Act Two is more complex. The company’s revamped Earth Dreams hybrid powertrains—designed to scale from subcompacts such as the 2014 Fit hybrid to all-wheel-drive mid-size SUVs—finally allow all-electric power at low speeds, a major departure from the Integrated Motor Assist system that had been used since the 1999 Insight. This costlier series-parallel system, similar to that of the segment-leading Prius, allows the Accord hybrid to reach its magical 50-mpg city/45-mpg highway rating. Not only does that top the Civic hybrid (44/44), Insight (41/44), and CR-Z (36/39), the Accord hybrid’s city rating ranks above any mid-size sedan, hybrid or not.
The only competitor that edges the Accord hybrid on the highway is the Ford Fusion hybrid (47/47). Behind that is the Toyota Camry hybrid (43/39) and Hyundai Sonata hybrid (36/40). For reference, the Chevrolet Volt’s gas-only mileage is just 35/40 while the Accord Plug-in taps out at 47/46, although both cars are saddled with heavier batteries. Compared to the Prius (51/48), the Accord hybrid’s EPA ratings are particularly impressive, as it doesn’t look like a boiled egg.
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