Honda Accord Hybrid vs Lexus ES Hybrid

The 2023 Honda Accord enters a new model year refreshed and rejuvenated, if not exactly revolutionized in comparison to the previous version of Honda’s long-running and highly regarded family sedan. With this, the 11th-generation of the Accord, Honda wisely didn’t attempt to rewrite the rulebook in how the company set about improving one of its most important and popular models.

Available in four trims—Sport, EX-L, Sport-L, and Touring—pricing for the Accord Hybrid ranges from approximately $32,000 to $38,000. These MSRPs are on target with five-seat sedan rivals like the Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima, and Hyundai Sonata, not to mention a dizzying array of small and midsize SUVs, including the Toyota RAV4, Nissan Rogue, Ford Escape, and even Honda’s own CR-V.

Does the Accord Hybrid make enough of a splash to be worthy of consideration in such crowded and hotly-contested markets? After a shorter drive at the start of the year, a week-long test drive this summer provided the answers.

Cars are falling out of favor in America, let alone luxury models that emphasize quiet comfort instead of raucous performance. The 2022 Lexus ES, however, appears immune to the trend. For now.

This year, Lexus gives the ES a nip and a tuck, adding new grille, wheel, and bi-LED headlight designs along with a couple of new paint colors. More significantly, the ES adds a touchscreen infotainment display and next-generation Lexus Safety System+ 2.5 driving assistance and collision avoidance technology.

Lastly, the 2022 Lexus ES Hybrid is offered with F Sport trim for the first time. But this version of the car is all about the look and not the feel from behind the wheel.