The 2015 Honda Accord Hybrid is one of the most advanced vehicles for sale in the U.S. market at any price point. Its drivetrain technology has set the bar for hybrids. Like all green cars, the Accord Hybrid is defined by its fuel-economy rating, and it earns an EPA estimated 50 mpg city, 45 highway, and 47 combined on regular unleaded fuel. These are fantastic fuel economy numbers. Compared to its peers, the 2015 Accord Hybrid beats the combined fuel economy of the 2015 Ford Fusion Hybrid by 10 percent and the 2015 Camry Hybrid LE by 13 percent. That puts the Accord Hybrid at the top of the mountain in terms of liquid-fueled midsize family cars. The Accord Hybrid uses two electric motors rather than one, like most first-generation hybrids had, and the way the car propels itself is also different from past hybrid designs. The vehicle has three drive modes. The only time the car is being propelled by the Earth Dreams Honda gasoline engine is when cruising on the highway. When starting off or driving around town, the car acts like an electric car, and the electric motors run off its battery pack. If you need maximum power, the Accord will use power from both the engine and battery pack to move the car forward. This mix of multiple drive modes is more efficient than older hybrid designs, and it’s the way the segment is headed. The Accord Hybrid is also unique in that it has no transmission. It uses a clutch system to engage the gasoline engine when required, and the engine runs at the RPMs the computer says will match the power needed. Although Honda sometimes calls this an eCVT, it is not the same sort of continuously variable transmission other cars use. Reviews say it works well and that the transitions from mode to mode are very seamless. Since this is a green car, we should dive a little deeper on the green-cred this vehicle brings to the table. The Accord Hybrid generates an amazingly low 188 grams per mile of CO2. It earns a perfect 10 on the EPA’s smog rating. Fueleconomy.gov calculates that the Accord Hybrid requires 7 barrels of crude to move you and your family around for a year and calculates your annual fuel costs to be about $1,000. Compare that to a 2015 Passat diesel, and you'll see that the diesel uses 63% more petroleum, generates 63% more CO2 per mile and will cost you about $1,600 in fuel per year. And let’s not forget torque—because the Accord Hybrid uses a high-torque electric drive, it feels very strong from a start. The 2015 Accord Hybrid also compares favorably to electric cars in many ways. Although EVs have no tailpipe emissions, they do have a carbon footprint. Unless you always charge away from home, you will have to pay for electricity. How much better than $83 per month for energy will an EV be? No matter which EV you compare, it can only tie the Accord Hybrid in the EPA’s smog rating. The 2015 Accord Hybrid starts at about $30,125. With all the goodies, it tops out at about $35,875. Honda adds its forward-collision prevention and other safety technology as the price goes up. At $36,000, the car is loaded and a good value for the class. The warranty is the same as Honda’s, except that for the battery pack and hybrid drive it is much longer and varies depending on the state in which you buy it. Check with your dealer. The 2015 Accord Hybrid also has some features unique to it in the Accord line. It has blue-tinted trim in the front grill and headlights, a rear deck spoiler and its own 17-inch wheels. Inside, the dash is custom to the Hybrid and displays green driving information and tips, like all cars of its type do. Introduced last year as a 2014 model, the Accord Hybrid has earned many industry awards. Importantly, the Accord Hybrid when equipped with forward collision prevention earns the IIHS's Top Safety Pick+ designation, the industry’s highest possible safety rating. The Accord Hybrid also won the 2014 MotorWeek Driver’s Choice award, and the 2-motor drive system earned a spot on Green Car Journal’s Top 10 Green Cars Technology List. The Accord Hybrid is made in Ohio. Sales of this specific model are moderate, so before you head to a dealership to shop, it would be wise to call ahead or look online to make sure the dealership has some inventory to see. Since the car has a unique drivetrain, we suggest a thorough test-drive before making a decision.