7 Reasons to Love the 2014 Honda Accord Sedan Sport Manual
When it comes to reliable cars, the 2014 Honda Accord Sedan Sport Manual is one of those vehicles that holds a special place in the hearts of car enthusiasts. If you're looking for a ride that's fun to drive practical and affordable this manual-transmission version might just be the hidden gem you’re looking for. We'll break down everything you need to know about this version of the Accord: from performance to style from the tiny quirks that’ll make you chuckle to the very real advantages that make it worth considering. Let’s get into why this car might just become your next favorite sedan.
Power Meets Practicality: The Engine Specs
At the core of the 2014 Honda Accord Sedan Sport Manual is a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine. Sure that might not sound too exciting in today’s world of turbocharged monsters but don’t underestimate it. With 189 horsepower and 182 lb-ft of torque, it offers enough punch to make your daily commute or weekend road trips enjoyable. Plus with the 6-speed manual transmission you’ve got full control over the driving experience.
- Horsepower: 189 hp
- Torque: 182 lb-ft
- Transmission: 6-speed manual
- Engine type: 2.4-liter inline-4
It’s not going to blow anyone’s mind in terms of sheer power but it’ll get you where you need to go while keeping things interesting. The Sport trim adds a bit more oomph to the experience which makes this model stand out from its base counterparts.
Manual Transmission: For the Purists
For those who still love the art of shifting gears manually, the 2014 Accord Sport Manual is a rare breed. The 6-speed manual transmission is smooth and engaging making you feel more connected to the road. Shifting between gears feels precise though there's just enough resistance to remind you that you're in charge here.
What’s great about the Manual?
- Driver Control: You get to decide when to shift. Want to hold onto 2nd gear for that curve? Go for it.
- Fuel Economy: Yes, the manual gives you the potential for better fuel efficiency if you're not flooring it at every green light.
- Engagement: Driving becomes more than just sitting there. It’s a bit of a workout but in the best way possible.
- Fewer Distractions: Your hands are busy shifting so you’re less likely to be scrolling through your phone (not that anyone would admit to that right?).
However it’s not all smooth sailing. For instance if you’re the kind of person who hates uphill starts the lack of an automatic hill-assist feature can make life interesting—in a “let’s roll backward into the car behind us” kind of way. But hey we all need a little excitement in our lives right?
Style and Exterior: Subtle but Sporty
Let’s talk looks because while the 2014 Accord Sport isn’t going to turn heads like a Ferrari it does have some subtle sporty features that set it apart from the base model. The 18-inch alloy wheels give it a slightly more aggressive stance and the dual exhaust tips are a nice touch for those who appreciate a little extra visual flair.
The Accord’s overall design is clean and timeless with just enough edge to make it feel modern. Honda kept things simple with this model meaning it’s likely to age well. You won’t find any wild design choices here but you also won’t look like you’re driving something that came out of a cereal box.
Exterior Highlights
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Dual exhaust tips for that sporty look
- Subtle front and rear spoilers
- Fog lights (because who doesn’t love fog lights?)
But be warned—those 18-inch wheels can come back to bite you when it’s time to replace your tires. Expect to pay a bit more than you would for smaller wheels. But hey sometimes you’ve got to pay to play right?
Interior Comfort and Features: No Frills Just Function
When you step inside the 2014 Accord Sport, you won’t be met with luxury but you will find a solid well-designed interior. The seats are cloth (no leather here) but they’re comfortable enough for long drives and they offer decent support for those spirited driving sessions. You’ll get dual-zone automatic climate control, a rearview camera (which was still a bit of a novelty back in 2014), and a simple but effective 8-inch display screen.
Interior Features You’ll Love
- 8-inch display screen (non-touchscreen)
- Dual-zone climate control
- Rearview camera: handy for avoiding that rogue shopping cart in the parking lot
- 10-way power driver’s seat: because your lower back deserves love too
- Pandora compatibility (remember Pandora?)
The interior is spacious with plenty of legroom in the back seat—making this a great option if you frequently have passengers. However it’s worth noting that the cloth seats might not be everyone’s cup of tea. They’re durable sure but if you’re looking for something more luxurious you might find yourself longing for the EX-L trim. But hey cloth seats mean fewer worries about spills right?
Alex Collantes’ Take: “Understated but Solid”
Our resident car enthusiast Alex Collantes had this to say about the 2014 Accord Sport Manual:
“It’s an understated car. It doesn’t scream ‘look at me’ but that’s part of its appeal. The manual transmission is really the star here. If you enjoy driving it’ll give you just enough to have fun without feeling like you’re wrangling a beast. Plus it’s Honda so you know it’s going to last forever.”
Fuel Economy: A Gas-Sipper in Disguise
Despite its sporty leanings the 2014 Honda Accord Sport Manual manages to be relatively fuel-efficient. With 26 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway, you won’t be spending a fortune at the gas pump. Sure it’s not a hybrid but for a car in this category it does pretty well.
Fuel Economy Numbers
- City: 26 mpg
- Highway: 34 mpg
- Combined: 29 mpg
Now if you’re pushing the car hard (you know who you are) expect those numbers to drop a bit. But for everyday driving the Accord Sport Manual manages to strike a good balance between performance and efficiency.
Handling and Ride Quality: Sporty Enough but Still Comfortable
The 2014 Accord Sport may have the word “sport” in its name but don’t expect it to handle like a race car. That being said it does offer a more engaging driving experience than some of its more vanilla counterparts. The suspension is firm enough to give you decent feedback from the road but it won’t jar your spine over every bump. It’s sporty without being punishing and for a daily driver that’s a good thing.
- Handling: Predictable and responsive
- Suspension: Firm but not uncomfortable
- Steering: Precise though some might say it’s a bit light for a car that claims to be sporty
Just be careful with those 18-inch wheels on rough roads. They look great but they can make potholes feel like craters.
Safety Features: Honda’s Strong Suit
Honda has always had a reputation for safety and the 2014 Accord Sport is no exception. It comes with antilock brakes traction and stability control and a suite of airbags. The rearview camera (standard on this model) adds another layer of protection for those tight parking spots. It also earned top marks from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) with a five-star overall rating.
Standard Safety Features
- Rearview camera
- ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution
- Traction control
- Stability control
- Multiple airbags (front side curtain)
But here’s where the humor comes in—despite all these safety features there’s one thing it won’t protect you from: your own bad decisions in traffic. So while the Accord’s got your back in a crash it can’t stop you from merging without looking first. That one’s on you.
Potential Drawbacks: What Could Go Wrong?
No car is perfect and the 2014 Accord Sport does have its quirks. For starters if you’re a fan of cutting-edge tech you might find the 8-inch display a bit… underwhelming. It’s not a touchscreen and the interface feels a bit dated compared to today’s standards.
What Might Annoy You
- Not a touchscreen: Yep you read that right. You’ll be using old-school buttons to navigate that display.
- No Android Auto or Apple CarPlay: This was 2014 remember? You’re stuck with Bluetooth and Pandora.
- Road noise: The cabin isn’t the quietest especially at highway speeds. If you’re looking for library-level silence you might be disappointed.
- Cloth seats: Durable sure but not exactly luxurious.
And let’s not forget the manual transmission. It’s fun no doubt but if you’re driving in a city with a lot of stop-and-go traffic you might find yourself longing for an automatic. It’s a great car for the open road but rush hour might test your patience.
Final Thoughts: Why the 2014 Honda Accord Sedan Sport Manual is Still a Solid Choice
All things considered the 2014 Honda Accord Sedan Sport Manual offers a balanced mix of performance practicality and reliability. It’s not the flashiest or the most powerful car out there but for those who value the engagement of a manual transmission combined with Honda’s legendary reliability it’s a fantastic option.
As Alex Collantes said “It’s not going to turn heads but it’s going to get you where you need to go and you’ll have fun doing it.” Plus with the manual transmission you’ll have a blast every time you get behind the wheel—even if it means sacrificing a bit of convenience in stop-and-go traffic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2014 Honda Accord Sport Manual a good first car?
Yes the 2014 Accord Sport Manual is a solid choice for a first car especially if you’re looking to learn manual driving. It’s reliable affordable to maintain and offers enough power to be fun without being overwhelming.
How does the 2014 Accord Sport Manual compare to its automatic counterpart?
The manual version offers a more engaging driving experience and gives you better control over the vehicle. However if you’re not comfortable with manual driving or you live in an area with heavy traffic the automatic version might be a better fit.
What’s the biggest drawback of the 2014 Accord Sport Manual?
If we’re nitpicking it would have to be the lack of modern tech features like Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. That said if you’re okay with Bluetooth and don’t mind using physical buttons the tech won’t be a dealbreaker.
Does the 2014 Accord Sport Manual have good resale value?
Yes like most Hondas the 2014 Accord holds its value well. The combination of Honda’s reliability reputation and the fun factor of the manual transmission makes this car appealing to a broad range of buyers.
In the end the 2014 Honda Accord Sedan Sport Manual offers a driving experience that’s hard to beat for the price especially for those who enjoy shifting their own gears and want a car that’s going to last for years to come. 7 reasons to love this car? We could come up with more but those should be enough to convince you it’s worth a look.