Honda Hybrid offers stellar mileage in appealing package
TECH SAVVY | Technology trumps styling in the gas-sipping versatility that is the Accord Hybrid.
CASEY WILLIAMS | Auto Reviewer
crwauto@aol.com
The Honda Accord Hybrid has racked up its share of awards lately — 2014 MotorWeek Drivers’ Choice Award, Green Car of the Year, “top safety pick” by the IIHS, and one of About.com’s Best New Cars of 2014. If human, it probably would have earned a GLAAD award, too. Having tested the car this year, I understand all the accolades.
The new sedan slips down the road with Honda’s two-motor hybrid system that includes a 124-kilowatt electric motor, lithium-ion batteries, continuously-variable transmission (CVT) and a 141 horsepower, 2.0-liter engine to run in three driving modes: EV Drive (which allows the car to run short distances without burning gas); Engine Drive (which churns the front wheels directly); and Hybrid Drive (a combination of the two, allowing fuel economy of 50/45-MPG city/hwy. — impressive for a larger car). Indeed, in naming its award, About.com cited the sedan’s comfortable interior and class-leading EPA fuel efficiency ratings.
Styling is clean, if less dramatic than the powertrain, cribbing from BMW for the raised hood and from Hofmeister kink-in-the-side windows and accentuated trunk — much better designs than the last-generation Accord, finessed with LED driving lamps and chrome up front, 17-in. alloy wheels and thin body color trunk spoiler. Blue trim in the grille, unique alloys and Hybrid badges distinguish hybrids from thirstier Accords.
Its innards surpass its interiors, which are well-made, but about as exciting as a Macy’s changing room. Base cars have a rubber steering wheel, no navigation, no XM radio and mouse-fur seats, though everything feels like it will last a half-century. At least the supportive cloth seats have lumbar adjustment. A large analog speedometer is flanked by electronic graphs for electricity usage/replenishment. Trunk space is half-consumed with the battery pack, so forget flipping down the rear bench for bikes and gear.
A rear backing camera, Bluetooth calling/ streaming audio and SMS text messaging add keep you connected to your peeps and disconnected from hard objects. Hybrids come with Honda LaneWatch, which uses a small camera to show obstacles next to the car when the turn signal is activated. I think it’s stupid; I’d prefer Honda spend the money on heated seats or a leather-wrapped steering wheel (which, you can get for a few dollars more).
On the road, your only clue that batteries and electric motors are providing part of the thrust is smooth, torquey acceleration around town. On the highway, the engine revs like a Hoover after your shoelaces, made more pleasant with active noise cancellation technology. Beyond all of the high-tech wizardry, the best part of the Accord Hybrid is that it’s an Accord. It’s as solid as a brick house, as roomy as your grandmother’s divan and as predictable as Hillary running for president.
Here’s the skinny. If you want a well-built Honda that gets sippin’ fuel economy, the Accord Hybrid is your car. With a starting price of $29,155 for a pretty basic car, it’s not cheap. By comparison, non-hybrid Accords rise from $21,955 and achieve 27/36-MPG city/hwy — a very good value. The Toyota Camry Hybrid, Ford Fusion Hybrid, or Toyota Prius go for thousands less with comparable fuel economy. And, in the case of a Prius, an actual trunk that will hold bicycles, a stroller and gear. But none of those are built with Honda’s renowned reputation for technical savvy and ownership longevity.
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition July 18, 2014.