TEST DRIVE: 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid

Since launching the all new 9th generation Honda Accord in 2013, Honda and its flagship midsized sedan have been on something of a roll.

Sales have been strong, reviews have been solid and accolades have been coming in, including the 2013 Canadian Car of the Year among others.  I had the chance to see the all new Accord for the 1st time more than a year ago in California and that first drive review appeared previously on the Enviro Dad Test Drive.  For the 2014 model year, Honda wanted to grow on that success by offering a new version to the current 4 and 6 cylinder models, with the launch of the all-new 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid.

Earlier this fall I was invited along with a couple dozen other journalists to Honda Canada’s Headquarters in Markham, ON to check out the new Hybrid.  Honda hasn’t had the greatest history with hybrid vehicles with mediocre success and underwhelming results, despite being the first automaker to offer a hybrid in North America.  However there seemed to be a buzz going around with this newest hybrid so I was eager to learn more and test it out.

AT FIRST GLANCE

If you are an Accord fan, the good news is that the Accord Hybrid looks essentially the same as the non-hybrid version.  There are some subtle distinct differences on the Accord Hybrid though including a simplistic badging on the front quarter panel and trunk, some uniquely styled 17” 5 spoke wheels with low rolling resistance tires, a blue tinted upper front grille and similarly tinted headlights.  Aside from that, it looks basically the same.

Similarly the inside of the Accord Hybrid is the same as with non-hybrid models.  There are differences with the instrument cluster though with instruments displaying regenerative charging as well as EV only range in addition to typical readouts.

BEHIND THE WHEEL

Where non-hybrid fans typically like to beat up on hybrids is when it comes to how they drive.  Admittedly there have been more than a few hybrids that have felt and performed differently than regular autos with grabby regenerative breaks and wonky performance.  The good news with the Accord Hybrid is that there is little in that regard to complain about.

The Accord Hybrid is powered by a 2.0L 4-cylinder Atkinson Cycle engine, utilizing Honda’s Earth Dreams technology and is matched with a lithium-ion battery.  Together they put out 196 hp and 226 lb/ft of torque.

Unlike previous mild-hybrids that Honda utilized, the Accord Hybrid has the ability to drive in EV mode alone for brief periods of time.  It also shuts off the engine while stopped, yet there is no abruptness to how the transfers in propulsion take place.  Overall the Accord Hybrid provides a smooth, smart and generally refined ride.

ECO FACTOR

Where the Accord Hybrid is likely to stand out is not only with superior fuel efficiency, but also with the unique hybrid system that they have created.

Honda has created a 2-Motor Hybrid System, which is somewhat complex in its design and implementation, yet exceptional in execution.  Where the 2-motor system stands out from similar systems such as the Hybrid Synergy Drive from Toyota is when the Accord Hybrid is driven in Hybrid mode.  Typically in a hybrid mode both the internal combustion engine and the electric motor work in tandem to drive the wheels.  However with the Accord Hybrid, what happens is that the engine instead powers a generator which then sends power to the wheels electronically.

Another hard to get used to aspect of the Accord Hybrid is that it essentially doesn’t have a transmission.  While many hybrids utilize a Continually Variable Transmission (CVT), with the Accord Hybrid when the vehicle switches to engine only mode (high speeds for example) a simple clutch is engaged and the wheels are driven through a single fixed ratio.

In the end the resulting fuel economy is impressive with a published rating of 4.0 L/100 KM or 58.8 MPG (City) and 4.2 L/100 KM or 56 MPG (HWY).  During the drive event at Honda Canada, we were given a semi-rural route of about 90 KM’s to test the vehicle in pairs, and included with the drive was a fuel-efficiency challenge.  My drive partner Steven Bochenek and I have been paired before during a different but similar drive event and we’ve been known to strive for the prize.  As such we drove the Accord Hybrid in non-traditional ways admittedly, being far easier on acceleration and speed than would be present in normal driving conditions.  So while we actually beat the posted ratings by about 10%, we know that in reality most drivers will achieve something perhaps within the posted numbers or even about 10% above.

FAMILY FACTOR

The Accord Hybrid offers all the same comforts and amenities for families as does the non-hybrid Accord with the only exception being in regard to trunk space.  As with all hybrids, the placement of the battery behind the 2nd row of seats reduces overall cargo capacity, and with the Accord Hybrid, cargo space diminishes from about 15.78 cubic feet with the regular Accord to 12.71 cubic feet with the Hybrid.  3 cubic feet would mean a few extra bags of groceries or maybe the difference between 2 sets of golf clubs or 3.

FOR THE TECHIES

To my mind the real techie factor with the Accord Hybrid is with the above described 2-motor hybrid system, however there are other techie toys found in this car as well.

Along with innovative new features such Honda’s LaneWatch™ blind-spot monitoring system, an industry-first which debuted on the Accord last fall, other available features on the 2014 Accord Hybrid include Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Forward Collision Warning (FCW), an 8-inch colour i-MID display, cloud-based HondaLink™ featuring Aha™, 360-watt seven-speaker audio system with Bluetooth® streaming audio, XM® Radio, and a multi-angle rear-view camera with guidelines.

SUMMARY

When Honda made the decision to become a much more active player in the world of hybrids, they also decided that they wouldn’t participate unless they brought something new and innovative to the table.  With the Accord Hybrid and the debut of its 2-Motor hybrid system, they clearly have established themselves as a strong player once again.

While I don’t expect that based on pricing alone, the Accord Hybrid will be achieving the sales volume heights seen by the Prius family (Accord Hybrid starts at $29,590 CDN with the Touring model starting at $35,690 CDN), the quality of the vehicle and the enjoyable overall driving experience will certainly garner it some attention, and deservedly so.

Honda has also come out with a Plug-In Hybrid version of the Accord, although it is only being offered in very limited markets (California and New York at the moment).  I had a chance to drive one as well since Honda is testing out the market up here so to speak, but it is unclear whether they will move ahead with wide spread availability.  In the meantime though, there is plenty enough to enjoy with regard to the newest mid-sized hybrid to enter the market and will give competitors like the Ford Fusion Hybrid, Kia Optima Hybrid, Hyundai Sonata Hybrid and the VW Jetta Turbo Hybrid a real run for their money.

 

BY THE NUMBERS (Out of 10):

LOOK/DESIGN:                                                  8.5

DRIVE:                                                                  8.5

GREEN FACTOR:                                               9.5

FAMILY FACTOR:                                              7.5

TECHIE STUFF:                                                   8.5

VALUE:                                                                 7.5

(MSRP AS TESTED: $35,690)

 

OVERALL:                                                            8.5

Eric Novak

About Eric Novak

Eric Novak is a father of 4 who also thinks that environmental stewardship is a requisite of parenting. He's not a professional Dad nor is he an environmental scientist, but he's someone who gives a damn and is trying to make the right decisions as he lives his life as a father, environmentalist, part time professor and business owner. Eric has 4 children and resides in Ajax, Ontario.