Japanese car major, Honda has re-introduced the Accord brand in India with the launch of the new Honda Accord Hybrid model. This time around, the Honda Accord is going to be available only in its Hybrid version and is targeted at the highly potential and gradually growing hybrid car segment of India. The just launched new Honda Accord Hybrid sedan’s primary market rival is the Toyota Camry Hybrid, as it is the current segment leader and highly popular. However, in terms of pricing, the Honda Accord Hybrid’s direct competitor is the globally famous Toyota Prius Hybrid.
Now, both the Honda Accord Hybrid and the Toyota Prius are highly acclaimed hybrid cars in the international markets, but their Indian market performance is yet to be seen. The Prius has been around in India for quite some time, but could not strike the right cords with the Indian customers and is yet to generate good sales. On the other hand, the previous Accord was withdrawn from Indian market in 2013 for poor sales, while it has come in its new avatar and in hybrid form to get a new start in the country.
Let us take a look at the Honda Accord Hybrid and the Toyota Prius Hybrid to see what they are loaded with to charm the Indian buyers.
Looks
The new Honda Accord Hybrid flaunts a premium and sophisticated design language. Its elegant and sporty styling elements speak of its class. It gets a smooth styling with a bold front fascia that gets LED headlights, LED Daytime Running Lights, large chrome front grille, meaty front bumper and large air dam. Its side profile and rear design also exude elegant styling with features like stylish alloys and sleek attractive tail lights among others.
On the other hand, the Toyota Prius boasts of a superb unique styling philosophy. It’s highly contemporary and strikingly distinctive features make it really stunning, while also making one wonder, why the car hasn’t been very popular in India. The Prius offers a mix of graceful design along with sporty visual appeal. This head turner flaunts intricately designed headlights, very sleek grille, wide air dam and a very sporty side profile. However, its rear design is most glamorous and is designed fabulously.
Features
The Accord Hybrid comes with plush and stylish cabin that is laden with many premium features. Its cabin equipment list includes a touch screen integrated infotainment system along with Apple Car Play and Android Auto support, dual-zone automatic climate control, electrically controlled sunroof, automatic rain sensing wipers, remote pre-cooling as well as pre-heating functionality, remote engine ignition function and much more.
The Prius Hybrid also charms with its luxurious and very stylish interiors. It is nicely spacious and very comfortable with top-notch materials. The Prius offers 3-zone automatic climate control, advanced music system with navigation system along with a large touch screen display, premium upholstery, steering wheel mounted controls, and many more.
Safety Features
The new Honda Accord Hybrid sedan comes with great safety features to ensure the Safety of all its occupants. It comes packed with safety equipments like ABS with EBD, airbags, lane watch assist, traction control, adjustable seat belts and vehicle stability control system among others.
The Toyota Prius on the other hand, also offers high level of safety with the inclusion of a great package of seven airbags that includes side airbags and knee airbag. The sedan offers roof caving protection as well as rear crushing with crumple zones, while there are many other safety features including Anti lock braking system along with Electronic brake-force distribution system and brake assist among many more.
Power Train & Fuel Efficiency
Honda Accord Hybrid comes equipped with a 2.0 liter, 4 cylinder petrol mill which is paired with an electric motor which again draws power from 1.3Klwh Lithium-ion battery pack. This petrol engine is capable enough to churn out a max power of 145 bhp along with a peak torque of 175 Nm. On the other hand, the electric motor on its own can generate 184 bhp of peak power along with 315 Nm of top torque. So, the hybrid system of the Accord offers a combined power output of 215 bhp. Transmission duty on the Accord hybrid gets carried out by a CVT gearbox. The Accord Hybrid model also provides the flexibility of running the car on either its petrol engine or electric motor independently and both combined together to offer great performance as well as fuel efficiency. The hybrid sedan offers 3 different driving modes – EV that is fully electric mode, Eco that is the hybrid mode and Sports which is fully petrol engine mode. The Accord Hybrid is reported to be offering a max fuel economy of 23.1 km per liter.
On the other hand, the Toyota Prius Hybrid gets powered by a highly refined and efficient 1.8 liter 4 cylinder petrol engine with a double overhead camshaft arrangement. This engine is also empowered with a number of advanced systems like a cooled EGR system, electric water pump, etc. The engine has the capability to offer a decent max power output of 97.8 bhp and a top torque of 142 Nm. However, the car’s most important part is its hybrid synergy drive that really optimizes the fuel economy. This powertrain also offers a great smooth and impeccable drive experience. The Toyota Prius Hybrid sedan comes with a certified fuel efficiency of maximum 23.91 km per liter.
Pricing
The new Honda Accord Hybrid which is in its ninth generation, has just launched in India with a price tag of Rs. 37 lakhs (ex-showroom, New Delhi). On the other hand, the Toyota Prius Hybrid has been already available in the car market of India in two variants of Z5 and Z6 which are priced at Rs. 38.1 lakhs and Rs. 39.8 lakhs, respectively.
Conclusion
Both the Honda Accord Hybrid and the Toyota Prius Hybrid are excellent luxury hybrid sedan models. While the new Honda Accord Hybrid sedan is very elegant and stylish, the Prius is highly attractive with its unique styling. Both the cars are highly refined, fuel efficient and loaded with great premium features and safety equipments. The Accord Hybrid however is better in terms of power and performance.