Honda Accord SE

What to know about this new trim level.

Benjamin Hunting | 

May 15, 2025 | 2 min read

Honda

The 2025 model year introduces a new trim level for the Honda Accord: the SE. Positioned between the entry-level LX and the pricier Sport Hybrid, the SE aims to strike a balance between features and value, offering an appealing middle ground for buyers.

Here's a look at how the Honda Accord SE compares with the Accord LX and whether it's a smart alternative to the Accord Sport Hybrid for budget-conscious buyers looking to maximize their purchase.

Honda Accord SE Value

From a value perspective, the roughly $32,000 Honda Accord SE is the clear winner compared with the LX and the Sport Hybrid. For about $3,000 more than the base LX, the SE adds equipment such as a moonroof, heated front seats, and dual-zone automatic climate control, none of which are available on the LX.

It also doubles the number of stereo speakers from four to eight and adds a 60/40 split folding rear seat, making it easier to carry oversized cargo in its trunk.

The Sport Hybrid does include those items (and adds 19-inch wheels and a larger infotainment screen to the mix), but its roughly $35,000 price point pushes it around $6,000 beyond the base model, doubling the price difference between the LX and SE.

For buyers seeking creature comforts, targeting the SE versus the base makes sense. This is especially true if you live in a cold climate where heated seats are more of a necessity than luxury or if you need the extra cargo versatility of the SE's folding rear bench.

Honda

Power Comparison

The difference between the LX, SE, and Sport Hybrid in terms of performance isn't all that compelling for most commuters.

Both the LX and the SE share the same turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that's good for 192 horsepower. The Sport Hybrid, on the other hand, features a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and a pair of electric motors to deliver 204 horsepower.

That's not enough of a difference to make power the deciding factor when choosing the Accord Sport Hybrid over the Accord SE.

Sport Hybrid Fuel Economy

Where the Honda Accord Sport Hybrid truly separates itself from both the LX and the SE trim levels is at the gas pump. The Honda Accord LX and Accord SE return 29/37/32 mpg in city/highway/combined driving.

The Accord Sport Hybrid, on the other hand, is rated at 51/44/48 mpg in city/highway/combined driving thanks to its electrified drivetrain. That's a huge difference in yearly fuel costs, which makes the Sport Hybrid the model to target over the Accord SE for drivers facing a significant commute.

All vehicle pricing includes MSRP plus destination charges (set at the time of publication), and will be rounded to the nearest thousand.

Benjamin Hunting

Nearly two decades into his career as an automotive journalist, Benjamin has had his hands greasy, his hair blown back, and his heart broken by more than one project car. In addition to his work at Capital One, he has contributed features and reviews to Motor Trend, Car and Driver, Hagerty, Driving Line, Inside Hook, Super Street, European Car, Roadkill Magazine, Motor 1, The Drive, the Toronto Star, the National Post, Business Insider, NAPA, Autoblog, Automotive News Canada, and AutoGuide. He is also cohost of the Unnamed Automotive Podcast and cocreator of the Code 45 and Dead Air graphic novels. In his spare time, he's a friend to vinyl and enjoys keeping the shiny side up during track days.