2017 Honda Accord Hybrid: Back After a Year Off

The Honda Accord Hybrid took a brief hiatus from the brand’s lineup in 2016 while production was moved to Japan, and returns for 2017 with a slew of upgrades that improve upon the already strong package of features.

This car competes against the hybrid versions of the Ford Fusion, Chevy Malibu, Kia Optima, Hyundai Sonata and Toyota Camry, and manages to best them all in fuel economy and power. The 2.0-litre Atkinson-cycle engine works in conjunction with an electric motor and a continuously variable automatic transmission capable of driving the car on its own for short periods. The combined output of the front-wheel drive system is 212 horsepower and gets a very impressive NRCan fuel economy rating of 4.9 L/100 km city, 5.1 highway, and 5.0 combined. Those figures are a little optimistic because my overall average was 6.9 L/100 km.

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Even though you can drive on electric power alone (EV mode), this isn’t a plug-in hybrid. The Engine mode draws power from the gasoline engine, while Hybrid mode manages the power flow from both the 2.0-litre engine and the electric motor.

It’s an interesting setup but can provide a bit of a confusing driving experience at first. In Hybrid mode, for example, I would step on the gas and feel the dynamics and performance of the electric portion of the drivetrain—quick, smooth and instant acceleration. I’d also hear the gas motor whirring away, but not in sync with the acceleration. It was a little noisier than I had expected, but not a huge deal. The performance of the Hybrid drive mode was every bit as satisfying as a pure electrically driven vehicle. Driving dynamics are similar to the non-hybrid models. It’s a very firm and secure ride with precise steering and good braking ability. Honda has a knack for making vehicles that drive very firm across its lineup, even right up to the Ridgeline pickup I recently tested.

The interior is quite spacious and can accommodate five adults with little issue. The Touring trim offers options such as perforated leather seating surfaces, heated rear seats, memory position for the driver, an auto-dimming mirror, Honda’s Display Audio System with satellite-linked navigation and my favourite feature nobody with an iPhone will be able to use: wireless smartphone charging. Kudos to Honda for including it.

Overall build quality is what you’d expect from Honda which is to say very high. The two-screen infotainment system has irked some, but I found it quite helpful to use. I particularly enjoyed the feature which uses a side mirror cam to bring up an on-screen image of your blind spot, should you put your turn signal on. What I found somewhat frustrating are the interface menus themselves.

Honda’s system is quite complicated, but fortunately Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration are standard. Honda’s tiny volume control button next to the touchscreen surface requires effort and concentration to hit it with your finger because it’s so small. This desperately needs to be changed and likely will be soon. After so many complaints, they’ve added an actual knob on the new CR-V and this should trickle down the lineup.

The exterior of the Accord is conservatively styled, but not boring. The electric blue paint of the tester is quite lovely and the LED taillights, headlights, fog lights and front turn signals make for a technologically advanced and functional package. Even the mirrors have integrated turn signals. One thing that you’ll have to contend with on the hybrid is the boring set of 17-inch wheels. It seems to be the trend to equip hybrids with the most bland wheel designs possible and I don’t know why. Green people like nice things too!

There is a price premium for the hybrid which starts at $31,300 for the base trim and $37,400 for the Touring. Compare this with the starting price of the base gasoline Accord at $24, 690 and Accord Touring at $33,490. It’ll take years to pay off the difference in price, but people who like to hypermile could do it quickly. Cost shouldn’t be the only motive for buying the hybrid as the electric drive provides an enticing experience behind the wheel without the bother of having to plug the car in at night.