Is this one a hatchback, or does it just look like it ought to be one?
An all-new Accord arrived for the 2018 model year and, of course, there’s a hybrid option.
The 411 right from Honda’s media site:
“The 2018 Accord Hybrid is powered by the third generation of Honda's innovative two-motor hybrid powertrain, which pairs a 2.0-liter DOHC i-VTEC® Atkinson-cycle inline-4 engine with 40-percent thermal efficiency to an electric propulsion motor that churns out 232 lb.-ft. of torque for a class-leading total system output of 212 horsepower. As before, the Accord two-motor system operates without the need for a conventional automatic transmission.
“Helping to maximize energy generation are steering wheel-mounted Deceleration Selectors. Similar to transmission paddle shifters, the Accord Hybrid's Deceleration Selectors allow the driver to easily toggle between four levels of regenerative braking performance. The right selector increases regenerative braking and the left selector reduces regenerative braking. The system simultaneously helps reduce stress on the brakes while increasing battery charging via regeneration.”
One more interesting tidbit gleaned from the press materials: The intelligent power unit (“IPU” in Honda-speak) now resides beneath the rear floor instead of the trunk. End result: No loss of carrying capacity compared to the gas-powered version as well as the addition of a 60/40-split rear seat.
The price premium for all of that technological goodness? The Accord Hybrid starts at $25,100. The least expensive standard Accord carries an MSRP of $23,570.
Our tester was the top-of-the-line Accord Touring Hybrid that goes for $34,710.
Remember when hybrids had to look weird? Or drive oddly? Or be kinda small? Or sacrifice some carrying capacity because the battery pack intruded upon the trunk? Or just have a weird tick about them? Yeah, the Accord Hybrid erases all of that. Welcome to modern times. Thanks for joining us.
The hybrid Accord drives like a normal Accord but is rated to get 47 mpg everywhere. The new Accord feels more Acura than Honda. It’s comfy, roomy and nicely trimmed.
And the hybrid-ized version is quick and, for what it is, rather fun to drive. No, it’s not the second coming of the CRX, but for a mid-sized people-mover, it’s pretty sweet.
Is this one a hatchback, or does it just look like it ought to be one?
New Accord styling is so good.. Although with those wheels it's hard to tell that the car is as good looking as it is. The Accord Hybrid system as far as I know is not much changed from the previous body style, but it was already great there too. I'm armchair quarterbacking this as a great car.
My sister is on her 3rd Prius, I would so like to buy one of these Accord Hybrids or even a new Insight and show her that a hybrid doesn't have to look like a 4 wheeled pile of doggy doo.
My sister is on her 3rd Prius, I would so like to buy one of these Accord Hybrids or even a new Insight and show her that a hybrid doesn't have to look like a 4 wheeled pile of doggy doo.
Just make an Accord hybrid sportwagon already and make a hatchback actually practical to carry stuff....
Remember when hybrids had to look weird?
You mean two decades ago, when the Prius and Insight were the only hybrids? The hybrid versions of the Honda Civic and Accord, Toyota Camry and Highlander, Lexus RX , Ford Escape and Fusion, Volvo XC90 - and indeed just about everything other than the Prius - have always looked just like the non-hybrid version.
Even the Prius (and the all-electric Nissan Leaf) look conventional now, not because their styling has changed but because the convention has changed.
... Or drive oddly?
The hybrid Accord drives like a normal Accord...
I find it strange that CVTs are so highly criticized for exactly the same characteristic (engine speed not rising in proportion with road speed) which is exhibited by series and power-split hybrids... but the hybrid is described as driving normally. I have no problem with the way these cars drive; I just don't get the inconsistency of enthusiasts and the automotive press.
In reply to MadScientistMatt :
No, it's just a fastback sedan. It's the style of the day, complete with poor rear headroom, massive rear window, and lousy trunk access.
It's a Honda, so it also has the grotesque nose.
In reply to Carsandbikes :
Or you could by a Camry Hybrid. Anything other than a Prius looks just like the non-hybrid version - you don't have to switch to Honda if you don't want to.
In reply to Brian_13 :
I looked at Camry Hybrids but didn't buy partly because I wasn't fast enough in getting to CarMax (I don't care to visit Toyota dealers) and according to many reviews of the Camry it has almost no steering feel/feedback.
And at this point I would rather have a RAV4 Hybrid than a Camry if I bought a Toyota.
I find it strange that CVTs are so highly criticized for exactly the same characteristic (engine speed not rising in proportion with road speed) which is exhibited by series and power-split hybrids... but the hybrid is described as driving normally. I have no problem with the way these cars drive; I just don't get the inconsistency of enthusiasts and the automotive press.
So the Accord Hybrid works more like the Chevy Volt where it has an electric motor that propels the wheels, and the ICE just powers a generator, except when you reach a high enough road speed that the engine can be coupled directly through to the differential by a clutch and power the wheels directly in that way. So you basically have no gear ratio between the engine and the road at all other than at high speed+low throttle. The rest of the time the ICE will spin to whatever rpm is necessary to keep the battery in an adequate state of charge without the level of direct relation to throttle position that an actual CVT has.
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