2014 Honda Accord Hybrid Plug-In Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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The quality and reliability of a Honda mixes with the innovation and efficiency of hybrid technology in the 2014 Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid. If you're in the market for a midsize family sedan with top-end fuel economy, a cabin loaded with technology and ample seating room, the Accord Plug-In is worth a long look.
Thanks to the brand new hybrid system, the Accord Plug-In can operate in three driving modes: EV (all electric), Hybrid (electric and gas) and Engine (all gas). The 4-door sedan maximizes efficiency by operating in EV Drive when starting from a stop or decelerating, and Honda says it also has 10 to 15 miles of pure electric range. When it reaches that limit, the Plug-In switches to Hybrid Drive, which gets an excellent 47 mpg city/46 highway.
The powertrain is comprised of a 2.0-liter, inline 4-cylinder (I4) engine and an AC synchronous permanent-magnet electric motor (powered by a 6.7kWh lithium-ion battery pack) that combine to send 196 hp to the front wheels through a continuously variable transmission (CVT). That combination pushes the Plug-In from 0-60 mph in 7.7 seconds, a good time for a hybrid. But consumers in the market for a high-efficiency vehicle are probably more interested in these numbers: 46 mpg combined in Hybrid mode, 115 mpg-equivalent combined in EV mode, and 1 hour to recharge using Honda's 220-volt charger or 3 hours using a 120-volt outlet.
The electric motor isn't the only piece of equipment that increases efficiency. The Plug-In also comes with low-rolling-resistance tires, regenerative brakes, aerodynamic body modifications, an aluminum hood, rear bumper and front subframe, and an Eco button that modifies fuel-burning systems like air-conditioning.
All that attention to efficiency did not detract much from the Plug-In Hybrid's handling. The car basically drives like a standard Accord—it's comfortable, confident and quiet. The CVT does lag a touch during hard acceleration, and the regenerative brakes have clumsy moments at low speed, but that's to be expected with this kind of technology, and it's not as noticeable as it is in most other hybrids.
Honda certainly didn't sacrifice anything in the comfort and convenience department when it comes to the Accord Plug-In. It comes in just one trim which is based on the Touring trim, the high-end level for the standard Accord. One of the noteworthy features is a new LaneWatch blind-spot monitor that activates a rear-facing camera in the right-side mirror whenever you use your right turn signal and displays the image in the main, 8-inch LCD screen in the dash.
Other standard features include dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, a 10-way power driver's seat, navigation, rear-view camera, Bluetooth, adaptive cruise control, push-button start, HondaLink (connects to a smartphone app that allows access to music, social media and other information via the LCD touchscreen) and a 6-speaker CD audio system with Pandora radio capability and USB and auxiliary input jacks.
There is a lot going in the Plug-In cabin, but it's logically organized. The materials and construction are all quality, with the exception of the Bio-Fabric upholstery, which is environmentally friendly but looks and feels inexpensive. The other common criticism of the Plug-In is its trunk space, which is limited to 8.6 cubic feet because of the battery. The good news is the battery doesn't eat up space in the rear seats, which can comfortably seat three adults, and other hybrids, like the Ford Fusion Energi, have comparable trunk space (8.2 cubic feet for the Energi).
The Accord Plug-In Hybrid also has an impressive list of standard safety features: the above-mentioned blind-spot monitoring system, lane-departure and forward-collision warnings, stability and traction control, antilock disc brakes, electronic brake distribution, tire pressure monitoring, dual-stage front airbags, front seat side airbags, side curtain airbags and active front head restraints.
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2014 Honda Accord Hybrid Plug-In Pricing
Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · USB auxiliary audio input · 16GB hard drive · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Total Number of Speakers: 6 · 180 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 11.5 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.1 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Center console trim: simulated alloy · Dash trim: simulated alloy · Door trim: simulated alloy · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Assist handle: front · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cruise control: adaptive · Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: driver seat · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Rear view camera: multi-view · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: multi-function screen controls · Storage: front seatback · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.42
Engine
EV battery capacity: 6.7 kWh · Electric Charge Cord: 120 volt · Electric Motor Battery Type: lithium ion · Electric Motor HP: 166 · Electric Motor Power Output (Kilowatts): 124 · Electric Motor Torque: 226 · Electric motor charger connector: SAE J1772 · Electric motor charging time (120V): 3 hours · Electric motor charging time (240V): 1 hour · Electric motor miles per charge: 13 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP: 141 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP@RPM: 6200 · Hybrid Gas Engine Torque: 122 · Hybrid gas Engine Torque@RPM: 3500
Exterior Features
Door handle color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: chrome · Headlamp bezel color: chrome · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Window trim: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment: HondaLink · Infotainment screen size: 7 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: range · Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Headlights: Auto off · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: integrated turn signals
Rear Seats
Type: bench
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Blind spot safety: passenger side camera · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Impact sensor: alert system · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Rear headrests: adjustable · Upholstery: premium cloth
Spare Tire
Kit: inflator kit
Steering
Steering ratio: 13.4 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.6
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Stabilizer Bar: diameter 19mm · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: coil over shock · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Stabilizer Bar: diameter 16 mm · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link
Telematics
Electronic messaging assistance: with read function · Navigation system: with voice recognition · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Wheels
Wheel covers: full
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent