Review: 2024 Honda Accord Hybrid, buy this car or a Toyota Camry Hybrid?

What is it:

This is the first all-new Honda Accord in five years and marks a major technology shift, drives better than any model before it, and has a new hybrid system that delivers genuine fuel savings.

Previous Honda hybrid cars over the years have delivered marginal fuel economy benefits, but this new Accord is the real deal, sipping even less fuel than a Toyota Camry Hybrid in our testing.

Although there are no world exclusives on the new Honda Accord Hybrid, it does have a range of hi-tech features that, for now, are only available in certain Teslas, Polestars and electric BMWs.

The 11th generation Honda Accord is the most advanced car introduced by Honda to date (excluding the experimental Honda Clarity hydrogen vehicle).

Key highlights include a Digital Key (to unlock, lock and start the car using a smartphone, as per Tesla).

And in great news for parents who loan their cars to the kids, they will be alerted if the vehicle exceeds a pre-set speed limit.

As with many electric cars – most notably Tesla – the new Honda Accord Hybrid also has remote start functionality, the ability to set air-conditioning temperature before you get in the vehicle, and you can also check the status of the fuel level before you go.

Price:

There is only one variant of the new Honda Accord Hybrid – a top-end model with the works – priced from $64,900 drive-away, which puts this car in Tesla Model 3 territory – and makes it dearer than the most expensive version of the Toyota Camry Hybrid.

Honda Australia says it has modest sales expectations for the Accord Hybrid as it is primarily intended to preview technology that will eventually trickle down to other Honda vehicles.

Engine:

The Honda Accord Hybrid is powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine (135kW/335Nm) paired to a hybrid electric system which can move the car from rest and provide a boost when on the move.

The Honda Accord Hybrid can run on 91-octane regular unleaded.

This compares to the Toyota Camry Hybrid’s 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine (160kW/221Nm) paired to a hybrid electric system.

Earlier Honda hybrid systems could only provide electric assistance once the vehicle was already underway and up to speed, and the technology was not as efficient.

The official fuel consumption rating label for the Honda Accord Hybrid is 4.3L/100km (versus 4.5L/100km for the Toyota Camry Hybrid).

Transmission:

Continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) that matches optimum engine revs for acceleration and efficiency.

Drivers in the new Honda Accord Hybrid can press the EV button in the centre console for two seconds when travelling at freeway speeds, to harvest energy and top-up the battery for later use in stop-start traffic.

0 to 100km/h (as tested):

The Honda Accord Hybrid did the 0 to 100kmh dash in 8.2 seconds using our precision VBox timing equipment.

This compares to 8.4 seconds for the Toyota Camry Hybrid.

Both are brisk enough for family and fleet sedans.

Emergency braking from 100km/h (as tested):

The Honda Accord Hybrid pulled up from 100kmh in an emergency stop in an impressive 37.3 metres, which is close to hot-hatch territory.

The 235/45/18 Michelin e-Primacy tyres play a big role in this, as does well sorted suspension.

Good points:

There are so many good points about the new Honda Accord Hybrid, it’s hard to know where to start.

Genuinely remarkable real-world fuel economy (4.2 to 4.4L/100km versus 5.0 to 5.5L/100km for the Toyota Camry Hybrid on the same 130km test loop).

In theory, with a 48-litre fuel tank, the Honda Accord Hybrid could travel 1000km on a single tank in ideal conditions. Hmmm, that’s given me an idea.

Then there is the fact the new Accord and other recently introduced Honda models mark a long awaited return to form.

This is a serene car to drive, much more luxurious than you’d expect.

And yet it combines refinement and comfort with agile handling and secure road holding.

The cabin oozes quality, and all controls are well placed and easy to use.

Overall, it’s a step above the Toyota Camry Hybrid when it comes to how it makes you feel behind the wheel.

Small but important points: extendable sun visors to better block side glare.

Plenty of charging options (wireless charging pad plus USB-C charging ports).

Epic sound from the premium Bose audio system.

Then there is the long list of technology highlights, as follows:

Digital key (via Bluetooth) 

The driver can start the engine and operate the vehicle by using digital key functions linked to their phone, without having the original car key. The system, via the app, also reminds drivers about critical functions, such as unlocked or open doors, boot, or bonnet.

Remote start 

The driver can control certain functions remotely from a smart phone, such as door lock/unlock, engine start/stop, air-conditioning settings, lights and/or horn activated (to find the car in a car park). The response time for each function using the phone is now closer to 10 seconds rather than 30 seconds, as it was previously.

Remote immobiliser

The vehicle can be prevented from being started, even where the original key is being used. In the event of theft, the Honda Connect App can be used to track the vehicle and stop the engine from restarting.

Automatic crash detection 

Similar to Toyota and Ford systems, the Honda Accord Hybrid will alert a central number in the event of a crash. This call centre, in turn, alerts emergency services if required. 

Three widescreen displays

There is a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, as well as an 11.5-inch heads-up display reflected into the windscreen in the driver’s line of sight.

Embedded Google maps

Honda says its embedded Google Maps system (which runs on a Telstra 4G and G5 SIM card that comes with the vehicle) has more detail than the Google Map interfaces found on Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. However, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Waze can still be used via the smartphone mirroring in the infotainment screen.

Edge to Edge maps in the instrument cluster

The embedded Google Maps can be viewed on both the 12.3-inch infotainment screen and the 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, as well as certain instructions appearing on the 11.5-inch heads-up display reflected into the windscreen. However, Apple Maps and Android Auto maps can only be viewed on the infotainment screen.

Embedded Google Home voice control from the car

If you have Google Smart Home technology you can control certain devices by voice control from the comfort of the car.

Remote speed detection

Parents who lend the car to their kids can’t track the speed or location of the vehicle in real time, however than can get an alert if the car exceeds a certain speed. The driver is not notified by the car they have been busted.

Radar cruise control with low-speed follow 

The new camera and radar system improves the smoothness of acceleration and deceleration of Adaptive Cruise Control with a more natural brake feel and quicker reactions to changes in traffic conditions. 

It also responds more quickly when changing into an open lane from behind a slower car, and better maintains a constant vehicle speed downhill. 

Matrix high beam

The high beams reduce dazzle by masking individual beams as traffic approaches. 

Rear seat reminder (to prevent kids accidentally being left in cars)

When engine is switched off, a rear seat reminder appears on the driver information screen and an alert will sound to warn drivers to check the rear seating area for children, pets or other precious cargo when exiting the car.

This is an increasingly common feature on new models but a first for the Honda Accord.

Safety suite

The list of advanced safety technology includes a ‘pop-up’ pedestrian detection bonnet, lane-keeping assistance, blind zone warning, rear cross-traffic alert, speed sign recognition, tyre pressure monitors, 360-degree camera. There is a driver’s knee airbag but no centre airbag between the front seats.

The Honda Accord is yet to be tested by independent crash test authority ANCAP so its safety score out of five stars is yet to be announced.

Bad points:

The Toyota Camry Hybrid has a space saver spare tyre, but the Honda Accord Hybrid does not.

It has an inflator kit instead (pictured below), which is less than ideal if you get a massive puncture.

So there’s a good chance you’re calling a tow truck if you get a flat tyre in the Honda Accord Hybrid – as is the case with most electric cars.

Another observation: the new Honda Accord Hybrid sits quite low to the ground so it can be hard to get in and out if you’re not as flexible as you used to be.

And with this low riding position you miss out on the commanding view of the road ahead that SUVs deliver.

On the plus side, this low-slung stance makes you feel more connected to the road, especially considering the Honda Accord Hybrid’s well-sorted suspension.

What the haters say:

That’s a lot of money for a Honda Accord.

What the haters don’t understand:

Think of the new Honda Accord Hybrid as an attainable luxury car, rather than an expensive alternative to the Toyota Camry Hybrid.

This is a genuine return to form for Honda in terms of quality, technology and driving enjoyment.

The fuel economy savings are real and – incredibly – are even more miserly than the Toyota Camry Hybrid, the top-selling petrol-electric sedan in Australia.

Should you buy one?

If the Honda Accord Hybrid is in your price range, I would comfortably choose this car over similarly priced sedans such as the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, and Mercedes-Benz C Class.

It might not have a European badge but the reality is the Honda Accord Hybrid is roomier, more fuel efficient, and nicer to drive than these German alternatives.

Also consider:

Toyota Camry Hybrid, Tesla Model 3.