2024 Honda Accord e:HEV RS Review – better than Camry Hybrid?

The Accord, along with the Civic, are two of Honda’s oldest nameplates. In the early decades since its inception, it was always the car that showcased the brand’s innovations and pioneering technologies. It was the first in the segment to introduce an all-aluminium cylinder head back in the 70s and the first front-wheel drive car to have a double wishbone front and rear suspension setup in the 80s.

The fourth and the fifth generation Accords were widely regarded as some of the best cars that Honda has ever produced. In fact, my first car is a 1995 Accord that I absolutely loved and still miss very much even though I no longer own it.

The generations of Accords that followed were just ordinary, produced in a period where Honda seemed to have lost its way. Their designs weren’t as spectacular and the technologies were really nothing to shout about.

The previous tenth generation Accord was the start of something different for the nameplate. There were signs of a return to form with its sporty, liftback styling, premium interior and modern features. The powertrains were smooth and efficient, including a hybrid model that drove pretty well.

Now, we have an all-new eleventh generation Accord that feels like a good progression from the previous model. But first let’s talk about the design. At first look, I thought it was rather bland and derivative. But over time, I started to get what the Honda designers were trying to achieve here. The elegant, classy styling is devoid of any unnecessary clutter. There’s no tacky bits, just a purposeful, proportionate and sleek body shape that lets the intrinsic details do the highlight.

The new mesh grille is contemporary, the slender headlights and taillights emphasise width, all tied in nicely with a subtle black boot lid spoiler, black side mirrors and black lower body skirtings. Granted, Australian delivered Accord comes only in the RS trim, hence the sporty gloss black detailing. There’s also the set of RS-specific 18-inch alloy wheels that come as standard.

This single highly specified model grade isn’t what you’d call affordable, as it’s priced at $65,000 drive-away (Honda now only offers fixed drive-away pricing for all its models). This is encroaching luxury territory. For not much more, a Lexus ES 250 Luxury is attainable at about $62k plus on-road costs. Stretching the budget a bit further, the Audi A4 35 TFSI is a reality at $72k plus on-road costs.

In the mainstream space, the recently updated Toyota Camry is a very attractive $53,990 plus ORCs in range-topping SL Hybrid grade. For something with a bit more poke, the turbocharged Hyundai Sonata N Line can be had for $55,500 plus ORCs.

But as my weeklong loan with the Accord progressed, I discovered that the Accord’s pricing is reflective of its market position, which is in a sweet spot. It feels and drives almost like a premium product yet without the premium price tag. The only issue is nearly no body cares about this little corner of the market anymore. The Camry is what people buy when they want a midsize sedan, while the A4, 3 Series and C-Class pretty much have luxury shoppers all reeled in.

It’s a pity really, because the new Accord certainly deserves a lot more attention. The interior is business-like with premium vibes and quality materials throughout. The layered dashboard design is neat with aircon vents that are concealed within a mesh grille for a modern look. There are mood lighting strips on the dashboard, door cards and centre console to lift cabin ambience. Subtle red stitchings on the dashboard, leather seats and leather-wrapped steering wheel provide a touch of sportiness. Aluminium pedals and footrest further add to the luxury feel of the cabin.

Build quality is top-notch, too, with everything feeling really solidly put together with no squeaks or rattles. The buttons, knobs, gear shifter and even the air-con vent adjusters all have a really good feel to them. The glove boxes close with a satisfying click and the doors shut with a solid thunk. No surprise really because the Accord has always been a very well made car. It’s one of the reasons I bought one as my first car.

Having been driving mostly SUVs in recent years, I have almost forgotten just how comfortable and spacious the cabin of a mid-size sedan like the Accord is. The front seats are just downright plush with great support. Both the driver and front passenger seats have electric adjustment, with the driver side further featuring memory seats. At this price point, the lack of heated or ventilated front seats is questionable though.

There’s ample legroom at the back, much more than what you’d get in most mid-size SUVs. Even adults that are long in the legs can really stretch and relax back there. The wide rear bench can quite comfortably accommodate three adults. However, the sloping roof design does impede slightly on headroom if you’re over six foot tall and sitting upright. It’s odd also that for a front-wheel drive car there’s quite a hump in the middle foot rest. It’s not very intrusive but it’s there and it limits some foot movement.

Further back, the 570 litres of boot space match what you’d find in medium SUVs, but the aperture is not as big, meaning certain bulky items may not fit through. The boot is deep though, so there’s plenty of space to fit prams, golf clubs and suitcases as long as they get through the opening.

Tech has been brought up-to-date in this new generation Accord with highlights being the 10.2-inch fully digital instrumentation cluster, massive 11.5-inch head-up display and equally large 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. All three screens offer a variety of customisation options, with the instrument panel capable of displaying a map view and the infotainment screen featuring built-in Google, meaning Google Maps with live traffic and Google Assistant are all embedded. The latter also supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

While the infotainment widescreen is larger than those found in the CR-V and Civic, I find it less intuitive. Most importantly, the CR-V / Civic system has a physical volume control knob which the Accord system doesn’t. There’s a cool looking digital dial in the middle of the centre console which can be programmed with several shortcuts to various functions but it doesn’t control the fan speed nor the volume.

Granted, the touchscreen embedded controls do make the dashboard look less cluttered but for practicality I still prefer the conventional controls found in the other Honda models.

Honda is only offering the Accord e:HEV hybrid variant in Australia. It’s motivated by a 2.0-litre normally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine that outputs 108kW and 182Nm, supplemented by two electric motors with a combined output of 135kW and 335Nm. The total hybrid output of 152kW is channeled to the front wheels via a CVT automatic.

It’s one of the smoothest and most refined hybrid drivetrains I have driven. The transition from electric power to engine propulsion is nearly imperceptible, with it delivering a muted, seamless and EV-like driving experience that is not matched in this segment. Power deliver is linear and effortless, be it rolling off the line or overtaking at highway speeds. Response is great, too. Flatten the throttle and the surge of instantaneous torque, initially from the electric motors then from the engine, translates to swift acceleration.

Combine the delightful hybrid powertrain with competent dynamics, the Accord is as enjoyable to drive in country B roads as it is in the city. It’s a big car but it doesn’t feel that way thanks to the sharp and precise steering making it feel smaller to drive than its size might suggest. Unlike typical hybrid, the brake pedal remains nicely progressive despite the brakes being regenerative – something I really cherish in a hybrid car.

The confident handling hasn’t come in the expense of comfort. This is an incredibly comfortable cruiser that will eat up the miles in supreme suppleness. The well tuned suspension does a much better job than many SUVs in soaking up bumps and ruts without giving up on road feel. With a lower riding and sleeker body the car holds the road with amazing stability.

There’s a myriad of driving assistance to keep you safe on the road, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane keep assist and traffic sign recognition. Aids like rear-cross traffic alert, surround and rear view camera and automatic emergency braking are also helpful when parking the large Accord.

Fuel economy is a big factor for any buyer considering the Accord e:HEV, given the price premium they pay for the hybrid tech. And this is another area where the Accord triumphs its rivals. It’s remarkably efficient in urban driving, in fact it’s rated at just 2.4L/100km in the city. On the freeway it’s claimed 5.4L/100km is a tad more than the Camry Hybrid’s 4.7L/100km but still pretty good. Combined it’s rated at 4.7L/100km, which exactly matches the real world figure that I returned after some 660km of mixed driving. Its preference for RON 95 premium fuel does disadvantage the Accord against the Camry’s RON 91 appetite, however.

The Accord is backed by a 5-year factory warranty with no cap on kilometres. Service requirements are 10,000km or 12 months interval, with each trip to the dealer capped at $199 for the first five visits.

Verdict

Design & Comfort

8.5/10

Performance & Handling

8.0/10

Quality

8.5/10

Economy

8.5/10

Equipment & Features

7.5/10

OUR SCORE

4.1/5

Our Score: 4.1/5

+ Plus

  • Impressive hybrid powertrain
  • Excellent refinement
  • Premium cabin
  • Examplar ride and handling balance

Minus

  • Premium price tag
  • No front seat heater/ventilation
  • Slightly compromised rear seat headroom

Overall

Finally, the Honda Accord is back in top form. Buy far, this is the best Accord that Honda has produced for awhile. Its smart, classy looks is backed by a premium interior. And I can’t imagine the Accord with any other but the hybrid powertrain. It’s such a suitable powertrain for the Accord and one that is so good and efficient that it’s currently unmatched in this segment.

The sticky point remains the price, which is quite expensive for a mainstream brand, but drive one yourself and you’re likely to digest that pretty quickly. It’s that satisfying.

2024 Honda Civic e:HEV LX pricing and specification

Price (Drive away):$65,000
Warranty:5 years/unlimited kilometre
Warranty Customer Assistance:5 years roadside
Service Intervals:12 months/10,000km
Country of Origin:Japan
Engine:2.0-litre aspirated direct-injected in-line four-cylinder petrol engine:

108kW @ 6,100rpm, 182Nm @ 4,500rpm

Electric motor, Lithium Ion battery:

135kW, 335Nm

Transmission:Continuously Variable Transmission
Drivetrain:Front-wheel drive
Combined Fuel Consumption (L/100km):Claimed: 4.7/Tested: 4.7
RON Rating:95
Fuel Capacity (L):48
Body:4-door sedan, 5-seats
Safety:
  • ANCAP not rated
  • 8 airbags
  • AEB
  • Forward collision warning
  • Lane-keep assist
  • Lane-departure assist
  • Blind spot detection
  • Rear cross-traffic alert
  • Adaptive cruise control
  • LED headlights with auto high-beam
  • Rain sensing wipers
  • Surround & Rear view camera
  • Two rear ISOFIX anchors and three top-tether points
Dimensions (L/W/H/W-B):4,975/1,862/1,449/2,830
Boot Space (L):570
Ground Clearance:134
Kerb Weight (kg):1,609
Entertainment:
  • 12.3-inch colour touchscreen
  • Satellite Navigation
  • AM/FM/DAB+
  • Bluetooth
  • Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
  • 12-speaker BOSE premium audio with subwoofer
  • Wireless smartphone charger

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