Honda also made some changes to the steering, making it a bit stiffer to deliver more feedback and a sportier feeling behind the wheel. Using the same powertrain as the Honda CR-V Hybrid, the Accord Hybrid's heart is a 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle I-4 engine that produces 143 hp and 129 lb-ft of torque. An electric motor produces 181 hp and 232 lb-ft, which means the Accord Hybrid makes 212 hp and 232 lb-ft combined. Unlike the CR-V Hybrid, though, (which gets standard all-wheel drive) the efficient sedan sends power to the front wheels only by way of a two-mode direct-drive transmission (depending on vehicle speed and conditions, either the main electric motor or the engine drives the wheels directly, with no variation in ratio for either).
Although that's the same recipe the 2020 Accord Hybrid used, the 2021 model feels superior. I drove a 2020 model about a year ago in Austin, and the changes Honda made to the steering and two-motor system in the 2021 model make the Accord drive better. I especially enjoyed the steering, as it feels more natural and sportier than before, and combined with the beefy steering wheel, the sensation from behind the wheel of the new Accord Hybrid is remarkable. Same case with the hybrid system—when accelerating from a stop the Accord feels stronger, more natural and refined. There's no thrashy engine note or sense of struggle; there's always plenty of power whether you're cruising on neighborhood streets or the freeway. The coordination of the engine and electric motors is improved—you don't feel the engine's vibration when it turns on, which makes the ride more elegant and polished. The Accord rides, and the 2021 hybrid continues to be stellar. The ride largely absorbs small bumps on the pavement and controls bigger ruts well, keeping the vibrations in the cabin to a minimum. On the twisty roads between Thousand Oaks and Camarillo in Southern California, the Accord Hybrid was planted and settled, with controlled body roll. Even with the larger 19-inch wheels, the Touring model didn't sacrifice any ride quality. Those roads also continued to prove that the hybrid is fun to drive. Press the gas pedal, and you'll get an
instant response from the battery, followed by the additional power from the engine. The plethora of power combined with the well-balanced steering and suspension show why the Accord continues to be the benchmark in the segment.
We only had the chance to sample the Accord Hybrid Touring, which is the only trim that gets the adaptive suspension, but we know from past experiences that other models have an outstanding ride compared to the competition. Regardless of the trim, all Accord Hybrids come with four driving modes—Econ, Normal, Sport, and EV. Although Econ usually sacrifices all the fun to deliver better mpg, it didn't feel like that was the case on our drive, where it continued to deliver good punch. Sport mode turns things up a notch, changing the accelerator mapping and making the steering a bit more dynamic. Depending on the charge of the battery, EV mode will give the Accord about a mile of electric range only. Given that the Accord Hybrid is not a plug-in, its EV range is diminutive.
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