Honda Accord Hybrid (2023) Review

Honda built this hybrid the clever way. Below about forty miles an hour the electric motor drives the wheels and the engine simply generates current, so the car pulls away with the instant, silent authority of an electric car and only clutches the engine in for steady motorway cruising. The result is 204 horsepower that feels stronger than the number, mid forties economy in real driving, and none of the rubber band whine that other hybrids make. The chassis is the other reason to bother.

Steering is accurate, body control is tight and the ride stays supple on broken pavement, which is a combination the segment mostly forgot. Inside, the honeycomb mesh across the dash hides the vents neatly, the seats are excellent on a long drive and Honda kept a volume knob and real climate buttons. Top trims add Google built into the infotainment and it works well. Marks against it are minor. The styling is anonymous, the engine sounds coarse when you demand everything at once, and resale is good rather than Toyota good. As a thing to actually drive every day, it is the class benchmark.