The Honda Accord first switched to a CVT in the 2018 model year.
To understand what that change entailed, it's helpful to look at how transmission choices evolved across the Accord's generations and variants, including the hybrid version which uses a different electronic CVT approach, and the high-performance 2.0-liter turbo model that uses a traditional automatic.
Gasoline Accord: CVT introduction with the 1.5L Turbo
Overview
In 2018, the tenth-generation Accord introduced a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine paired with Honda's CVT, replacing the previous generation's conventional automatic in base and mid-range trims. The 2.0-liter turbo option continued to use a 10-speed automatic. This shift aligned the Accord with a broader Honda strategy that leverages CVTs for improved city fuel economy across several models.
Hybrid Strategy: e-CVT and i-MMD
How the hybrid system works
Honda's Accord Hybrid uses an electronic CVT-like system known as i-MMD (Intelligent Multi-Mode Drive) rather than a conventional belt-driven CVT. Introduced with the hybrid version in the mid-2010s, the i-MMD system allows seamless transitions between electric-only, gasoline, and blended modes without a traditional manual-shift experience. The hybrid has continued with ongoing refinements through later generations.
What this means for buyers
Practical implications
For buyers focused on fuel economy and smooth city driving, the 1.5L turbo Accord with CVT offers a refined, throttle-lifted experience suited to daily commuting. If acceleration and performance are priorities, the 2.0L turbo paired with a 10-speed automatic is the more responsive choice. Hybrid versions rely on the i-MMD e-CVT system rather than a conventional CVT, prioritizing efficiency and electric blending over shift feel.
Additional context: generations and model years
Timeline recap
- 2013–2017: Ninth generation Accord with traditional manual or automatic transmissions; no CVT in the gasoline lineup.
- 2018–present: Tenth generation Accord; 1.5L turbo gasoline uses CVT; 2.0L turbo uses 10-speed automatic; Hybrid uses i-MMD e-CVT-type system.
Summary
The Honda Accord’s move to CVT for the gasoline-only lineup began with the 2018 model year, in the tenth-generation redesign. The hybrid variant has used an electronic CVT-like system (i-MMD) since the mid-2010s, while the higher-output 2.0-liter turbo models continue with a conventional 10-speed automatic. Today, the CVT is still a defining feature of the base Accord gasoline trims, paired with the hybrid system’s e-CVT approach for efficiency.