New 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid

[Sleddog]

Great review. It just reinforces my decision to purchase a FFH. I was going to wait and look at the Honda, but after reading the review, there was never a need to even look.

[lolder]

Isn't it strange that the clutch that many of us worried would be a problem in fact is ! The HSH had a kluge of a transmission and has faded in the ratings because of it. Hyundai has sold a bundle of them. Honda probably will also. The eCVT Toyota's and Ford's should behave smoothly at 200 K miles just as new.

[GrySql]

The eCVT Toyota's and Ford's should behave smoothly at 200 K miles just as new.

With that in mind, why are they not a more commonplace transmission?

What are the horsepower limits with these eCVT's?

[hybridbear]

With that in mind, why are they not a more commonplace transmission?

What are the horsepower limits with these eCVT's?

They aren't more commonplace because the car has to be a hybrid to have one. And Ford & Toyota have the best design and have patents on it. And other automakers aren't going to license the patents because it would be too expensive since hybrids are still only sold in low volumes.

[lolder]

There are no HP limitations inherent in the design. You design the planetary gear for whatever torque you need to share and the electric M/G's and electronics are designed likewise. They drive trains with electric and electronic systems like these.

[hybridbear]

Another positive review: http://www.tflcar.com/2014/02/review-2014-honda-accord-hybrid/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=review-2014-honda-accord-hybrid

 

TFL Car also did a YouTube video recently comparing the TCH & the HAH. They liked the HAH better in almost every aspect of their comparison. I hope they do a FFH/HAH/TCH 3-way comparison.

[Texasota]

From the above review the author described the disconnect between the engine and the gas pedal:

 

 

There’s a disconnect between what you hear and the car’s performance where it still sounds like you’re stomping on the gas even when you’ve eased up or are just asking it for a little power.

 

I plan on taking my first FFH test drive soon and I am wondering if I should expect a disconnect like this? If so, I suspect I will find it very disconcerting as I have not previously driven a hybrid.

[corncobs]

No since the system works differently depending on the temp the FFH will shut off the ICE as soon you let of the throttle. It's very responsive and even more so when stepping on it the lightest touch get you from EV to ICE but you get used to it driving daily in reoccurring situations.

 

Enjoy your test drive! :)

Edited February 20, 2014 by corncobs

[murphy]

From the above review the author described the disconnect between the engine and the gas pedal:

 

 

I plan on taking my first FFH test drive soon and I am wondering if I should expect a disconnect like this? If so, I suspect I will find it very disconcerting as I have not previously driven a hybrid.

The throttle pedal is connected to the computer via a 6 wire cable. The computer controls the engine.

[acdii]

The Fusion is smooth when transitioning between ICE and EV, and does not rev when slowing down, it does take a bit getting used to the steady RPM growl since there are no shift points, but after a while you will never notice it.

[hybridbear]

The Fusion is smooth when transitioning between ICE and EV, and does not rev when slowing down, it does take a bit getting used to the steady RPM growl since there are no shift points, but after a while you will never notice it.

And once you get used to the smooth sound and acceleration of the hybrid you'll never want to go back to a non-hybrid car.

Edited February 20, 2014 by hybridbear

[lolder]

Toyota/Ford eCVT hybrids drive most like old Buick Dynaflow cars that essentially were single speed transmissions with a huge double torque converter. They had a lot of loss, the eCVT's do not. If you keep your "go" foot steady, the engine ( ICE ) is steady. If you move the foot, the ICE varies. It is not locked to the wheels. After you drive an eCVT for a while, you realize how archaic the other transmissions are.

[Texasota]

Toyota/Ford eCVT hybrids drive most like old Buick Dynaflow cars that essentially were single speed transmissions with a huge double torque converter. They had a lot of loss, the eCVT's do not.

 

I can identify with that. My grandfather owned a Buick Dynaflow and I drove it and still remember the sensation.

 

If I have interpreted these responses (and thank you) correctly, then I won't experience a significant disconnect between gas pedal position and ICE RPM like the HAH, but instead more of a continuous "surging" sensation while accelerating and upon lifting the gas pedal the ICE will typically shut down (in warm temperatures). In cold temperatures does the ICE continue to rev at higher RPMs independent of gas pedal position?

[hybridbear]

In cold temperatures does the ICE continue to rev at higher RPMs independent of gas pedal position?

No. The FFH ICE RPM drops to under 1000 when your foot is off the pedal but something else is keeping the ICE on.

[Texasota]

Thanks to all for the helpful information. I now have a better idea of what to expect during the test drive in this regard.

[lolder]

Your foot and the go peddle call for a given power which the computer delivers. If you move your foot, the power and rpm will vary accordingly. The most efficient way to drive is with steady pedal pressure. Each time you change the pressure, there is a transient period while the ICE seeks a new operating point. This lessens the ICE efficiency during those brief transients and can use more EV assist which is inefficient. Steady pedal pressure is very hard to learn for some people. It requires a high level of spatial relations ability and concentration to judge speeds and closing rates of vehicles ahead of you. In heavy agressive traffic situations other drivers cut in ahead of you if you give then an inch. The solution is to move to small towns in warm weather states.

[acdii]

I moved to a small town, but missed the warmer clime part. DOH!

[aschulz261]

I got both. The small town and warm climate. but....20 mph speed limits, AC useage and mostly short trips take their own toll.. On the other hand, I actually saw the "engine on due to heater setting" the other day. First time for THAT.

[hybridbear]

Steady pedal pressure is very hard to learn for some people. It requires a high level of spatial relations ability and concentration to judge speeds and closing rates of vehicles ahead of you. In heavy aggressive traffic situations other drivers cut in ahead of you if you give then an inch. The solution is to move to small towns in warm weather states.

I would add that another adversary of steady pedal pressure are pothole filled roads. Our extremely cold winter has caused pretty much every road to buckle. Every 40 feet or so on pretty much all our roads that are asphalt there is a buckle that comes up 2 inches or so. This constant bouncing makes maintain constant pedal pressure an impossibility. I don't otherwise have an issue with constant pedal pressure even in the big city because I've learned to judge closing rates to the car in front very well. This is why I rarely have a trip with less than a 100% brake score. I'm not quite sure what warm weather has to do with steady pedal pressure though...

[corncobs]

ECC helps tremendously with that problem ;)

 

Whenever possible I use ECC even at 35 MPH (set to 38) cruising thru the city. It's amazing how steady you can drive and not hit every red light while playing the red light racing game.

Edited February 21, 2014 by corncobs

[lolder]

For those with a moon roof, putting it in the rear up mode with the right rear window cracked creates a pleasant environment in temperatures from 60 -80 º F. without the HVAC on. It's a little noisier but for short trips and tooling around town it drastically improves mileage. I don't hesitate to push "Auto" and enjoy the excellent HVAC when I don't want to fiddle with the HVAC or windows.

[dalesky]

I would add that another adversary of steady pedal pressure are pothole filled roads. Our extremely cold winter has caused pretty much every road to buckle. Every 40 feet or so on pretty much all our roads that are asphalt there is a buckle that comes up 2 inches or so. This constant bouncing makes maintain constant pedal pressure an impossibility. I don't otherwise have an issue with constant pedal pressure even in the big city because I've learned to judge closing rates to the car in front very well. This is why I rarely have a trip with less than a 100% brake score. I'm not quite sure what warm weather has to do with steady pedal pressure though...

Easy for you to say. I have a hard time with steady pressure. On the other hand, the ECO Cruise works great, and I use it at every opportunity. My wife got 62 MPG coming back from the gym today.

 

I would add that another adversary of steady pedal pressure are pothole filled roads. Our extremely cold winter has caused pretty much every road to buckle. Every 40 feet or so on pretty much all our roads that are asphalt there is a buckle that comes up 2 inches or so. This constant bouncing makes maintain constant pedal pressure an impossibility. I don't otherwise have an issue with constant pedal pressure even in the big city because I've learned to judge closing rates to the car in front very well. This is why I rarely have a trip with less than a 100% brake score. I'm not quite sure what warm weather has to do with steady pedal pressure though...

[dalesky]

For those with a moon roof, putting it in the rear up mode with the right rear window cracked creates a pleasant environment in temperatures from 60 -80 º F. without the HVAC on. It's a little noisier but for short trips and tooling around town it drastically improves mileage. I don't hesitate to push "Auto" and enjoy the excellent HVAC when I don't want to fiddle with the HVAC or windows.

You say between sixty and minus eighty? Where do you get that cold? HAHA

[Ted Swing]

You say between sixty and minus eighty? Where do you get that cold? HAHA

Road trips to Vostok Station is my guess.

Edited February 23, 2014 by Ted Swing

[corncobs]

New test drive article for the Accord Hybrid.

 

Check out this article from USA TODAY:

 

Accord hybrid's pluses wipe out minuses

 

http://usat.ly/PwgzCK

 

Take away for me.

 

- MFT very easy to use

- YMWV

- I love the quietness of my FFH in any situation