Road Test: 2024 Honda Accord Hybrid Touring

A sophisticated and efficient family sedan

The 2024 Honda Accord Hybrid sedan was completely redesigned for 2023. The handsome styling carries over to 2024, which drops the sharp edges for a mature and sophisticated look. The sleek aerodynamic package is paired with an enthusiastic and efficient powertrain and a serene and comfortable interior.

Honda offers drivers a choice of four Accord Hybrid models.

EX-L

• 2.0-liter non-turbocharged 4-cylinder engine
• Total system power 204 horsepower (hp), including two electric motors
• Engine torque is 134 lb-ft
• 17-inch alloy wheels
• US Environmental Protection Agency Fuel Economy: 51 mpg city / 44 mpg highway / 48 mpg combined

Sport, Sport-L and Touring

• 2.0-liter non-turbocharged 4-cylinder engine
• 204 hp
• 134 lb-ft
• 19-inch alloy wheels
• US Environmental Protection Agency: 46 city/41 highway/44 combined

The hybrid engine drives the front wheels through an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (CVT). The CVT is controlled via the center console, and the driver can select Normal, Eco, Sport and Individual drive modes. All-wheel drive is not available.

In 215 miles of driving in Southern California, we averaged 44.8 combined mpg. In 110 miles of all-freeway driving, using adaptive cruise control and set at 65 mph, the average rose to a healthy 46.5 mpg. Fuel economy figures are provided by Clean Fleet Report Not scientific, just represents the reviewer’s driving experience. Your numbers may vary.

Hitting the Road

The Honda Accord Hybrid Touring performs well, accelerating from zero to 60 mph in just 6.6 seconds. Ride comfort is excellent, handling is sure, and steering is precise. There’s no body roll or shifting in the fastest turns, as the 3,532 pounds always feel well controlled. Throttle response is linear (no turbo, so no turbo lag!), and acceleration is strong. The Accord Hybrid doesn’t have towing capabilities. For a family car that’s not marketed as a sport sedan, it’s fun to drive.

Electric power steering, MacPherson front suspension and multi-link rear suspension, and Michelin Green X Energy-saving 235/40 all-season tires are mounted on 19-inch machined gloss black inline wheels. Four-wheel ABS, electronic brake force distribution and vehicle stability assist system make the vehicle stop very steadily.

Aerodynamically efficient exterior

Now in its 11th generation (first introduced in 1976), the 2024 Accord received a thorough exterior redesign for 2023. Fewer sharp edges and rounded corners, and improved aerodynamics for greater efficiency are a key part of the clean redesign. LED headlights and driving lights are sleekly integrated into the far corners, separating the modestly sized grille.

The nose, front bumper and hood are designed to direct airflow down the sleek sides and over the roof. The decklid height, small integrated lip spoiler, LED taillights, and rear bumper and fascia are all optimized with airflow in mind. Apparently, Honda did a lot of wind tunnel testing on the Accord.

Our Accord was painted Canyon River Blue Metallic with body-color bumpers, door handles, shark fin antenna, and heated power exterior mirrors. Chrome is kept to a minimum and is only visible around the windows and on the badges. Standard exterior options include Solar Silver Metallic, Meteorite Gray Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl, and Canyon River Blue Metallic. Premium colors available for an extra $455 include Urban Gray Pearl, Platinum White Pearl, and Radiant Red Metallic.

Inner Peace

Clean, smooth interior surfaces and premium materials will make you feel at home as you slide into comfortable cloth seats or, like our Touring trim, leather seats. Forward visibility is excellent, thanks to the raked hood, narrow A-pillars, and hidden rain-sensing windshield wipers. The dashboard features a unique and handsome honeycomb mesh panel that hides the air vents and is covered in soft-touch materials and gloss black trim. The all-black interior features a tasteful brushed aluminum finish on the leather-wrapped steering wheel and door handles.

The heated and ventilated front seats have a variety of internal structures for better support throughout the body, and are 10-way power adjustable for the driver (with memory) and 4-way power adjustable for the passenger. The tilt and telescoping steering column has a good range of adjustment, providing a variety of options for finding a comfortable driving position. Uniquely for the class, the steering wheel is not heated.

The heated leather seats in the rear seat comfortably accommodate two adults, but three can be accommodated for short trips. A folding padded armrest with cup holders is part of the 60:40 rear bench seat and folds down to provide usable cargo space. The trunk opening is high and wide with a low sill for easy loading. Overall, the interior construction and material quality is at a high level.

The cockpit is designed for driver convenience, with a customizable 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch high-resolution color touchscreen, which 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 is equipped with 12 speakers Bosch A premium audio system with Centerpoint and surround sound fills the cabin with excellent sound. The touchscreen controls 3D navigation and rearview camera, built-in Alexa, and for entertainment, AM/FM HD Radio, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and USB A and C ports (front and rear). Also unique, SiriusXM is not available.

Bluetooth with voice recognition works well, as do the audio controls on the steering wheel and Qi wireless phone charging. A wish list for the audio system is to add a channel selection knob that would be joined by the volume knob. Both would make the system more user-friendly and convenient, as would SiriusXM.

Safe and convenient

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

Other safety and convenience features include a 6-inch head-up display, adaptive cruise control, idle start-stop, automatic brake hold, one-touch power moonroof, remote keyless entry, security system, push-button start/stop, dual-zone automatic climate system, tire pressure monitoring system, remote engine start, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a 3.1-liter V-8 engine. Home Link and an electric parking brake.

this Driver Attention Monitor is a helpful driver assistance system that detects if the driver is not paying attention. The warning starts with a graphic of a cup of coffee, followed by a visual flash, followed by an audio alert and steering wheel vibration. If you doze off, this system could save your life.

The 2024 Accord won Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)but has not yet received a rating from the U.S. government’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Price

Prices for these 2024 Honda Accord Hybrids include a mandatory $1,095 destination charge.

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

Warranty

• Battery – eight years/100,000 miles
• Powertrain – Five years/60,000 miles
• New/Base Model – Three Years/36,000 Miles
• Perforation Resistant – Five Years/Unlimited Miles
• Roadside Assistance – Three years/36,000 miles

Watch: 2024 Honda Accord Hybrid Touring

The 2024 Honda Accord Hybrid comfortably seats five, with ample room for rear-seat passengers, and can easily fit a rear-facing child car seat. The trunk is larger than expected and can accommodate the gear you need for long, fuel-efficient road trips. The full suite of advanced driver safety systems is very capable, but the lack of SiriusXM is puzzling.

The Accord Hybrid is built in Marysville, Ohio, uses Japanese engines and has Honda’s reputation for quality.

To really see how good this car is, go to a Honda dealer and ask for a long test drive that includes at least 25 miles of highway driving so you can check the fuel economy for yourself. You might even drive it home.

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Story and photos from John Faulkner.

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