* Click HERE to see a video on the Honda Accord Hybrid *
They should all be this way
There is no doubting that the horsepower war is back on. The American manufacturers are up to their old tricks with large displacement engines and RWD drivetrains just as they were 40 years ago. This time around though, the Japanese are part of the game. They certainly now have their share of V8 engines, however they are mostly reserved for high-end luxury cars or trucks. Their approach consists of "hybridising" strong engines that are already in their common car line-up. Let us take the Lexus RX400h for example. The combination of the V6 engine and the electric motor not only reduce fuel consumption and harmful emissions, the blend actually develops more horsepower and, by default, quicker acceleration times.
The question is: Are they worth the extra cost? When buying one of these cars, you do have to pay a premium up front. The Accord Hybrid sells for $36 990 or $3 390 more than the EX-V6. However, it does not have a sunroof or a power passenger seat, so the cost turns out to be little higher than that difference. According to Natural Resources Canada, the average fuel cost for the Hybrid will be of $ 3 360 and the EX-V6, of $4 511. The less than $1 200 difference in fuel cost will make up for the premium only 3 years down the road. To really make it worthwhile, the buyer would have to drive closer to 30 000 km a year.
Exterior styling
The Accord Hybrid differs very little physically compared to a regular Accord sedan. The 16" alloys are unique to the Hybrid as is a small lip spoiler found on the trunk lid. There are only three colours available for this car: Silver Frost (only with Hybrid), Satin Silver and Nighthawk Black. Our Satin Silver example showed no problems with the paint application or with the alignment of the body panels.
Interior styling
The interior of the Hybrid is typical standard Accord fair: top quality materials with flawless assembly. There were only two issues concerning the interior trim: 1) the mix of chocolate brown and ivory colours and 2) the faux wood veneer. Had the interior been black as in the recently tested Coupe, I could not have found anything to complain about.
As always, the seats provide excellent comfort and support. The rear bench, non-folding because of the batteries, is also cozy with sufficient head and legroom. Trunk volume is reduced by 20% (317 litres instead of
396) yet it is still quite capable of holding plenty of bags and boxes.
The IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) gauges and indicators in the Accord Hybrid are not as explicit as in the Civic Hybrid. There is a small battery charge meter and a simple horizontal line that indicates whether the electric motor is charging or assisting. The Civic has a series of nicer semi-circle digital gauges that are more informative and complete.
They should all be this way
 |
The question is: Are they worth the extra cost? When buying one of these cars, you do have to pay a premium up front. The Accord Hybrid sells for $36 990 or $3 390 more than the EX-V6. However, it does not have a sunroof or a power passenger seat, so the cost turns out to be little higher than that difference. According to Natural Resources Canada, the average fuel cost for the Hybrid will be of $ 3 360 and the EX-V6, of $4 511. The less than $1 200 difference in fuel cost will make up for the premium only 3 years down the road. To really make it worthwhile, the buyer would have to drive closer to 30 000 km a year.
Exterior styling
 |
The Accord Hybrid differs very little physically compared to a regular Accord sedan. The 16" alloys are unique to the Hybrid as is a small lip spoiler found on the trunk lid. There are only three colours available for this car: Silver Frost (only with Hybrid), Satin Silver and Nighthawk Black. Our Satin Silver example showed no problems with the paint application or with the alignment of the body panels.
Interior styling
The interior of the Hybrid is typical standard Accord fair: top quality materials with flawless assembly. There were only two issues concerning the interior trim: 1) the mix of chocolate brown and ivory colours and 2) the faux wood veneer. Had the interior been black as in the recently tested Coupe, I could not have found anything to complain about.
As always, the seats provide excellent comfort and support. The rear bench, non-folding because of the batteries, is also cozy with sufficient head and legroom. Trunk volume is reduced by 20% (317 litres instead of
 |
The IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) gauges and indicators in the Accord Hybrid are not as explicit as in the Civic Hybrid. There is a small battery charge meter and a simple horizontal line that indicates whether the electric motor is charging or assisting. The Civic has a series of nicer semi-circle digital gauges that are more informative and complete.