The Accord, Hondas elemental sedan, has for many years been listed as a best buy in its class. It consistently scores top marks and sets the bar for other machines to match, though at first glance it might be difficult to understand why.
There are quicker and flashier cars in the same arena. A Nissan Altima is sportier, while a Hyundai Sonata is less expensive. Mazda's 6 is better looking, and the Ford Fusion is more fun to drive. But machines are few and far between that can better the Accords build quality and the peace of mind its customers love.
Because of its relationship with value minded and hard-working Canadians, the Accord comes off a bit like a feel-good movie where the honest and hardworking lead character comes out on top.
But I like movies where the bad guy wins, and I've certainly never loved the machine as much as its fans. I've always found them a bit bland looking and a bit too normal. But I'm just a youngling, and I haven't got a spouse and kids to haul around.
It was a rainy and miserable Thursday afternoon when I claimed my test car, and boarding it I wondered if a week would be sufficient to convert me into one of its enamored fans- hybrid or otherwise.
My tester was the 2006 Hybrid model carrying the optional DVD Navigation system with voice command on its center stack. Under the hood, a 3.0 litre V6 engine and five-speed automatic transmission are fitted, enhanced by way of Honda's innovative Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system. With fuel costs being unstable and the environment on the minds of many, plenty of carmakers are jumping aboard the hybrid ship, and Honda was one of the first.
Real-world fuel mileage averaged about 9 litres per 100 kilometres during my testing. You'll probably drive yours more gently than I was, in which case the mileage is respectable for a large sedan indeed. I've driven 4-cylinder vehicles similarly that have used more fuel. In fact, the Acura TSX with a 2.4 litre engine uses more fuel on the highway, and its 50 horsepower short of the Accord.
Keep the speed down and you can achieve less than 8 litres per 100km on the highway. While there, the ride is very relaxing. Smooth and isolated, the suspension is well dampened and not too floaty, and the steering has just enough feedback. My testing also included some enthusiastic city driving as well.
Enthusiastic? Sure, why not. The hybrid model has a horsepower advantage over the standard V6, netting 255 as opposed to 240, and it goes like stink. There seemed to be no effect on city mileage when I temporarily retired my heavy foot and made every effort to drive conservatively.
Off the line acceleration is a bit meager, but with the assist gauge maxed out and the VTEC engine revving towards its redline, it rockets along with authority. Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) keeps watch in case drivers overstep their bounds.
The engine starting and stopping in slow moving traffic can get a little tiresome before long, and occasionally you'll feel something similar to a hard gear shift as the system combines the electric and gas power however it sees fit. It's mostly seamless, and except for a few bumps and thuds more than a standard model, there are no real effects on driveability. A handy gauge lets you keep an eye on what the hybrid drive system is up to. I've tried a few other Hybrids to date, and this is the smoothest.
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| (Photo: Philippe Champoux) |
Because of its relationship with value minded and hard-working Canadians, the Accord comes off a bit like a feel-good movie where the honest and hardworking lead character comes out on top.
But I like movies where the bad guy wins, and I've certainly never loved the machine as much as its fans. I've always found them a bit bland looking and a bit too normal. But I'm just a youngling, and I haven't got a spouse and kids to haul around.
 |
| (Photo: Philippe Champoux) |
My tester was the 2006 Hybrid model carrying the optional DVD Navigation system with voice command on its center stack. Under the hood, a 3.0 litre V6 engine and five-speed automatic transmission are fitted, enhanced by way of Honda's innovative Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system. With fuel costs being unstable and the environment on the minds of many, plenty of carmakers are jumping aboard the hybrid ship, and Honda was one of the first.
Real-world fuel mileage averaged about 9 litres per 100 kilometres during my testing. You'll probably drive yours more gently than I was, in which case the mileage is respectable for a large sedan indeed. I've driven 4-cylinder vehicles similarly that have used more fuel. In fact, the Acura TSX with a 2.4 litre engine uses more fuel on the highway, and its 50 horsepower short of the Accord.
 |
| (Photo: Philippe Champoux) |
Enthusiastic? Sure, why not. The hybrid model has a horsepower advantage over the standard V6, netting 255 as opposed to 240, and it goes like stink. There seemed to be no effect on city mileage when I temporarily retired my heavy foot and made every effort to drive conservatively.
Off the line acceleration is a bit meager, but with the assist gauge maxed out and the VTEC engine revving towards its redline, it rockets along with authority. Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) keeps watch in case drivers overstep their bounds.
The engine starting and stopping in slow moving traffic can get a little tiresome before long, and occasionally you'll feel something similar to a hard gear shift as the system combines the electric and gas power however it sees fit. It's mostly seamless, and except for a few bumps and thuds more than a standard model, there are no real effects on driveability. A handy gauge lets you keep an eye on what the hybrid drive system is up to. I've tried a few other Hybrids to date, and this is the smoothest.