Used 2020 Honda Accord Hybrid

The 2020 Honda Accord Hybrid is the most fuel-efficient version of this excellent midsize sedan. It takes all the best qualities of the Honda Accord – excellent manners, a full suite of standard safety features, and a roomy interior – and adds fuel economy that reaches up to 48 mpg.

As with the standard 2020 Honda Accord (reviewed separately), the Accord Hybrid is available in several trims, including the Touring model that could pass for an Acura, Honda’s luxury brand. While the Accord Hybrid slightly trails the Toyota Camry Hybrid in fuel economy, the Accord Hybrid starts over $2,500 cheaper.

The 2020 Honda Accord is the best midsize sedan in its segment, winning the 2020 Best Buy Award for its class. If you want all of the Accord’s goodness and nearly 50 mpg to match, spending the extra $1,600 for a hybrid model almost seems like a no-brainer.

Looking for more 2020 Accord choices besides the Hybrid? Here’s our Review.

The Honda Accord Hybrid achieves its maximum torque extremely low in the drivetrain’s power band. That means the greatest amount of thrust is available when pulling away from traffic lights, accelerating up to freeway speeds, and similar situations. It’s adequately energetic, especially for a hybrid buyer who no doubt prioritizes fuel consumption and emissions over ultimate performance.

Most of the time, the cabin is quiet (active noise cancellation is standard). But at freeway speeds and pressing the car for more muscle to overtake and/or negotiate an uphill stretch is when some engine and transmission noise can be perceived. Like some other Honda Accords with an automatic transmission, the hybrid Accord uses a CVT (continuously variable transmission), but this one is designed for use with an electrified powertrain.

Handling-wise, the Accord Hybrid has the extra weight of an electric motor and a battery pack, so a comfortable ride quality takes precedence. The adaptive suspension in the Touring model provides a broader range of settings, from pliant to precise.

Even though the Accord is the archetypal midsize sedan, this generation’s interior space is so lavish that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies it as a full-size car. The impressive thing about the Accord Hybrid is that it doesn’t lose any of that space to accommodate extra hardware, such as the battery pack. Rear legroom is 40.4 inches, which is as good as this class gets. Trunk space of 16.7 cubic feet is also above average, and notably, it’s the same size in the hybrid Accord as it is in a standard model. And the 60/40 split/fold rear seats bring added flexibility.

Up front, the dashboard uses classy soft-touch plastics. Wherever occupants’ elbows and nether regions inevitably land, they will also find forgiving surfaces. The interior design is clean and agreeable, while everything has been put together well.

Viewed from the side, the 2020 Accord Hybrid seems to follow the current trend for adopting a more coupe-influenced fastback profile. This might restrict headroom for tall rear passengers, but it’s offset by seat cushions placed fairly low.

Apart from some small badges, there’s nothing that really distinguishes this hybrid version from its regular cohort. The active grille shutters (for optimum thermal efficiency) are far from easy to spot. So most onlookers won’t know what kind of 2020 Accord this is. It’s the understatement, however, that makes it attractive.

HYBRID DRIVETRAIN
Admittedly, this is the whole reason for the car’s existence, but it makes so much sense in today’s driving environment. As traffic jams become longer and more frequent, it’s crazy to sit immobile and keep burning gasoline. The engine’s stop/start function (barely felt, by the way) can let the electric motor deal with the dull stuff.

IT’S AN ACCORD
Not a feature exactly, and sorry to state the patently obvious. But we like the absence of hybrid hoopla. No special styling, and even the regenerative brakes feel normal. The Accord, in general, is a multi-faceted, straight-up superb conveyance.

The most basic 2020 Accord Hybrid (which doesn’t have a dedicated trim name) starts out with 17-inch machine-finished aluminum-alloy wheels, active grille shutters, remote start, keyless entry/start with Walk-Away Auto Lock, dual-zone automatic climate control, a multi-angle rearview camera with dynamic guidelines, LED exterior lighting, Honda Sensing driver aids (see below), a 7-inch infotainment display, Bluetooth phone/audio, USB port, 160-watt/4-speaker audio system, and 24-hour roadside assistance.

That’s a pretty generous inventory, but we recommend stepping up to at least the EX trim. This brings Apple CarPlay/Android Auto integration and an 8-inch touchscreen, plus blind-spot monitoring with cross-traffic alert, LED fog lights, power moonroof, 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, heated side mirrors, satellite radio, an 8-speaker audio setup, and the HondaLink remote access system.

There aren’t many options in the 2020 Accord Hybrid range, as it’s more a case of going for a higher trim level. For example, the EX model is described in the previous section. The EX-L version adds leather seating surfaces, along with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, plus a universal garage opener, self-dimming rearview mirror, driver’s seat memory settings, 4-way power-adjustable front driver’s seat, and a 450-watt/10-speaker audio system.

Available navigation comes standard in the top Touring trim. This best-equipped Accord Hybrid includes adaptive dampers, a head-up display, rain-sensing wipers, front/rear parking sensors, ventilated front seats, heated outboard rear seats, Wi-Fi, and wireless charging.

Beneath the aluminum hood of the Honda Accord Hybrid is a 2.0-liter/4-cylinder gasoline engine making 181 horsepower. The other side of the hybrid equation is an electric motor powered by a lithium-ion battery. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) sends a total of 212 horsepower to the front wheels. There’s no option for all-wheel drive. The Accord Hybrid uses regular unleaded gasoline. Note that with a hybrid, there is no need to plug it in. Everything works seamlessly in the background, just like a normal car. If you really want a plug-in hybrid Honda, look to the Clarity.

2.0-liter inline-4 (181 horsepower) + AC synchronous permanent-magnet electric motor
212 horsepower @ 6,200 rpm (total system output)
232 lb-ft of torque @ 0-2,000 rpm (total system output)
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 48/47 mpg

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