2023 Honda Accord Hybrid vs 2023 Honda Accord

The 2023 Honda Accord underwent a significant redesign, presenting a more technical and modern appearance compared to its predecessors. The redesign included a shift in powertrain offerings, with the hybrid system becoming standard on most trim levels, except for the base EX variant in Canada, which retained a gas-only engine. The Accord EX, priced at $37,000 in Canada, featured a dark grille, LED headlights, and a Canyon River Blue paint that garnered positive attention. The interior boasted durable cloth seats with contrast stitching and a stylish metal mesh dashboard trim, integrating the air conditioning vents seamlessly. The digital instrumentation and touchscreen infotainment system reflected Honda's attention to detail and refinement, making the Accord EX a well-outfitted choice for its price and class.

In contrast, the 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid exuded a near-luxury sedan vibe, drawing comparisons to the sleek lines of the Audi A7. The updated model, stretching 7 centimetres longer, featured a redesigned front grille and updated LED lighting, giving it a refined and planted stance. The Accord Hybrid Touring offered six exterior colours and rode on 19-inch alloy wheels, with optional gloss-black Honda Performance Development wheels available. Inside, the Hybrid Touring trim boasted a 12.3-inch touchscreen with advanced features like Amazon Alexa, wireless device charging, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The interior, with its Canyon River Blue Metallic paint and black leather, provided a sophisticated and upscale feel, making the Accord Hybrid a compelling choice for those seeking a blend of style and technology.

The 2023 Honda Accord EX was equipped with a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 192 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 192 pound-feet of torque between 1,700 rpm and 5,000 rpm. This engine, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), powered the front wheels. The Accord EX's performance was adequate, with a weight of 1,493 kilograms (3,280 pounds) and a front-wheel-drive setup. The MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension managed the car's weight distribution, while the dual-pinion, variable-ratio steering system offered good response and road feel. The Accord EX returned 8.2 L/100 km on the evaluation route, slightly higher than the expected 7.3 L/100 km due to testing conditions.

The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid, on the other hand, featured a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors, producing 204 horsepower. This powertrain, also mated to a CVT, provided a smooth and efficient driving experience. The Accord Hybrid seamlessly switched between electric and gas power, offering sufficient acceleration for highway merges and passing maneuvers. The suspension absorbed road imperfections well, providing a comfortable ride. The regenerative braking system, with six levels of regen, allowed for fine-tuning and improved driver comfort. The Accord Hybrid's agile handling and ease of parking made it a relaxing and familiar car to drive in various environments.

The 2023 Honda Accord offered a range of standard features, including heated exterior mirrors, dual-zone automatic climate control, a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat, and heated front seats. However, the Accord EX lacked a power-adjustable front passenger seat, rear air conditioning vents, and rear USB charging ports, which were available on higher trims. The back seat provided excellent leg support and legroom, with easy entry and exit. The Accord's trunk offered a generous 473-litre capacity, with a convenient release handle for easy loading and unloading.

The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid adopted a similar cabin layout to Honda's Civic and CR-V models, featuring a strip of honeycomb mesh trim that concealed the air vents. The Touring trim included heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats. The Accord Hybrid's interior felt solid and upscale, with a traditional gearshift replacing the previous button system. The front seats provided excellent support, while the rear seats offered generous legroom and shoulder room, though headroom was slightly compromised by the sleek roofline. The trunk space remained generous at 473 litres, with a low load floor for easy access.

The 2023 Honda Accord EX came with a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The system included Bluetooth connectivity, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and HondaLink connected services. While the tech was basic, it was functional and user-friendly, with physical controls for the stereo and main functions. However, the lack of SiriusXM satellite radio and the confusing tuning knob were minor drawbacks.

In contrast, the 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with advanced tech features. The Touring trim offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless charging pad, Google Built-in with Google Assistant and Google Maps, Amazon Alexa, and a head-up display. The 12-speaker Bose audio system and additional USB ports enhanced the overall tech experience, making the Accord Hybrid a tech-savvy choice.

The 2023 Honda Accord was equipped with Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) that included adaptive cruise control, traffic-jam assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centring assist. The Accord also featured a reversing camera, automatic high-beam headlights, traffic sign recognition, a driver monitoring system, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Accord earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for 2023.

The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid shared the same safety features as the non-hybrid model, with the addition of front and rear parking sensors and a head-up display on the Touring trim. The Accord Hybrid also featured next-generation airbags and slimmer front A-pillars for improved visibility. The Accord Hybrid earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, with high scores in crash tests, crash avoidance, and mitigation.