The Honda Accord. It’s a nameplate that resonates with reliability, practicality, and understated excellence. If automotive history were condensed into a few key milestones, the Accord would undoubtedly be listed alongside inventions like electric refrigeration and the flu vaccine – a testament to its enduring impact and consistent quality. Having personally experienced multiple generations of Accords and reviewed several iterations, each one has embodied the ideal mid-size sedan for its respective era. So, when the opportunity arose to spend a week with the 2025 Honda Accord Hybrid Touring, the answer was an immediate yes. A week with a familiar favorite? Absolutely.
For the 2025 model year, the changes to the Accord are subtle, primarily involving feature adjustments and a new base trim level. Specifically for my test vehicle, the top-tier Hybrid Touring trim, the notable addition is a heated steering wheel, a feature absent in the 2024 model. Beyond this minor enhancement, the 2025 Accord Hybrid Touring remains largely unchanged from the eleventh-generation model that debuted in 2023. It retains the same efficient 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with Honda’s smooth e-CVT and a responsive electric hybrid motor.
After a brief initial drive, my first impressions are confirmed: the 2025 Honda Accord Hybrid continues to impress. The Urban Gray Pearl exterior of this test model looks particularly striking under the cloudy, almost wintery weather conditions, and the two-tone interior finish adds a touch of premium appeal. This fully loaded Touring trim, with the pearl paint as the only option, comes in at $40,850. While this positions it on the higher end of the mid-size sedan spectrum, the interior quality and overall refinement genuinely feel a step above many competitors in its class.
Initial impressions reveal very few drawbacks. The most noticeable is a somewhat prominent road drone, likely amplified by the low-profile 235/40 tires mounted on the 19-inch wheels. However, beyond this, the 2025 Honda Accord Hybrid Touring firmly reinforces its position as an automotive benchmark – a vehicle deserving of recognition alongside everyday necessities and impactful innovations.
Initial Highlights: The Good and the Not-So-Good
What’s Impressive So Far:
- The Accord Standard Remains: The eleventh-generation Accord Hybrid effortlessly upholds its reputation as the gold standard for a “good sedan.” The hybrid powertrain is a standout feature, delivering a driving experience that is efficient, remarkably quiet, exceptionally smooth, and offers more than adequate power for daily driving and highway merging.
- User-Friendly Technology: Honda’s user interface in the Accord Hybrid is refreshingly intuitive and more user-friendly than many contemporary German luxury sedans, while maintaining a comparable level of perceived quality and sophistication. Furthermore, the cabin is remarkably spacious, comfortably accommodating four full-sized adults without feeling cramped.
What Could Be Better:
- Road Noise on 19-inch Wheels: The 19-inch wheels, standard on the Touring trim, contribute to a noticeable level of road noise, particularly on coarse road surfaces. This might be a point of consideration for those prioritizing ultimate cabin quietness.
- Touchscreen Surround Finish: The black trim panel situated below the infotainment touchscreen, while aesthetically sleek, has a slightly unusual tactile feel and appears prone to collecting fingerprints and smudges.
Stay tuned for a more comprehensive and in-depth review of the 2025 Honda Accord Hybrid Touring, where we will delve deeper into its performance, fuel economy, technology, and overall value proposition in the competitive mid-size hybrid sedan market.
