Hybrid Rentals

The Honda Accord Hybrid is a Hybrid vehicle version of the North American Honda Accord. It became the company's third hybrid when the 2005 model was introduced in late 2004, following the Honda Insight and Honda Civic Hybrid. The Accord Hybrid is priced US$3,000 higher than the EX V6 model Accord, and retains the same trim and feature levels (with the deletion of the power sunroof). Honda has positioned the Accord Hybrid at the top of its (non-Acura) lineup.

While this new vehicle shares the same displacement as the regular seventh generation Accord V6 powerplant, the engine in the Hybrid is derived from the 2005 Honda Odyssey minivan and can shut off 3 of the 6 cylinders under certain conditions for better fuel economy (a technology that Honda calls Variable Cylinder Management (VCM)). The new engine features iVTEC technology and drives a new compact transmission. Power is up from 240 to 255 hp (179 to 190 kW) and torque rose from 212 to 232 ft·lbf (287 to 315 N·m). Fuel economy was originally estimated at 29 mpg (8.1 L/100 km) city and 37 mpg (6.4 L/100 km) highway, but was later changed to 25 city, 34 highway, after many buyers complained their mileage did not match Honda's estimate. The 2006 model has also been rated an AT-PZEV vehicle. AT-PZEV (Advanced Technology-Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle) is an emissions standard created by the California Air Resources Board.

Honda puts the emphasis on performance and targets high-end buyers. Unlike traditional hybrid designs, the new Accord hybrid uses a more powerful engine than its non-hybrid counterpart. Together with the Integrated Motor Assist, the hybrid version is a much higher performance car than the regular Accord.

2006 US-spec Accord HybridThe 2005 Accord Hybrid Sedan is also 4 inches (102 mm) longer than the 2005 Accord Sedan. The 2005 Accord Hybrid Sedan comes in four colors: Graphite Pearl, Desert Mist Metallic, Silver Frost Metallic, and Taffeta White. For 2006, the Accord Hybrid comes standard with Vehicle Stability Assist, and like the conventional US-spec Accord, received a minor exterior facelift. Accord Hybrids from model year 2006 and up can be identified by the amber rear turn signals whereas their fully gasoline counterparts have red rear turn signals.

According to Consumer Reports, the Accord Hybrid only averages 1 MPG better than the regular Accord in their fuel economy tests.

Honda has announced that there will be no hybrid version when the next generation is launched in 2008; instead, there will be a diesel model. The Accord hybrid sold 25,000 since 2004, and 6,100 of the 2007 model