First Drive: 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid Review

If you’re not a fan of this redesigned, eleventh-generation 2023 Accord, we also have plenty of older used Honda Accords here with the reliable 2.0L engine no longer available. All our sedans are certified and delivered to your door (so skip the dealership) – all with a 7 day return policy.

Key Features:

• Tried and proven drivetrains
• Frugal and punchy hybrid engine
• A great balance between comfort and sport

Direct Competitors:

• Toyota Camry
• Nissan Altima
• Hyundai Sonata
• Kia K5
• Subaru Legacy
• Chevrolet Malibu

Although the midsize sedan segment is shrinking in North America year after year, sales juggernauts like the Honda Accord and the Toyota Camry remain highly relevant. To put things into perspective, Honda sells, on average, 200,000 Accords in Canada and the US combined each year.

This is what has motivated the big H to entirely overhaul its popular midsizer for an eleventh generation. However, Honda understands that this segment is not long for this world, which is why it has significantly simplified the lineup for the 2023 model year. We drove the new Honda Accord on the outskirts of Toronto during its Canadian launch.

2023 Honda Accord Touring Hybrid | Photo: William Clavey 

Price: new Accord is much more expensive with less trims

When we mention Honda has simplified the lineup, it all begins with considerably less trims. While the last-generation car could be had in eight different configurations, this new one only comes in three flavours: EX, Sport and Touring. 

Yet, the 2023 Honda Accord is also more expensive than the old car due to significant price hikes for each version. A base EX now costs $37,000 (instead of $33,495). The Accord Sport climbs from $33,495 to $41,000 and the top-flight Touring model now stickers at $44,500 instead of $42,295.

Luckily for Honda, the Accord doesn’t face as many rivals as it once did, but its competition is still fierce. There’s the obvious one, the Toyota Camry, but also the Chevrolet Malibu, Kia K5, Hyundai Sonata, Nissan Altima and Subaru Legacy.

2023 Honda Accord interior

2023 Honda Accord Touring Hybrid | Photo: William Clavey 

The Accord’s interior design mimics the new Civic and CR-V in the sense that it’s a lot cleaner and minimalistic than before. There’s also that long, horizontal mesh grille that spans the dashboard all while incorporating the air ducts for the climate control system. It gives the Accord a classic, yet refined look.

Overall build quality in the new Accord remains one of its strongest assets, with soft touch materials and impeccable fit and finish. The seats are comfortable and general ergonomics remain one of the Accord’s best qualities.

We particularly enjoyed the fully customizable digital gauge pod and we had no issues connecting Android Auto wirelessly to the updated infotainment system. That system, by the way, is now fully Android-powered, which yields handy features like Google Assistant and Maps. 

2023 Honda Accord Touring Hybrid | Photo: William Clavey 

Out the rear, the Accord’s new design does hinder head clearance a bit. A tall person might need to slant back in their seat. We however had no issues with leg or shoulder clearance, and the two available USB ports are a welcome touch.

Performance: Honda Accord Hybrid and 1.5L gas models only

For its new Accord, Honda ditched the turbocharged 2.0L engine and now only offers the car with two powertrain options. 

2023 Accord EX

The entry level EX makes do with the tried and proven turbocharged 1.5L four-cylinder. It makes the same 192 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque as before, and it’s still mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

2023 Accord Sport and Touring

2023 Honda Accord Touring Hybrid | Photo: William Clavey 

Sport and Touring Accords now come standard with the hybrid engine. It’s the same layout, where a naturally-aspirated, Atkinson cycle 2.0L four-cylinder engine does most of the work. The only difference now is that it’s fitted with direct injection. 

Paired to two electric motors and a 1.4-kWh lithium-ion battery, this drivetrain churns out 205 combined horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque. Yes, the Accord hybrid can drive in full electric mode, but only for a very short time. 

All Accords come solely with front-wheel drive. If you’re searching for something with all-wheel drive, take a look at these 10 Best AWD Sedans in Canada, including both affordable and luxury models. 

Driving impressions: how does the new Accord Touring Hybrid perform?

We drove an Accord Touring from Honda Canada’s head office, in Markham Ontario, all the way to the Alliston assembly plant where it builds the Civic and Accord. In total, we covered 180 km at temperatures ranging between 0 and -5 degrees Celsius. After our drive, the onboard computer displayed a combined fuel consumption average of 5.9L/100 km. That’s quite excellent considering the weather.

The new Accord drives smoothly. It’s all grown up thanks to improved sound insulation and fantastic suspension damping. We also found the hybrid drivetrain to be a lot smoother than before, with gasoline and electric transitions that were almost unnoticeable. 

2023 Honda Accord Touring Hybrid | Photo: William Clavey 

Yet, set the car to Sport mode and it wakes up, delivering solid power and quick takeoffs. We were even impressed by the way it handles twisty roads. Yes, this is the largest Accord in history, but it never felt big and heavy from behind the wheel. This is one of the best balances between comfort and sport that we’ve ever sampled from a non-luxury sedan.

Verdict: is the 2023 Honda Accord worth buying?

It’s obvious that Honda acknowledges that the Accord is approaching the end of the line, and some will be disappointed that the old 2.0L turbo engine and manual transmissions are now history. But we find that what Honda did leave on the table are still solid ingredients that will allow this nameplate to survive a few more years. 

If you’re in the market for a well put together, comfortable, reliable, and highly fuel-efficient midsize sedan, then the 2023 Honda Accord is still indeed a good purchase.