Honda->ke34 gave the Accord a much-needed facelift for the 2016 model year and, now that 2017 models are starting to break cover, Honda has upgraded the Accord->ke237 Hybrid. Not only does it get that beautiful design language that just screams Acura,->ke10 but it also gets an updated hybrid powertrain that promises to offer better fuel economy and performance. Furthermore, the Accord Hybrid also receives a new, more compact battery pack, which should increase trunk capacity to a midsize hybrid->ke147 class-leading 13.5 cubic-feet.

John Mendel, the Executive Vice President of American Honda Motor Company, said, “The new Honda Accord Hybrid is the ultimate Accord – the most refined, technologically sophisticated and, of course, most fuel efficient in the lineup. With Accord already America’s most popular car three years running and the best-selling midsize car to younger buyers, we think this new hybrid model will add considerable momentum for the Honda brand.”

The 2017 Honda Accord Hybrid will come in three different trims, offer several different driving modes, and come with a long list of optional features that promise to make it the best Accord Hybrid to date. So, with that said, let’s take a closer look at the new Accord Hybrid and go into better detail about what you can expect. It makes its first public appearance at the Aquarium on the Pacific in Long Beach during the Earth Day celebrations on April 23rd and 24th.

Updated 07/19/2016: Honda dropped a new video in which it highlights the driving features of the 2017 Accord Hybrid. So hit "play" to learn more about its quality, sportiness, comfort and safety features.

Continue reading to learn more about the 2017 Honda Accord Hybrid.

2017 Honda Accord Hybrid

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2017 Honda Accord Hybrid
  • Engine/Motor: inline-4
  • Horsepower: 212
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

On the outside, the Accord Hybrid is identical to its non-hybrid counterparts, but that’s nothing to complain about. The refreshed Accord is sexy, sleek, and the best looking Accord out there. After years of bombing in the car design department, Honda finally got it right. To sum things up, the front end now sports a more aggressive fascia and a much bolder grille. The corner vents in the front are more dominant that ever, and the air dam is recessed just enough to give the front end a unique look. The hybrid also received blue highlighted LED headlights and fog lights, as well as an aluminum hood and aluminum wheels.

To the sides, there wasn’t a whole lot of change, but the car did get a new set of side skirts that give the car more of a sportier appearance. Around back, the car received new taillights that emphasize on width with the long LED piping behind the lens. There is also a longer and sharper chrome strip that runs along the bottom of the decklid, between the taillights. The rear fascia isn’t anywhere near as sporty as the front, but it does bring better styling than the previous years.

Basically, the car comes with styling similar to what you would expect in a body kit. Not that long ago, the Accords fascias were boring and plain Jane, but not anymore.

Interior

The Accords cabin is sleek, luxurious and sexy all at the same time. With shiny wood grain trim, flat-black trim inserts, and technology focused around the driver, the Accord does a pretty good job of posing as a luxury model. Sure, there is still some cheaper plastic here and there, but the fit and finish are good, and everything is arranged just right. With the refresh, the high-end versions of the hybrid should see a new seven-inch touchscreen display in the center stack that is connected to the second display screen that is perched on top of the center stack.

We know that lower-end versions of the non-hybrid Accord still sport a traditional needle gauge instrument cluster, but the hybrid – at least the upper trim levels – will sport an all-digital instrument cluster. This cluster features a large speedometer in the middle, with vertical gauges to the sides. That instrument cluster lights up in a combination of blue, green, and white, and to be honest; it is rather pleasing to look at.

The most interesting thing to talk about inside the car is the available Display Audio system that allows phone connectivity via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Furthermore, the hybrid battery pack is more compact than ever, opening up cargo room in the truck to a “class-leading” 13.5 cubic-feet.

Drivetrain

As you would expect from its hybrid nature, the drivetrain department is where Honda spent the most time optimizing and expanding. As you already know, the battery pack is more compact, but the real meat behind the hybrid’s update comes under the hood. Honda has combined its next-gen two-motor hybrid system and an “ultra-efficient” 2.0-liter, i-VTEC, Atkinson Cycle engine. The Hybrid powertrain delivers a combined output of 212 horsepower, which Honda claims is the highest of any midsize hybrid sedan. Furthermore, this is a power increase of 16 horsepower over the previous hybrid model. It isn’t much, but it’s not bad for a mid-cycle refresh.

Fuel economy has been rated by the EPA at 49 mpg in the city, 47 mpg on the highway, and 48 mpg combined, which under the new rating system should be an improvement of one mpg in the city, two mpg on the highway, and one mpg overall. Also, because of the two-motor hybrid drivetrain, the Accord Hybrid doesn’t need a conventional mechanical transmission.

Power is delivered in three different modes: EV Drive, Hybrid Drive, and Engine Drive. In EV drive, the Accord is powered only by the motor and battery pack, allowing a short all-electric range. In Hybrid Drive, one motor powers the front wheels, while the engine powers the second motor to supplement current drawn from the battery pack. When in Engine Drive mode, a lock-up clutch connects the engine to the propulsion motor and both drive the front wheels to deliver the highest amount of power possible.

Honda has yet to release performance figures for the refreshed hybrid, but the previous hybrid model could to a 60-mph sprint in 7.5 seconds on the way to a top speed of 117 mph. That said, the 2017 model should see a slight improvement with 0-to-60 mph coming in 7.3 seconds and top speed probably increasing to 118 or 119 mph. Of course, these performance figures don’t matter much, because you’re not buying a hybrid for performance, you’re buying it to be efficient, right?

Safety

In the safety department, Honda is going all out. All three trim levels – Hybrid, Hybrid EX-L, and Hybrid Touring – all receive a pretty decent list of standard safety equipment. New standard features include a wide-angle rearview camera, remote engine start, and Honda Sensing. Honda sensing includes collision mitigation braking, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, road departure mitigation, and forward collision warning. Upper trim levels will receive front and rear parking sensors as standard equipment.

Prices

The new 2017 Accord Hybrid is now on sale for the 2017 model year, and Honda has spilled the beans on pricing for the model as well. It is available in three different trim levels, with the base model Accord Hybrid starting out at $29,605 before taxes, options, and delivery. The mid-level trim, known as the Hybrid EX-L starts out at $32,905, and the range-topping model of the hybrids – the Hybrid Touring – starts out at $35,955. For what it’s worth, that’s an increase of just $300 for the entry-level hybrid, $850 for the EX-L, and $900 for the Touring trim level. Given the addition of styling and standard equipment for the new-generation Accord to these hybrid models, that’s a pretty fair price increase for each model.

Model

MSRP

Honda Accord Hybrid

$29,605

Honda Accord Hybrid EX-L

$32,905

Honda Accord Hybrid Touring

$35,955


Competition

Toyota Camry

Being another major Japanese manufacturer of fuel-efficient cars, it is only fair we look to Toyota and it’s Camry Hybrid as a competitor for the Accord Hybrid. The current Camry has been in production since 2011 and was updated in 2015, so we’re expecting to see the next generation sometime soon.

Currently, the Camry is offered as a hybrid in three different trims: Hybrid LE, Hybrid SE, and Hybrid XLE. All three sport a 2.5-liter hybrid powertrain, but actual performance figures are nowhere to be found. The non-hybrid 2.5-liter makes 170 horsepower, so I suspect the hybrid drivetrain makes upward of 200. As of the 2015 model year, the Camry was advertised with an all-electric range of 25 miles before having to switch over to the dino juice. Fuel economy is nowhere near as good as the Accord, with the Hybrid LE pulling 43 mpg in the city, 39 mpg on the highway, and 41 mpg combined. The Hybrid SE and Hybrid XLE achieve 40 mpg in the city, 38 mpg on the highway, and 40 combined.

While they aren’t as fuel efficient, they’re also not as expensive. The LE commands $26,790, the SE warrants a check for $27,995, and the XLE hits the bank for $30,140.

Read our full review on the Toyota Camry here.

Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

The Sonata when through a makeover for the 2015 model year, and for 2016, the Hybrid got the same treatment. The Sonata Hybrid is actually available in two different forms. The regular hybrid is available in SE and Limited trim. Then there is the Plug-in Hybrid and the Plug-in Hybrid Limited. Both of the standard hybrid trims come with a 2.0-liter GDI four-cylinder engine and a 38 kW motor that is connected to a 270-volt lithium polymer battery pack. Total system output is 193 horsepower.

Both plug-in models get the same 2.0-liter GDI, but they get a more powerful 50 kW motor and 360-volt battery pack. Total output for the plug-in models is 202 horsepower. The Hybrid SE achieves 40 mpg in the city and 44 mpg on the highway. In the limited, those figures drop to 39 in the city and 43 on the highway. Both plug-in models have an all-electric range of 27 miles and a fuel economy rating of 99 MPGe.

Pricing starts out at $26,000 for the SE, $30,100 for the Limited, $34,600 for the Plug-in and $38,600 for the Plug-in Limited.

Read our full review on the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid here.

Conclusion

I’ve always been a fan of Honda, but lately Honda’s styling language has been rather bland. It’s nice to finally start seeing sporty looking Hondas, like the Accord, hitting the roads again. The whole exterior package of the Accord works great as a whole and is aggressive than the competition. In hybrid form, it does start out a little more expensive than the Camry and Sonata, for instance, but that extra money brings you an excessively comfortable cabin and significantly better fuel economy.

Honda has finally found a way to put itself at the top of the pack in the last few years, and if it keeps up with what it’s doing it will continue to dominate the hybrid and non-hybrid market. The 2017 Accord Hybrid will be the best looking and most powerful Accord Hybrid to date, and it will only get better from here.

Updated History

Update 06/20/2016: We've made a new video highlighting all the new features on the 2017 Honda Accord Hybrid. Click play to watch it.

Update History

Update 06/15/2016: Honda has announced pricing for the 2017 Honda Accord Hybrid. Check out the details in the pricing section below.