Accord Hybrid Review - Call the Consultants - Test Drive | Everyday Driver

We've driven the current Honda Accord in almost every form and against the competition. Here we drive the 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid and talk about what's new, what's surprising, and what misses the mark. Join us for a real time test drive.
#Honda #Accord #Hybrid #Review
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[@Edsecondstocomply]

This is the first negative review of this car I've come across. This us a fine car. Huge trunk, great mpg, great rear seats, adaptive damper, and so on. Many reviews have called this the best accord yet.

[@shadjazz]

You guys are in the minority with this car. The Accord Hybrid has gotten mostly positive reviews.

[@jrwaters943]

Just drove this car yesterday and came away with a drastically different experience. Compared to the Sonata Hybrid the power delivery is butter smooth (the Sonata throttle tip in was super aggressive causing it to lurch off the line). True, the engine does rev high at speed which makes a bit of noise when flooring it or going up hills, but overall the car is very quiet and smooth. We also found the seats to be very comfy for our body types (we are both over 6’ tall with large builds so your experience may vary).

[@johnhahn1877]

Agree 100%

[@harrytej]

Minor correction.. engine revs only when you floor it .. not necessarily on high speeds.. how many daily drivers really floor it regularly?

[@jdm1039]

@@harrytej Yeah I get tired of these car reviewers trying to turn every car into a sports car and complaining when they don't get the results they want. The fact is 99.5% of these cars and suvs will perform just fine on a day to day basis for the average buyer going to work and running errands. That is what these vehicles were designed and meant to do. The average buyer is the vast majority of the market place.

[@michaelhughett8396]

I agree with this review 100%. I had a new generation accord 2.0 and wanted a hybrid but I could not get past the engine droning upon acceleration. I then went and drove the Sonata hybrid and was blown away by how good it drove. The other thing I liked was that you could get all the whistles and bells on the limited trim of the Sonata without getting the big wheels. This improves the ride and the fuel mileage to where it is better than the accord. After six months and 15,000 miles I am very happy with the Sonata.

[@Yankeeswin1973]

Just drove one and order the EXL which I thought was amazing. Seats are great, and the car is perfect. Nice job Honda. These guys are crazy and like to nitpick

[@jeffjo8732]

It sure looks like you were trying to find fault. (1) If an pure gas car is rated at 212 HP, that means power at the crankshaft, not the wheel. Some gets used for alternators, compressors, pumps, fans, etc. Some gets lost in the transmission. While there is no universal formula, a common estimate is that at most 85% of this 212 HP can reach the wheels. And 85% of 212 HP is 181 HP. The difference of 31 HP goes to those other devices and losses In this car, the 181 HP traction motor is power at the wheels. So the electrical system is _rated_ to be capable of 212 electrical HP, in order to have the same 31 HP available for other devices and losses. I have no idea whether it can generate more, but there is no point. The car can't use more. And it has the same capability as a similar car with a 212 HP gas engine (which is why it out-accelerates the 192 HP Accord). And that happens in the "Hybrid Operation" mode in your diagram at 2:02. "Engine Operation" is for highway cruising. (2) It doesn't "feel like a CVT," it "feels like an EV" and "sounds like a CVT." Anytime performance matters, it is being driven by the electric motor only. But it isn't a "Battery EV," it is a "Generator EV." If you stop expecting the sound and rpm of the engine to reflect performance, it will seem smooth to you. (3) There is an option to use normal cruise control. Read the manual. (4) I find the seats comfortable. (5) The Accord Hybrid has had a 2.0L engine since it was introduced in 2014. The Insight is newer, has a smaller engine and motor, and is louder. Maybe more later.

[@jeffjo8732]

Finally got back. This really is a biased review. They do seem to research a lot, more than many other reviews, but they get a lot wrong. If you are going to research, you should get it right. 1:35 The electric motor is never "out of the equation." When the engine is connected to the wheels, it is usually operating at a higher, more efficient level of power than the car needs at that time. The extra power is used to charge the battery. This is the way hybrids gain efficiency. This error can be forgiven, since the graphic they got from Honda (2:05) doesn't show it. But see kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJjPoY2Kh7lpp6c for a better explanation of the system. 2:15 The 212 HP is achieved in Hybrid Drive, not Engine Drive. In engine drive, you will never have more than about 40 HP. The 212 HP is the combined electrical output of the battery and the generator. It has nothing to do with the traction motor. Butr it is what compares directly to the SAE net HP of a conventional ICE car. Both supply power to everything that needs it in a car: fans, compressors, pumps, alternators, and the transmission. In that traditional car, it is estimated that 85% of SAE net can reach the wheels. In this car, where high-power means hybrid drive, it is estimated that the electrical system has to produce enough power so that 85% matches the 181 HP motor that functions in the role of the transmission. Note that 85% or 212 HP is 181 HP. All Honda iMMD hybrids use this estimate. 2:55 The Honda Accord has always been the "driver's car" among _family_ sedans. That may sound like a cop out, but it is why it has been one of Car & Driver's Top Ten Cars a whopping 36 times (they've compiled the list 40 times), The next most is 23. 4:45 It always drives smoothly. The reviewers are noticing that the engine sounds don't match this smoothness. This is because the engine isn't driving the wheels when it makes these sounds, it is driving a generator. Ignore the sound, and their complaints go away. 6:00 Press the "Main" button with your right thumb, and the car does "normal cruise control." 7:40 In the Touring (not "TRG") time they are driving, the front seats are heated and cooled (well, ventilated, which means cooled without feeling clammy). I don't understand why they think the headrests should be. The seats are the same as in the non-hybrid Accords, so any (valid) complaints about comfort have nothing to do with "their effort to go hybrid."

[@SIIKAP1]

Thanks. These guys had nothing good to say. Sounded like biased complainers. Must drive Camries or something. The seats are definitely comfortable.

[@gigatoob]

All Accords have both type cruise control, automated and non. You guys look at all cars as performance only? In town this car is amazing for mpg. Not impressed with your review.

[@TestDriveVideos]

We discuss the good and bad of every car. And while the MPG is good, and mentioned, there are other things that aren’t good enough. We generally have liked Accords, and have recommended hybrids in other reviews. This one let us down.

[@HunterMikeWI]

I agree gigatoob. Too much time complaining about the seats to RTFM. Since seat comfort is subjective to the buyer it really has no meaning in a review by someone else.

[@alextallen8019]

I just ordered an accord and every other review I've seen has said nothing but good things. This is the first negative review and I welcome it. They might have harped on minor things too much, but at least it's stuff to keep in mind.

[@gigatoob]

For a midsize sedan the Accord stands out, ok, it's a smaller field now... but a great car for it's segment. Glad Honda is still supporting the Civic and Accord tho they are not their big sellers anymore. I like my hybrid Touring - the heads up display is great. Congrats on your Accord!@@alextallen8019

[@mdw1000]

We did a road trip in our 19 and didn’t have any issues with the seats. But you guys may be taller than us. We are both 5’9”. I rationalize the engine sound by thinking of it as a generator of electricity. If you watch the little gear in the power display, the clutch is always disconnected when accelerating. It is a great practical car. When I want driving excitement I hop in my manual NC 😊

[@Bestoftherest222]

Consultants talking smack trying to convince people they need to get hired. The Accord Hybrid is selling like hot cakes and its a stellar vehicle. I'm confident if they took part of building this vehicle they'd be speaking a different tone.

[@TestDriveVideos]

We have no idea what’s meant by your consultant comment. Our guys have the jobs they want. And we hope you’ve driven this car and its competition. Thanks for watching.

[@andrewm5840]

most interesting driver swap scene in the series to date xD plus, BLOOPER!!

[@RockstarBruski]

Interesting review. I've been wondering how the new Accords are now and your review is a good insight to them. Btw I owned a 90 accord sedan ex until last year and donated it to charity at 330k miles and had very few problems with it. I also autocrossed it after I installed racing springs and shocks, exhaust, header, cold air intake, etc and handled very well. It was a very reliable car and paint still looked pretty good compared to my 2008 Honda Odyssey paint that is currently pealing off in big chunks. I also owned a 95 Honda accord sedan ex with a jdm h22a motor swap that did 13 seconds in a 1/4 mile and sold that one to buy my first 1985 Porsche 911. I might buy a few years old used accord for my 17yr old daughter to drive but even though they might still be mostly reliable I doubt I'd ever buy another new one for myself because Honda didn't stand behind the pealing paint problem with my Honda van and that didn't sit well with me. Thanks for the review! Cheers! 🙂

[@MandusahRamirez]

I had that same exact Accord in College! I drove it from North Carolina to UCLA in California! I miss that car!

[@markp1973]

So 18 minutes to whine about the seats and engine noise? Could you spend a few minutes discussing what Honda got correct? I also don't care what noise the engine makes if it's only burning at 40+ mpg. They also tried a hatchback a decade ago with little success.

[@TestDriveVideos]

Many positives were mentioned as well. Some more than once. Sorry to hear those didn’t resonate with you. If the downsides we found don’t bother you then this is a great variant of the Accord. Thanks for watching!

[@zortonfines4799]

this car is going to be a legend. see you in 20 years.

[@BN99239]

Those are some interesting looking headrest on the seats.

[@nfugitt89]

I agree that they should have a hatch. A lot of sedans make this stupid mistake of a hatch profile with a trunk. Another silly thing: You *lose* MPG compared to the base models because it has bigger wheels and smaller tires. Why bother with bigger tires that sacrifice MPG on a hybrid? The Camry does this too. Very stupid.

[@MandusahRamirez]

I have a 2018 Ford Fusion Sedan but the European Market has a Hatchback Version that looks the exact same as my Sedan

[@jojomama1659]

Just traded a 21 for 22. The best car I have ever owned the 21 54.5 MPG. ALL THE TIME. The best ride ever The 22 haven’t had it long enough for gas mileage

[@alextallen8019]

Which model? I just ordered the sport (it's all their making ha) and I'd love that mileage haha

[@jojomama1659]

@@alextallen8019 Ex-L Hybrid The sport doesn’t get that kind of mileage because of the wheels and tires

[@gregoryfrech2310]

no bolstering is exxxcellent. Hard bolsters cut into the bottom of my thighs: no joy like that. My Mustang had such seats; took them out and put in after market seats. They are wonderfully comfy. So...soft seats are high quality for me.

[@peterenright5347]

I couldn't disagree with the two of you more! It's a hybrid. Show me another hybrid at even the touring price point that sounds better. I find the seats very comfortable. You two must have back problems to bitch as much as you did in this review about the seats. I find them very comfortable. Yes I own a 2021 honda accord touring hybrid. "And I love it". I took a family road trip over 600 miles one way. With my 80 year old father my 60 year old brother and 55 year old sister. Not one person complained about the seats. As a matter of fact everyone commented how comfortable they were in this car and the whole trip. Both ways. So again you two must be some very delicate people. Stick to the the other fake reviews you two push. Wasted 18 minutes watching this review.

[@rene5871]

hahaha 👍

[@SIIKAP1]

They sound like complaining crybabies

[@danielenogassobrinho9699]

I own a Honda Accord Hybrid. It’s true that the engine sound is different from a regular “gasoline” car, but who cares about the sound? Personally I don’t care about it. Most of the time I play my music and I am very happy that the car is smooth and not noisy. Seats are comfortable to me, I’m 5’-5”, 150lb. Thanks for the video anyway, it’s always nice to have a different perspective

[@joec2442]

Has me reconsider this car

[@jaydoeslife4307]

What is it, you'd say, that you do here?

[@smacdoogle]

When Todd floored it at about 13:45 the Accord sounded exactly like a leaf blower

[@michaelhughett8396]

Actually, I think it sounds like an outboard motor boat

[@anthonydannunzio134]

Always great reviews! Though the screen justification in the video at 12:45 was a little odd

[@MrEthanol101]

Instant like for the office space reference

[@rkgsd]

The Accord has the back window profile of a hatchback. A hatchback would've allowed for taller items much like a crossover/SUV.

[@PeteKowalsky]

Right, BUT, if it looked like the CROSSTOUR I would NEVER in a million years even considered my 2021 Hybrid, let alone made the purchase! I can see it either way though. :)

[@franzvanjulio5523]

After the seat switch I started dozing off (watching before I go to bed) and I started thinking you two were singing Stone Temple Pilots. Weird, but interesting. Good review. My wife and I just bought. ‘20 CX-9, but drove a Hyundai Tucson. Those rear seats made me jump out of the immediately after finding them quite lacking. Seats should always be a priority.

[@rkalla]

Damn this is the second review that blew the seats out on the Accord :(

[@m.n.953]

Hi . Thank you for nice review. I am 64 years "young" man and healthy. Need to have a new car. I think about lexus ES300h. Its smoothy and well comfortable with good materials. Do you suggest in the same mony of lexus another car that suitable for my age and last for long time..i am not change cares like clothes. So pleas what is your suggestion.

[@TestDriveVideos]

Try the Genesis G70 or G80, both are better to drive than the Lexus ES. Also the Mazda 6. If you're specifically looking at Hybrids, then the ES is solid, as is the Camry. Honda Insight is another hybrid option. Thanks for watching.

[@m.n.953]

@@TestDriveVideos thanx for replay. I well take your suggestion in my mined. Thank you.

[@cayman9873]

Your right about the seat being a huge deal. When they get that wrong its OVER.

[@MandusahRamirez]

Honda should go back to the 1st Hybrid Accord! And use Hybrid Technology to make a faster Top Trim Engine. Hook the Hybrid to The 2.0T Version to make a Type-R Version #Science

[@m.n.953]

P.s. i drive about ~~15000 km in a year

[@edmundhayes1840]

Mmm, yeah. I'm just going to need to make it more exciting. Okay?

[@ayhanozel5885]

Not impressed with your review. I honestly couldn’t get through it. You include a lot emotions, gesture and smeariness every time you talk about something negative about the car. We get it, you like your Porsche!

[@TestDriveVideos]

We recently did a review of the non Hybrid Accord and liked it a lot. There are negatives and positives here, and they are mentioned as we do with every car. Paul owned and loved his Accord when he had one, and we've had plenty of reviews of all kinds of cars on this channel where we had positive things to say. Sorry this didn't work for you.

[@jimallen1509]

@@TestDriveVideos LOL passive aggressive responses

[@keithjackson4985]

Honda is becoming Acura? Most don't remember Acura as an engineering force in their beginning. Acura lost it, and is close to getting it back. Honda has entered the low work, we can cruise phase of their existence?

[@gregoryfrech2310]

It is called a HUD (Head up display), a term borrowed from the military. Not a heads up. You have only one head.

[@IIODINII]

You’re complaining about things that are totally insignificant for all consumers. Its an amazing commuter car with plenty of space

[@cayman9873]

Seat bottom short is a huge huge deal killer. Sell cars to short little women and call it a day.

[@thomasloftus1950]

why are y’all the only people who reviewed this car that stated the seats are fundamentally uncomfortable????? SMH. (and ragging on the seats repeatedly us immature)

[@koudeb]

When all you own is Porches, that tend to give you a bias towards performance. It shows in your reviews.

[@TestDriveVideos]

Our guys own a range of cars and SUVs from multiple manufacturers.

[@koudeb]

@@TestDriveVideos in the video he said once he got the 928, all he's had were Porsches. Honda's not a Porsche. He's biased for performance.

[@neelwagle4384]

You guys seem too eager to talk over each other. Like kids in class trying to one up each other to impress the teacher. Let the audience take in the content you want to cover!

[@RK-db4oq]

I don't think I've ever heard two guys whining as much as I just heard in this video. I just bought a 2022 Accord Hybrid Sport. I've owned several Accords in the past, and this is a great one (my 2013 LX with 6 speed was the best). The seats are fine. The engine does drone at high speeds when you put your foot in it, but I did not buy it for highway driving, and you can disconnect the fake engine noise that's pumped into the cabin. The competition is NOT better--the Camry is slow in non-hybrid form, the build quality is worse, and the ride/handling is typical toyota (not very good). The Kia/Sonata is just plain unreliable and not durable--they are not competitors to Honda/Toyota. But if you are a Porsche fan, you obviously don't care about reliability and durability.

[@jeffjo8732]

How do you disconnect the pumped-in noise?

[@RK-db4oq]

@@jeffjo8732 There is a plug behind the glove box, which you must remove to get to. There are videos on how to do it.

[@jeffjo8732]

@@RK-db4oq That is the Active Noise Cancellation module. It uses three mics in the roof of the car to monitor road noise, and provide a cancelling signal. It needs to be unplugged if you add a powered subwoofer, since it gets confused by the unexpected base levels. It also is responsible for a droning some earlier models got around 50-55 mph - there is a TSB to replace it. I've heard mixed comments on whether that works on the piped-in noise. That is not in its job description, but it could be an undocumented job since it is already adding a noise signal. But disconnecting it dose remove the noise cancellation, so it is a trade-off.

[@douglascohen2521]

Seats are great for shorter drivers. You’re talking and mouths don’t correlate.

[@valentinorossi7771]

Honda has been complacent and now it falls behind Hyundai in the latest JD reliability survey. They price their cars above the competitors thinking that they are "premium" japaneese brand. This is no longer the case. I want the to suffer so tehy can learn the lesson not to become "arrogant".

[@roverops]

Just stick to Toyota hybrids

[@TheMirageowner]

I have to agree. They are not sexy but Toyota has the hybrid powertrain (20 plus years of refinement) dialed in. We have a last gen Rav4 hybrid and I am constantly surprised by the smooth delivery of the system. Even on hard throttle , there is a composed feeling in the powertrain. I like the Accord but the moaning of that engine would be a deal breaker for me.

[@shadjazz]

I've had both and prefer Honda's