It’s the perfect mid-size hybrid sedan, brand new in the world of hybrids too. The 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid is everything the Accord has always been, but with feel-good, eco-friendly touches added.
Of course, this is not Honda’s first hybrid offering, as there is also the Civic Hybrid and the Insight, but it is the first offering from this manufacturer in which the hybrid system allows for acceleration strictly through the use of electric power.
Competition includes the hybrid versions of the Ford Fusion, Toyota Camry, Kia Optima and the Hyundai Sonata.
Trims on the 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid include the EX, EX-L and Touring, and there is an Accord Hybrid Plug-In as well.
Standard on the EX: 17-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, power accessories, cruise control, keyless ignition/entry, leather-wrapped tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a rearview camera, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, Honda’s LaneWatch blind-spot display and an eight-way power driver seat.
The EX-L adds to that package a sunroof, leather upholstery, forward collision and lane-departure warning systems, auto-dimming rearview mirror, heated front seats and a smartphone app integration via HondaLink.
With the Touring, you get the best of the best from the other trim levels and LED headlights, adaptive cruise control and a navigation system with voice recognition.
Under the hood, the 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and electric motor. With this you get 196 horsepower and 226 pound-feet of torque with a continuously variable transmission.
For safety, some of the best features are standard depending on the trim, such as the rearview camera or the warning systems, but the Accord Hybrid also comes equipped with antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, front head restraints, front-seat side and side curtain airbags, and blind-spot monitoring.
With regard to the LaneWatch blind-spot feature, this mechanism automatically will take the eight-inch screen to several views of the passenger side of the car when the right turn signal is being used.
Inside the 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid, it’s all about high-end materials that are meant to impress. The feeling while driving is safe and secure, and the vibe is luxury. The placement of knobs and dials is just right, as is the leg and headroom for front and back seat passengers.
The trunk space in the hybrid is 12.7-cubic-foot trunk, just a bit smaller than its non-hybrid sibling, but for the extra fuel economy, the battery has to be stowed somewhere.
A great ride, this 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid will be good for in-town treks or long road trips, made easier since the fuel economy is so impressive.
Should You Need to Know: It was in 2013 that Honda redid the entire look of the Accord, but for 2014 thte hybrid model offers even more to make the driver happy.
Miles Per Gallon: I drove the 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid Touring with 50 mpg in the city and 45 mpg on the highway.
Cost: The 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid Touring price tag comes in at $35,695.
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