The all-new Honda Accord Hybrid proves just how mainstream ecofriendly hybrid powertrains have become. Now in its 11th generation, Honda’s flagship family sedan offers all the things you’ve come to expect from this popular midsize nameplate. There’s a quiet passenger cabin with adult-size room in both the front and rear as well as a spacious cargo hold in back. A comfortable ride, confident handling and top scores in Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash tests round out the list of desirable qualities.
As for advanced technology, this new Accord Hybrid features bright LED headlights and a standard 10.2-inch digital gauge cluster. Upper trim levels like the Sport model that I drove include a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity. Honda’s design team gets extra credit for their efforts to incorporate all this technology in a way that is particularly user-friendly.
What really sets this latest Accord variant apart, though, is the hybrid powertrain that comes standard on all but the entry-level LX and EX models. This combination of a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine and two electric motors sends a healthy 204 horsepower (hp) to the car’s front wheels.
Acceleration is satisfying, and the integration of the gasoline and electric motors is super-smooth. What’s more, the Accord Hybrid’s official EPA fuel economy estimates—up to 51 miles per gallon (mpg) City and 44 mpg Highway—are so good that those numbers may have looked like typos just a few years ago.
Add a range of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, and you have proof that hybrids have come of age.
Bottom Line: This may be the best Accord Hybrid yet.
EPA Fuel Economy (MPG)
- 51 City
- 44 Highway (EX-L hybrid)
Pricing
- Base Price: $31,345
- As Tested: $32,990
