2005 Honda Accord Hybrid

Inside, the Accord Hybrid offers a host of upscale touches, including leather upholstery and XM radio plus nearly all of the normal comfort, convenience and safety elements you'd find in an EX model. Sole exceptions are the sunroof and the 60/40 split-folding rear seatback, also banished to trim weight and accommodate packaging. In addition to a special instrument cluster that provides information on the immediate status of the IMA and VCM plus a re-settable fuel-economy readout, the Hybrid is fitted with Active Noise Control circuitry to help reduce the "booming" that occurs as a normal byproduct of cylinder deactivation. As a final techno touch, the air conditioning unit has two compressors, one each for the gasoline and electric modes, which allow continuous operation even when the engine is at idle-stop.


Under normal driving conditions, the Hybrid feels and acts pretty much like a V-6 Accord. Dynamically, the well-sorted double wishbone suspension delivers up a solid measure of cornering confidence, and its selectable traction control system even permits a bit of exuberant wheel chirp on hard accels. Although the power steering—electronically not hydraulically augmented to enhance fuel efficiency—feels somewhat overboosted and vague on center and the pedal on the 4-wheel ABS disc brakes is a tad soft, the overall experience is quite in keeping with what you'd expect in a family sedan with this one's notable heritage.

This latest addition to the Accord family has the honor of being the world's first V-6-powered gasoline-electric hybrid, delivering 255 horsepower and 232 lb.-ft. of torque.

As for the hybrid powertrain, Honda has done a very credible job of minimizing the impact of the various transitions to perceptual white noise. It operates with all of the smoothness inherent in the normal VTEC V-6, but always stands ready to kick in with a quick measure of added enthusiasm when called upon for a prompt passing maneuver. About the only time we really noticed anything untoward was in sustained stop-and-go commute mode. Despite the Hybrid's shock-attenuating electro-hydraulic front engine mount, you can still feel the moment of shut down—and more directly, the following restart. When it happens once or twice every 50 miles, it's not an issue; but 50 times every mile or two tends to raise it to the level of minor annoyance.


While its real-world fuel economy impressive, our experience with the Accord Hybrid did fall somewhat short of the EPA's. The best freeway tank netted 33.1 mpg, and a week of mixed-mode driving in and around Los Angeles saw that figure dip to 26.5 mpg. Frankly, we suspect that something closer to 30 mpg would be the norm for most people who don't have to contend with the rigors of Los Angeles traffic.


The Accord Hybrid stickers at $30,145, a $3,290 premium over a base Accord EX V-6 with leather. Toss in the voice-activated Navigation system on our test vehicle and the bottom line rises to $32,655 including destination fees. Granted, some may find it hard to imagine any Accord, even this one, commanding $30K+. But in a season when green is definitely the in color, Honda's had no problems finding buyers for its environmentally- and user-friendly newcomer. (www.honda.com)