2015 Honda Accord Hybrid

NEW FOR 2015:

It may look like a standard-issue Accord with different wheels and a different grille, but behind those familiar lines lies some of the most innovative powertrain technology on sale in Canada.

Drawing from its experience with electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid technology, the Accord Hybrid goes down a different path for electrification. Though you don’t plug it in, conceptually, it shares more in common with the Chevrolet Volt or Fisker Karma than it does with its primary competitors, the hybrid versions of the Toyota Camry, Ford Fusion, Hyundai Sonata and Kia Optima.

What makes the Accord so unique is its lack of a traditional transmission. Instead, it uses two electric motors, and has a 6.7 kWh lithium-ion battery pack that’s used to power them. The first motor is a 166-hp, 236 lb-ft of torque AC unit which drives the front wheels; the other is a generator, and serves as an intermediary between the first motor and the 2.0-litre four-cylinder gasoline engine sitting under the hood. Honda refers to the Accord as having an E-CVT, although there’s no CVT to speak of.

Despite the complicated sounding setup, the Accord Hybrid works seamlessly. Like most other hybrids, it can drive on electric power alone, on gasoline alone, or on a combination of the two. The setup is refined in operation, with little detectable NVH when the gasoline motor starts up and shuts down, and no CVT lag under hard acceleration. It also bests its rivals from Ford and Toyota in the fuel economy department.

Powertrain aside, there’s much to like about the Accord Hybrid. Other than a reduction in trunk space, it retains the virtues of the standard model, a vehicle that’s topped Autos.ca’s most recent roundup of midsize family sedans.

The Accord Hybrid is offered in two trim levels – Hybrid, and Hybrid Touring.

The Hybrid comes standard with 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels, tire repair kit, Econ mode button, acoustic vehicle alert system (for pedestrians), security system, chrome grille with LED illumination, chrome door handles, body-colour door mirrors with integrated turn signals, LED daytime running lights, power heated folding mirrors, active noise cancellation, air conditioning with air filtration, power locks, power windows with auto-up/down driver's window, remote entry system with power trunk release and power window control, proximity key with push-button start, LaneWatch blind-spot system, cruise control, multi-angle reverse camera, Bluetooth phone connectivity, exterior temperature indicator, auto on/off headlights, smart maintenance minder, tilt/telescopic steering column, eight-way power driver seat, four-way manual front passenger seat, rear console ventilation, heated front seats, and a six-speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3/WMA audio with HondaLink touchscreen audio, text message and email capability, USB and auxiliary input.

The Hybrid Touring adds leather upholstery, heated rear seats, driver’s seat position memory, Homelink, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, power moonroof, LED headlamps, satellite navigation, leather-warppeds teering wheel, 360-watt seven-speaker AM/FM/CD and satellite radio, lane departure warning and forward collision warning.