As I slipped into the seat of the 2024 Honda Accord e:HEV RS for the first time, I felt an immediate sense of familiarity, like reuniting with an old friend. You see, my father owned a fourth-generation Accord when I was growing up, so a lot of my childhood memories were formed in vehicles like this: spacious and comfortable sedans.
It’s no secret that the humble sedan no longer holds the appeal it once did. Nowadays, most people want to drive around in a high-riding crossover or SUV that lacks any personality and has a design as boring as a backyard that’s been concreted. The world needs more sedans, and spending a week in the Accord e:HEV RS reminded me of this.
QUICK FACTS
What exactly is it?
The Accord is now in its 11th generation, and it has just landed on the Australian market. It may not be the most practical model in Honda’s line-up, nor the best bang-for-your-buck choice, but it brings with it an appeal that only a sedan can. While recently living with it for a week, I was also pleasantly surprised by how impressive Honda’s current hybrid powertrain is.
All versions of the new Accord e:HEV RS rock a 2.0-liter naturally-aspirated four-cylinder with 145 hp (108 kW) and 182 Nm (134 lb-ft) of torque. This engine is complemented by a pair of electric motors that add an extra 181 hp (135 kW) and 335 Nm (247 lb-ft) of torque. The combined output stands at 204 hp (152 kW). All of the car’s power is sent through the front wheels courtesy of a CVT.
As with previous iterations of the Accord, this latest-generation model has a subtle yet refined look. It looks far less quirky than the updated Toyota Camry and is all the better for it, opting for a sleek shape that emphasizes just how low it sits while accentuating its length.
A simple yet refined interior
This philosophy is no more evident than in the cabin. It’s well thought-out and feels fitting of a car that commands AU$64,900 (~$43,400). The steering wheel is a familiar unit from other current Honda models and the 12.3-inch infotainment display is also familiar.
Honda’s current infotainment system isn’t the best on the market, but it’s not the worst either. The standard functions are somewhat limited, and the graphics are a bit bland. However, it does include Google built-in and offers seamless integration with Google Maps and Google Assistant. You can also access the Google Play store, all without having to connect your phone. It’s not a complete Google/Android-based system like those offered by Volvo and Polestar, but it’s a nice middle ground and will be welcomed by buyers.
Photo Credits: Brad Anderson/Carscoops
The standout feature of the Accord, and an element not found on any other Honda model, is the Experience Selection Dial. This small, circular screen positioned below the central air vents has a high-definition display that can be configured to control a variety of settings, including things like the climate control. Ordinarily, it serves as a large clock, but a simple spin of the dial brings up a slew of options on the main infotainment screen.
While we suspect many owners will rarely actually use it for anything other than a clock, it adds a nice bit of tactility to the cabin, and in the modern world where touchscreens dominate car interiors, that can only be a good thing.
Sitting alongside the infotainment display is a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster. The cluster feels a little small but does offer a solid amount of customization and display options, even allowing you to change the style of the dials.
Honda has been wise to not shift all of the HVAC controls to the screen as there remain physical rocker switches for the temperature. Other buttons are few and far between.
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The dash, door panels, seats, and center console are all bathed in plush, soft-touch leather, and adding a bit of excitement to the cabin is bright red contrast stitching. Many modern interiors have taken minimalism too far, but the cabin of the Accord doesn’t feel like that. It feels just about right.
As this is a low-slung sedan, it comes as no surprise that the seating position is excellent. You sit low to the floor, and the seats offer plenty of adjustment. They’re also supremely comfortable over long journeys, including multi-hour highway stints. As standard, the Accord e:HEV RS lands with a 12-speaker Bose audio system and also benefits from wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, both of which functioned seamlessly during our time with the car.
Photo Credits: Brad Anderson/Carscoops
One of the advantages of SUVs is that they often have more room for rear-seat passengers than comparable sedans. However, the rear of the Accord is very spacious, and there’s enough headroom for even tall adult passengers. As always, the middle rear seat is a tight squeeze, but these seats are rarely used by owners, so that’s not much of an issue.
A panoramic glass roof is a nice added feature, but unfortunately, Honda hasn’t given the Accord heated or cooled seats, which should be standard at this price.
Photo Credits: Brad Anderson/Carscoops
Comfortable and quiet
The joy of a sedan like this really comes while driving it. Whereas many consumers love nothing more than being perched high up, giving them a commanding view of traffic, I like to sit low, and the Accord is perfect for that.
One of the most impressive aspects of the Accord e:HEV RS is the ride. A few months back, I waxed lyrical about the remarkable ride of the Audi e-tron GT and RS e-tron GT, thanks to their use of a complex air suspension system that offers different ride heights and various ways to make things stiffer or smoother. The Accord uses more traditional multi-link suspension and has just a single tune, and yet, it rides almost as well as the quarter-of-a-million-dollar Audi.
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It’s easily the most comfortable current Honda I’ve driven and soaks up bumps beautifully, ironing out virtually every inconsistency in the road with ease. Importantly, it doesn’t have to rely on ‘floatiness’ to achieve this and doesn’t bounce over bumps. Instead, it sits flat and wafts across the road.
The tune isn’t entirely focused on comfort either and manages to work well when the car’s driven quicker and thrown into corners. Given the soft tune, it does roll quite a bit but it feels sportier and more refined than most SUVs commanding a similar price.
Who needs a PHEV?
The hybrid powertrain is also brilliant. It’s the same basic setup that our ZR-V tester had earlier in the year, but it feels even better. Honda has done a brilliant job of minimizing engine, tire, and wind noise in the cabin, meaning it’s often difficult to know when the combustion engine is on and when the car is relying solely on electric power. The instant power and torque provided by the electric motors also make overtaking a breeze, and while we noticed some unpleasant torque steer in the ZR-V e:HEV, the Accord didn’t have any.
Efficiency is a key strong point of this powertrain. Honda claims it’ll sip just 4.3 l/100 km (54.7 U.S. mpg) over the combined cycle. Most of our time with the car saw us clocking up motorway miles, limiting the powertrain’s ability to recoup energy under deceleration. Nevertheless, during one trip on roads ranging from 80-100 km/h (50 – 62 mph), we averaged just 3.9 l/100 km (60.3 U.S. mpg), quite a remarkable figure.
Over our week with the car, that average climbed to 4.9 l/100 (48 U.S. mpg), but almost half of the ~1,400 km (870 miles) we did saw us sitting at 110 km/h (68 mph), out of the powertrain’s most efficient window. An added perk of the hybrid setup is the fact that the Accord only needs 91 octane fuel and, in theory, can travel upwards of 1,000 km (620 miles) on a tank.
Photo Credits: Brad Anderson/Carscoops
The ‘RS’ in the model’s name is a bit of a misnomer as we wouldn’t describe the new Accord as a particularly sporty model. Nevertheless, the steering and brake feel is good and makes for quite an entertaining drive.
Verdict
As my time with the new Accord came to an end, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of emotions. On one hand, I was thoroughly impressed with the car, its well-rounded nature, sleek design, sleek interior, and ultra-efficient powertrain. However, I felt a tinge of sadness that there aren’t more cars like this on the road.
Traditional three-box sedans have perhaps soldiered on for a little longer than some had expected but their days are numbered. That’s a shame as the Accord isn’t just a good option for a family but for anyone after an efficient cruiser that feels plush and fitting of its price.
