend money for employees, plus, having just a tiny bit of positive equity, makes sense rather than waiting till September 2027. Never know what can happen.
Also, even though I have to do all the paperwork it counts as a sale, gets me to the next tier :D
The obvious answer is a used 5th Gen 4runner. The obvious answer is always the 4runner.
I’ll be honest, I love the look of a previous gen 4Runner, but, I do not like driving Toyota. Suspension too soft, feels like a boat going around corners.
Cure for soft suspension is the off road version. TRD ORP.