I test drove the new 11th generation Honda Accord Hybrid. The 11th generation new Accord, launched in Korea in October, is the most recently released model in the midsize sedan segment, and has a spacious interior and a sportiness that is difficult to expect from a hybrid drivetrain. The harmony between ride comfort and performance is unusual.
Honda Korea is continuing its aggressive new car race in the imported car market in 2023. In addition to launching an online purchase platform that operates 24 hours a day, the company is drawing attention as it is creating a completely new atmosphere by replacing the core model lineup of CR-V, Pilot, and Accord with full-change models.
The Honda Accord is a fairly iconic model. Continuing into its 11th generation, it not only met consumers’ expectations for a family sedan, but also presented a new direction. In Korea, the 8th generation Accord ranked first in imported car sales in 2008, and in the same year, Honda Korea became the first in the industry to exceed 10,000 units per year.
Honda began global sales of its full-change new car lineup and formed a different model lineup than before, with the entry and mid-level trims set to gasoline models, and the upper-middle and top trims set to hybrid powertrains. In Korea, the entry model is the 1.5 turbo, and the top model is the hybrid.
The new 11th generation Accord is a form that inherits and develops the strengths of the 10th generation Accord. It is an improved form of the existing ACE (Advanced Compatibility Engineering) body with strengths in safety and driving performance, and satisfies the strengthened IIHS crash test. Second-row safety was the only vehicle in its class to receive a GOOD rating.
The exterior design of the new Accord conveys a low, stable, sporty atmosphere. The configuration that emphasizes surfaces and lines is reminiscent of a German premium sedan. In particular, the configuration of the bonnet that is long and stiff forward and the cabin room that is biased toward the rear is more of a rear-wheel drive (FR) sedan than a traditional front-wheel drive (FF) sedan.
Unlike the low-positioned LED headlamps and grille, the rear lamp is located at the top of the trunk lid, creating a solid atmosphere. In particular, the rear design is reminiscent of the Audi A7. The standard 19-inch wheels are equipped with Michelin Primacy MXM4, and although they are all-season tires, they have good grip.
The interior creates a modern atmosphere with a horizontal dashboard, hidden air vents, and a 12.3-inch infotainment monitor. The precise feel of the air vent control or the dial-type air conditioning control panel is something that is difficult to experience in other companies. The return from buttons to a stick-type gear lever is surprising.
The driver’s seat position is the lowest in its class. Unlike German sedans, which have increasingly higher seating positions, the low, sporty seating position, similar to German cars from a generation ago, is attractive. The seat size is generous, and the appropriate seatback tilt and leg angle are ideal when riding in the second row.
The interior materials are a mix of good and bad parts. The leather seats and urethane material on the top of the dashboard have a good sense of quality, but the finish of the headliner is somewhat disappointing. The intuitive switch arrangement, near-perfect Korean translation, and almost no new car smell are positive factors.
The powertrain is a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder direct injection Atkinson engine that produces a maximum output of 147 horsepower and a maximum torque of 18.4 kgm, and the two electric motors produce a maximum output of 184 horsepower and a maximum torque of 34.0 kgm. e-CVT takes over the role of a transmission. The curb weight is 1605kg and the domestic combined fuel efficiency is 16.7km/l (city 17.0, high speed 16.2).
The 11th generation Accord is equipped with a next-generation 2-motor hybrid system. While the existing system emphasized electric motor-centered driving, the new system increases the frequency of engine intervention during cruising in actual driving. By maximizing efficiency, the estimated driving distance is recorded at 930 km even with a fuel tank of 48.5 liters.
In city driving, the powerful electric motor prevents a decrease in fuel efficiency when starting. After stopping at a traffic light, it accelerates from normal acceleration to 60 km/h using only the electric motor. Starting acceleration is one of the sections with the greatest fuel consumption. Even at fast acceleration, the engine appears to intervene at 20 to 30 km/h.
One of the biggest disadvantages of hybrid cars is noise and vibration when the engine is running, and unpleasant engine sounds when accelerating at high revs, but the new Accord is so smooth that it is difficult to notice the engine running. Additionally, the engine rotates smoothly even at full acceleration, which significantly increases engine rotation.
In particular, during fast acceleration, a rhythmic shifting sound is produced through linear shift control and active sound control, and the sound tuning is excellent. Even though it is an e-CVT continuously variable transmission, the high synchronization rate between vehicle speed and engine speed creates the pleasant illusion of multi-stage acceleration of a high-output sedan.
It shows exciting acceleration even at 100 to 200 km/h, and the electric motor adds power based on the power of the engine at full acceleration. Even during fast acceleration, the battery charge does not drop to the bottom, because the nature of the two-motor system allows for electric charging along with the use of an electric motor.
The low center of gravity and body balance provide a sporty driving feel that is difficult to expect from a family sedan. The 2.0 Turbo, which boasted the best driving performance in the 10th generation Accord, has been discontinued, but the setup has been transplanted to the hybrid. On the other hand, it maintains good first- and second-row riding comfort from low to high speeds.
The completeness of the chassis stands out on roads that curve from side to side, and the balance between the body and tires is good even though they are not summer tires. It is at the level of perfection of a sports sedan. Handling is agile and understeer is suppressed. Honda’s first motion management system recognizes lateral G and increases tire grip when cornering.
The new Accord’s driver assistance system is the latest type, including adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, and stop and restart. In particular, the newly added traffic jam assist seat can maintain lanes and distances between vehicles even during city traffic congestion. Maintaining the distance from the vehicle in front when braking is also smooth until stopping.
Honda’s new 11th generation Accord is a midsize sedan that can be used as a family car and has a level of perfection that is close to perfection. The fuel-efficient hybrid configuration, light acceleration, cornering balance, stability at high speeds, and ample space are satisfactory. The price of Honda’s new Accord Hybrid is 53.4 million won.
