How the Accord Hybrid system works

Lately I have had a number of emails asking about Consumer Report’s review on the 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid. In their latest review Consumer Reports and the Wall Street Journal complained that the engine starts and stops randomly and revs without regard to accelerator pedal position or speed. What gives? The answer, and in my mind the key to living with the Accord Hybrid, is in knowing how the hybrid system works. You see the Accord uses a very different hybrid system than the Prius, Camry Hybrid, Fusion Hybrid or even the Volt. The Accord is a true serial hybrid below 45 MPH. While the operation of the system is distinctly different from the parallel systems on the market, the real world fuel economy of 40-50 MPG (depending on conditions) more than makes up for things in my book. The important thing to remember is that this hybrid behaves differently than other hybrids on the market. While I think that’s a good thing, I’ll let you be the judge for yourself.