If you're looking to buy a more economical car for 2014 then chances are you've considered buying a hybrid.
There are plenty of hybrid and plug-in cars available to buy now, and Honda have now joined the mix with the Honda Accord Hybrid.
The Hybrid joins the Accord range alongside the 2.0 i-VTEC, 2.4 i-VTEC and 2.2 i-DTEC. This version combines a 2.4-liter petrol engine with an electric transmission.
To look at you wouldn't really guess that this version of the Accord is a hybrid. It is essentially a regular Accord, only equipped with low resistance tyres and a few cosmetic changes. This is nice - a lot of hybrid cars try to look a little too futuristic.
To drive, the Hybrid Accord drives like any other Honda Accord, which is to say it's composed and refined, rather than sporty or involving. It benefits from an excellent driving position and well spaced pedals and the steering wheel is height and reach adjustable. Finding the perfect seating position is easy, too, with the driver's seat being height adjustable.
Out on the road the Accord hybrid feels responsive - the 2.4-liter inline-four engine combined with electric motor produce 196 hp and 226 lb /ft of torque - that's diesel like. The result is an extremely flexible set up and one that's relaxing to drive. The Accord Hybrid uses its electric motor as the transmission. This is what drives the wheels. As such, torque is available instantly, and the Accord feels quite spritely.
Vertu Honda Accord Grantham believes that the Honda Accord hybrid is among is the best hybrids to drive.
Honda calls this system "Intelligent Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD) featuring Earth Dreams Technology", which is a fancy way of saying the electric motor powers the transmission and the petrol engine develops the bulk of the power.
Inside, the 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid is like any other Accord. It's comfortable and everything is made to a good quality - it's not Audi A4 quality, but it's a rival for the Volkswagen Passat at least. In the rear it's spacious and accommodating and, as with all Honda, there's plenty of cup holders for pesky children.
Mileage in the Accord Hybrid is a little off putting, though. It has an EPA estimated 47 miles per gallon, which really isn't very good. There are small capacity petrol engines that better that, and even some 2.0-liter n/a petrol engines that do, not to mention the range of diesel engines that can achieve 80 miles per gallon plus.
As such, the Honda Accord Hybrid fails in its primary mission - to be economical. You'd be better served by a different saloon with a diesel engine.
