Conventional sedans are on the sting of extinction.
The mid-size four-door was as soon as a staple of suburban driveways, however its recognition – and the proliferation of fashions obtainable – has been eroded by the shifting sands created by the introduction of the trendy SUV.
Certain, the sedan is a bit higher protected on the top-end of city, however there are solely a valuable few remaining under the posh threshold, just like the Honda Accord e:HEV RS which has just lately joined our long-term fleet.
We’ll be spending a substantial period of time behind the wheel of the newest Tenth-generation model over the subsequent couple of months to see if the sedan nonetheless stacks up as on a regular basis household transport, or whether or not it has discovered shelter in a distinct atmosphere.
Till then, let’s check out it on face worth and see what kind of first impression it makes.
How a lot does the Honda Accord e:HEV RS price?
Honda solely provides a single variant of the present Accord sedan – the absolutely loaded e:HEV RS that prices $64,900 drive-away.
That positions it in fascinating territory, between its long-time rival within the Toyota Camry and a fleet of entry-level European luxurious sedans such because the BMW 3 Collection, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Audi A5.
After which there’s an entire bunch of different choices like the electrical Tesla Mannequin 3, BYD Seal, Polestar 2 and MG IM5, and the Hyundai Sonata and new MG7, plus even the entry-level Lexus ES which can be cheaper than the Accord.
On sticker value alone, Honda’s hybrid sedan presents us with a dilemma: is it too costly as a daily household sedan, or is it too low-cost to be thought of a real various to the established luxurious fashions? Let’s discover out…
To see how the Honda Accord stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability instrument
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What’s the Honda Accord e:HEV RS like on the within?
First impressions are that the Honda Accord’s cabin is a really good place to spend so much of time in.
It’s not overly flashy or fashionable in its total design, with a quite typical T-shaped structure to the dashboard which options the infotainment touchscreen and digital instrument cluster protruding from the horizontal prime part, whereas a traditional gear shifter sits alongside cupholders, in addition to a storage tray and lidded bin, within the centre console.
However there are some good and distinctive touches, such because the honeycomb part within the centre with flat toggles to alter the path of air circulation from the air flow system, and the outsized digital (but analogue) clock dial that stands out within the centre.
And all the high-quality supplies and tactile surfaces really feel extraordinarily effectively screwed collectively.
The entrance seats are snug and supportive, and provide loads of adjustment to swimsuit a myriad of drivers, who get wonderful imaginative and prescient throughout.
There’s sufficient room throughout the again seat for 3, with loads of legroom for outboard passengers, plus twin air vents, two USB-C energy retailers, and retractable solar blinds for every window. However the transmission tunnel within the centre does restrict the center seat to small children.
The black inside color palette does make the cabin warmth up rapidly in the summertime solar, however it’s offset by a refined splash of color with purple stitching within the seats, chrome trim highlights and a multi-colour ambient lighting strip that runs by means of the sprint and into the door playing cards.
And the massive panoramic sunroof bathes the cabin with gentle to amplify the sense of house.
With 570 litres of cargo-carrying capability within the boot, the Accord has as a lot room for baggage as many giant SUVs, which we’ll put to the take a look at throughout our time with the automotive.
To see how the Honda Accord stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability instrument
What’s below the bonnet?
The Honda Accord has a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine paired with a constantly variable computerized transmission (CVT) that drives the entrance wheels and incorporates two electrical motors.
The first motor delivers sufficient energy to drive the car at sluggish speeds and assists the engine below acceleration, whereas the secondary unit acts predominantly as a generator to make sure the 1.06kWh lithium-ion battery pack retains sufficient cost for use at any time. However uniquely, it could possibly mix each e-motors for optimum thrust when known as upon.
Honda doesn’t quote separate energy outputs for the person elements, however claims your entire system produces a mixed 135kW of energy and 335Nm of torque, which doesn’t sound terribly thrilling or highly effective sufficient to justify its (presumably) sporting RS badge.
| Specs | Honda Accord RS Hybrid |
|---|---|
| Engine | 2.0L 4-cyl petrol |
| Engine outputs | N/A |
| Electrical motor outputs | N/A |
| System outputs | 135kW / 335Nm |
| Battery | 1.06kWh |
| Transmission | e-CVT |
| Drive sort | Entrance-wheel drive |
| Weight | 1609kg |
| 0-100km/h (claimed) | N/A |
| Gasoline financial system (claimed) | 4.3L/100km |
| Gasoline financial system (as examined) | 4.7L/100km |
| Gasoline tank capability | 48L |
| Gasoline requirement | 91-octane customary unleaded |
| CO2 emissions | 98g/km |
| Braked tow capability | N/A |
Nonetheless, it’s designed primarily to cut back gasoline consumption quite than induce eye-popping efficiency. And, in that regard, it does an admirable job with a claimed common determine of 4.3L/100km.
After its first week in our long-term storage, wherein it lined a number of hundred kilometres together with an honest two-hour stretch on the freeway, the Accord is at present averaging 4.7L/100km.
Curiously, Honda says the Accord solely consumes a mean of two.4L/100km in city driving situations, which is the place it can spend most of its time throughout our testing interval. So we’ll see how a lot of a fuel-miser it may be round city.
To see how the Honda Accord stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability instrument
How does the Honda Accord e:HEV RS drive?
Even in an age of AI-generated animations, it’s nonetheless straightforward to recognise an actual photograph, video or tune, proper?
Certain, a number of the AI stuff is shut sufficient to the true factor that it requires a laser-sharp focus to identify the distorted actuality, however real-life excellence is extra immediately apparent.
I’m saying that as a result of there’s an identical theme occurring with mainstream household SUVs; they’re changing into homogenous gadgets affected by flaws and compromised by their very nature, however they’re forgiven as a result of both their value, house or promise of high-tech conveniences. Many are like an AI-generated photograph of somebody with a sixth finger: a refined however annoying fault.
Okay, as a low-slung five-seat sedan, the Honda Accord won’t swimsuit each household’s wants – particularly these with greater than two or three small children – however when it comes to the way it drives, it’s a reminder of what nice automotive engineering needs to be.
All the elemental components – steering, experience high quality, dealing with, NVH and efficiency – are completely spot-on for this sort of automotive. And it doesn’t faux to be something it’s not.
The hybrid powertrain, for starters, is seamless in the way in which it makes use of the electrical motors at low speeds, offering easy and easy acceleration away from a standstill earlier than the petrol motor chimes in completely unobtrusively.
There’s no apparent vibration or sudden noise when it begins up, like with another hybrids, and it’s so quiet and refined at cruising speeds that you simply hardly comprehend it’s working.
That’s partly helped by the Energetic Noise Cancelling know-how within the audio system, which additionally wipes out wind and highway noise from the cabin to additional add to the sense of refinement.
The suspension setup – with MacPherson entrance struts and a multi-link rear-end – doesn’t have any tough digital dampers to alter its character from consolation to sporty. As a substitute, it’s simply fantastically tuned in order that it may be each, relying on the way you drive it.
Certain, it is biased extra in the direction of absorbing bumps than launching off ripple strips on the racetrack, however it’s surprisingly well-balanced – and even a bit bit enjoyable – to punt alongside a twisty nation back-road. And it feels far more like a correct automotive than an elephant on curler skates, like some SUVs do particularly on a moist highway.
However the largest factor that makes the Accord stand out – and showcases Honda’s engineering nous – is how effectively calibrated its suite of security programs are.
This myriad of recent features like lane maintaining help, driver consideration monitoring and ahead collision warning may be so overzealous that they change into annoying sufficient for house owners to robotically de-activate them earlier than they begin driving, which is completely contradictory to having them within the first place.
Honda, alternatively, has clearly spent appreciable effort and time to tune them correctly in order that they intervene solely when required and in such a manner that you simply recognize the automotive has them – not the opposite manner round. Thus far, we haven’t discovered the necessity to swap off any security operate, which is uncommon nowadays.
To see how the Honda Accord stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability instrument
What do you get?
As you’d count on for the value, and being obtainable solely in a single specification, the Accord comes loaded with an honest record of ordinary tools.
2025 Honda Accord e:HEV RS tools highlights:
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- LED headlights
- Keyless entry with push-button begin
- Twin-zone local weather management with rear vents
- Energy home windows
- Panoramic sunroof
- Artificial leather-based inside trim
- Energy-adjustable entrance seats
- LED ambient inside lighting
- 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster
- Head-up show
- 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen
- Bluetooth connectivity
- DAB+ digital radio
- Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Constructed-in Google features together with Maps, Assistant and Play Retailer
- Over-the-air system updates
- 12-speaker Bose audio system with lively noise cancelling
However there may be one notable omission because the Accord misses out on heated and/or ventilated entrance seats, which we’ve already seen makes it uncomfortable on a scorching summer time’s day as a result of the black-trimmed seats soak up a lot warmth.
To see how the Honda Accord stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability instrument
Is the Honda Accord e:HEV RS protected?
The present Honda Accord has but to be examined by ANCAP regardless of the very fact it has been on sale in Australia for a few years now.
Nevertheless it does come fitted with all the newest security programs below the banner of Honda Sensing Expertise, which might probably see it rating a most five-star ranking, together with:
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Ahead collision warning
- Lane maintaining help
- Visitors jam help
- Adaptive cruise management
- Pace signal recognition
- Driver consideration monitoring
- Tyre stress monitoring
- Adaptive high-beam headlights
- Entrance and rear parking sensors
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- 360-degree parking show
- Eight airbags
It additionally options the newest Honda Join telematics and smartphone app, which (when linked) robotically calls a customer support consultant within the occasion of a collision and can alert emergency providers, offering the precise location of the car, if the proprietor doesn’t reply to a name, or asks for help.
To see how the Honda Accord stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability instrument
How a lot does the Honda Accord e:HEV RS price to run?
The Accord is roofed by Honda’s five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee with free roadside help.
The battery pack and electrical motors are assured for eight years. Past that, this can be very inexpensive to keep up, with the primary 5 visits capped at simply $199 every, and upkeep required each 12 months or 10,000km.
To see how the Honda Accord stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability instrument
CarExpert’s Tackle the Honda Accord e:HEV RS
Our first impressions dwelling with the Honda Accord are extraordinarily optimistic.
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It’s a reminder of what a terrific automotive firm can do when it focuses on high quality and refinement greater than bling or box-ticking. It’s an excellent, unpretentious automotive that’s quiet, snug, environment friendly and spacious.
If something, the calibration of its security programs highlights Honda’s dedication to top-notch engineering and exemplifies how good the Accord is at all the pieces else, however the hybrid-only RS sedan does include a premium price ticket.
Whereas that shouldn’t be the one consideration when shopping for a brand new automotive, it leaves us asking whether or not there may be extra Honda ought to do to justify the Accord’s market place, which we’ll discover over the subsequent month or in order a part of our long-term take a look at.
To see how the Honda Accord stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability instrument
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