Honda goes the hybrid way with the brand-new Accord

The Honda Accord has been one of the most successful cars for Honda globally. India too has seen multiple generations of the car and it has won many hearts in its almost 15 year presence in the country. Now the luxury sedan is back, this time in its ninth generation and the biggest change is that now it comes with a hybrid powertrain. Honda launched the Accord hybrid recently in a bid to take on the already successful Toyota Camry which has had a trouble free reign so far. The Accord Hybrid comes in as the Honda flagship in the country and the Japanese car maker is showcasing its technical capabilities of the car. Honda’s commitment to environment has never been in doubt and the Accord hybrid is a step in that direction. 

Looks

The Accord Hybrid was developed under “Exciting Sedan” concept that gives a sporty and dynamic impression. The styling can be termed as a combination of sporty and sophisticated styling. The car features a sharply creased front fascia where the lower portion tucks into large intake-like meshed areas that house new standard LED fog lights. Blue-accents on the front grille, headlights and tail lights provide a subtly distinctive look and visual differentiation. There’s an expanded use of LED lighting which includes LED headlights, LED daytime running lights (DRLs) and fog lights. This is complimented by a rear bumper fascia that is sharply sculpted and gets a new LED taillight design. 

Interiors

This is why the Accord has been so popular. It has always been one of the most comfortable cars to spend time in. A lot of people buy the Accord for being on the rear seat and here either with respect to space or the quality of seats there’s no compromise. There’s also a full range of equipment to look forward to. One of the highlights is the Engine Remote Start feature to pre-cool the cabin even before entering the car. There’s a nicely designed 7” Advanced touch-screen audio system that supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.  The system is embedded with navigation and Internet browsing capability. A Dual Zone Climate Control intelligently adjusts temperature and air volume based on direction and strength of sunlight. Along with this the car also gets cruise control and a sun-roof as part of standard equipment.

Now the luxury sedan is back, this time in its ninth generation and the biggest change is that now it comes with a hybrid powertrain. Honda launched the Accord hybrid recently in a bid to take on the already successful Toyota Camry which has had a trouble free reign so far. 

Engine

The Accord hybrid is equipped with Honda’s two motor hybrid system known as Sport Hybrid Intelligent Multi Mode Drive (i-MMD). It features a 2.0-Liter, 16-valve, i-VTEC 4-cylinder petrol engine combined with two electric motors.  A maximum power output of 215 PS is guaranteed in the Accord hybrid that also comes with a CVT transmission, a Power Control Unit with high power output density, a compact & light 1.3 kilowatt-hour Lithium-Ion battery and Electric Servo Brakes with high regeneration efficiency. The system switches intelligently between 3 driving modes to match all driving conditions. In the EV Drive Mode, the driving motor provides motive force, drawing energy from the lithium ion battery while in the in the Hybrid Drive Mode, the petrol engine powers the generator motor which provides energy to the driving motor. In this mode, the battery can also assist the driving motor as per driving conditions. Finally in the Engine Drive Mode, the engine power is directly sent to the wheels. 

Ride & Handling

The Accord as always scores really well here. The ride quality on both the rows is great and even a long drive will not tire you. Owing to its shape the car also handles very well but yes looking at our roads the sedan can surely do well with some more ground clearance.  For a sportier and more exciting drive, the new Honda Accord Hybrid includes a Sport Drive Mode. This mode uses the battery to help boost the electric motors for better acceleration. The driver also has the option to choose an economy mode for enhanced fuel efficiency. Honda is claiming a 23.1km/l figure on the same. The 18” sporty alloy wheels also optimize ride and handling qualities, while also reducing rolling resistance for fuel efficiency. Some safety features worth mentioning are Honda Lane watch blind-spot display with a camera on the passenger-side mirror that provides a view on the 7.7 inch i-MID screen; Active Cornering Lights and Vehicle Stability Assist with Traction Control. 

Verdict

In a world that’s rapidly shifting towards vehicles that pollute less and still give all the luxury and performance the Accord Hybrid makes a lot of sense. The car is priced at Rs. 37 lakh (ex-showroom) and will compete with the Toyota Camry Hybrid in the market. The only problem is it’s significantly more expensive than the latter.  Blame it on the CBU route Honda is taking for the car. High demand may result in local assembly and therefore a cheaper car, but that still is some time away.