Honda Accord hybrid RS review finds a great performer ... but Aussies no longer love sedans

Honda is using hybrid efficiency and a Google-powered infotainment system in an attempt to woo buyers back into its Accord sedan.

Thirty-odd years ago if you were driving a Honda Accord you’d “made it”.

Now entering its 11th generation, the modern Honda doesn’t carry the same panache it once did when Holden Commodores and Ford Falcons ruled our roads.

The Accord is a rare new sedan among a sea of SUVs and crossovers. Yet while it’s always been renowned for luxury, the latest Accord a far cry from the machine we saw launched here nearly 50 years ago.

For starters, it’s exclusively hybrid.

That’s not a bad thing. Sales figures released this week saw that hybrid sales numbers have skyrocketed this year – in fact, they have more than doubled compared to the first seven months of last year. New car buyers are obviously chasing efficiency.

The Accord is also armed with a heap of new tech.

But it’s also expensive. At nearly $65,000 drive-away, our family sampled the new Accord to see whether the combination of an efficient hybrid and the latest gadgets could win hearts.

What do you get?

Infotainment is a priority with a 12.3-inch touchscreen that has embedded Google tech including maps with live traffic updates and assistance functionality by saying “Hey Google”, where you can then ask for a destination via Google maps or make adjustments to the aircon just by talking. It uses its own SIM card for the connectivity.

The latter is cool functionality, but if that’s a step too far then users can go with the standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Other highlights are black leather seat trim with red stitching, wireless phone charger, a 12-speaker Bose sound system, bodykit and a sunroof.

The driver has a slick 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster along with a large, crisp 11.5-inch head-up display that projects information such as nav directions and speedometer.

A Honda Connect subscription is included for five years, which uses an app on your phone to provide a digital key, remote control of the aircon and door locks, geofencing alert so the owner knows when the vehicle leaves a designated area (handy if the car is being used by a younger driver), as well as a range of other information about the vehicle all at your fingertips.

There’s a conservative colour palette from which to choose, including grey, black, silver or white.

Warranty coverage meets the industry standard of five years, while a key feature is cheap servicing. At less than $1000 for five services is among the least expensive you’ll find – maintenance intervals are annual or every 10,000km (although most non-turbo petrol engine cars nowadays are 15,000km).

Interior features of the Honda Accord Hybrid.

How was the drive?

Using the same hybrid system as its SUV cousin, the CR-V, it combines the power of a four-cylinder petrol engine and two electric motors.

Beautifully quiet and refined, it’s among the most composed and easy to drive vehicles on the market.

Honda dedicated hefty development into the ride quality, with improved carpet insulation, a thicker dashboard, as well as vibration sensors near each wheel that are connected to noise cancelling technology (similar to what’s used in earphones) all aimed to reduce cabin intrusions.

There are various drive modes, with a special sound control function for when Sport is engaged allowing for additional engine noise.

Although, the Accord is not for flexing its athletic muscle. Cruising in serenity is its remit with reasonable control and confidence, even when the going gets twisty … but push too hard and chirping wheels remind the driver to rein in the enthusiasm.

The Accord delivered average fuel consumption of 5.0L for every 100km using standard unleaded, which was about 0.7L better than the CR-V on our test earlier this year travelling similar terrain and distances.

Initially the cabin felt like it lacked cohesion, yet after a few days it became a welcoming location once you understood the touchscreen shortcuts.

One interesting feature is the ‘Experience Selection Dial, which offers a shortcut to various functions such as automatic cooling or heating. It’s hard to know whether you’d use it regularly, already having easy access to the aircon toggles. At least the digital clock floating in a snowdome featured on the dial interface looks awesome.

The Honda Accord has an expansive boot and impressive cabin dimensions for a family.

Would you buy one?

Kel: The Accord immediately appealed to my father who loved the styling. That may be the perfect market. My standard checklist isn’t met with no heated seats so I ruled the Accord out before I hit the start button. While it drives nicely, unfortunately that’s a feature I now can’t live without.

Grant: Honda has put together an impressive car with the Accord. Quiet and composed, it’s pushing toward Lexus quality in terms of the hushed ride. Unfortunately sedans are no longer on many automotive shopping lists and the asking price pushes it beyond many budgets and into small-vehicle prestige territory.