Road Test: 2024 Honda Accord Hybrid Touring

Refined, Highly Efficient Family Sedan

The 2024 Honda Accord Hybrid sedan was completely redesigned in 2023. The handsome styling continues over to 2024, where it foregoes sharp edges for a mature and finished look. The package of smooth aerodynamics is backed with an enthusiastic but efficient powertrain and serenely comfortable interior.

Honda gives drivers options of four Accord Hybrid models.

EX-L

• 2.0-liter non-turbocharged 4-cylinder
• 204 total system horsepower (hp), including two electric motors
• 134 pound-feet of torque (lb.-ft.) from engine
• 17-inch alloy wheels
• EPA Fuel Economy: 51 mpg city/44 highway/48 combined

Sport, Sport-L and Touring

• 2.0-liter non-turbocharged 4-cylinder
• 204 hp
• 134 lb.-ft.
• 19-inch alloy wheels
• EPA: 46 city/41 highway/44 combined

The hybrid engines propel the front wheels through an electronically-controlled continuously variable transmission (CVT). With controls on the center console, the CVT has driver selectable drive modes of Normal, Econ, Sport and Individual. All-wheel drive is not offered.

In 215 miles driving through Southern California we averaged 44.8 mpg combined. With a 110-mile all-freeway run, using the adaptive cruise control set at 65 mph, the average bumped up to healthy 46.5 mpg. Fuel economy numbers reported by Clean Fleet Report are non-scientific and represent the reviewer’s driving experience. Your numbers may differ.

Hitting the Road

The Honda Accord Hybrid Touring performed well, with zero-to-60 times around 6.6 seconds. The ride quality is refined, handling confident with precise steering. The fastest corners didn’t produce body roll or shifting as the 3,532 pounds always felt well controlled. The throttle response was linear (no turbo so no turbo lag!) and acceleration was peppy. The Accord Hybrid is not rated to tow. For a family car not marketed as a sports sedan, it was fun to drive.

Handling was more than competent with electric power steering, MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspensions and the Michelin Green X energy saver 235/40 all-season tires, mounted on 19-inch machined-faced with gloss black insert wheels. Stopping was solid with four-wheel ABS, electronic brake distribution and vehicle stability assist.

Aerodynamically Efficient Exterior

Now in its 11th generation (first launched in 1976) the 2024 Accord went through a complete exterior re-imagination in 2023. With few sharp edges and smooth corners, the aerodynamics have been improved to achieve increased efficiency, which is a key part of the clean redesign. The LED head and driving lights are sleekly integrated on the far corners, separating a properly sized grille.

The nose, front bumpers and hood are designed to direct air flow down the smooth sides and over the roof. The trunk lid height, the diminutive integrated lip spoiler, the LED tail lights and the rear bumper and fascia all are optimized with airflow in mind. It is obvious Honda did considerable wind tunnel testing with the Accord.

Our Accord, painted in Canyon River Blue Metallic, had body color-keyed bumpers, door handles, shark fin antenna and heated, power exterior mirrors. Chrome was kept to a tasteful minimum, only found around the windows and on the badging. Standard exterior pallet options include Solar Silver Metallic, Meteorite Gray Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl and Canyon River Blue Metallic. Premium colors for an additional $455 cost are Urban Gray Pearl, Platinum White Pearl and Radiant Red Metallic.

Interior Serenity

Clean smooth interior surfaces with premium materials greet you when sliding into the comfortable cloth, or as with our Touring trim, leather seats. Front visibility is excellent due to the rake of the hood, narrow A-pillars, and hidden rain sensing windshield wipers. The dash, with a unique and attractive honeycomb mesh panel disguising the air outlets, is covered in soft touch materials with gloss black trim. The solid black interior had tasteful brushed aluminum touches on the leather-wrapped steering wheel and the door handles.

The heated and ventilated front seats have multiple internal structures to provide improved support across the entire body, with the driver getting 10-way power adjustments with memory, and the passenger 4-way power adjustments. The tilt and telescoping steering column has good range providing plenty of options to find a comfortable driving position. Uniquely for a car in this class, the steering wheel is not heated.

The rear heated, leather-trimmed seats comfortably accommodate two adults, but three for short jaunts. The padded, fold-down armrest, with cup holders, is part of the 60:40 rear seat that folds, providing a usable cargo space. The trunk opening is tall and wide, with a low sill, making for easy loading. Overall, the interior build and material quality are at a high level.

The cockpit design is driver friendly with a customizable 10.2-inch digital gauge cluster, and a 12.3-inch high-resolution color touchscreen that is standard on the Sport, EX-L, Sport-L and Touring trim lines. The LX and EX get a 7-inch color touchscreen.

Our Touring model had the 12-speaker Bose premium audio system with Centerpoint and Surround Sound that filled the cabin with excellent sound. The touchscreen handled the 3D navigation and rear view camera, built-in Alexa and, for entertainment, the AM/FM HD radio, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and USB A and C ports, front and rear. Uniquely, again, SiriusXM is not available.

The Bluetooth with voice recognition worked very well, as did the steering wheel mounted audio controls and the Qi wireless phone charging. A wish list for the audio system would be to add a channel selection knob, which would join the volume knob. Both of these would make the system more user friendly, convenient, as would SiriusXM.

Safety and Convenience

All Accord models come standard with active and passive safety features. The driver and front passenger get front, knee, and side air bags, while the rear passengers get side and curtain airbags, the latter having a rollover sensor. Honda Sensing, the company’s advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) include forward collision and road departure mitigation, lane keep assist, blind spot with cross traffic monitoring, and front and rear parking sensors.

Additional safety and convenience features are 6-inch head-up display, adaptive cruise control, idle stop and go, automatic brake hold, one-touch power moonroof, remote keyless entry, security system, push button start/stop, dual zone automatic climate system, a tire pressure monitoring system, remote engine start, an automatic dimming rearview mirror equipped with Homelink and an electric parking brake.

The Driver Attention Monitor is a helpful driving aid that detects a lack of driver attention. Warnings begin with a cup of coffee graphic, then visual flashes are followed by an audio alert and the steering wheel vibrating. If you are nodding off, this system could save your life.

The 2024 Accord is a Top Safety Pick+ from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), but has not been rated by the US Government’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Pricing

These 2024 Honda Accord Hybrid prices include the mandatory $1,095 destination charge.

• Sport                     $33,990
• EX-L                      $35,635
• Sport-L                  $35,970
• Touring                 $39,995

Warranties

• Battery – Eight years/100,000 miles
• Powertrain – Five years/60,000 mile
• New Vehicle/Basic – Three years/36,000 mile
• Anti-perforation – Five years/Unlimited miles
• Roadside Assistance – Three years/36,000 miles

Observations: 2024 Honda Accord Hybrid Touring

The 2024 Honda Accord Hybrid offers comfort for five, with the large rear seat passenger room making attaching a rear-facing child car seat easy. The trunk is larger than expected and will swallow-up gear for that long, fuel-efficient road trip. The full suite of advanced driver safety systems is robust, but SiriusXM not being offered is a head scratcher.

Built in Marysville, Ohio, with the engine coming from Japan, the Accord Hybrid carries with it the well-earned reputation of Honda quality.

To truly appreciate how good this car is, go into your Honda dealer and request a lengthy test drive that should include a highway run of at least 25 miles so you can check the fuel economy for yourself. You just may be driving home in one.

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Story and photos by John Faulkner.