2018 Honda Accord Hybrid Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?

Since Honda revealed its 2018 line-up in July, Honda enthusiasts have been raving about the new Accord, including the 2018 Honda Accord Hybrid. This hybrid variant includes everything that there is to love about the gas-powered Accord while making it even more fuel efficient and environmentally friendly. Whether you're just making a trip to the grocery store or are making a several-hour-long road trip, the Accord Hybrid is a comfortable and reliable hybrid variant.

What's New for 2018?

The 2018 Honda Accord Hybrid had its powertrain redesigned for the model year. Also, Honda has adopted a new global platform, which elongated the wheelbase by over 2 inches, lowered the vehicle by 0.6 inches, and widened it by 0.4 inches.

 

Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2018 Honda Accord Hybrid – The Pros

1. Contemporary Design

The interior of the 2018 Honda Accord Hybrid looks extremely contemporary, especially the dashboard. While the touchscreen might be too similar to a propped-up tablet for some people, the design is keeping up with current trends. The seats and steering wheel also have a modern and stylish appeal.

2. Easy-to-Use Controls

Honda seems to have realized that many drivers love physical knobs and buttons more than touchscreen menus. Many of the vehicle's controls appear in physical format and are easy to use. They are all within the driver's reach, and enough controls are mounted on the steering wheel to allow the driver to keep both hands on the wheel while driving.

3. High Quality Materials

The 2018 Honda Accord Hybrid looks anything but cheap. All of the materials, inside and out, look to be of high quality. The knobs are lined with aluminum and don't look like they will break down anytime soon. The upholstery is well-sewn and durable without compromising on comfort.

4. Excellent Fuel Economy

Hondas are known for their above-average fuel economies, and the 2018 Honda Accord Hybrid is exceptional. The outgoing 2017 model offered a whopping 48 combined mpg, and the 2018 model appears to at least match, if not best, this already impressive number.

5. Plenty of Cargo Space

Honda made an incredibly smart move by placing the battery pack underneath the seats as opposed to in the trunk area. This frees up some cargo space. The Accord Hybrid offers a very generous 16.7 cubic feet of space, which equals that on the gas-powered Accord. This can be maximized by folding the 60/40 rear split-seat down. This is by far one of the better trunks that you will find in a hybrid model.

6. A More Spacious Cabin

Since Honda is constructing vehicles based on its new global platform, the extra width and wheelbase length add more space to the vehicle's interior. Rearseat passengers now have plenty of head, shoulder, hip, and legroom, and those up front will still be incredibly comfortable.

7. The Two-Motor Powertrain

A lot of automakers don't seem to provide a powerful powertrain for their hybrid variants. While Honda needs to work on improving acceleration, the powertrain performs better than what you'll find on some of its competitors. The new 2.0-L 4-cylinder engine generates 143 hp and 129 lb-ft of torque. This gas-powered engine is paired with an electric motor capable of generating 212 hp, which bests the gas-powered base Accord's 1.5-L 4-cylinder turbocharged engine. The electric motor is powered by two lithium-ion batteries, and the powertrain is completed by a CVT.

8. It's Family-Friendly

The Accord Hybrid is, like its gas-powered siblings, a family-friendly vehicle. You can easily fit three children in the rear, and latching a child seat into place is simple. Since there is plenty of room in the rear, there is plenty of space for a child seat.

9. Fantastic Safety Ratings and Features

Honda is known for producing safe vehicles, and the 2018 Honda Accord Hybrid keeps up with this tradition. The Accord and Accord Hybrid have consistently received good marks from IIHS and NHTSA. Also, Honda Sensing is a helpful safety suite that comes standard on all models. It includes lane departure warning, road departure mitigation, and a multi-angle rearview camera.

10. Good Forward Visibility

Since the roof pillars are slender and the windshield is broad, drivers won't have many problems seeing what is going on in front and to the side of them. Also, the driver's seat is highly-adjustable, so finding a good driving position is easy.

 

Reasons Not to Buy a 2018 Honda Accord Hybrid – The Cons

1. Not Much Ground Clearance

The new global platform lowers the vehicle closer to the ground, which makes it more prone to being bottomed-out and getting debris in the undercarriage. It also makes getting in and out more difficult for individuals with physical pain or disabilities.

2. The Overdone Exterior

While some might find the exterior to be attractive, others feel that the body is overdone. It looks sporty enough for younger drivers, but this overcomplicated exterior is somewhat unappealing and gaudy to others who have owned older Hondas.

3. Lackluster Acceleration

The 2018 Honda Accord Hybrid gets merely average acceleration. It's certainly nothing to gawk at, and those looking for a more zippy vehicle might opt for the gas-powered version instead of the more fuel-efficient hybrid variant.

4. The Infotainment System

Honda's infotainment system is far from being one of the best on the market. It is known to frequently drop connections and be a little confusing for non-tech-savvy drivers. Having the physical knobs and controls helps, but the touchscreen interface still needs improvement.

How it stacks up to the competition:

2018 Honda Accord Hybrid vs. 2018 Chevy Bolt EV

The 2018 Chevy Bolt is one of the top contenders for the model year. It is able to travel up to around 238 miles on just one charge, and it has a speedy charging time on a level 3 fast charger. This vehicle is run on electric only.

2018 Honda Accord Hybrid vs. 2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid

The 2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid is a major competitor for the Accord. The Camry Hybrid features a very competitive fuel economy, is quite comfortable, and also has a sizeable trunk. However, it feels more sluggish than the Accord Hybrid and lacks some of the standard tech and safety features.

Conclusion

If you're thinking about investing in a hybrid vehicle, the 2018 Honda Accord Hybrid has a lot to offer. It is spacious, extremely fuel-efficient, and family-friendly. While it might not be the most outwardly-attractive hybrid sedan on the market, what it offers inside and under the hood are what make this vehicle stand out.