Close X
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
ADVT 
Auto

2024 Honda Accord Hybrid Sporty Next-Gen Hybrid

Benjamin Yong Darpan, 03 Oct, 2024
  • 2024 Honda Accord Hybrid Sporty Next-Gen Hybrid

The latest Honda Accord debuted last year, and with it comes a fresh hybrid variant tuned to provide a more spirited driving experience. 

"Honda's commitment to building world-class sedans continues with the all-new, 11th-generation Accord Hybrid, which is an integral piece of our North American electrification strategy," says Steve Hui, Assistant Vice President, Honda Financial Services, in a media release. "The Accord's reputation is already solidified, but this new Accord is our best ever maintaining its class-leading attributes of sophisticated styling reliability, efficiency, performance, and connectivity."

Darpan tested the mid-range Sport grade in the stunning Radiant Red Metallic paint color (+ $300), which looks the part. It features contrasting black side mirrors, a trunk spoiler, front/rear lower bumper lips and side skirts, and 19-inch alloy wheels. The vehicle also has a 10-millimeter wider rear track, broadening the stance and increasing stability on the road. The car appears significantly longer than the outgoing version—70 millimeters, to be precise—with a longer hood and fastback-style sloping roofline.

If you’ve seen or sat in a recent Honda Civic, the interior of the Accord won’t be too much of a surprise. The signature metal mesh trim spans the entire dash length and conceals the air vents. Thankfully, designers have kept an actual gear knob in place rather than installing transmission select buttons or a rotary controller. The brand says the shifter is angled towards the driver by five degrees to accommodate the two large cupholders to the console's right.

Piano Black trim is found throughout the cabin, and nice-feeling leather covers the heated steering wheel and aforementioned knob. Attractive black cloth is upholstered on the front. Body Stabilizing Seats that are comfortable and supportive, enough so I didn’t feel too much fatigue on a four-hour trip from Kelowna to the Lower Mainland. 

The hybrid utilizes a fourth-gen two-electric motor system paired with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder, putting out 204 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque. Improvements over the former setup include added direct fuel injection and linear shift control that mimics the shift feel of a conventional I.C.E. under acceleration. 

Drivers can choose a Sport mode via a toggle switch on the center console, which changes throttle behavior and other dynamic settings suitable for a little fun on the backroads. They can also switch to Econ when trying to maximize fuel economy. The former even creates a subtle sporty exhaust note when you put the pedal down. Handling is sharp, especially for a big sedan, due to the Accord’s MacPherson Strut front/multi-link rear suspension. New suspension damper mount bearings and ball joints give a smoother steering response. 

The Honda Sensing safety suite receives an update as well. A new camera and wide-angle radar have expanded fields of view, 90 and 120 degrees, respectively, helping the driver assistance technology better recognize objects, road markings, boundaries, and signs. Over much of the long stretches of highway throughout my 400-kilometer journey from the Okanagan, I relied on the dynamic cruise control to do much of the steering, braking, and accelerating — which it did admirably.

The 2024 Honda Accord continues to be built at the Marysville Auto Plant in Ohio, where production began in the early 1980s. 

Highlights:   

MSRP: $31,278 (as tested)

Motor: 2.0-litre inline-four cylinder

Horsepower: 204 (net)  

Torque (lb-ft): 247 (net)

Gearbox: CVT automatic

Layout: Front Engine/Front-Wheel Drive   

Fuel economy: 5.5 L/100 km mixed city/highway (observed)

MORE Auto ARTICLES

2024 Land Rover Defender 130 People-Hauling Off-Roader

2024 Land Rover Defender 130 People-Hauling Off-Roader
For customers who love the Defender 90 and 110 but are seeking a little more practicality, Land Rover recently debuted its first-ever 130 model. The luxury 4x4 utilizes the same wheelbase as the 110 but features a 340-millimeter extension to the rear section to accommodate up to eight passengers and additional cargo.

2024 Acura MDX Type-S Putting the sport in sport utility

2024 Acura MDX Type-S Putting the sport in sport utility
When the latest model debuted a couple years back, it represented the first Acura SUV to wear the vaunted Type-S badge reserved for only the sportiest of offerings. And the designation is justified, as this big 355-horsepower three-row crossover is just a screamer that will put a smile on the whole family’s face while on a road trip or just a run to the grocery store.

Roger Bhajan, General Manager at Morrey Nissan of Coquitlam

Roger Bhajan, General Manager at Morrey Nissan of Coquitlam
I have been in the automotive industry for over 34 years and have worked with Nissan/Infiniti for over 12 years. I opened up a new state-of-the-art Infiniti dealership in Langley, where we showcased the incredible Infiniti brand. From there, I moved over to the Nissan brand in Port Coquitlam

2024 Mercedes-AMG EQE 4MATIC+ review Electric rocket on wheels

2024 Mercedes-AMG EQE 4MATIC+ review Electric rocket on wheels
One of the better-looking electric examples from the German luxury manufacturer, the EQE 4MATIC+ Sedan features a shorter wheelbase than bigger brother the EQS, slick body aero, rear truck lip spoiler, and flush-mounted wheels up to 21-inches. This all helps the vehicle appear a little less egg-shaped than the rest of the EQ lineup, particularly when sprayed in darker colours like the stealthy Obsidian Black Metallic paint.  

2024 Honda Passport Trailsport

2024 Honda Passport Trailsport
Mid-size crossover now even more trail ready. Launched in 2020, the Honda Passport was intended to provide a Pilot-like experience in a smaller form factor. In 2024, the crossover is going full off-road ready with an updated TrailSport model packing special suspension, tires and more. 

Q&A with Jay Sidhu: Sales Executive at Porsche Centre Langley

Q&A with Jay Sidhu: Sales Executive at Porsche Centre Langley
Experience automotive excellence at Porsche Vancouver. Explore our premier selection, including the electrifying Taycan and iconic Cayenne. Discover luxury redefined.
PrevNext