2014 Review Wrap-Up: Going Green

Next in the wrap-up in 2014 vehicle reviews, I take look at green vehicles. In this case they all happen to be the hybrid variety.

2014 Honda Accord Hybrid Touring

The second time is the charm? That’s the hope for Honda with the 2014 Accord Hybrid. The previous incarnation of the hybridized Accord was a sporty model that really didn’t see any improvement in fuel economy. This in turn caused it to be a flop.Honda went back to drawing board and have introduced an Accord Hybrid that promises best-in-class fuel economy. Can it right the wrong of the previous model?

My Touring tester came with Honda’s dual-screen infotainment system which features an eight-inch screen sitting on top of the dash and a smaller touchscreen to change stations/tracks or whatever audio input. There’s also a set of buttons and a knob sitting right above the transmission tunnel to take you to different parts of the system. As I wrote in my first drive of the Accord Hybrid in 2013, the system is a bit of a mess. The touchscreen is slow to respond when you’re trying to change stations or switch from the radio to the USB input. Also, reaching for the controls towards the bottom is quite a reach. Honda really needs to go back to the drawing board with their infotainment system.

The Accord Hybrid features Honda’s newest hybrid system called Sport Hybrid intelligent Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD) system. This system is comprised of,

• 2.0L DOHC i-VTEC four-cylinder Atkinson-Cycle engine producing 141 horsepower and 122 pound-feet of torque
  
• Two 124 kW electric motors - One acting as a propulsion motor, one acting as a generator
  
• 1.3 kWh Lithium-Ion battery
  
• Electronic Continuously Variable Transmission (E-CVT)
  
• Power Control Unit
  

On the ride and handling front, the Accord Hybrid is very similar to the standard Accord. The suspension is able to cope with bumps and imperfections with no problem at all. On the curves, the Accord Hybrid is a joy as it keeps you grounded and provides little body roll. Steering has good heft and feel. Wind noise is kept to a decent level, but road noise is very apparent. I would put some of the blame on the low-rolling resistance tires.

The Accord Hybrid puts Honda in a good position within the midsize hybrid sedan class with an impressive powertrain layout placed in the well-regarded package that is the Accord. Its going to take something big to knock off the Accord Hybrid as the best in class.

Disclaimer: Honda Provided the Accord Hybrid, Insurance, and One Tank of Gas

Year: 2014

Make: Honda

Model: Accord Hybrid

Trim: Touring

Engine: Sport Hybrid intelligent Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD)

Driveline: Front-Wheel Drive, CVT

Horsepower @ RPM: Gas Engine - 141 @ 6200, Electric Motor - 166 @ 3857-8000

Torque @ RPM: Gas Engine - 122 @ 3500-6000, Electric Motor - 226 @ 0-3857

Fuel Economy: City/Highway/Combined - 50/45/47

Curb Weight: 3,602 lbs

Location of Manufacture: Marysville, Ohio

Base Price: $34,905

As Tested Price: $35,695 (Includes $795.00 Destination Charge)

Options:

N/A

Next: 2014 Toyota Prius Plug-In Advance

There are some cars that your’s truly finds impressive and would gladly buy, but knows that he wouldn’t recommend it because of some issue. That’s the case with the 2014 Toyota Prius Plug-In, a model that somehow I liked after spending a week in it, but has a key problem that makes it hard to recommend.

Under the hood, you’ll find the almost the same Hybrid Synergy Drive powertrain as in the the standard Prius. A 1.8L Atkinson Cycle four-cylinder paired up to a 60 kW electric motor delivering a total output of 134 horsepower. The difference is in the batteries. While the standard Prius has a Nickel-Metal Hydride battery, the Plug-In gets a Lithium-Ion battery. The new battery allows the Prius Plug-In to travel up to 11 Miles on electric power alone. During my week, I found myself using the EV mode a lot as it provided decent power to get around town and was very quiet. On the range front, I was able to get around 10 to 12 miles per charge. As for the charging port I mentioned earlier, that allows the Prius Plug-In to charge in 1.5 hours when plugged into a 240V charger or 3 hours when plugged into a 120V outlet). For other situations such as the freeway, I left the vehicle in the hybrid mode. This highlights a couple problems with the Prius. First it takes a few seconds longer for it to get up to speed. Second is the amount the noise that comes up when you decide that more power is needed. It sounded like a weed-whacker was being thrashed under the hood. As for fuel economy, I got around 51 MPG for the week. On the ride and handling front, the Prius Plug-In is much the same as the standard Prius; providing a comfortable, albeit noisy ride.

So the Prius Plug-In is a vehicle I like, but the pricetag makes it one I would pass on.'

Disclaimer: Toyota Provided the Prius Plug-In, Insurance, and One Tank of Gas

Year: 2014

Make: Toyota

Model: Prius Plug-In

Trim: Advance

Engine: Hybrid Synergy Drive (1.8L DOHC 16-valve VVT-i four-cylinder, 60 kW Electric Motor)

Driveline: Front-Wheel Drive, CVT

Horsepower @ RPM: Gas Engine - 98 @ 5,200, Electric Motor - 80 @ N/A, Total Output - 134

Torque @ RPM: 105 @ 4,000, Electric Motor - 153 @ 0

Fuel Economy: 95 MPGe, 50 MPG

Curb Weight: 3,216 lbs

Location of Manufacture: Tsutsumi, Japan

Base Price: $34,905

As Tested Price: $38,907 (Includes $810.00 Destination Charge)

Options:

Technology Package - $2,610

Illuminated Door Sill - $279.00

Carpeted Floor Mats & Trunk Mat - $225.00

Cargo Net - $49.00

First Aid Kit - $29.00

Next: 2014 Lexus CT 200h F-Sport

The Lexus CT 200h F-Sport is an intriguing idea. A luxury compact hatchback that is fuel efficient and sporty. So while the idea seems ok in theory, how does it work in the real world?

Power comes from Lexus Hybrid Drive which pairs a 1.8L four-cylinder and 60 kW electric motor to produce a total output of 134 horsepower. This is paired up to a CVT. Now most reviews of the CT 200h say its painfully slow, but I care to disagree. Despite a curb weight of 3,130 pounds, I found the powertrain to be adequate as it took a few ticks longer for the CT to get up to speed than other comparable models. I should warn that if you decide to slam the pedal to floor, the engine and CVT will make a horrific noise that will make you think twice of doing that. As for fuel economy, the EPA rates the 2014 CT 200h at 43 City/40 Highway/42 Combined. I saw an average of 39 MPG.

So for the most part, the CT 200h F-Sport succeeds in its mission of providing a fun to drive luxury hatchback that is also ok on fuel. I would like to like to see Lexus do some more with the F-Sport package such as adding more sport goodies to the drivetrain and suspension. Maybe that’s in store for the next-generation.

Disclaimer: Lexus Provided the CT 200h, Insurance, and One Tank of Gas

Year: 2014

Make: Lexus

Model: CT 200h

Trim: F-Sport

Engine: Lexus Hybrid Drive(1.8L DOHC 16-valve VVT-i four-cylinder, 60 kW Electric Motor)

Driveline: Front-Wheel Drive, CVT

Horsepower @ RPM: Gas Engine - 98 @ 5,200, Electric Motor - 80 @ N/A, Total Output - 134

Torque @ RPM: 105 @ 4,000, Electric Motor - 153 @ 0

Fuel Economy: City/Highway/Combined - 43/40/42

Curb Weight: 3,130 lbs

Location of Manufacture: Miyawaka, Fukuoka, Japan

Base Price: $32,050

As Tested Price: $39,030 (Includes $910.00 Destination Charge)

Options:

Navigation System - $3,490

F-Sport w/NuLuxe Interior - $1,180

F-Sport Premium Package - $900.00

Intuitive Park Assist - $500.00