Honda Accord Hybrid’s MPG numbers may be misleading, report says
Honda’s Accord Hybrid may be leading its class in MPG, but the popular vehicle’s fuel-economy numbers might be misleading.
So says Consumer Reports.
“The Accord Hybrid’s 40 mpg performance on ... city and highway tests make it a class leader for fuel economy among midsized sedans,” the publication said. But it added that “Consumer Reports’ engineers caution that buyers ... might be disappointed” to find that the vehicles do not get the 47 miles per gallon advertised on the cars’ window stickers.
In response, Honda in a statement thanked Consumer Reports for confirming that the Accord Hybrid is “the most fuel efficient 4-door midsize sedan that they’ve measured in at least the last 10 years,” and said that its own research shows that Hybrid owners are getting higher fuel-economy numbers in their “real world experiences.” The company also noted that the Environmental Protection Agency’s city-driving rating on the vehicle is 50 mpg.
“We’re confident that customers will find the Accord Coupe, Sedan and Hybrid among the most fuel-efficient, safest and fun-to-drive vehicles in the midsize segment,” Honda said.
Consumer Reports also said the Hybrid fell short in other areas of testing, including ride comfort, emergency handling and “quietness” -- even lower than the non-hybrid Accord, which costs $6,500 less.
The publication said in the same report that other hybrids also failed to meet their EPA-tested fuel-economy standards. The Ford C-Max Hybrid and Fusion Hybrid, the report said, showed a “significant shortfall” between their EPA numbers and Consumer Reports’ findings.
The report said the company’s engineers were “underwhelmed” by the Suburu XV Crosstrek hybrid, but found the Jeep Grand Cherokee and BMW 328d diesels “more impressive” when it came to measuring their fuel economy with their non-diesel counterparts.
