2023 Honda Accord Hybrid Touring: The Brand’s 11th Generation Sedan Wears A More Mature Design

Highlight: This is the first Honda vehicle to have Google built in.

Test Vehicle's MSRP: $38,985 (Base Model Sport Hybrid: $32,990)

Seating Capacity: 5

Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; traction control; a stability control system; a rear camera; a tire pressure monitoring system; an automatic brake hold feature; a collision mitigation system; a road departure mitigation system; a lane departure warning system; a forward collision warning system; a radar activated cruise control system; a lane keep assist system; an electronic blind spot information system; automatic high beams; parking sensors; and a hill start assist system

Standard Equipment (Base Hybrid -Sport Touring): 19-inch wheels; a traffic sign recognition system; wi-fi hot spot capability; a power driver’s seat with lumbar support; cloth seats; a dual zone climate control system; a push button ignition start system; and a power moonroof

Standard Equipment (Touring): 19-inch wheels; a heads up display system; a Google built-in; a 12-inch infotainment system; a 12 speaker Bose audio system; HD radio; heated and ventilated front seats; heated rear seats; wireless smartphone charging; leather seats; driver’s seat with memory features; power passenger seat; an automatic dimming rearview mirror; and a leather wrapped steering wheel

Options: None

Other Trim Levels:

LX

EX

EX-L hybrid

Sport L hybrid

Standard Audio On Test Vehicle: an 8-speaker audio system with AM/FM

Bluetooth Connectivity: Standard

USB Connectivity: Standard

Apple/Android Connectivity: Standard

Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty: 3 years or 36,000 miles

Powertrain Warranty: 3 or 36,000 miles

Engine/Horsepower: a 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder/146-horsepower (hybrid powertrain)/201-hp when both hybrid and electric motos are at maximum use, according to Honda officials………)

Recommended Fuel: Regular

Standard Fuel Mileage: 46-city/41-hwy (test model)

What’s New: The eleventh generation Honda Accord wears an all-new design for the 2023 model year.

Why:

Available in two powertrains

A new hybrid powertrain

Six trims offered

Roomy Interior

A larger cargo interior than its competitors.

Built in Google applications allows one to keep their eyes on the road, while relying on the voice assistant

A high content of standard safety driving aids

Ventilated front seats on Touring trim only

Heated rear seats on Touring trim only

An easy-to-use 12-inch touch screen infotainment screen

19-inch wheels standard on hybrid models

Heads up display (HUD) available

Wireless charging capabilities

A wider rear track than previous model, altering look and stability

Knee and rear passenger side air bags are now standard

An automatic brake-hold feature

Power moonroof standard on all hybrid models

But: 

Conservative exterior styling

Consumers were able to pay under $30,000 for the previous model Honda Accord hybrid

Built in Google application is only available in the higher end Touring trim

Sirius XM is no longer available. However, one can access the satellite radio via their smartphone.

Despite a new hybrid powertrain, it still seems underpowered

No performance non hybrid model available

No plug-in model available

No all-wheel drive offered

No panoramic roof

Verdict: The restyled front wheel drive midsize Honda Accord retains is position as one of the top best-selling vehicles in the segment. While the midsize segment exterior styling cues range from sporty to elegant to traditional, Honda seems to lose its styling edge this year with its more mature design. 

However, traditional Honda loyalists aren't concerned about the design language. Their concern leans more toward the powertrain, functionality and longevity of the vehicle.

Outside of the new design theme, the big news this year for the 11th generation Accord is its hybrid powertrain. Honda’s powertrain team enhanced its hybrid motor for the 2023 model year, adding a two-motor hybrid electric system to its all-new 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder engine. 

Underneath the hood, the motors are mounted side-by-side. When both motors are in use, according to Honda officials they push out a combine 201-horsepower. Conversely, under normal driving conditions, the hybrid squeaks out 146-horsepower. So far, this year’s revised hybrid engine accounts for over 50 percent of the model’s sales.

Ironically, while the industry is pushing toward electrification, the midsize segment as well as Honda seems to be lagging in this area. Surprisingly Hyundai has taken the lead in this segment with the elegantly rear sloped Ioniq 6. It's the first fully electrified vehicle in the midsize segment. 

In fact, one can’t even find a plug-in model in this segment. Plug-in models are a combination of both gasoline and electric. Being that Honda has yet to transition to electric vehicles, Honda is touting the hybrid engine as being electrified. While it’s an improvement, it’s a stretch for them to call the new powertrain electrified. Electric vehicles have been known to outpace gasoline engine in the area of horsepower. 

Upon the examining the MPG with the Accord hybrid and its competitive set, we found that the base Honda Accord hybrid trim exceeds the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid in terms of combined MPG. Yet, when pitted against the base Camry Hybrid, the Accord Hybrid came up short, according to fueleconomy.gov. Also when comparing the higher end Honda Accord Hybrid trim to its competitors, the family sedan underperforms, when going head-to-head with its competitions in terms of MPG and fuel driving range.  

And like its competitors, the Accord offers a pure gasoline model, too.

Moreover, this year’s Accord becomes the first Honda to incorporate Google built-in. From a safety perspective, Google built-in allows the driver to keep their hands on the steering wheel and eyes on the road, while relying on the voice assistant to adjust most applications in the infotainment system. This new feature is only available on the higher end Touring trim.

Conversely, despite this technological additive of Google, Honda decided to steer clear of SiriusXM. This makes no sense being that all the competitors both hybrid and pure gasoline models offer this feature. Although this audio feature is no longer built into the vehicle, Honda listeners can tune in by syncing their smartphone to the car. Go figure?

Overall, while the all-new Honda Accord offers a host of safety driving aids, new features and an enhanced hybrid powertrain, it come up short in the sportiness arena, horsepower and having no all-wheel drive configuration.  

Competition: 2023 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid and Toyota Camry Hybrid