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When Honda introduced its first Accord Hybrid back in 2004, the company made a rare misstep by engineering and marketing the car as a performance hybrid instead of a fuel economy champion. It lasted just three model years and sales were dismal. That won't be the case with the second-generation car.
The 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid is EPA rated at 50 mpg in the city and 45 mpg on the highway. More importantly, the combined rating is 47 mpg, and Honda's new two-motor hybrid system (introduced last year with the Accord Plug-In Hybrid) aims to deliver those numbers to all but the incurably lead-footed.
You Can Get Over 50 MPG, Sort of
Yeah, if your driving style is best described as "asleep at the wheel," or "featherfoot," you can get 50 mpg...or more. Drivers with lots of patience and no apparent reluctance to inconvenience others on the road, turned in 70-mpg-plus averages on a short city loop Honda set up during our test-drive in the suburbs outside of San Antonio. (That's miles-per-gallon as shown on the car's own fuel economy gauge, so we can't vouch for its accuracy.)
In "average" driving with no jackrabbit starts, no last-minute braking and strict adherence to speed limits, the top-of-the-line Accord Hybrid Touring we drove over a 47-mile combination city-country route returned 49.1 mpg overall.
But in a pair of much shorter drives near the University of Texas San Antonio campus, two other 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid models didn't fare as well. On a 9.2-mile run we attained just 41.8 mpg in a midlevel EX-L, while the lighter base EX over a slightly truncated 8.6-mile version of the same route delivered 42.9 mpg. Fuel efficiency on those drives suffered a little from an abundance of small hills that kept the two-motor hybrid system from really strutting its stuff.
Honda's Unique Hybrid System
Honda has always gone its own way in the hybrid arena, and its new system keeps that streak going. Honda engineers deftly combined a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder Atkinson-cycle gasoline engine that develops 141 horsepower packaged with a pair of electric motors. One motor powers the front wheels, while the other, the motor-generator, is relegated solely to making electricity. The two motors have a maximum output of 166 hp, and when they are operating in conjunction with the gas engine the powertrain delivers a total maximum of 196 hp and 226 pound-feet of torque.
The Accord Hybrid can operate in three different modes: all-electric, series hybrid mode or gasoline-only mode. Pure EV mode only works when the battery charge is adequate, and in our time behind the wheel that seemed to be as much as 20 percent of the time. The all-electric EV mode even kicks in occasionally on flat or downhill terrain when cruising at highway speeds.
In hybrid mode, the 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid doesn't use its gas engine for propulsion. It is a true "series" hybrid (similar to the Chevrolet Volt) in which the internal-combustion engine is used only to drive the motor-generator. The power computer decouples the engine from the wheels and directs its power to the motor-generator. The electricity produced by the spinning generator is then delivered to the drive motor, which turns the front wheels while any excess power is stored in the lithium-ion battery.
At highway speeds, when the gasoline engine is at its most efficient, the power controller shuts down the electric drive motor and lets the four-cylinder, dual-overhead cam, i-VTEC engine do its thing.
Doesn't Use a Traditional Transmission
For ease of communication, Honda calls the "transmission" in the Accord Hybrid an e-CVT, which would stand for electronic continuously variable transmission if it really were one. However, there is no actual transmission, CVT or otherwise. The electric motors do the job.
When the gas engine is propelling the car, the connection to the front wheels is made directly through the electric drive motor, which allows the output shaft to spin at a rate that would approximate 6th gear in a standard Honda six-speed automatic.
In EV and Hybrid modes, when power to the front wheels is all coming from the electric drive motor, the car doesn't need a transmission because of the electric motor's ability to deliver full torque instantaneously. The motor operates as a single-speed reduction gear to deliver maximum power to the wheels.
So How Does It Drive?
Honda didn't put us on a test track or even in an area where a fast run down the freeway was possible, but we did have lots of curves, small hills and traffic signals on our driving routes.
In those conditions, the 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid drives, well, like a Honda Accord. It is peppy, exhibits very little body lean on corners, is fairly responsive despite its electric steering and it is quite comfortable. The ride is a bit stiffer than we remember in most Accords, although Honda claims that it's set up just like the conventionally powered models. The brakes are smooth and don't exhibit the low-speed grabbiness some hybrids and EVs exhibit as a side effect of the switch from regenerative to mechanical braking.
The car's e-CVT "transmission" does a good job of mimicking the feel of a more traditional setup. Much of the time there's none of that disconcerting disconnect between the accelerator pedal and actual engine revs for which "standard" CVTs are so well known. And Honda's powertrain engineers have done a masterful job of integrating the gas engine and electric propulsion systems. Even the engine idle-stop (also called auto stop-start) operates with nary a stutter or shudder.
The Cost of All That Efficiency
The 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid comes in one body style (four-door midsize sedan) and three trim levels. The base EX starts at $29,945 including Honda's $790 destination charge, which pushes it to roughly $3,000 above the price of a standard Accord EX. The midlevel EX-L jumps to $32,695 and the line-topping Touring begins at $35,695.
The hybrid is based on the standard 2014 Accord, so there's not much difference in standard equipment other than a few styling tweaks. These include hybrid-unique 17-inch aero-styled alloy wheels, low-rolling-resistance tires, LED daylight running lamps, blue-accented taillights, a blue-accented grille and hybrid badges. There's also a tiny spoiler lip on the rear deck lid and an air diffuser beneath the rear bumper, both designed to improve aerodynamics.
Inside, there's a unique instrument display that shows power use levels on the left side of the speedometer and battery charge and (gasoline) fuel levels on the right side. The information display centered in the big, round speedo shows all the regular stuff, like turn-by-turn directions and which safety systems (such as lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control) are engaged. It also has a hybrid-only power flow meter that shows whether power is coming from the engine, the electric motor or both, and also when power is being sent from the engine or wheels to the battery.
Because the Accord Hybrid's battery is mounted behind the rear seatback, it eats up about 20 percent of the truck space, cutting it to 12.7 cubic feet from the standard Accord's 15.8 cubic feet.
A Hybrid for the Anti-Prius Crowd
Like so many hybrids before it, this Accord Hybrid doesn't make perfect sense from a financial standpoint. It will take a while to recoup the extra $3,000 cost, especially considering that the standard four-cylinder Accord is pretty good on gas to begin with.
Then again, even if this Accord doesn't pencil out in strict dollar terms, it does make sense for those drivers who simply want a refined, spacious and efficient sedan that doesn't scream hybrid. The trunk might be slightly smaller and the ride a bit firmer, but the ability to drive any way you want and still get more than 40 mpg has its draw, certainly more so than the performance angle Honda touted the first time around.
Edmunds attended a manufacturer-sponsored event, to which selected members of the press were invited, to facilitate this report.
Is the 2014 Honda Accord a good car?
Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2014 Honda Accord and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2014 Accord featuring deep dives into trim levels and features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.
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How do people like the 2014 Honda Accord?
Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2014 Honda Accord and all its trim types. Overall, Edmunds users rate the 2014 Accord 4.1 on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database. Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior, exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 2014 Accord.
Vehicle
Sport 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl CVT)
Review
I was going to buy the Accord coupe but the Sport was so much more car for the price. If Honda offered the Sport in the coupe I would have purchased it instead. The 2.4 engine is one of the best 4 cylinder engine made. Don't think it is too small and under power, it's not. I bought this new from a high volume dealer that had the best pricing in the state. For the price nothing comes close. After driving it for 6000 miles I like it more every time I drive it. I picked the CVT over the manual, both have their advantages but I didn't want to shift for the next ten years. The performance reviews for this class, Honda comes out on top. Many reviewer's pick the $6000 more Mazda 6 over the Honda. Update: 27000 miles later and I have no regrets. Got as high of 39 mpg and is rare to get below 30 mpg. This amazes me for how large the car is. Still fun to drive and when put on cruise control down the freeway it is so smooth and refine. This is not a track car but drives sporty in a nice way. The CVT transmission has operated flawlessly and I use the paddle snifters to quickly down shift, it amazes me that it's an economical 4 cylinder engine for the power it makes. I still admire how the car looks and how roomy it is. It doesn't have all the bells and whistles on it but has what most people would need and want. No rattles or weird noises and still drives like the first day but without the new car smell. This is a nice car and I look forward driving it for many more years. I change the oil earlier than what the indicator says, about every 5000 miles even though the indicator says I could go for 8000 - 9000 miles. This is a very good car. Update: 35,000 miles. I'm not sure but I think at times the car is getting faster. I still love this car and think that the value is excellent. The new Sports are even better but is basically the same car. UPDATE: 42,000 miles. No problems at all with the car. Drives like new. Still feel the same way about everything I said previously. Got caught in a 1 foot snow dump. The car got me home, 30 miles of the worst conditions with the original tires. Knowing how to drive in snow helped but the car did it's job, I was amazed. I would buy again without a second thought. The gas mileage is great and I didn't have to sacrifice a thing to get such great economy. I had great experience at multiple Honda dealerships also.
See all consumer reviews and retings for the 2014 Honda Accord
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Is the 2014 Honda Accord safe?
The 2014 Honda Accord earned a 5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA and "GOOD" ratings from the IIHS in the following caregories: Side Impact Test, Roof Strength Test, Rear Crash Protection/Head Restraint, IIHS Small Overlap Front Test Results, Moderate Overlap Front Test Results, and a JD POWER overall quality rating of 3.5 out of 5. Among Edmunds' many tools and resources for finding your perfect car are detailed safety ratings and analysis from NHTSA, IIHS, and JD Power, including overall ratings, frontal barrier crash ratings, side impact tests and crash ratings, rollover test results, roof strength tests, rear crash protection and head restraint ratings, side barrier ratings, combined side barrier and pole ratings, and more.
What options are available on the 2014 Honda Accord?
Available Honda Accord 2014 Submodel Types: Sedan, Coupe, Hybrid, Wagon
Available Trims: LX, Sport, EX-L, EX, EX-L V-6, Sport Special Edition, Touring V-6, LX-S, EX V-6, Touring, LX-P, EX-L w/Navigation and Honda Sensing, SE, Sport w/Honda Sensing, EX-L V-6 w/Navigation and Honda Sensing, EX-L V-6 w/Navigation, EX-L w/Navigation, LX V-6, Hybrid, Special Edition, LX w/Honda Sensing, EX w/Honda Sensing, EX-L w/Navi, LX Special Edition, Special Edition V-6, Value Package, EX V6, LX-S w/Honda Sensing, DX, LX Special Edition V-6
Exterior Colors: Crystal Black Pearl, Modern Steel Metallic, White Orchid Pearl, Alabaster Silver Metallic, Basque Red Pearl II, Obsidian Blue Pearl, Lunar Silver Metallic, San Marino Red, Champagne Frost Pearl, Taffeta White, Hematite Metallic, Nighthawk Black Pearl, Graphite Pearl, Kona Coffee Metallic, Satin Silver Metallic, Royal Blue Pearl, Polished Metal Metallic, Platinum White Pearl, Still Night Pearl, Bold Beige Metallic, Radiant Red Metallic, Basque Red Pearl, Desert Mist Metallic, Mystic Green Metallic, Eternal Blue Pearl, Tiger Eye Pearl, Cool Blue Metallic, Deep Blue Opal Metallic, Naples Gold Metallic, Sapphire Blue Pearl, Carbon Bronze Pearl, Redondo Red Pearl, Silver Frost Metallic, Deep Green Pearl, Belize Blue Pearl, Dark Amber Metallic, Moroccan Red Pearl, New Dark Green Pearl Metallic, Celestial Blue Metallic, Deep Velvet Blue Pearl, Firepepper Red Pearl, Satin Silver, White Diamond Pearl, Bordeaux Red Pearl, Noble Green Pearl, Bali Blue Pearl, Dark Emerald Pearl, Flamenco Black Pearl, Frost White, Granada Black Pearl Metallic, Malachite Green Pearl Metallic, Regent Silver Pearl Metallic, Rosewood Brown Metallic, Signet Silver Metallic
Interior Colors: Black cloth, Black leather, Ivory cloth, Gray cloth, Ivory leather, Gray leather, Black leatherette/cloth, Black, Ivory, Gray, Black/Ivory leather
Popular Features: Rear Bench Seats, Fold Flat Rear Seats, Audio and cruise controls on steering wheel, Stability Control, Tire Pressure Warning, Auto Climate Control, Multi-Zone Climate Control, Aux Audio Inputs, USB Inputs, Bluetooth, Alarm, Trip Computer, Power Driver Seat, Back-up camera, Sunroof/Moonroof, Heated seats, Leather Seats, Lane Departure Warning, Keyless Entry/Start, Apple Carplay/Android Auto, Blind Spot Monitoring, Remote Start, Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-collision safety system, Upgraded Headlights, Navigation, Mobile Internet, Post-collision safety system, Parking sensors, Cooled Seats, Heads up display
Engine/Mechanics: 4, 6 cylinders
Transmission: AUTOMATIC, MANUAL
Fuel Types: regular unleaded
Drivetrains: front wheel drive
