We test the new 2023 Honda Accord’s top powertrain and come away very impressed.
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Multiple generations have now passed since Honda offered a V6 in an Accord. Once the de facto standard in the midsize segment, the V6 Accord had legions of fans and owners. A 2.0-liter turbocharged engine replaced that V6, and owner opinions were mixed. Well, now that engine is also history. In its place is a new-generation four-cylinder hybrid powertrain.
The new Accord has two engine options. The first is the 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder we know and like. It offers a peak horsepower rating of 192 hp, and it also has a peak torque rating of 192 lb-ft at 1,750 RPM. That is more than enough for nearly all Accord duties.
The new powertrain is a hybrid-electric powertrain with a lot more torque than the base four-cylinder offers. The total available torque is 247 lb-ft at 2,000 RPM. How much horsepower does this hybrid powertrain offer? Well, the four-banger part can put out a peak of 146 hp, and the AC motor adds 181 hp between 5,000-8,000 RPMs. Sort of. Trying to add up power in a hybrid is always weird. We have seen publications call the total Hybrid HP 204, but that is just at one specific point.
2023 Honda Accord Hybrid Sport - How’s It Drive?
The new 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid Sport drives like a luxury electric vehicle. It is nearly always silent, has ample off-the-line torque, and handles ideally for on-road sporty driving or commuting. The torque is the real hero of the new Accord Hybrid Sport. You can really appreciate the electric assist from every stop. You glide effortlessly up to cruising speed. The gas engine sound is nearly always absent.
Despite almost scary-looking 40-series low-profile tires, the new Accord Hybrid Sport is not harsh over potholes and speed bumps. Will the 19-inch low-profile tires work well over broken-up roads in areas that salt the roads into submission each winter? Hard to say. Hopefully, they will hold up. There is no spare tire in the Hybrid trims. There is still one in the non-hybrid trims.
2023 Honda Accord Hybrid Sport - What Is the MPG Rating?
The new 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid Sport has a 44 MPG EPA-Estimated Combined fuel efficiency rating. This is a very impressive number for such a large sedan with so much usable power. Our time with the new Accord gave us the impression the EPA’s number will be reflected in real-world driving. The 2023 Accord Hybrid is 27% more fuel efficient than the non-hybrid Accord. What does that mean to an owner in terms of dollars in hand? Well, the new 2023 Accord Hybrid will save its owner $18K over the vehicle's life compared to the outgoing 2.0T.
2023 Honda Accord Hybrid Sport What’s It Cost?
The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid Sport we tested had a price of $33,445 inclusive of its destination and handling charge. Given how dramatically the value of the American dollar has fallen over the past three years, we were surprised by how low the 2023 Accord’s price was. The Accord still offers buyers tremendous value. Couple in the fuel savings and savings on brake replacements due to regenerative braking, and the 2023 Hybrid trims are the best Accord value in a long time.
How Does the 2023 Accord Hybrid Stack Up to the Old 2.0-Liter Turbo?
If you are keeping a box score at home and trying to compare the new hybrid to the old 2.0-liter turbo, good luck. The old 2.0T offered 273 lb-ft of torque and could run from 0-60 MPH in the mid-five-second range (5.4s to around 5.6s). That’s roughly the same as the old V6 did before it was taken out behind the barn and put down. In Car and Driver’s first test, the publication saw a 6.6-second 0-60 MPH sprint time with the new Hybrid. So, the new “top” Accord is not as fast as the outgoing Accord. Let us emphasize this is only if you floor the car from a stop. If you do that a lot and you drive an Accord, our condolences. You really should have a different vehicle (TLX, Integra, and NSX all jump to mind depending on your budget). That was just as true when the V6 was still around.
2023 Honda Accord Hybrid Sport - Is It the “New V6 Accord?”
There is always more to the story than just numbers on a page. There was a time when the Accord offered family sedan drivers a vehicle with power close to that of an affordable sports sedan. With Honda’s always decent and fun handling, the Accord was a sleeper sport sedan. Those days have passed, and the new Accord is great, but its personality has changed. It’s more chill now, and it is a lot more affordable due to its low energy costs. If you want sporty and sports-sedan quick, check out the Acura line. They still have what you want, and the Acura will come with a better warranty package.
Image of 2023 Honda Accord Sport Hybrid courtesy of Honda.
John Goreham is an experienced New England Motor Press Association member and expert vehicle tester. John completed an engineering program with a focus on electric vehicles, followed by two decades of work in high-tech, biopharma, and the automotive supply chain before becoming a news contributor. In addition to his ten years of work at Torque News, John has published thousands of articles and reviews at American news outlets. He is known for offering unfiltered opinions on vehicle topics. You can follow John on Twitter, and TikTok @ToknCars, and view his credentials at Linkedin
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