The Ford Fusion Energi may be sitting pretty at 100 MPGe combined, but there’s a new plug-in hybrid sedan in town. The 2014 Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle has received a 115 MPGe rating from the EPA, making it the new mileage king.
The rating, which comes shortly after the EPA affirmed Ford’s 100 MPGe estimate for the Fusion, makes the Accord the most efficient plug-in vehicle available. The Accord also beats the Chevrolet Volt and Toyota Prius plug-in, rated at 94 and 95 MPGe, respectively, in the mileage race.
The Accord may have the advantage in MPGe, but other cars can spend more time driving exclusively on electric power. The Accord’s electric-only range is 13 miles. The Fusion can travel 21 miles on batteries, while the Volt can go 35 miles.
That basically means a fully-charged Fusion or Volt could be the more efficient choice on short drives, but their advantage will diminish once the gasoline engines kick in.
Powering the 2014 Accord PHEV is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, a pair of electric motors, and a 6.7-kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Drivers can switch between all electric, gasoline-electric, and direct-to-drive modes depending on conditions.
Differentiating the Accord PHEV from the conventional Accord sedan are an exclusive telematics system, Honda Link EV app, and biofabric interior. The exterior gets a makeover that is decidedly different, but buyers will have to decide whether it suits their tastes. The blue mustache surrounding the grille’s giant Honda badge is an interesting touch.
The 2014 Accord PHEV is currently on sale, but only at select dealers in New York and California. In California, drivers will be able to use the state’s carpool lanes. It starts at $39,780, slightly more than the Fusion Energi’s $38,700 base price. That closeness is sure to make plug-ins the next battlefield in the midsize sedan war.
Adding class-leading MPGe to one of America’s most popular midsize sedans should produce a winner for Honda and another impressive choice for buyers seeking maximum fuel economy.
