Honda Accord Hybrid Review

The existing Honda Accord sedan is a fine car. The Honda Accord Hybrid model offers six-cylinder Accord beating performance with four-cylinder Accord like fuel economy. Honda Accord Hybrid comes at a price premium that places it in competition with entry-luxury sedans. Honda has equipped the car for such cross shopping. After wading through glossy scribes of how technically advanced this car is, you'll be happy to know this car actually drives well. Smooth and potent power is delivered through the drivetrain almost imperceptably. The extra torque and speed inherent to the Honda Accord Hybrid becomes readily apparent, after driving "lesser models". The Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system smoothly delivers when needed and is nearly impossible to detect when it isn't. Variable Cylinder Management (VCM)™ technology has been borrowed from the Honda Odyssey minivan and adapted for Hybrid use. The system can shut down half the V6's cylinders in cruising mode, using the Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system to assist in low power cruising conditions.

The Honda Accord Hybrid is the perfect hybrid for people who value power and pace of outright MPG. It also makes it easier for people to enter the Hybrid world, without compromising on valued attributes such as brisk acceleration and quiet refinement.

See also Honda Accord Hybrid fact sheet.

High Points

 * Powerful acceleration
 * Additional torque provided by the electric motor
 * Nearly seemless operation

Low Points

 * Lackluster mileage (for a hybrid)
 * Costly (the Accord Hybrid is comparable in price to entry level luxury models)
 * No Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) offered (at the expense of economy)

Performance and Handling
Most of the weight of the hybrid system is over the front wheels. Honda has adjusted the Accords suspension to compensate for this additional weight. The front springs and dampers were given a slightly firmer rate, even though these changes are difficult to notice from driving a regular V6 powered Accord. The electric motor provides 90 percent of its 100 lb-ft peak torque at less than 4,000 rpm, which has a noticeable effect on the feeling you get when you press the accelerator pedal liberally. The Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) acts as both a generator (for the battery pack) and a power booster. It captures wasted heat energy caused from braking and stores it as electricity in the small nickel-metal hydride battery pack. When you call for more power (by pressing down on the accelerator pedal), the electric motor (mounted between the gasoline engine and the five-speed automatic transmission) provides its 16 hp and 100 lbs-ft of torque.

Slightly wider tires do not aid traction, but do aid in the economy effort, at the expense of handling. The low rolling resistance tires clearly point to economy but seem out of place with the performance offered in the Honda Accord Hybrid. They have difficulty providing traction on wet roads. These tires, combined with a switch to an electric power assisted steering rack make for numb steering feel. Performance minded drivers will be disappointed.

Safety

 * Daytime Running Lights (DRL)
 * 4 wheel disc Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS)
 * Front, dual stage airbags (SRS)
 * Front side-impact airbags
 * Side curtain airbags
 * Vehicle Stability Control (VSA®)
 * 5 Star National Highway Traffic Safety Agency NHTSA crash test rating

Interior and Comforts
Leather-trimmed heated seats, climate control, Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS), traction control, and side curtain airbags are all standard. The Accord Hybrid also has extra noise-damping equipment, to combat the intrusions from the Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) powerplant.

The only option on the Honda Accord Hybrid is a touch-screen satellite-linked navigation system. It offers voice-operated commands, just like in the Acura TSX. One switch left blank on the 2005 model year cars, the power glass sunroof, stripped to help keep the curb weight down, has since been added to the standard equipment list for the 2006 model year.

Exterior
Honda has kept the Accord Hybrid understated in the styling department. This is "par for the course" in terms of Honda and body styling. This is not to say that the car is unattractive. Truth is, the Honda Accord Hybrid is virtually indistinguishable from a conventional V6 Honda Accord sedan, something many buyers could find appealing. Detailing on the Accord Hybrid is limited to a hybrid badge, unique wheels, trunk-mounted lip-spoiler, whip attenna and tailights. Adding up all these aerodynamic aids, the lightweight alloy wheels, lip-spoiler, front diffuser and whip antenna, the reduction in coefficient of drag (Cd) drops from 0.30 to 0.29. That little reduction is good enough to slim highway fuel consumption by 5 percent.

Styles and Options
The Honda Accord Hybrid comes in one four door sedan bodystyle. The only option remains a satellite-linked navigation system ($2000).

Main Competitors

 * Toyota Camry Hybrid
 * Nissan Altima Hybrid
 * Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid
 * Saturn Aura Green Line