For its first trick, Honda’s new 2014 Accord hybrid hits an estimated 50 mpg on EPA city tests, a figure that whoops every other Honda hybrid despite the Accord hybrid being larger and considerably heavier.
Act Two is more complex. The company’s revamped Earth Dreams hybrid powertrains—designed to scale from subcompacts such as the 2014 Fit hybrid to all-wheel-drive mid-size SUVs—finally allow all-electric power at low speeds, a major departure from the Integrated Motor Assist system that had been used since the 1999 Insight. This costlier series-parallel system, similar to that of the segment-leading Prius, allows the Accord hybrid to reach its magical 50-mpg city/45-mpg highway rating. Not only does that top the Civic hybrid (44/44), Insight (41/44), and CR-Z (36/39), the Accord hybrid’s city rating ranks above any mid-size sedan, hybrid or not.
The only competitor that edges the Accord hybrid on the highway is the Ford Fusion hybrid (47/47). Behind that is the Toyota Camry hybrid (43/39) and Hyundai Sonata hybrid (36/40). For reference, the Chevrolet Volt’s gas-only mileage is just 35/40 while the Accord Plug-in taps out at 47/46, although both cars are saddled with heavier batteries. Compared to the Prius (51/48), the Accord hybrid’s EPA ratings are particularly impressive, as it doesn’t look like a boiled egg.
- Comparison Test: 2013 Ford Fusion Energi vs. 2014 Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid
- Long-Term Intro: 2013 Honda Accord Sport Sedan
- Instrumented Test: 2014 Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid
Pricing hasn’t been announced, but we’d expect Honda to tread near the Camry and Fusion models, which run $26,950 and $26,995, respectively. Expect to see the Accord hybrid in showrooms this fall.
Source: CarAndDriver
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