New/Notable:
- 50/45 mpg city/highway
- Fuel economy beats the Sonata Hybrid and Camry Hybrid
- LaneWatch safety system is standard
With an advance hybrid drivetrain and Honda reliability and comfort, the 2015 Honda Accord Hybrid is a family friendly cruiser with plenty of features and fuel economy.
The Accord Hybrid is relatively new to the market; it was introduced in 2013 when the Accord got its latest redesign. You can tell hybrid models apart from their gas-only counterparts by its unique headlights, blue accents on the grille, and unique 17-inch alloy wheels. A power moonroof comes standard, along with projector-beam halogen headlights, while a full LED headlight setup is optional.
Under the hood, the Accord Hybrid has an advanced hybrid drivetrain that debuts some new technology for Honda that helps to make the Accord Hybrid a fuel economy leader in its segment. The gas engine is a 141-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder that combines with the electric motor for a total output of 196-hp, which is more than enough oomph for a midsize sedan. The battery is lithium-ion which is lighter, instead of the cheaper nickel metal-hydride batteries Honda uses in its other hybrid models. There are three selectable driving modes: EV Drive (100% electric, until the batteries run out), Hybrid Drive, and Engine Drive. EPA estimated fuel economy is 50/45 mpg city/highway, the city figure almost matching that of the Toyota Prius.
Inside, the Accord Hybrid has more standard features than the gas model by a large margin. Powered front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, Bluetooth connectivity, USB/iPod port, and an 8-inch color touchscreen in the center console come standard. Leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a navigation system are still optional.
The 2015 Accord Hybrid is also very well equipped when it comes to safety features and also earned a full five-star overall rating from the NHTSA for its performance in crash testing. Six airbags, antilock brakes, an electronic stability system, and a backup camera are standard. Also standard is Honda’s LaneWatch system, which displays two lanes of adjacent traffic on the center console screen when the turn signal is activated, minimizing blind spots for safe lane changes.
