2023 Honda Accord Touring Hybrid test drive review

The Honda Accord has been around for a long time. Now in its 11th generation, the 47-year-old family sedan is better than ever. And we mean that. Everything from the powertrain to the interior comfort to the cargo space is top-notch — all for less than $40,000. The new Accord Touring Hybrid is practically perfect. Shop 2023 and newer Honda Accord models on KSL Cars

Photo by Honda Auto News

Price and value 

The MSRP range for the 2023 Honda Accord is $27,895-$38,540. It is available in six trim levels, with a suite of standard features that includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Honda Sensing safety suite and a 10.2-inch driver information interface. Some of the major differences in trim levels are noted below. 

• LX: $27,895 See listings

192 horsepower turbocharged engine 

17-inch alloy wheels

Cloth seats

• EX: $29,910 See listings

One-touch power moonroof

Dual-zone automatic climate control

Heated front seats

• Sport Hybrid: $32,545 See listings

204-horsepower hybrid powertrain 

19-inch alloy wheels

12.3-inch touchscreen

• EX-L Hybrid: $34,190 See listings

Leather-trimmed seating 

Parking sensors

Driver memory seat

• Sport-L Hybrid: $34,525 See listings 

19-inch matte-black alloy wheels

Rear decklid spoiler

Rear diffuser

• Touring Hybrid: $38,540 See listings

Google built-in

Head-up display

Bose premium sound system 

For our money, we’re at least going for the Sport-L Hybrid. The hybrid engine is the only option on the higher trims and honestly, it’s a no-brainer. It gets more than 10 mpg better than the standard gasoline engine and is only a $2,635 jump from the EX to the Sport Hybrid. 

That said, for only a few thousand dollars more, and still short of $40,000, the Touring Hybrid is the best value. The trim combines a myriad of luxury car features into an extremely well-rounded package that is hard to pass up.

Honda offers a 3-year/36,000-mile limited warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. It also includes complimentary scheduled maintenance for the first two years or 24,000 miles.

Photo by Honda Auto News

Performance

While the Touring Hybrid Accord is no Civic Si or Type-R in terms of excitement, it’s supremely enjoyable for daily driving. Sure, it only makes 204 horsepower, but we promise, it scoots along just fine. And the fact that it gets nearly 50 mpg is pretty awesome, too. The powertrain is Honda at the top of its game, delivering a wonderfully refined and engaging driving experience.

Engine

The Touring Hybrid Accord is powered by three motors: one 2.0-liter gasoline 4-cylinder and two electric motors. Combined, they produce 204 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque — nothing crazy, but perfect for efficient daily driving. Shop 2023 and newer Honda Accords on KSL Cars

Photo by Honda Auto News

Fuel efficiency

The Touring Hybrid Accord’s fuel economy is impressive. The Environmental Protection Agency rates it at 46 mpg in the city, 41 mpg on the highway and 44 mpg in combined driving. We did mostly highway driving during our week of testing and achieved just over 43 mpg.

Drivetrain

Sadly, the 2023 Accord is only offered in front-wheel drive configuration — a missed opportunity to broaden the car’s appeal to those living in snowy states like Utah. The engine is paired to a continuously variable transmission, which did a good job of keeping the power band flowing where we needed it.

Acceleration and handling

Acceleration comes fairly briskly in the Hybrid Touring Accord. Car and Driver clocked it from 0-60 mph in 6.5 seconds — not too shabby! Additionally, Honda says that it refined the suspension and handling characteristics for the 11th generation, and we felt it. The ride is compliant, and the handling and steering feel precise and controlled. It drives and feels much like its little brothers, the Civic Touring and Civic Si.

Braking

As with the other dynamics of the new Accord, the brakes were great. They were easy to modulate and never unpredictable. Collision mitigation braking is standard on all 2023 Accords.

Photo by Honda Auto News

Interior comfort and convenience

There are not enough words to describe how great the new Accord’s interior is. First off, it’s cavernous. We’re talking S-Class levels of space and comfort, even for tall and large adults. There are acres of leg, shoulder and headroom, even more so than some SUVs. It’s supremely practical, well thought out and well-built. In short, you’d have to spend a lot more than the Hybrid Accord’s $40,000 price tag to find an interior that’s as comfortable, spacious or well-appointed. See listings

Seats

We’ve always enjoyed Honda’s seats, and the ones in the Accord are no exception — especially in the Touring Hybrid trim. They are heated and ventilated and both function well. The seats are, however, slightly firm on the bottom cushion, but we’re nitpicking. The rear seat is one of the most spacious not just in the segment, but on the market, period. The new Accord makes a hard argument against buying anything else with five seat belts.

Photo by Honda Auto News

Climate control

Honda seems to have mastered its heating and air conditioning functionality, as we were always comfortable, even in hot and cold weather with no window tint. The dual-zone automatic climate control also worked well, and we were especially grateful for the rear air vents.

Cargo space and cabin storage

As mentioned, the cargo space and cabin storage in the new Accord is astounding. The trunk can hold up to 16.7 cubic feet of cargo.

Photo by Honda Auto News

Infotainment system

We’re fans of Honda’s infotainment screens. They’re easy to use and easily connect with a phone. Wireless Apple CarPlay is always welcome, and it works flawlessly. The 12.3-inch color display looks sharp, too, and we’re always grateful for a physical volume knob. The Touring Hybrid also includes Google built-in features: Google Assistant, Google Maps and Google Play.

Photo by Honda Auto News

Exterior appearance and functionality

If there’s one aspect of the Accord that we’re unsure about, it’s the exterior styling. Honda took the safe route here, and we’re honestly surprised at how restrained and even anonymous it looks. If blending in with traffic and traveling incognito is your jam, you’ll love it. If not, you might find it a touch too bland. That said, it does look sharp and well-composed.

Our tester was finished in Canyon River Blue Metallic. Other paint colors include Crystal Black Pearl, Meteorite Gray Metallic, Solar Silver Metallic, Platinum White Pearl, Radiant Red Metallic and Urban Gray Pearl. See Honda Accord listings

Wheels

The Touring Hybrid comes standard with 19-inch machine-finished alloy wheels with black inserts, and they look sharp. They are fitted with Michelin Primacy MXM4 tires, which do a good job of providing good fuel economy without sacrificing ride comfort. Unfortunately, there was more wind and road noise than we expected in the cabin. While not necessarily a tire issue, and definitely not a deal breaker, it was one of the few areas where you could sense the Accord Hybrid’s budget price coming through.

Lights and turn signals

LED lights are always welcome, and you get them all around the vehicle on the Touring Hybrid. The headlights feature automatic high beams and auto on/off. Both features worked well and we could see the road ahead.

Photo by Honda Auto News

Cameras and side mirrors

As with most of the other tech on the Touring Hybrid Accord, the cameras were helpful and clear in their display. The side mirrors provide a clear view down the sides of the vehicle.

Front and rear windshield

One of our favorite things about the new Accord is the visibility. The front windshield is large and rectangular, and the other windows are likewise large and easy to see out of.

Photo by Honda Auto News

Safety

Thanks to its excellent engineering and long list of modern safety features, the 2023 Honda Accord Touring Hybrid is one of the safest sedans on the road. It had not been tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as of this writing, but it was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Here are just a few of the safety features you’ll find: 

• Traffic jam assist

• Traffic sign recognition

• Low-speed braking control

• Adaptive cruise control

• Lane keeping assist 

• Blind spot information system 

Awards and ratings 

As with previous generations of the Accord, the awards are already stacking up for the 11th generation. Some of these include:

• 2023 and 2024 Car and Driver 10 Best Cars list

• ALG Top Retained Value List

• WardsAuto 10 Best Engines & Systems Award

Photo by Honda Auto News

Final impression

It’s tough not to love the new Honda Accord Touring Hybrid. Let’s be real: It’s fun to drive, super efficient, luxurious, comfortable, loaded with tech and very affordable. Honda is basically begging you to find reasons not to love it — or buy it. And honestly, we can’t think of any. 

Sure, you might want all-wheel drive, but that may not be a deal breaker. Sure, the styling is a little … subdued, but for $39,000 fully loaded, who cares? In exchange, you can get nearly 50 mpg and be cruising in comfort, with just enough responsiveness to keep it interesting. In short, the Accord is a standout and may be one of the best buys on the road today. If you need a new car and don’t know what to choose, buy a loaded 11th-generation Accord. You won’t regret it.

Our tester was the fully loaded Touring Hybrid and that’s the only way we’d buy it. Not that the other trims aren’t good, but it’s only a few thousand dollars to make the jump to the Touring; you’ll get all the cool stuff found on luxury cars, but at half the cost.

Shop 2023 and newer Honda Accord models on KSL Cars 

FAQs

Is it fun to drive?

It’s fun enough. The Accord is not out to be a larger Civic, or anything resembling a sports car. It’s a fairly large, comfortable people hauler. It’s certainly not boring and we genuinely enjoyed daily driving it.

Is it good for families?

Yes, 100%. There’s plenty of space for kids in the back, even with rear-facing child seats. There’s also a huge amount of cargo space for strollers, diaper bags and other gear. It may not be quite as practical as the Honda CR-V or Pilot, but the Accord will do just fine for most smaller families.

*KSL Cars does not endorse any vehicles. The views or opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer and do not reflect the views or opinions of KSL.com or its employees.

About the author: Having owned everything from a DeLorean to an E46 BMW M3 and a Toyota Land Cruiser, Jason Bell is a lifelong car enthusiast who loves sharing his passions as a teacher, automotive journalist and social media manager. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press where he serves on the Board of Directors. Contact him at jasonbellcars@gmail.com