Sponsored Content
2018 Honda Accord Touring hybrid: refined and affordable
Published 1:30 am Friday, July 20, 2018
If you’ve been thinking about pulling the trigger on a hybrid – but have been waiting for refinements and a lower price – wait no longer.
The 2018 Honda Accord Touring hybrid delivers best-in-class cabin space, cargo space and power. It now has five trim levels, increasing from three. And, it’s more affordable than ever, thanks to a lower starting price on its base model.
Since it was my tester the week of July 4th, it’s worth mentioning the hybrid was assembled at Honda’s Marysville, Ohio, production plant – one of more than 11 million produced in the U.S. since 1982.
This next-generation Accord hybrid embodies Honda’s unique approach to electrification – infusing fun-to-drive performance, efficiency, premium feature content and comfort in a sophisticated and affordable package.
The hybrid is powered by the third-generation of Honda’s innovative two-motor hybrid powertrain, which pairs a 2.0-liter DOHC i-VTEC Atkinson-cycle inline-4 engine with 40-percent thermal efficiency to an electric propulsion motor that churns out 232 lb.-ft. of torque for a class-leading total system output of 212 horsepower. As before, the Accord two-motor system operates without the need for a conventional automatic transmission.
The powertrain operates by seamlessly shifting between three distinct drive operations: EV Drive (100-percent electric motor), Hybrid Drive (electric motor and gasoline engine – driving the generator motor) and Engine Drive (gasoline engine), utilizing power from the gasoline engine and electric motors to accommodate current driving conditions.
Helping to maximize energy generation are steering-wheel-mounted deceleration selectors. Similar to transmission paddle shifters, the deceleration selectors allow the driver to easily toggle between four levels of regenerative braking performance. The right selector increases regenerative braking and the left selector reduces regenerative braking. The system simultaneously helps reduce stress on the brakes while increasing battery charging via regeneration.
Ingenius.
The Accord’s spacious interior easily accommodates up to five adults. The trunk is so big, one would never guess it’s a hybrid. But best of all, the Accord hybrid delivers 47 miles per gallon in combined city/highway driving with a range well over 500 miles. Take that, $3.50 per gallon gas prices.
To suit a wider variety of hybrid sedan shoppers, the Accord hybrid lineup now comes in five trim levels: hybrid, EX (new), EX-L, EX-L Navi (new) and Touring. And the base model can be had for slightly more than $25 grand.
Even so, the hybrid offers a lengthy list of standard equipment, such as 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights (low beam) and taillights, dual-zone climate control, smart entry with push-button start, and a multi-angle rearview camera.
The Honda Sensing suite of advanced safety and driver-assistive technologies, bundles together adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, collision mitigation braking system, road-departure mitigation, lane-departure warning and traffic sign recognition.
My Touring was loaded with all the goodies including navigation, leather seats, heated front and rear seats, power moon roof, dual-zone climate control, premium audio system with 10 speakers, Bluetooth, USB ports and more.
Base Price: $34,710
Price As Driven: $35,605
Base price includes destination charge. Vehicles are provided by the manufacturer. Prices may vary at local dealerships.