Road Test
Wrap-Up
We decided that a standard 12-month test didn't do justice to the 2005 Honda Accord Hybrid. This Accord represented one of the first hybrid powertrains in our long-term test fleet. We had no intentions of selling it short, so we doubled the length of our test. After two years and 30,000 miles, we've reached our conclusions.
Why We Bought It
When the first hybrid vehicles went into production, it seemed only the patchouli lovers of the world showed interest. They released their grasp on tree trunks, climbed onto bicycles and pedaled to the nearest car lot to support the hybrid cause. This stereotype held true until the Accord Hybrid forced us to rethink battery power.
Honda's unique hybrid power sets this Accord apart from the rest of the pack. The Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system attached to the Accord's 3.0-liter VTEC V6 helps achieve best-in-class power with 255 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque. Better yet, EPA estimates of 29 mpg around town and 37 mpg on the highway mean this 2005 Accord is also among the most fuel-efficient six-cylinder sedans on the market. In comparison, the 2006 Honda Accord EX V6 is rated at 20 mpg city and 29 mpg highway.
With the Accord Hybrid, Honda is demonstrating that battery technology is not only capable of achieving 70 mpg as with the Honda Insight, but also can boost horsepower and low-end torque. We did not hesitate to purchase one from dealer stock and it was in our garage at the beginning of 2005. It also complemented our long-term Toyota Prius.
Durability
Conceptually, the Accord Hybrid promised to be the best of both worlds, and our early impressions of the sedan pleased both the horsepower junkies and the fuel-economy aficionados. But as mileage accumulated, both camps agreed there was something amiss.
The Accord's IMA system consists of a dual-mode electric motor between the engine and transmission. One mode is used to boost power under acceleration and the other charges the batteries during deceleration and braking.
As the IMA hybrid system makes the transition from electric to gasoline power, the "Autostop" feature manages the change so abruptly that it affects low-speed maneuvering. As Managing Editor Donna DeRosa noted on the Accord's long-term blog pages, "When accelerating, the engine kicks ungracefully, and it's even more pronounced when braking. As you bring the car to a stop, the vehicle actually surges forward. This lack of subtlety is especially annoying when trying to parallel park in tight spaces."
This characteristic Autostop lurch was not our only issue with the hybrid system. Inside Line Editor in Chief Scott Oldham noticed that the air-conditioning backs off when the Accord switches to electric mode. But his blog post offered a solution, and he added, "If you pull the Honda's shifter back into 2nd gear, it disables Autostop. Sure, the car now starts in 2nd gear. And sure, it's now getting essentially the same mileage as any other Accord V6. But at least I'm not sweating."
Other minor annoyances also cropped up during our ownership. Buttons on the navigation system's touchscreen were too small for some of us. We were also reminded that the location of its battery pack does not allow the rear seat to fold forward and expand cargo space. And the car looked pretty unremarkable.
Gripes aside, the Accord Hybrid has lived up to the quality standards for which Honda earned its reputation. After 30,000 miles, the interior shows only minimal wear and tear aside from a few well-embedded stains in the beige floor mats. The leather upholstery shows some signs of becoming dry and creased, but a little leather conditioner should be able to rescue it.
The only cosmetic issue in the life of the car has had more to do with tear than wear. One morning around the 10,000-mile mark we found ourselves hurrying out of the driveway in dire need of a Starbucks. As we backed up, the Accord struck a concrete pillar. Lack of caffeine is still argued as the cause of this incident, but there was no disputing that the effect proved to be $1,098.90 worth of damage to the bumper and quarter panel. It was repaired to perfection at the Golden Hammer in Santa Monica and back in our possession after three days.
Our Accord predictably lived up to the reliability standards established by its Honda predecessors. Routine maintenance was our only reason to visit Honda of Santa Monica during our ownership of the car. Once we found Vallarie, a service advisor we trusted, we stuck with her even though the rates at this dealership were higher than at some other locations.
We spent an average of $48.36 for each required minor service, and then scheduled one every 7,500 miles per Honda's prescribed service plan. Minor services included oil and filter changes along with tire rotations. For major maintenance items at 15,000-mile intervals, each visit cost an average of $154.46. These were, in essence, a minor service with additional comprehensive inspections of standard moving parts and hybrid components.
A computer software update performed during our 22,500-mile service marked the only notable maintenance matter outside of the schedule.
Total Body Repair Costs: $1,098.90
Total Routine Maintenance Costs (over 24 months): $405.64
Additional Maintenance Costs: None
Warranty Repairs: Computer software update at 22,500-mile service
Non-Warranty Repairs: None outside of body damage
Scheduled Dealer Visits: 4
Unscheduled Dealer Visits: None
Days Out of Service: 3 days to repair body damage
Breakdowns Stranding Driver: None
Performance and Fuel Economy
Power and fuel economy. That was the premise we set to test when we added the Accord Hybrid to our fleet. As it turned out, the Accord definitely held its ground in the performance category. In terms of fuel economy, it left us wanting more.
One quarter-mile of asphalt was all it took for the Accord to display its class-leading acceleration. It covered the distance in 15.9 seconds at 88.7 mph. After only 7.5 seconds it reached 60 mph, which was quicker than any other sedan in the segment. The sedan's best stop from 60 mph took 138 feet. This is average among its peers, although most of them don't weigh as much as 3,605 pounds.
The Accord produced just 0.75g on the skid pad, largely due to its hybrid-friendly, low-rolling-resistance 60-series tires. Meanwhile, the Accord Hybrid is not offered with stability control as standard equipment. Chief Road Test Editor Chris Walton notes, "I'm a little surprised VSC is not standard on this car, as it can oversteer quite easily in abrupt transitions from side to side." A slalom speed of 61.5 mph was achieved regardless of the car's extra weight, some 170 pounds largely due to the battery pack.
At the same time, we felt let down by the Accord Hybrid's fuel-efficiency. A post made by raytx_us on the CarSpace forum for Honda Accord Hybrid owners shared similar disappointment: "I bought this car to save money on gas along with saving the environment, and spent more up front to do so. I have never had better than 27.9 mpg and that during an 8-hour trip. Now I'm left with a bitter taste in my mouth about Honda, my dealer and I just want someone to fix it or take it back. My current average is 25.7 mpg."
Our average fuel economy after two years proved to be just shy of 24 mpg, and it makes us question the price premium we paid for hybrid power. While our best tank was over 35 mpg — good for a 400-mile range — such long trips were few and far between. Our real-world driving amounted to a range of 20-25 mpg. Even so, it's worth noting again that a 2006 Honda Accord EX V6 has a rating of 20 mpg city/29 mpg highway.
Best Fuel Economy: 35.1 mpg
Worst Fuel Economy: 14.9 mpg
Average Fuel Economy: 23.8 mpg
Retained Value
We bought our 2005 Accord Hybrid at MSRP for $31,990 from Alhambra Motors in Alhambra, California. At the conclusion of our test, the Edmunds TMV® price assigned it a value of $22,754 in our area. This amounts to 29-percent depreciation over two years.
Meanwhile, TMV pricing for the comparably equipped 2006 Accord EX we tested in our V6 Family Sedan Comparison Test shows depreciation of 31 percent from its $29,850 MSRP. If you consider the hybrid's superior value over the course of two years, it's clear that the hybrid's green-friendly image still commands attention in the marketplace.
True Market Value at service end: $22,754
Depreciation: $9,236 or 29 percent of original paid price
Final Odometer Reading: 29,960
Summing Up
The 2005 Honda Accord Hybrid has shown us that battery power does the job of enhancing power without much of a penalty in fuel economy. But we also discovered that we valued an improvement in fuel economy more than the improvement in power. Nevertheless, the car also reminded us that Honda durability is a hit, even if the car misses. And this Accord missed with us. The annoying transition from gas to electric mode became a deal-breaker for many, and apparently indifferent fuel economy sent the rest of us packing.
Edmunds purchased this vehicle for the purposes of evaluation.
Why We Bought It
When the first hybrid vehicles went into production, it seemed only the patchouli lovers of the world showed interest. They released their grasp on tree trunks, climbed onto bicycles and pedaled to the nearest car lot to support the hybrid cause. This stereotype held true until the Accord Hybrid forced us to rethink battery power.
Honda's unique hybrid power sets this Accord apart from the rest of the pack. The Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system attached to the Accord's 3.0-liter VTEC V6 helps achieve best-in-class power with 255 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque. Better yet, EPA estimates of 29 mpg around town and 37 mpg on the highway mean this 2005 Accord is also among the most fuel-efficient six-cylinder sedans on the market. In comparison, the 2006 Honda Accord EX V6 is rated at 20 mpg city and 29 mpg highway.
With the Accord Hybrid, Honda is demonstrating that battery technology is not only capable of achieving 70 mpg as with the Honda Insight, but also can boost horsepower and low-end torque. We did not hesitate to purchase one from dealer stock and it was in our garage at the beginning of 2005. It also complemented our long-term Toyota Prius.
Durability
Conceptually, the Accord Hybrid promised to be the best of both worlds, and our early impressions of the sedan pleased both the horsepower junkies and the fuel-economy aficionados. But as mileage accumulated, both camps agreed there was something amiss.
The Accord's IMA system consists of a dual-mode electric motor between the engine and transmission. One mode is used to boost power under acceleration and the other charges the batteries during deceleration and braking.
As the IMA hybrid system makes the transition from electric to gasoline power, the "Autostop" feature manages the change so abruptly that it affects low-speed maneuvering. As Managing Editor Donna DeRosa noted on the Accord's long-term blog pages, "When accelerating, the engine kicks ungracefully, and it's even more pronounced when braking. As you bring the car to a stop, the vehicle actually surges forward. This lack of subtlety is especially annoying when trying to parallel park in tight spaces."
This characteristic Autostop lurch was not our only issue with the hybrid system. Inside Line Editor in Chief Scott Oldham noticed that the air-conditioning backs off when the Accord switches to electric mode. But his blog post offered a solution, and he added, "If you pull the Honda's shifter back into 2nd gear, it disables Autostop. Sure, the car now starts in 2nd gear. And sure, it's now getting essentially the same mileage as any other Accord V6. But at least I'm not sweating."
Other minor annoyances also cropped up during our ownership. Buttons on the navigation system's touchscreen were too small for some of us. We were also reminded that the location of its battery pack does not allow the rear seat to fold forward and expand cargo space. And the car looked pretty unremarkable.
Gripes aside, the Accord Hybrid has lived up to the quality standards for which Honda earned its reputation. After 30,000 miles, the interior shows only minimal wear and tear aside from a few well-embedded stains in the beige floor mats. The leather upholstery shows some signs of becoming dry and creased, but a little leather conditioner should be able to rescue it.
The only cosmetic issue in the life of the car has had more to do with tear than wear. One morning around the 10,000-mile mark we found ourselves hurrying out of the driveway in dire need of a Starbucks. As we backed up, the Accord struck a concrete pillar. Lack of caffeine is still argued as the cause of this incident, but there was no disputing that the effect proved to be $1,098.90 worth of damage to the bumper and quarter panel. It was repaired to perfection at the Golden Hammer in Santa Monica and back in our possession after three days.
Our Accord predictably lived up to the reliability standards established by its Honda predecessors. Routine maintenance was our only reason to visit Honda of Santa Monica during our ownership of the car. Once we found Vallarie, a service advisor we trusted, we stuck with her even though the rates at this dealership were higher than at some other locations.
We spent an average of $48.36 for each required minor service, and then scheduled one every 7,500 miles per Honda's prescribed service plan. Minor services included oil and filter changes along with tire rotations. For major maintenance items at 15,000-mile intervals, each visit cost an average of $154.46. These were, in essence, a minor service with additional comprehensive inspections of standard moving parts and hybrid components.
A computer software update performed during our 22,500-mile service marked the only notable maintenance matter outside of the schedule.
Total Body Repair Costs: $1,098.90
Total Routine Maintenance Costs (over 24 months): $405.64
Additional Maintenance Costs: None
Warranty Repairs: Computer software update at 22,500-mile service
Non-Warranty Repairs: None outside of body damage
Scheduled Dealer Visits: 4
Unscheduled Dealer Visits: None
Days Out of Service: 3 days to repair body damage
Breakdowns Stranding Driver: None
Performance and Fuel Economy
Power and fuel economy. That was the premise we set to test when we added the Accord Hybrid to our fleet. As it turned out, the Accord definitely held its ground in the performance category. In terms of fuel economy, it left us wanting more.
One quarter-mile of asphalt was all it took for the Accord to display its class-leading acceleration. It covered the distance in 15.9 seconds at 88.7 mph. After only 7.5 seconds it reached 60 mph, which was quicker than any other sedan in the segment. The sedan's best stop from 60 mph took 138 feet. This is average among its peers, although most of them don't weigh as much as 3,605 pounds.
The Accord produced just 0.75g on the skid pad, largely due to its hybrid-friendly, low-rolling-resistance 60-series tires. Meanwhile, the Accord Hybrid is not offered with stability control as standard equipment. Chief Road Test Editor Chris Walton notes, "I'm a little surprised VSC is not standard on this car, as it can oversteer quite easily in abrupt transitions from side to side." A slalom speed of 61.5 mph was achieved regardless of the car's extra weight, some 170 pounds largely due to the battery pack.
At the same time, we felt let down by the Accord Hybrid's fuel-efficiency. A post made by raytx_us on the CarSpace forum for Honda Accord Hybrid owners shared similar disappointment: "I bought this car to save money on gas along with saving the environment, and spent more up front to do so. I have never had better than 27.9 mpg and that during an 8-hour trip. Now I'm left with a bitter taste in my mouth about Honda, my dealer and I just want someone to fix it or take it back. My current average is 25.7 mpg."
Our average fuel economy after two years proved to be just shy of 24 mpg, and it makes us question the price premium we paid for hybrid power. While our best tank was over 35 mpg — good for a 400-mile range — such long trips were few and far between. Our real-world driving amounted to a range of 20-25 mpg. Even so, it's worth noting again that a 2006 Honda Accord EX V6 has a rating of 20 mpg city/29 mpg highway.
Best Fuel Economy: 35.1 mpg
Worst Fuel Economy: 14.9 mpg
Average Fuel Economy: 23.8 mpg
Retained Value
We bought our 2005 Accord Hybrid at MSRP for $31,990 from Alhambra Motors in Alhambra, California. At the conclusion of our test, the Edmunds TMV® price assigned it a value of $22,754 in our area. This amounts to 29-percent depreciation over two years.
Meanwhile, TMV pricing for the comparably equipped 2006 Accord EX we tested in our V6 Family Sedan Comparison Test shows depreciation of 31 percent from its $29,850 MSRP. If you consider the hybrid's superior value over the course of two years, it's clear that the hybrid's green-friendly image still commands attention in the marketplace.
True Market Value at service end: $22,754
Depreciation: $9,236 or 29 percent of original paid price
Final Odometer Reading: 29,960
Summing Up
The 2005 Honda Accord Hybrid has shown us that battery power does the job of enhancing power without much of a penalty in fuel economy. But we also discovered that we valued an improvement in fuel economy more than the improvement in power. Nevertheless, the car also reminded us that Honda durability is a hit, even if the car misses. And this Accord missed with us. The annoying transition from gas to electric mode became a deal-breaker for many, and apparently indifferent fuel economy sent the rest of us packing.
Edmunds purchased this vehicle for the purposes of evaluation.
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