Honda Accord Towing Capacity: Can It Tow a Trailer, Boat, Or Jet Ski?

What is the towing capacity of the new Honda Accord Sedan? How much has it changed over the years? What types of trailers can it easily tow? In this article, we’ll give you the answers to all of these questions. We’ll also discuss the towing capacities of the competition of the Honda Accord, so let’s get started.

All generations of the Honda Accord provide a towing capacity of 1,000 pounds. However, the 1.5L engines in the latest generation and the hybrids manufactured from 2014 onwards are NOT recommended for towing purposes.

Now that we have answered the main question of this car’s towing capacity let’s dive deep to find out how it performs its towing duties in various circumstances and compare its performance to its competition.

How Much Can A Honda Accord Tow? (Maximum Towing Capacity By Year)

Sedans are not the best choice for towing heavy trailers, especially if you’re looking for a sedan that’s manufactured by Honda. The Accord is great at lasting for thousands of miles– not so great at hauling.

The following tables explain the towing capacities of the Honda Accord over the years and the impact of added payload on these capacities.

However, if you’re just looking for a quick answer regarding how much a Honda Accord can tow, here it is:

A Honda Accord, with a 2.0L engine, can tow up to 1,000 lbs with one passenger and 700 lbs with two passengers and luggage. Towing is not recommended for 1.5L and hybrid models from 2014 onwards.

Honda does NOT provide official numbers for the towing capacity of the latest 1.5L variants. Towing with these variants will damage the car and result in the cessation of the warranty.

It is therefore not recommended that you try to tow a trailer with your 1.5L Honda Accord, regardless of the type of fuel you use. The same goes for all hybrid Accords that are manufactured from 2014 onwards.

Can It Tow a Trailer, Boat, or Jet Ski?

Not all trailers have the same weight and size. Therefore, we have done extensive research to identify the weighing limits of different types of trailers. We have then matched these weight limits against the towing capacity of the Honda Accord.

Most Honda Accord models (except the 1.5L and the hybrids) can tow small-sized trailers with a maximum weight limit of 1000 pounds. This car is not designed for towing loaded trailers and thus, can only tow empty trailers. These include canoe/kayak, jet ski, teardrop, and small open utility trailers.

• Kayak: All Honda Accord models, except for most hybrids, will be able to tow a kayak trailer. On average, an empty kayak trailer will weigh 200 pounds. A loaded kayak trailer will weigh an average of 400 pounds with a maximum of 800 pounds which is well within the range of the Honda Accord.

• Jet Ski Trailer: All Honda Accord models, except for most hybrids, will be able to tow an empty jet ski trailer. On average, an empty jet ski trailer will weigh 300 pounds. A loaded jet ski trailer will weigh an average of 1,800 pounds with a maximum of 3,000 pounds which is outside the range of the Honda Accord.

• Motorcycle Trailer: All Honda Accord models, except for most hybrids, will be able to tow an empty motorcycle trailer. On average, an empty motorcycle trailer will weigh 500 pounds. A loaded motorcycle trailer will weigh an average of 2,400 pounds with a maximum of 3,500, which is outside the range of the Honda Accord.

• Small Open Utility Trailer: All Honda Accord models, except for most hybrids, will be able to tow an empty small open utility trailer. On average, an empty small open utility trailer will weigh 700 pounds. A loaded small open utility trailer will weigh an average of 2,500 pounds with a maximum of 3,000 pounds which is outside the range of the Honda Accord.

• Small Enclosed Utility Trailer: All Honda Accord models, except for most hybrids, will be able to tow an empty small enclosed utility trailer. On average, an empty small enclosed utility trailer weighs 1,000 pounds. A loaded small enclosed utility trailer will weigh an average of 3,200 pounds with a maximum of 7,000 pounds which is outside the range of the Honda Accord.

• Fishing Boat Trailer: All Honda Accord models, except for most hybrids, will be able to tow an empty fishing boat trailer. On average, an empty fishing boat trailer weighs 600 pounds. A loaded fishing boat trailer will weigh an average of 3,300 pounds with a maximum of 6,000 pounds which is outside the range of the Honda Accord.

• Tow Dolly: All Honda Accord models, except for most hybrids, will be able to tow an empty tow dolly. On average, an empty tow dolly weighs 600 pounds. A loaded tow dolly will weigh an average of 4,000 pounds with a maximum of 5,000 pounds which is outside the range of the Honda Accord.

Can You Install A Hitch On A Honda Accord?

From the factory, Honda Accords do not come with a trailer hitch. However, you can install an aftermarket class 1 hitch on your Accord. Class 1 hitches are rated for a maximum towing weight of 2,000 pounds and a maximum tongue weight of 200 pounds.

Therefore, they can carry more than what’s advised for the Honda Accord. Expect to pay around $150 – $200 for a class 1 hitch.

How Well Can It Tow Compared to Its Competitors?

Every car in the sedan section is shy about towing heavy-duty trailers. This is because these cars don’t have an optimal design to perform such duties. While some other cars in this category provide a decent towing capacity of 2000-3000 pounds, The Kia K5 provides the least towing capacity of 0 pounds. In second place we find the Altima and the Accord with 1,000 pounds.

Closing Thoughts

After a thorough analysis of the Honda Accord’s towing capabilities and the comparison with its competition, we have gained a detailed understanding of what this popular sedan brings to the table. It’s clear that with a towing capacity of 1,000 pounds across most generations, the Accord can handle light towing duties such as small utility trailers, bike racks, or small boats.

However, it’s worth noting that the latest generation equipped with 1.5L engines (with a transmission to match) and hybrids manufactured from 2014 onwards are not recommended for towing. This is an important consideration for buyers interested in these specific models and who also have towing needs.

When we compared the Accord to its competitors, we found that while it performs admirably within its class, the towing capacity varies depending on the specific make and model. Therefore, it’s crucial to consider your specific towing needs when deciding on a vehicle.

Overall, while the Honda Accord isn’t a heavy-duty towing vehicle (and it isn’t exactly a sports car either), it still offers versatility for casual towing needs. Its reputation for reliability and performance, coupled with its light towing capability, makes it a viable choice for many drivers. As with any vehicle, it’s critical to know your Accord’s limitations and operate within them to ensure the longevity and safety of your vehicle.

Stefan K.

Hi! My name is Stefan; I’m the owner and lead writer at TheDriverAdviser.com.

I’m an active writer on this blog myself, as well as a novice car mechanic. For the really technical stuff, I find writers with experience as a mechanic or who have studied mechanical engineering.

Read more about our fantastic team on our about page!