Accord Plug-in Gets Highest MPGe Rating above Energi, PiPl & Volt

Ah, they'll sell a few of these. Short EV range, bio-fabric for $40k. I think Chevy and Tesla are teaching a lesson that people want -

a) longer range , 30+ on their PH / EREV
b) 200 miles + range on BEV

I'm looking forward to the non-plugin Accord hybrid coming later this year. The '13 Accord has a lot of BMW-esque look to it now and it works for me. I hope they don't mess up the hybrid's look with funny wheelcovers and give it a price that's $28k to start.

 

That disconnect between want & need is a big one though.

We really don't know why people do or don't buy either.

And what about Ford is exploring the 20-mile capacity?

It's all a big free-for-all still, with high $$$ incentive to confuse matters.

 

i hope it sells well. I wonder though... they pushed the civic hybrids too hard and had to de tune them or else batteries were at jeopardy of failing. With that heavy of a charge, i hope everything works out ok. I picture taking a prius battery and sticking it in the microwave (no logic... just the mental picture of "nuking" the battery)

if they do get it right.. it's what?... 4th time is the charm? (exaggerating again) they keep scraping systems and coming out with something better... i just want them to keep something on the road that works.. quick charge time or not. (hybrid civics still sell somewhere right? any hybrid civic owners i know switched to a prius...)

 

Heard that. Honda is awfully late to the full hybrid party and it is crystal clear that Honda IMA mild hybrid technology is virtually dead: Civic, Insight and CR-Z hybrid sales are laughable with 400 units each per month across the US.

 

Hybrid and plugin hybrid sedans are cool and all, but I don't want to see mfrs using up too much trunk or cargo space for batteries.

Toyota is doing the best job in my opinion integrating hybrid batteries into for example the Camry and Avalon trunks. Fusion hybrid is not nearly as good.

I really hope Honda does a great job making the trunk nice with the upcoming nonplug Accord hybrid.

 

my wife would love a plug in camry with 13 miles ev. most of her errands fall into that range. i guess it's a personal choice, and she won't drive an accord, doesn't find the seats comfortable.

 

With Accord driver's seat, try the power adjustable one and forget the mechanical adjust seat. I've tried Accord EX with leather which feel pretty good. Not BMW good, but good.

 

thanks, i'll ask her. she's a bit stubborn when it comes to seat comfort. bad back and for some reason, toyota has always worked. rented a fusion in cali last spring and her back bothered her all week and awhile afterward. that put the kybosh on test driving a fusion hybrid. i think it's part psychologocal, she is expecting bad and getting it.

 

couple videos

2014 Honda Accord Plugin Hybrid Review on Everyman Driver - YouTube

2014 Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid Sedan - YouTube

Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid Test Drive for Ward's 10 Best Engines of 2013 - YouTube

 

I really think Honda makes a great product. I've loved every Honda I ever owned except the Insight.

Except for the front fascia & air dam, I like the overall appearance of this car, especially the interior. It is definitely upscale and cohesive. As is, I could live with it.

My Prius is a wonderful car. Very thrifty, roomy and reliable. But... I don't really like the handling, the cheapness (in feel and build quality) and the noise. These are areas where the Honda would win. I've gotten a little pickier in my middle age.

The biggest problem for me about this Accord is PRICE. I would seriously consider this as my Prius replacement if it were in the low 30's. (maybe $33k). Maybe Honda can introduce a lower trim level or something to get the price down? They're not going to move many of these at $40k.

 

keep in mind, 40K is for the plug in, not the plain hybrid.

 

My wife purchased a Acura ILX Hybrid with Leather and nice stereo. She likes the car. Good mileage. Low 30's.

 

i'm sure it's a great car, low 30's would be disappointing for us. it's probably performance oriented? or not a true hybrid.

 

The new Fusion seats are much more comfortable. We have both, the 10 seats bother me, and anything over an hour trip I would be aching, but the new seat is much more comfortable, drove 2400 miles without a single ache.

 

Not sure. It is comfortable inside. Built on a Civic chassis. It is small inside. Little trunk space. She gets decent MPG about 40 give or take. The Car is good for around town. She is in outside sales so good mileage car helps her. Underpowered but many hybrids are.

 

Curious, if it only gets 13 miles on a charge, how does it have a higher rating? Is the charge rate factored in? The one thing that would make me steer away from it is a fast charge rate. Batteries that are fast charged tend to live short lives, and considering how many batteries I use for my RC flying, I can tell you, fast charge a pack too many times and it does not last long, but charge it at a moderate rate, with a slow charge every so often and they last for years. I use all 6 types of cells, NiCad, NiMh, Lipo, Lion, Life, and wet lead/acid. I have had a Lipo puff from too fast a charge, and a pair of lions die from draining them too fast. I have been able to recover a few NiMh by cycling them. I have also had a few die off from trickle charging and not using them enough.

 

Hill fast is faster than the battery energy in 1 hour. For the leaf 25 kw is fast because its 24kwh, for the prius phv 5 kw is fast, for the accord this beast is just on the borderline. As long as they monitor heat it should be fine.