The 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid is a new addition to the already popular Accord line-up and it finally gives those looking for a comfortable, fuel-efficient Honda sedan an option they’ll be happy to drive.
| STATS | Starting Retail Price | As Tested Price | HP / Lb-Ft |
| 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid | $29,155 | $31,905 | 141 / 122 |
| EPA Rating MPG | As Tested MPG | ||
| Rating: BUY IT! | 50 / 45 Combined 47 | 41 Combined |
Technically, we’ve had a Honda Accord Hybrid before, but that was way back in 2007. It was discontinued for a multitude of reasons but now it’s back and it’s infinitely better. The Honda Accord Hybrid features much of the same styling and features as its gasoline powered brethren, but it’ll get way more impressive mpg ratings.
The 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid boasts 50/45 city/highway for a combined 47 MPG rating that makes it the highest rated gas sedan, excluding plug-ins. There is also a 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid plug-in, but it gets slightly lower MPG ratings of 47/46 city/highway thanks to its extra weight.
You’ll get the same clean lines that you’ll find in the rest of the Accord line-up, but with a few changes specific to the hybrid model. The front grille and bumper have been slightly altered and it gets more aerodynamic wheels and LED taillights.
There’s also a blue-accented front grille and headlights, but I found this more than a little off-putting. The grille looks like it’s covered in the blue plastic film you peel off of appliances and things like computers when they’re fresh out of the box. This blue doesn’t peel off, of course, but I couldn’t shake the idea that there was shiny chrome hiding underneath if that blue would just peel away.
The interior is typically Honda with a clean, uncluttered design that’s very comfortable. Materials look good and feel nice to the touch lending it a more refined feel than the Camry Hybrid. There is room aplenty up front with no worries about bumping elbows with your neighbor and the back seat is equally spacious. Seating for four is ideal, but the fifth passenger will enjoy the ride as long as everyone doesn’t mind getting up close and personal.
Being a hybrid, you’re not looking for, nor are you going to get, acceleration and performance that knock your socks off. The nice thing about the 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid is that it also won’t put you into a coma and is much more spirited than a Toyota Prius.
It’s equipped with a 141 horsepower 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder gasoline engine with a 166 horsepower electric motor. It’s capable of running with the gas engine completely off at speeds up to 70 MPH and does so nicely, but with rather loud engine noise when it switches over to gas.
Acceleration is strong, for a hybrid, and you won’t feel the frustration of not being able to accelerate when you need it, but the engine noise is at times disconcerting. There’s a disconnect between what you hear and the car’s performance where it still sounds like you’re stomping on the gas even when you’ve eased up or are just asking it for a little power. Road noise, on the other hand, is muted and unobtrusive.
Handling is smooth and controlled with responsive steering that handled high-speed cornering easily. I also tested the 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid in a winter storm that dumped a foot of snow on our roads and it held its own before the plows made an appearance. Lesser cars would have refused to leave the driveway. Road feedback is very good, easily helping you judge the conditions of the road beneath your wheels whether it’s clear pavement, dirt or snow and ice.
The 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid succeeds where its earlier incarnations missed the mark. It delivers the comfortable, well-appointed interior typical of Honda along with a smooth, enjoyable ride and gas mileage that pretty much knocks it out of the park.
On the TFLcar scale of:
- Buy it!
- Lease it!
- Rent it!
- … or Forget it!
I give the 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid a Buy It!
Nicole Wakelin fell in love with cars as a teenager when she got to go for a ride in a Ferrari. It was red and it was fast and that was all that mattered. Game over. She considers things a bit more carefully now, but still has a weakness for fast, beautiful cars. Nicole also writes for NerdApproved and GeekMom.
