2014 Honda Accord Hybrid will get 49 mpg city in US, starts at $37,260 in Japan
Two bits of news about the upcoming 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid have been released, but still not enough to have a complete picture of the revamped gas-electric that will come to the US this October.
First, and this applies to the US model, the Accord Hybrid has been given an estimated 49-miles-per-gallon EPA city fuel economy rating along with 45 mpg highway and 47 mpg combined thanks to some high-tech wizardry – a.k.a. two-motor hybrid powertrain – that is similar to what’s already available in the 115 MPGe Accord Plug-In. The Accord will be Honda’s first hybrid to be assembled in Marysville, OH. You’ll find many more details in the press release below.
Over in Japan, where we already knew fuel economy estimates, the story is a little more complete. Namely, that pricing for the new Accord Hybrid will start at 3,650,000 yen (US $37,260). That’s a whopping 610,000 yen ($6,227) more than the competition is charging for the Toyota Camry Hybrid and also a lot more than the standard Accord in Japan, which starts at around $25,500. Analysts say this price premium is “a good strategy” for the extra fuel economy and should keep the Accord nipping at the Camry’s heels, saleswise.
The big question is: does this help us guess how much the Accord Hybrid will cost stateside? Not really. Honda’s Jessica Fini told AutoblogGreen, “We don’t have pricing on the US version yet. That information will be available closer to the on-sale in October. It would be challenging to compare the Japan pricing strategy to what will happen with the US model since the markets are pretty different.” For example, she added, “The Accord in Japan is a premium model – in the article they compare it to a Lexus in the US – so that should also provide some perspective on how they are pricing it here. Certainly the US Accord has a different position here in the market.”
In the US, the standard Accord starts at $21,680 while the 2014 Plug-In begins at $39,780, and we’re pretty certain the hybrid will slot between the two. Bold prediction, right?
– Class-leading 49 mpg EPA city fuel economy rating[1] anticipated
– Accord Hybrid shares Accord Sedan’s sophisticated design highlighted with exclusive hybrid styling accents
– Honda’s first hybrid to be assembled[2] in Marysville, Ohio
– Accord Hybrid to go on-sale nationwide in October 2013
TORRANCE, Calif., June 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — The first official photos of the U.S. version of the all-new 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid set to hit dealerships nationwide this October are now available on the Honda consumer site. The Accord Hybrid features the same sophisticated styling found on the Accord Sedan plus unique hybrid badging and blue-accented grille and light lenses, LED daytime running lights, a unique wheel design and a decklid spoiler.
The 2014 Accord Hybrid will use Honda’s new two-motor hybrid powertrain, much of which is shared with the Accord Plug-In that went on sale in January. The two-motor SPORT HYBRID Intelligent Multi Mode Drive powertrain in the Accord Hybrid allows the vehicle to move through three different driving modes – EV Drive, Hybrid Drive and Engine Drive – to optimize fuel efficiency.
In ‘EV Drive’, the Accord Hybrid uses the lithium-ion battery to run in electric-only mode at lower speeds and in medium to high speed cruising, ‘Engine Drive’ sends the engine power directly to the front wheels. In ‘Hybrid Drive,’ the powerful 124-kilowatt (kW) electric motor and the all-new 2.0-liter DOHC i-VTEC Atkinson-cycle 4-cylinder engine blend together for powerful acceleration while allowing for efficient driving in stop-and-go traffic situations. The Accord Hybrid is anticipated to obtain a class-leading mid-size sedan EPA fuel economy1 rating of 49/45/47 mpg (city/highway/combined).
Inside, the Accord Hybrid’s well-appointed and intuitive layout provides the driver with instant fuel economy and energy flow information for efficient driving performance. Along with innovative new features such Honda’s LaneWatch™ blind-spot display, an industry-first that debuted on the Accord last fall, other available features on the 2014 Accord Hybrid include Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Forward Collision Warning (FCW), an 8-inch color i-MID display, perforated leather-trimmed seating surfaces, cloud-based HondaLink™ featuring Aha™ compatibility, seven-speaker audio system with Bluetooth ® streaming audio, Pandora® interface and XM® Radio, and a multi-angle rearview camera with guidelines.
The 2014 Accord Hybrid features the same next-generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure as the 2013 Accord, along with Honda’s new SmartVent™ front-side airbags. Like the 2013 Accord, the 2014 Accord Hybrid is expected to earn top safety ratings including an NCAP 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score and a TOP SAFETY PICK+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
The 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid will be the first Honda hybrid vehicle assembled in Ohio and the second built in the U.S. The Accord Hybrid joins the diverse Accord lineup, which includes the four-cylinder and V-6 powered Accord Sedan, sporty Accord Coupe and the advanced Accord Plug-In, which has the highest EPA MPGe rating of any mid-size hybrid sedan in America at 115 MPGe.
Connect with Honda:
Media Newsroom (for journalists): http://www.hondanews.com/
For consumers: http://automobiles.honda.com/accord-hybrid/
YouTube: www.youtube.com/honda
Flickr: www.flickr.com/hondanews
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Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/honda/
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1 Preliminary mileage ratings determined by Honda. Final EPA mileage ratings not available at the time of printing. Use for comparison purposes only. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.
2 Honda cars are built using domestic and globally sourced parts.
Honda to Release All-New Accord Hybrid and Accord Plug-in Hybrid Premium Sedans in Japan – Advanced models offer ultra-high fuel economy and a completely new driving feel – Accord Hybrid fuel economy: 30.0 km/L, Accord Plug-in Hybrid fuel economy: 70.4 km/L
TOKYO, Japan, June 20, 2013 – Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today announced it will release the all-new Accord Hybrid on June 21 in Japan. Featuring the revolutionary new Sport Hybrid i-MMD*1 powertrain, the Accord Hybrid offers refined driving worthy of a premium sedan and ultra-high fuel economy of 30.0 km/L.*2
Based on the Accord Hybrid, the Accord Plug-in Hybrid can be charged using an ordinary household electrical outlet. Delivering spectacular fuel economy of 70.4 km/L,*3 the advanced plug-in hybrid system allows drivers to do most of their daily driving in EV mode. Also set for release on June 21, the Accord Plug-in Hybrid will be available for lease, primarily to corporations and government agencies.
The all-new Accord Hybrid features Sport Hybrid i-MMD (intelligent Multi-Mode Drive), a revolutionary Honda-developed powertrain. This advanced hybrid system belongs to the Earth Dreams Technology series of next-generation powertrain technologies, which combine enjoyable driving with outstanding fuel economy.
Sport Hybrid i-MMD uses three different engine modes to power the Accord Hybrid. For off-the-line starts and low- to mid-speed cruising, EV Drive uses the battery to provide power and the drive motor to propel the vehicle. For acceleration, Hybrid Drive uses the gasoline engine to generate electricity and the drive motor to propel the vehicle. Finally, for high-speed cruising, Engine Drive uses the gasoline engine to provide power directly. By switching automatically among these three modes, Sport Hybrid i-MMD is able to deliver fuel economy of 30.0 km/L, making the Accord Hybrid competitive with high-fuel economy mini-vehicles. In addition, the drive motor is able to produce maximum torque in off-the-line starts and Sport Hybrid i-MMD offers powerful acceleration performance and a completely new driving feel along with a smooth, comfortable ride and exceptional quietness.
Also leveraging the power of Sport Hybrid i-MMD and its high-output, high-torque drive motor, the Accord Plug-in Hybrid features a newly developed plug-in hybrid system with a high-capacity lithium-ion battery. At full charge, this battery allows the vehicle to travel up to 37.6 km in EV mode, making EV driving possible for a wide range of daily uses. Beyond the EV driving range, the Accord Plug-in Hybrid offers the same efficient cruising as the Accord Hybrid, turning in spectacular combined fuel economy of 70.4 km/L.
*1 Honda’s brand name for its advanced new hybrid systems, which belong to the Earth Dreams Technology series of high-performance, environmentally responsible powertrain technologies
*2 Testing by Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in JC08 mode
*3 Plug-in hybrid specific fuel economy (km/L gasoline equivalent) testing by Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in JC08 mode
Monthly sales target for Accord Hybrid and Accord Plug-in Hybrid (Japan): 1,000 units
Manufacturer’s suggested retail price
| Type | Powertrain | Drive | Price (including consumption tax) | Price (excluding consumption tax) |
| LX | 2.0L DOHC i-VTEC + i-MMD |
FWD | ¥3,650,000 | ¥3,476,191 |
| EX | ¥3,900,000 | ¥3,714,286 |
| <Accord Plug-in Hybrid> |
| Type | Powertrain | Drive | Price (including consumption tax) | Price (excluding consumption tax) |
| Accord Plug-in Hybrid | 2.0L DOHC i-VTEC + i-MMD |
FWD | ¥5,000,000 | ¥4,761,905 |
・ Prices are for reference only and do not include insurance, taxes (except consumption tax), registration or other fees.
・ In accordance with Japan’s automobile recycling law, a separate recycling fee will be levied. The recycling fee includes a recycling deposit (to cover expenses required to recycle shredder dust, air bags and fluorocarbons, plus an information management fee) and a capital management charge.
・ There is an additional charge of ¥42,000 (¥40,000 excluding consumption tax) for the Champagne Platinum Metallic, Premium Sparkle Black Pearl and White Orchid Pearl body colors.
Sport Hybrid i-MMD
・Featuring a simple structure, this hybrid system comprises a newly developed exclusive gasoline engine; an electric CVT enclosing two motors (drive and generation) and a clutch directly linked to the gasoline engine; and a lithium-ion battery that efficiently stores regenerated electricity.
・The system automatically selects among three drive modes to maximize efficiency at all times. The result is best-in-class*4 acceleration responsiveness and ultra-high fuel economy. The three drive modes are as follows:
－EV Drive
For off-the-line starts and normal cruising, the battery provides power to the drive motor, which propels the vehicle. During deceleration, this motor serves as a generator to regenerate electricity from kinetic energy.
－Hybrid Drive
For acceleration, the gasoline engine operates in its high-efficiency rpm range to turn the generation motor. This electricity flows to and turns the drive motor. When more powerful acceleration is needed, electricity from the battery combines with electricity from the generation motor to provide maximum torque instantaneously. The result is smooth, powerful acceleration.
－Engine Drive
For high-speed cruising on the highway, the clutch in the transmission directly links the output axis of the gasoline engine with the drive axis of the vehicle. This mechanism makes possible high-speed cruising at the optimal gear ratio and highly efficient operation of the Atkinson cycle engine.
*4 Honda calculations as of June 2013
Key features of the Accord Hybrid and Accord Plug-in Hybrid
1. Exhilarating, refined, advanced sedan-re-envisioned from the frame up
The design offers a roomy interior worthy of a premium sedan while helping the advanced hybrid system achieve ultra-high fuel economy.
The styling reflects the formal dignity of a sedan, while inward curvature toward the front and rear helps control airflow along the sides of the vehicle. The result is outstanding aerodynamic performance that contributes to ultra-high fuel economy.
The V layout of the front and rear seats enhances the interior, offering the rear occupants a pleasant field of view. The driver has easy access to the information-rich meter array. The interior is a comfortable and pleasant place to be.
2. Body frame contributing to high fuel economy, exceptional quietness and refined driving
The high-precision body responds flexibly to loads and vibration to help offer a ride that is easy on the senses. In addition to ultra-high fuel economy, it helps deliver the exceptional quietness expected of a premium sedan and the linear handling characteristic of the Accord.
3. Exceptionally comfortable ride and responsive, precision handling
Sport Hybrid i-MMD supports both ultra-high fuel economy and a powerful but smooth driving experience. Further highlighting these performance characteristics are linear handling and a comfortable, even ride.
The suspension and related parts have been made even more lightweight, while a large number of new technologies contribute to outstanding handling and ride comfort. In fact, the handling is so light and the ride so smooth that the additional weight of the hybrid system battery is hardly felt.
The electric servo braking system is a next-generation regenerative braking system originally developed for the Fit EV. Honda has further refined this system and now applied it in a production vehicle for the first time. Vastly superior to previous systems, it is able to convert a much higher amount of kinetic energy into electricity during deceleration. In addition, it offers the refined braking feel expected of a premium sedan while effectively supporting the function of Hill Start Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)*5 and the newly enhanced Collision Mitigation Brake System (CMBS).*5
4. Advanced safety performance featuring new CMBS and E-pretensioners
The body structure featuring Honda’s proprietary G-Force Control Technology (G-CON), Pedestrian Injury Mitigation Body, side airbags with a newly developed structure and other safety technologies are designed to mitigate damage in the event of an accident.
The newly enhanced Collision Mitigation Brake System (CMBS) is designed to warn the driver when a collision is likely and help reduce impact through automatic braking inputs when a collision is imminent. Whereas the previous system operated only when the vehicle was moving at a rate of 15 km/h or higher, the new system operates in the wider range of 5 km/h or higher. In addition, the new system is designed to sense a difference in speed with the vehicle ahead and initiate braking inputs to prevent collisions.*6
*5 Accord Hybrid EX only
*6 Based on road conditions, number of occupants and other factors, it may not be possible to prevent a collision
