When Japanese imports were still a novelty in the U. S. market, I had the opportunity to drive the new Honda Accord with its logo with a journalist colleague, and I still have that experience: it was a car that would temporarily stand out from what the Detroit Three were. It was provided in the U. S. market and helped usher in a whole new era in the U. S. auto industry.
Well, actually, my thinking isn’t that grand. But what the new Accord brought in terms of handling and operation reveals much more than just a radical change – it’s a revelation.
I won’t go that far about the new Honda Accord version. But what the all-new, 11th-generation Accord does do is prove that the dedication Honda has continued to pay to the still-shrinking sedan market in the U.S. can still get rewards in a vehicle that significantly advances the category.
The new Accord is pleasantly stylish and offers the best hybrid edition I’ve ever driven. For 2023, the Accord also features Google’s first built-in integration through Honda, for seamless connectivity. The new generation includes the largest touchscreen ever seen by Honda, at 12. 3 inches.
Honda has been smart with the Accord Hybrid, using it as a key springboard in the brand’s progressive electrification strategy. So far, it’s done a wise job of creating a vehicle that’s representative of the industry: The hybrid edition is so popular that Honda expects it to make up about a portion of the Accord’s total sales, a particularly high penetration point for a hybrid. compared to the general pace. Electrification of the US fleet continues to face strong headwinds.
So, let’s start with the powertrain of the newest edition of the Accord Hybrid. Unsurprisingly, it doesn’t deliver as much torque or as much power as an all-electric edition of the Accord would. But the hybrid’s powertrain is more than full of life enough to give you plenty of confidence on the road, you can count on its power when you want it and every time thanks to its fuel efficiency.
The engine is a 204-horsepower hybrid system, including a 2.o-liter, four-cylinder engine, two electric motors, a lithium-ion battery and front-wheel drive. Zero to 60 mph happens in just six seconds, relying on the system’s mid-range punch. EPA-rated mileage is 46 mpg in the city and 41 mpg on the highway, which are fantastic metrics for a mid-size sedan.
Notably, the Accord’s hybrid powertrain is also very quiet, which is for a sedan at the general market price. Probably the key to this aspect of its functionality is that, unlike most hybrids, the Accord’s hybrid works primarily through its electric motors, with the gasoline engine serving more as a generator. This means that it can be significantly quieter than some competing hybrids.
Unsurprisingly, demonstrating Honda’s expertise, the Accord also offers an incredibly stylish ride, especially for a mid-priced sedan. The interior is spacious enough despite the long, sloping roof line. Honda continues the materials of the Accord and the styling provides intelligent touch control. Features for maximum functions, as well as a new 12. 3-inch infotainment screen.
One of the amenities available only in the top trim level, Touring, is Google Assistant, which allows drivers to talk to Google to easily call or text, set reminders, and change temperature and other settings in the car. They can use Google Assistant to set their destination in Google Maps using just their voice, with the route map then displayed in the instrument cluster.