Honda Accord vs Honda Accord Hybrid

The 2023 Honda Accord underwent a redesign that introduced a more technical and conservative appearance, moving away from the shiny chrome and exuberant character of its predecessors. The base EX variant was the only model in Canada to feature a gas-only engine, while hybrid power became standard on most trim levels, including the Sport Hybrid and Touring Hybrid. The Accord EX, priced at $37,000 in Canada, featured a dark grille, LED headlights, and a Canyon River Blue paint that garnered compliments. Inside, the Accord EX offered durable cloth seats with contrast stitching and a stylish metal mesh dashboard trim, integrating the air conditioning vents seamlessly. The digital instrumentation paired with a touchscreen infotainment system reflected Honda's attention to detail and refinement, making the Accord EX a well-outfitted choice for its price and class.

In contrast, the 2024 Honda Accord Hybrid, available in Sport and Touring trims, ranged from $43,462 to $46,962, including destination and delivery fees. The redesign continued with a clean and technical look, complemented by machined-finish 19-inch wheels that enhanced the car's aesthetics. The Touring trim, tested in Canyon River Blue metallic paint, featured a black leather interior with a grey headliner, contrast stitching, and metallic finishes. Despite some shiny plastic in the lower cabin, the 'Acura Lite' interior impressed with its luxury touches. The Accord Hybrid Touring's interior offered a grey headliner, grey contrast stitching, and an artful mesh trim strip that concealed the dashboard air vents, creating a sophisticated and inviting atmosphere.

The 2023 Honda Accord EX was equipped with a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 192 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 192 pound-feet of torque between 1,700 rpm and 5,000 rpm. This engine, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), powered the front wheels and provided adequate performance for the 1,493-kilogram sedan. The CVT mimicked the sound and feel of a traditional automatic transmission, though it was somewhat successful in this endeavour. The Accord EX featured a MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension, offering good response and road feel. The car's brakes, with 11.1-inch ventilated front discs, performed well even under extreme heat during testing. However, the Michelin Energy tires squealed and felt squishy when rounding curves, suggesting an upgrade to the Sport or Touring trims for better grip.

The 2024 Honda Accord Hybrid featured a two-motor hybrid powertrain, combining a 2.0-litre four-cylinder gasoline engine with two electric motors. This setup delivered 204 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque, with the latter available from zero to 2,000 rpm. The hybrid system provided enthusiastic acceleration from a stop, and the car's weight of approximately 1,587 kilograms did not hinder its performance. The Accord Hybrid excelled in city driving and stop-and-go commutes, offering a zippy and satisfying experience. According to Natural Resources Canada, the Accord Hybrid returned 5.3 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with our test car achieving 5.5 L/100 km. The Accord Touring impressed with its blend of ride and handling characteristics, making it an excellent daily driver.

The 2023 Honda Accord offered standard features such as heated exterior mirrors, dual-zone automatic climate control, a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat, and heated front seats. However, the Accord EX lacked a power-adjustable front passenger's seat, rear air conditioning vents, and rear USB charging ports, which were available on higher trims. The driver's seat needed more seat-track travel, and the hard plastic lining the sides of the centre console proved uncomfortable. Despite these shortcomings, the Accord provided ample rear legroom and a spacious 473-litre trunk, making it practical for passengers and cargo.

In the 2024 Honda Accord Hybrid, comfort was a priority, with a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat and heated front seats standard across all trims. The Touring trim added ventilated front seats and heated outboard rear seats, enhancing passenger comfort. The rear seats offered generous legroom and headroom, with supportive cushions and a perfect backrest angle. The Touring's air conditioning vents and USB charging ports further improved rear passenger satisfaction. The Accord Hybrid's trunk, measuring 473 litres, surpassed its rivals in cargo space, and the wide-opening doors facilitated easy entry and exit.

The 2023 Honda Accord EX featured a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system. While not large by modern standards, these screens provided essential functions, including Bluetooth connectivity, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and HondaLink connected services. The EX trim came with an eight-speaker audio system, but lacked SiriusXM satellite radio. The physical controls for the stereo and main functions were user-friendly, though the tuning knob's placement was misleading. Overall, the Accord EX offered basic yet functional technology.

In contrast, the 2024 Honda Accord Hybrid boasted a 10.2-inch digital instrumentation display and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Alexa Built-in, and HondaLink subscription services. The Touring trim added a 12-speaker Bose premium sound system, a wireless smartphone charger, and a 6-inch head-up display. However, the Google Built-in system experienced issues during testing, prompting a switch to Apple CarPlay for a seamless experience. The Accord's digital instrumentation prioritized practicality, displaying essential information such as headlight and turn signal status.

The 2023 Honda Accord came equipped with Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) designed to prevent collisions. These included adaptive cruise control, traffic-jam assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centring assist. The Accord also featured a reversing camera, automatic high-beam headlights, traffic sign recognition, and blind-spot monitoring. The Honda Sensing suite performed with accuracy and refinement, earning the Accord a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Similarly, the 2024 Honda Accord Hybrid received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, thanks to its comprehensive Honda Sensing suite. This included automatic high-beam headlights, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control with traffic-jam assist. The Touring trim added parking sensors and low-speed automatic braking. While the bright morning sun challenged the lane assist features, the Accord's digital instrumentation and head-up display provided clear communication of safety feature status. Despite some quirks, the Accord Hybrid's safety features contributed to a secure driving experience.