Driving Honda’s new hybrid sedan, the 11 th generation e-HEV RS at $64,900 drive-
away. A premium sedan with an interesting hybrid system that it is very fuel
efficient – combining a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated Atkinson cycle petrol engine
with two electric motors mounted side-by-side – the electric motors do most of
the work while the petrol engine constantly charges the battery but under heavier
driving load can also power the front wheels. It’s a clever hybrid system that
works just so well, switching between electric, hybrid or petrol engine mode
seamlessly while there are six levels of deacceleration available, activated by
steering wheel mounted paddles, which dictate different levels of regenerative
charging. In my week of driving the new Honda Accord hybrid never looked like
running out of electric charge. With the RS tag suggesting a sportier image it
handles sharply and has four available drive modes. It can feel a little harsh on a
rough surface but as a rule is comfortable aided by very well-padded seats.
Sedans may not be in vogue these days, but the Accord is still a big seller in the
U.S. and as such its styling and features are very much skewed that way. Overall,
though, a very interesting and efficient hybrid addition. I’m David Berthon