2014 Honda Accord Hybrid: What's It Like to Live With?
Read the latest updates in our long-term road test of the 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid as our editors live with this car for a year.
What do you want to know about?
- Big Fuel Savings
- Smaller Trunk
- A Strange Noise
- Gets an "A" Rating
- Due for Service
- Earth Dreams Engine
- Cool Car
- Normal
- Lifetime Fuel Economy Update
- LaneWatch Safety Feature
- Fuel Economy Update for May and June
- Entry-Level Luxury?
- Rear Seat Comfort
- Drives Like an Accord
- Fuel Economy Update for October
- Quick to Start
- Fuel Economy Update for November and December
- Ahead of its Time on Tech
- Fuel Economy Update for January and February
- Time for B1 Service
- Fuel Economy Update for March and April
- Crash Test Ratings
- Sold!
For a midsize bordering on full-size sedan, the non-hybrid version of the 2014 Honda Accord gets pretty good gas mileage. It's rated 27 mpg city and 36 highway by the EPA. Not too shabby. But throw in the hybrid drivetrain and your fuel economy figures rise to 50 mpg city and 45 highway.
That's almost double if you spend most of your time sitting in city traffic like we do here in L.A.
That can add up to significant savings over the life of your car. Using Edmunds pricing tools, I estimated a similarly equipped non-hybrid Accord to see the difference in sticker price. The hybrid is about $5,000 more than the regular Accord. Honda estimates that the Accord Hybrid will save $6,000 in fuel costs over a five-year period compared to the non-hybrid Accord.
Sounds like a good deal to me.
One of the small sacrifices you have to make when owning a hybrid vehicle is a smaller trunk. In the 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid the cargo capacity is 12.7 cubic feet, compared to 15.8 cubic feet in the non-hybrid Accord.
The Accord Hybrid's trunk is not small, but you are losing about 3 cubic feet of space that is eaten up by the hybrid batteries.
If you carry a lot of cargo, this may be something to consider. But if you don't carry a lot of passengers, you can always put some luggage in the back seat area.
As you know, hybrids vehicles are usually fairly quiet cars. When you start to hear strange noises, there is reason for concern. We started hearing a clunking noise in our 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid coming from the right front, primarily during right turns. It was mostly in slow speed turns like when pulling out of a driveway.
This was definitely not normal, so we dropped off our Accord at Honda of Santa Monica to see if they could determine its cause. They called and said nothing was wrong with the car. So, we took the tech for a drive to make sure he was hearing what we were hearing. And he said it was a normal noise.
Well, it wasn't making that noise before and now suddenly it was. We told him that the car has only 5,000 miles on its odometer, so if this was normal, he could keep it. The shop manager then went for a ride with us. He said he did hear the noise and would look into it.
A few hours later they called to say they tightened the suspension bolts and the noise disappeared. They didn't find one that was particularly loose so they tightened everything and it seemed to do the trick.
We haven't heard the noise since, but we're keeping a wary ear out for any more strange noises. No charge, of course, as this car is still under warranty.
There's good reason the Honda Accord is always on the best-seller list. It suits a lot of people's needs. It has a roomy interior full of quality materials, responsive handling, strong acceleration, and a reputation for reliability.
Combine that with a hybrid powertrain and you have a superstar in the midsize-bordering-on-full-size class.
At Edmunds we test cars and rate them in a number of categories: Performance, Comfort, Interior, Value and Fun to Drive.
The 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid scored an "A" rating from our testing team. It packs a lot of quality into one car.
Click here to read the full details on the Accord Hybrid's "A" Rating.
An A1 warning light popped up on our 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid indicating it was time for service.
We took the Accord Hybrid to our local Honda of Santa Monica for an oil change, tire rotation and free multi-point inspection as specified by the A1 service.
We dropped the car off around 3:00 p.m. and told our service advisor we wouldn't need the car back until the next day. However, he called at 6:00 p.m. and said the Accord was ready to go.
Days out of service: about 3 hours
Total cost: $87.36
Our long-term 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid is equipped with a 2.0-liter DOHC 16-valve i-VTEC four-cylinder Earth Dreams Engine.
According to Honda's website, Earth Dreams Technology is "an expression for a set of technologies which takes into account both our need to protect the environment and our desire to provide a joy of driving."
Honda started with its original VTEC engine and worked to improve fuel efficiency while maintaining the sporty driving experience consumers expect from Honda. It is planning to launch this technology across its product line.
In our hybrid Accord the engine is mated to two electric motors and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) to reduce CO2 emissions. The driving feel is superior to the older (2007) Accord Hybrid. The EPA estimates the 2014 Accord Hybrid will earn 50 mpg in city driving, which is pretty impressive. In terms of performance you may not even notice a difference from driving a non-hybrid Accord.
You might think that a hybrid vehicle would try to save energy by cutting back on comfort features like air conditioning, which can use a lot of power. But not so in the 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid.
The air conditioner cools the car quickly and the vents are well-placed for maximum comfort. Older Accord models took longer to cool down in hot weather. But the new models are coming around to the way Americans like their cars. We like a strong air conditioning system and now Honda is on board.
The system doesn't tax the Accord hybrid's power output. So you can drive comfortably while saving money on gasoline.
When the Toyota Camry Hybrid debuted in 2007, I wrote the original road test, and was most impressed by the Camry Hybrid's normalcy. Before that hybrid vehicles were quirky cars like the odd-looking Prius. The Prius had a funny little shifter and was most definitely a hybrid-looking vehicle, not that its style stopped it from being popular.
Fast forward a few years to the all-new 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid. Normal-looking hybrids are now prevalent thanks in part to the trailblazing Camry Hybrid. And now in 2014 the Honda Accord is pulling in better numbers than the Camry Hybrid.
Hybrid vehicles have come a long way in terms of style and efficiency. Our 2014 Accord Hybrid managed 55.4 mpg during Edmunds' 100-mile suburban driving testing loop. And thanks in part to the 2007 Camry Hybrid being the first to look normal, hybrid sedans are now mainstream vehicles.
We've already put more than 8,000 miles on our 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid and now have a pretty good data set from which to pull fuel economy data.
Over 8,513 miles, we're averaging 40.3 mpg in combined city and highway driving, although our regular commutes in this car typically traverse clogged metro arteries. That might help explain why our lifetime average falls well short of the EPA combined rating of 47 mpg. Our best tank has yielded 43.8 mpg, while our worst comes in at 35.2 mpg.
But we've still got time to see if we can better those averages. We're closing in on 10,000 miles, which should give us an even better idea of how the Accord Hybrid stacks up as a fuel-saver.
Average Lifetime MPG: 40.3
Best Fill MPG: 43.8
Worst Fill MPG: 35.2
EPA MPG Rating: 47 combined (50 city/45 highway)
Best Range: 434.6
Current Odometer: 8,513 miles
Our 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid sedan is equipped with the LaneWatch blind-spot monitoring system.
It instantly switches the 8-inch screen's display to a low and wide view of the passenger side of the car when the right turn signal is engaged. There is a camera in the right side mirror which provides the picture.
It's amazing how quickly you can get used to a new feature like this, and come to rely on it. Although I am an extra cautious driver and will always rely on my own eyes, not just an electronic helper, this new feature adds an extra level of confidence.
Have you driven a car with this LaneWatch feature?
The lifetime average fuel economy of our 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid improved ever...so...slightly...by the end of June. We added another 700 miles to the odometer in May and June, inching the Accord's lifetime average up to 40.4 mpg. All of our other data points remained the same.
The results are disappointing since our Accord is more than 6 mpg off what the EPA says we should be achieving in mixed driving — even more when factoring in our city-heavy commutes, where the Accord Hybrid should return closer to 50 mpg.
It's still early yet in our test. Perhaps some road-trip miles are in order to boost our averages.
Average Lifetime MPG: 40.4
Best Fill MPG: 43.8
Worst Fill MPG: 35.2
EPA MPG Rating: 47 combined (50 city/45 highway)
Best Range: 434.6
Current Odometer: 9,205 miles
Despite being an economical midsize sedan, the 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid has an interior bordering on entry-level luxury.
I almost thought it was an Acura the first time I drove it. The interior materials are high quality and look and feel great. The design is elegant with excellent fit and finish. The dash and center controls are easy to read and are laid out in an easily reachable manner. The console doesn't seem over-cluttered with too many buttons and dials.
I'm impressed.
The 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid offers an impressive amount of rear legroom at 38.5 inches of space. Rear headroom is listed at 37.5 inches, with rear hip room at 54.7 inches and rear shoulder room at 56.5 inches.
Combined with the comfort of the rear seat cushions, back passengers have it made. The Accord Hybrid has arguably one of the best back seats in this class.
One of the best parts of driving our 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid is that it's an Accord. I've always enjoyed driving Honda's Accord vehicles. The peppy engines combined with the typical tightness of Honda's suspension makes for a combination that I prefer in a car. It handles curves well and is also great in straight-line acceleration.
It's ventilated front disc brakes and solid rear disc brakes stop the Accord Hybrid in a smooth manner, unlike some hybrid vehicles that have that regenerative brake grabbiness. You don't have to sacrifice drivability just because you are piloting a hybrid.
We added 1,913 miles to our 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid since our last update. The hybrid sedan continues to impress with its comfort and its fuel-sipping ways. But the constant stop-and-go of city commutes continue to impact our mileage.
Over six tank fills since our last report, the Accord used nearly 49 gallons of gas, yielding an average of just 39.6 mpg in combined driving. That was enough to drop our lifetime average a couple of notches. It now sits at 40.2 mpg (down from an earlier 40.4).
Average Lifetime MPG: 40.2
Best Fill MPG: 43.8
Worst Fill MPG: 35.2
EPA MPG Rating: 47 combined (50 city/45 highway)
Best Range: 434.6
Current Odometer: 11,119 miles
The first time I drove our 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid, I was giving a lift to a co-worker and navigating the streets of L.A. in heavy afternoon traffic.
I was impressed by our Honda's spirited 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. Combined with its electric motor, the 2014 Accord Hybrid puts out a total of 196 horsepower and 226 pound-feet of torque.
When we tested the Accord Hybrid at our test-track it managed zero-to-60 mph in 7.5 seconds. That makes it one of the quickest non-luxury hybrids available today, and quite enjoyable on an L.A. commute.
Our 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid didn't see much action over the holidays. We added just 651 miles in November and December. That kind of travel required just three tanks of gas, over which we averaged an impressive 40.6 combined mpg.
Well, impressive compared to what we've grown accustomed to. Last report saw our lifetime average dip a couple of tenths, down into the 30s, and despite a decent return over those three tanks it wasn't enough to really move the needle. We're still hanging around a lifetime average of 40.2 mpg.
Perhaps we'll need to shake off the holiday calories with some long road trip miles.
Average Lifetime MPG: 40.2
Best Fill MPG: 43.8
Worst Fill MPG: 35.2
EPA MPG Rating: 47 combined (50 city/45 highway)
Best Range: 434.6
Current Odometer: 11,119 miles
By 2018, every new car sold in the U.S. will have a backup camera. This isn't just automaker altruism; it's a federal mandate. Honda was among the first automakers to adopt the idea voluntarily, offering backup cameras as standard equipment on models like the 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid. Honda started equipping all of its 2015 models with the feature.
The Accord Hybrid features a multi-angle rearview camera, which allows toggling between normal, wide-view and top-down views. Wide-view displays a more panoramic landscape behind the car and probably best fulfills the purpose of the rearview camera: warn about objects directly behind or approaching the rear of the car. Top-down view is useful for judging distances when parallel parking.
Rearview cameras are part of the government's list of recommended Advanced Technology features, which also includes forward collision alert (standard on Accord Hybrid EX-L and Touring trim levels) and lane departure warning systems. The Accord Hybrid takes it even a step further with Honda's Lane Watch system, which uses a small camera in the passenger side mirror to display the blind-spot view when the driver signals a lane change to the right.
Like its mission to deliver exceptional fuel economy, the Accord Hybrid also delivers on its mission to provide top-class safety and driver aids, well ahead of mandates.
We pressed our 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid back into service with authority the last two months, doubling our miles from the last report. In January and February, we traveled 1,283 miles and used 32 gallons of gas. That works out to 40.6 combined mpg, the same result from the previous two-month stretch.
That's not a bad result, considering we doubled the miles we traveled, yet stayed right within the same kind of fuel economy return. Two of our tank-fills crested 41 mpg, but our other two only came back high-39s. Despite that, we managed to gain one-tenth to our lifetime average, now up to 40.3 Celebration!
It's still a slightly disappointing result, given the EPA estimates for this car. Again, we blame our city-heavy commutes, often through rush-hour stop-and-go. That kind of constant braking, acceleration, and braking again is exacting its toll on our fuel efficiency.
Average Lifetime MPG: 40.3
Best Fill MPG: 43.8
Worst Fill MPG: 35.2
EPA MPG Rating: 47 combined (50 city/45 highway)
Best Range: 434.6
Current Odometer: 13,510 miles
Our 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid has reached 13,000 miles, meaning it's time to visit our dealer for a "B1" service. This is a pretty straightforward service interval that involves changing the engine oil and oil filter, and inspective several systems including the brakes, steering, fuel and suspension. That's the "B" part of the service. The "1" indicates that a tire rotation should also be performed.
Our Accord was replenished with 3.7 quarts of 0W-20 Pennzoil synthetic oil and had its tire pressures reset to 35 psi. We've still got 8mm of pad life left on the front brake pads, a 6mm on the rears. We're good to go for awhile.
We were in and out quickly, minus $159.86 for the service.
We added nearly 1,300 miles to our 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid in March and April, keeping us on average with the 600 or so miles we travel each month. Those miles are still borne in the urban rush-hour nightmares of West Los Angeles, where stoplights, bicycles, pedestrians, and just plain dopey drivers all conspire to kill our mpg returns with constant acceleration and braking.
We traveled 1,266 miles and used 30.1 gallons. Over four tank fills, we averaged a 42.4 mpg in combined driving, a substantial improvement from our usual returns of around 40 mpg. Much of that improvement came from the 560 miles of range we extracted from one tank, our best so far of this long-term test. Another of those tank-fills came in at 43.4 mpg, just a few tenths shy of our best so far.
This improved performance was enough to notch our lifetime average up to 40.5 mpg in combined driving. Not bad, not great, could be better. But we're finally starting to see the Accord Hybrid revealing its potential.
Average Lifetime MPG: 40.5
Best Fill MPG: 43.8
Worst Fill MPG: 35.2
EPA MPG Rating: 47 combined (50 city/45 highway)
Best Range: 560.6
Current Odometer: 13,510 miles
In government crash testing by the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ) the 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid earned the top rating of five out of five stars for overall protection, with four stars for total frontal impact safety and five stars for side-impact and rollover safety.
In testing by the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) the regular non-hybrid Accord sedan scored the best possible rating of "Good" in moderate-overlap frontal-offset, side-impact and roof strength tests.
In the Institute's "small-overlap" frontal-offset test, the sedan received a top "Good" rating. Many vehicles in this class have fared poorly in this test, so props to Honda for being one of the first manufacturers to make its sedan up to the new crash safety standards.
The time has come for us to say goodbye to our 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid test car.
Part of our fleet for several years, the Accord Hybrid served us well. Mostly local driving kept the mileage down to just 16,000 miles, making last week's sale to a private party a very good deal at $21,000.