MotorWeek Online is sponsored by

	2005 Honda Accord Hybrid
	Engine	3.0-liter single-cam V6 & 14-kilowatt brushless electric motor
	Horsepower	255 [combined]
	Torque	232 lb feet [combined]
	0-60 mph	7.0 seconds
	1/4 mile	15.5 seconds @ 93 mph
	EPA Mileage	29 mpg city 37 mpg highway
	MotorWeek's mileage loop	30 mpg mixed city/highway
	Recent Road Tests. 2009 Acura TL 2009 Acura TSX 2009 Aston Martin Vantage V8 2009 Audi A4 Avant 2009 Bentley Brooklands 2009 BMW X6 2008 BRP Can Am Spyder 2009 Chevrolet Aveo5 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid 2009 Chevrolet Traverse 2009 Dodge Challenger V6 2009 Dodge Durango HEMI Hybrid 2009 Dodge Journey 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 2009 Ford Flex 2009 Honda Fit 2009 Honda Pilot 2009 Hyundai Genesis 2009 Infiniti FX 2009 Jaguar XF 2009 Kia Borrego 2009 Lincoln MKS 2009 Mazda6 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML 320 BlueTec 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL 2009 MINI John Cooper Works 2009 Nissan GT-R 2009 Nissan Maxima 2009 Nissan Murano 2008 Piaggio MP3 2009 Pontiac Vibe 2009 Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe 2008 Saab Turbo X 2009 Subaru Forester 2009 Suzuki Equator 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid 2009 Toyota Corolla XRS 2009 Toyota Matrix 2009 Toyota Venza 2009 Volkswagen CC 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan

2005 Honda Accord Hybrid
Program #2418

Honda has a reputation as one of the greenest car companies in the world, partly because they were the first to sell a gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle. That was the two-seat Insight, and they followed that up with the compact Civic Hybrid four-door. Now, for 2005, Honda expands its hybrid lineup with a true family car, the Accord Hybrid sedan. Now we've predicted the Accord Hybrid is going to go fast, in more ways than one.

At Honda, being a gasoline-electric hybrid means much more than just being super fuel efficient. The 2005 Accord Hybrid sedan is not only thrifty, it's downright speedy. Unlike previous 3- and 4-cylinder Honda hybrids, the Accord's powertrain is built around a strong V6 engine. A first for the hybrid segment.

Primary power is the Accord's optional 3.0-liter single-cam V6. It adds the Odyssey's Variable Cylinder Management system that shuts down three cylinders during highway cruising, and hybrid's signature Idle-Stop which shuts down the entire engine when stopping. The V-6 is mated to a new version of Honda's Integrated Motor Assist system, which uses a 14-kilowatt brushless electric motor with a peak assist of 16.1 horsepower and 100 pound-feet of torque. Plus a nickel-hydride battery pack, and regenerative braking. Total output of this complex drivetrain is 255 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque. That's 15 horsepower and 20 pound-feet more than the normal V6.

Another departure is the transmission. Rather than a shiftless CVT, this hybrid uses a modified version of the Accord's 5-speed geared automatic transmission. So instead of the golf cart-like acceleration of a CVT, this hybrid has the confident gear changes of other Accords, except it is way faster. The Accord Hybrid hits 60 in 7.0-seconds flat, and runs the full quarter mile in 15.5 seconds at 93 miles-per-hour. That's about a second faster through both tests than its gasoline sibling. It feels even faster as this Accord jumps off the line. Peak torque from the electric assist is instantaneous.

That energy carries over to public roads, where the Accord Hybrid exhibits effortless passing ability, and flows smoothly around corners. Active Noise Control completely masked the operation of the Variable Cylinder Management. However, our drivers did complain about the Idle-stop system. Unlike most hybrids, which shut down only at a full stop, our Honda cuts out at about 2 miles-per-hour. As a result, the engine is constantly starting and stopping in slow bumper-to-bumper traffic. It's a little annoying, but still a smooth drive. Also, unlike the Toyota hybrid system, you never move on electric power alone. So, Honda's hybrid system is more tuned to open roads than city commutes.

Which might explain our test fuel economy. The EPA rates the Honda Accord Hybrid at 29 city/37 highway. Our mixed test loop returned 30 miles-per-gallon. Less than we hoped, but still about 15-percent better than our long-term Accord V6.

In the handling department, the Accord Hybrid delivers more front end push than the gas model. Steering and suspension response is also slightly slower, though it delivers the solid grip that we expect from the Accord platform.

Unlike the pioneering Insight, but like the Civic Hybrid, the Accord Hybrid's appearance is totally conventional. Its advanced technology is hidden away beneath the Hybrid's aluminum hood. There is a unique grille, badging, and paying homage to its speed, a special rear deck spoiler. The interior design is pure Accord, too, with the equipment level based on the near-luxury EX with Leather model. Only discreet hybrid readouts for battery charge and assist status in the large, clear gauge cluster indicate that this is not a gas-powered Accord EX-L. The only space difference is for cargo. The rear seat doesn't fold down, and the trunk's 11.2 cubic feet is down 12% to make room for hybrid hardware.

Pricing for the Accord Hybrid starts at $30,505. That's a hefty $3,300 premium over the EX V6.

Honda's 2005 Accord Hybrid is a different take on what a hybrid can be. It adds both fuel efficiency and speed. Indeed, we love the V6-electric's kick-in-the-pants performance, but mating the hybrid IMA system to the Accord's also impressive 4-cylinder engine would have been a better choice for serious fuel savings and thus wider appeal. So, we don't think that this hybrid is for the dedicated tree-hugger. But rather for family drivers that want power with less guilt, and who are not willing to accept any compromises just to go hybrid. In that case, the 2005 Honda Accord Hybrid is a real gas.