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Honda Accord
Hybrid 2005: The Weekly Driver Review
By
James Raia
If there are any reservations among consumers
about the overall worthiness of hybrid vehicles,
the 2005 Honda Accord has done its part to end
the apprehension.
The Accord hybrid — which joined the Civic and
Insight hybrid models this year — is a
high-performance, fuel-efficient, well-designed
and spacious addition to the more than two-dozen
available configurations of the exceedingly
popular Accord.
The hybrid shares all of the upside attributes
of the gas engine Accord. But it also features a
surprisingly quick 255-horsepower three-liter,
V6 engine. And, of course, it offers the
benefits of substantially increased gas mileage
via its Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) and
Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) electronic
systems.
My test drive for the week was the four-door
sedan that included every available Accord
option, including leather seats, a navigation
system and XM satellite radio. With its nicely
toned silver pearl metallic exterior, perfectly
complementary gray, leather interior, 16-inch
alloy wheels and classic Accord body style, the
hybrid is one sharp-looking sedan.
For years, Accords have received high marks in
many design and functionality categories. The
hybrid version only confirms the reasons for the
praise. Its front and rear-seat room is
plentiful and comfortable and its controls and
instrumentation are attractive. The hybrid model
does have 2.8 cubic feet less trunk space than
other Accord sedans, but the available area is
still adequate.
More impressive is the hybrid's performance.
During my one-week's tenure with the car, I made
many around-the-town treks in which the hybrid's
quick acceleration, responsiveness and
fuel-economy high ratings were readily apparent.
The hybrid has a 7.5-second, 0-60 mph
designation, for example. And at stop signs and
stop lights, the engine's gas to electric
transition idle stop function provides an
appreciably quiet waiting period.
I also took the vehicle (and a friend) on a
180-mile round-trip trek from Sacramento to San
Francisco, and that's where the vehicle
performed particularly well.
In bumper-to-bumper traffic, while accelerating
to change lanes or when reacting suddenly to an
erratic driver's moves, the hybrid was in
charge. It's quick, it steers with precision,
and it provides a quiet, confident ride.
With its efficient, well-designed and
easy-to-use navigation system and quality CD and
satellite radio features, the Accord hybrid is
matched well against its formidable competition,
including the Chevrolet Malibu, Nissan Altima
and Toyota Camry.
The Accord hybrid does not come cheap, though.
The fuel-efficient option adds a $3,000 premium
to the Accord's high-end base price and pushes
the vehicle into the $30,000 price range. Its
one option package is the navigation system and
that adds another $2,000.
As a result, paying more than $32,000 for a
Honda Accord warrants some additional hesitancy
while comparison shopping.
But if the manufacturer's estimated yearly fuel
cost of $842 and the estimated mileage averages
of 29 (city) and 37 (highway) are reasonably
accurate, the increased purchase price should be
neutralized by a potential buyer with
environmental concerns and with long-term
ownership plans.
2005 Honda Accord Hybrid
Safety features — Driver and front passenger
dual-stage front, side and side curtain airbags;
ABS brakes.
Fuel Mileage (estimates) — 29 mpg (city), 37 mpg
(highway).
Warranty — Bumper to bumper, 3 years/36,000
miles; Powerpack, 8 years/100,000 miles;
Corrosion, 5 years/unlimited miles.
Base price — $30,140.00.
James Raia is a Sacramento, Calif., journalist
who writes about sports, travel and lifestyle
topics as well as the syndicated automotive, The
Weekly Driver
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/
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