American Honda announces the arrival of the most efficient Accord Hybrid yet along with starting MSRPs for all three trim levels.
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2017 Honda Accord Hybrid
Despite the fact that the price of gasoline sits at under $3 a gallon in most parts of the U.S. of A., Honda isn't counting on it staying there and, besides, there's that corporate average fuel economy standard, albeit a bit flexible, of 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025 looming out there on the horizon.
Enter the new 2017 Honda Accord Hybrid that now finds itself at the top of the Accord family pyramid.
"The Accord Hybrid is the ultimate Accord, offering exceptional dynamic qualities with the greatest technological sophistication and fuel efficiency in the Accord family," said Jeff Conrad, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Honda Division, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "Consumers have made Accord America's top selling midsize sedan, recognizing its unique combination of performance, value, efficiency and refinement, and the 2017 Accord Hybrid ups the game in each of these traits."
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2017 Accord Hybrid standard features
Not unlike its predecessor, the latest hybrid Accord comes with features not found on the gasoline version - including an aluminum hood, unique alloy wheels, blue highlighted LED headlights and taillights and the requisite "Hybrid" exterior badges. A more compact hybrid battery pack also increases trunk capacity in the new model to a midsize hybrid class-leading 13.5 cu.-ft.
Both its interior and exterior reflect the tweaks made to the refreshed 2016 Accord lineup, but there are additional changes afoot. For one, all 2017 hybrid Accords, regardless of their trim level, will now come standard with Display Audio with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. In addition, the suite of Honda Sensing advanced driver-assistive technologies is also standard. This includes Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Lane Keeping Assist (LKAS), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Road Departure Mitigation (RDM), Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Forward Collision Warning (FCW).
Speaking of trim levels, the 2017 Accord Hybrid comes in three - base, EX-L and Touring.
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2017 Accord Hybrid drivetrain
Under the hood, the hybrid's drivetrain has also been revamped. The setup now features a next-gen two-motor hybrid system paired with an ultra-efficient 2.0-liter Atkinson Cycle engine. Combined peak output is now 212 horsepower, an increase of 16 horses over the 2015 model. Based on new, more stringent EPA ratings for the 2017 model year, the new hybrid achieves fuel economy numbers of 49/47/48 (city/highway/combined). Putting those figures in perspective, Honda estimates the 2015 Accord Hybrid ratings would be 48/45/47 (when it was actually rated at 50/45/47 under the previous method for the 2015 model year). This would indicate a +1/+2/+1 increase for the 2017 model over the previous version.
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The new powertrain also eliminates the need for a conventional mechanical transmission as the 2017 hybrid now transitions between these three operations:
• EV Drive – using its electric propulsion motor and lithium ion battery pack drives the front wheels for short distances under light loads (with the engine turned off)
• Hybrid Drive – the electric propulsion motor drives the front wheels while the gasoline engine powers a second motor/generator to supplement electrical current drawn from the battery pack
• Engine Drive – using a lock-up clutch mechanism to connect the engine and propulsion motor, the front wheels are driven by both the motor and gasoline engine.
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2017 Honda Accord Hybrid prices and specifications
The 2017 Accord Hybrid launches today at Honda dealerships nationwide with the following pricing structure:
Hybrid (base): $30,440
EX-L: $33,740
Touring: $36,790
Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) excluding tax, license, registration and options but including an $835 destination charge. Dealer prices may vary.
General Specifications
Engine Type: i-VTEC, in-Line 4-Cyl., Atkinson Cycle
Displacement: 1,993 cc
Horsepower (SAE net): 143 @ 6,200 rpm
Torque (SAE net): 129 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm
Hybrid Electric Motors: AC Synchronous Permanent-Magnet
Horsepower (SAE net): 181 @ 5,000-6,000 rpm
Torque (SAE net): 232 lb-ft @ 0-2,000 rpm
Total System Horsepower: 212 @ 6,200 rpm
Transmission: Electronic Continuously Variable Transmission (E-CVT) with Sport Mode
Front Suspension: MacPherson Strut
Rear Suspension: Multi-Link
Steering: Electric Power-Assisted Rack-and-Pinion (EPS)
Brakes: Power-Assisted Ventilated Front Disc/Solid Rear Disc
Tires: All Season, 225/50 R17 94V
Wheelbase: 109.3 in
Length: 194.1 in
Height: 57.5 in
Width: 72.8 in
Track (front/rear): 62.4 in / 62.7 in
Curb Weight (base): 3483 lbs
Cargo Volume: 13.5 cu ft
Passenger Volume: 103.2 cu ft
EPA Fuel Economy Ratings (City/Highway/Combined): 49 / 47 / 48
Fuel Capacity: 15.8 gal
