All About the 2012 Honda Accord Special Edition
The 2012 Honda Accord Special Edition takes a fun, reliable ride and makes it even more impressive with added tech and power. Learn more here.
Written by Rob Shapiro
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
In the U.S., the sedan is a competitive segment—and yet the Honda Accord remains one of the most popular options for consumers. It’s reliable, economical, and has an array of highly-touted safety features. But despite its pros, most would agree that it’s not the most exciting ride in town.
That’s where the Special Edition trim comes into play. It takes the Accord base and adds more power, speed, and tech. If you’re considering the Special Edition,
car insurance
broker app Jerry
can help you decide if it’s right for you. We’ll review specs, pricing, and more to deliver a fair evaluation of the trim’s benefits and downsides. And if you want to lower your
Honda Accord Special Edition insurance costs
(or explore insurance for any other vehicle), Jerry’s got you covered there, too!What is the 2012 Honda Accord Special Edition?
Similar to other
Honda
models, the 2012 Accord Special Edition gave an option for those who wanted more than the base LX but couldn’t afford the EX trims. The SE had a starting price of $24,030. The SE gave drivers a variety of extra features and upgrades that delivered improved performance and comfort (more on these later).
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2012 Honda Accord overview
Before delving into the 2012 Special Edition, let’s take a closer look at the Accord.
The Accord has been popular for some time—and for good reason. It’s sporty with a sleek, modern look. Even the base trim offers drivers impressive handling and performance, more so than similar cars. Families and first-time car buyers have flocked to the Accord year after year.
Its affordability makes it attractive—but also results in it getting trumped by other cars in several areas:
- The 2012 Accord’s 14.7 cubic feet of cargo space is less than theToyota Camry
- There were even more affordable sedans on the market, like theKia Optima
You might view these as weaknesses, but the middle-of-the-road nature of the 2012 Honda Accord keeps it affordable while still being a perfectly competent sedan.
What you get with the 2012 Accord is a solid blend of performance and everyday drivability. Its 2.4 L engine produces a quiet ride that doesn’t skimp on the horsepower. With a combined fuel economy of 57 mpg, the Accord is a nice alternative to a gas-guzzling SUV while still offering ample trunk space for your cargo.
If you want a good amount of cargo space for a sedan, a reliable vehicle for your commutes, and a car that won’t have you stopping at the gas station every week, then the 2012 Accord is a solid option.
Key specs:
- $24,030 starting MSRP
- 2.4-liter turbocharged I-4 engine
- 161lb-ft of torque @ 4300 RPM
- 5-starNHTSA rating
- 57 MPG
- 5 passengers
- 177 to 271 hp
What’s special about the Special Edition?
The Accord might not turn heads while cruising down the highway, but it’s a solid car that has been recognized by critics and consumers alike. The base trim for the 2012 model had all of the basics, but the SE upped the game and drivers noticed.
The SE offered the following:
- 13 more horsepower
- Heated side mirrors
- Lumbar support for the driver’s sear
- A moonroof
- Upgraded interior materials
- Active noise cancellation
Clearly, the Special Edition upgraded an already great car into something more powerful, comfortable, and luxurious.
In the end, these upgrades didn’t cost that much more than the base model. It’s hard to argue against shelling out some extra bucks for all this!
MORE: The best cars for your commute
2012 Honda Accord Special Edition vs. EX
While the 2012 Accord Special Edition gave excellent bang for the buck, it was meant to be cheaper and less impressive than the EX trim. For an extra $3,000–$5000, the EX trim adds to or replaces many components of the LX and the SE, including:
- 17-inch alloys
- Automatic headlights
- A sunroof
- Heated mirrors
- A six-CD changer
- Upgraded interior trim
- A more powerful four-cylinder engine
The EX offered a lot more features than the SE. It might not have been enough to justify the cost, though, especially when you consider all that the SE had compared to the base trim. If you’re open to paying extra for more value, then a used EX might be worth the higher price tag.
Ultimately, we believe that the SE is a perfectly fine sedan that will meet the needs of the average driver. If you’re already willing to pay more for the EX, you might want to consider going for a used car that’s altogether better, like one from
Audi
.How to find the best 2012 Honda Accord Special Edition insurance
Picking out the perfect sedan and then deciding on the trim level can take a lot of time. The last thing you want is to make all those big decisions, then have another mountain to climb with shopping for
car insurance
. Luckily, Jerry
, the trustworthy super app
for car owners, can help you find the right policy at a price that’ll fit your budget. After signing up for Jerry, we'll scan competitive quotes from 55+ top insurance companies and deliver the best deals to you. Just select the coverage you want, and let Jerry’s team of experts help finalize your new plan and cancel your old policy.
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