New 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid

[lolder]

At highway speeds where the ICE is running all the time, the hybrid advantage tends to disappear. The only remaining advantage is the lower Brake Specific Fuel Consumption ( BSFC ) of the Atkinson ICE and whatever additional drag reduction ( Cd ) is accomplished. You can pretty much predict the economy of a car just by looking at it's weight, BSFC of the ICE, ICE horsepower and Cd. Tires and any transmission losses have a small effect also.

[Texasota]

At highway speeds where the ICE is running all the time, the hybrid advantage tends to disappear. The only remaining advantage is the lower Brake Specific Fuel Consumption ( BSFC ) of the Atkinson ICE and whatever additional drag reduction ( Cd ) is accomplished. You can pretty much predict the economy of a car just by looking at it's weight, BSFC of the ICE, ICE horsepower and Cd. Tires and any transmission losses have a small effect also.

 

When comparing the highway MPG of the FFH to the gas Fusions the FFH does way better on the highway. Consumer Reports (March 2013 issue) reported that the FFH got a stellar 41 MPG on the highway in their tests. The gas fusions with the Ecoboost engines fall far short of that. But, part of that is due to the relative poor performance of Ford's Ecoboost 4 cylinders when compared to the competition (like Honda Accord and Nissan Altima 4 cylinders). The Ecoboost engines are slower in acceleration tests and are less efficient than those competitors.

 

The best highway EPA number for a 2014 gas Honda Accord is 36 MPG. CR reported that the Honda Accord got 30 MPG overall but I couldn’t find what CR reported for highway MPG (but it is probably close to 36). If we use 36 MPG (highway) for the Accord and CR's 41 (highway) for the FFH that would give the FFH a 13.9% advantage over the Accord. That is a significant win for the FFH in highway MPG.

[acdii]

The 2.5 in the Fusion is probably the best highway engine in any of the Fusions. It can easily see mid 30's highway.

[Texasota]

The 2.5 in the Fusion is probably the best highway engine in any of the Fusions. It can easily see mid 30's highway.

That one (2.5 L) has a highway EPA of 34 and I agree that it is probably the best of the gas Fusions. Far short of the FFH's 41 highway.

[acdii]

oops I meant gas fusions, not the FFH. I know the 2.5 in the 2010 FFh was far better on the highway than the 13+ one will ever be. I never had a highway trip under 40 MPG doing the normal speed limit of fast as you can. I have had quite a few 50+ MPG trips on the interstate in it.

[wmayo]

Update on my mileage with HAH (Touring).

Took my first long range trip (VA directly to Atlanta and back via Boone NC). Got 50.5 mpg on return, and about 48 going (and that included plenty of 70 mph driving). Even got 46 from ATL to Beech Mountain, NC which included an insane climb to 5,500 ft. plus, which WILL rob the mileage figure.

I'm still getting 50-56 in town, with an occasional drop into the mid-40s.

Admittedly, I'm hypermiling a bit. And, around town, I do nab that EV button on level runs. It DOES help max the mileage. Ya gotta know the cycle of things, and how to "let up" sometimes to have it kick back into EV mode even at higher speed.

The only thing I dislike is the engine ROAR sometimes when accelerating when not in EV mode. Otherwise, the car is a dream ... well, except the radio/nav is not as friendly as my FFH. Pandora and even Google Play Music works well on the Accord.

Edited June 5, 2014 by wmayo

[hybridbear]

Interesting update from Motor Trend.

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/oneyear/sedans/1502_2014_honda_accord_hybrid_touring_review_update_4/

[corncobs]

Interesting update from Motor Trend.

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/oneyear/sedans/1502_2014_honda_accord_hybrid_touring_review_update_4/

Interesting read thanks for posting HB.

[GrySql]

Interesting read is right, especially Update #3.

Finally, an answer to how Sleddog, ptjones and a few others (you know who you are) get such high mpg's... ;)

 

FTA:

EA carried out this experiment so you can be confident the test was impartial and not going downhill the whole distance at 3 a.m. to blow through stop signs and traffic lights with overinflated tires and with a pantsless driver (saves weight) at the wheel.

[Texasota]

FTA:

EA carried out this experiment so you can be confident the test was impartial and not going downhill the whole distance at 3 a.m. to blow through stop signs and traffic lights with overinflated tires and with a pantsless driver (saves weight) at the wheel.

That is a great idea. I am going to suggest to my copilot that she needs to leave the pants at home to save weight.

[acdii]

Mine would say the same to me, but then we MIGHT have some trouble staying on the road. :) :shift: :drool: :drop: :worship: :flirt: :love_shower: :wub:

[Texasota]

That is a great idea. I am going to suggest to my copilot that she needs to leave the pants at home to save weight.

It wasn't very well received by the copilot. I told her it was common practice with GrySql and other forum members but I can't repeat what she said about the forum and if I did I am confident I would earn some of those new warnings on my profile.

[GrySql]

From an innocent observation comes all this...

Gotta watch what I say around here.

 

Edited February 12, 2015 by GrySql

[acdii]

IOW Keep your pants on.

[dalesky]

Interesting update from Motor Trend.

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/oneyear/sedans/1502_2014_honda_accord_hybrid_touring_review_update_4/

Have to say no surprise on the mileage data. I liked my test drive in the HAH. That dash tho is a hot mess!

[B25Nut]

The production of the Accord Hybrid is being moved from Ohio to Japan. Honda's Crosstour, a styling failure, is also being discontinued.

 

http://autoweek.com/article/car-news/honda-drop-crosstour-move-accord-hybrid-output-japan

Edited April 9, 2015 by B25Nut

[hybridbear]

The production of the Accord Hybrid is being moved from Ohio to Japan. Honda's Crosstour, a styling failure, is also being discontinued.

 

http://autoweek.com/article/car-news/honda-drop-crosstour-move-accord-hybrid-output-japan

Interesting. Minimal comments about why the change in hybrid production. It's rare to produce a car overseas and import it for sale. The HAH is low volume so there probably is low risk for Honda there.

[tr7driver]

This may be a result of strong U.S. Dollar

[CCalvinN]

That's a shame about the Crosstour. I'm not a fan of Honda's current style philosophy, but I think the Crosstour looked really good (not the front, that was awful).