#PRODUCTWATCH: 2021 HONDA ACCORD HYBRID

Like reuniting with a best friend. We got up close and personal – a flagrant violation of social distancing protocols – but we hope you’ll understand. While Ontario is under some really uncertain and unprecedented times, we safely navigated in our test drive and ultimately we are thrilled that the 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid was there for us when we got our first vaccine. We are incredibly relieved and can’t wait to get our second vaccine. While we don’t live in a hotspot, we’re grateful our turn came as we were just about ready to give up hope!

We were able to travel safely to see my expectant niece, whose Baby Shower sadly had to be cancelled due to stay-at-home orders province-wide and partake in the beauty of Cherry Blossoms in the City as they begin to reach peak bloom! Being able to have the Accord Hybrid there for us to run errands and pick-up essentials is a privilege which we are grateful for.

It all starts the moment the engine turns out. In fact, the 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid is so quiet we had to double-check the engine was actually on. Above that, there is a hypnotic hum which actually is quite calming.

It is powered by 2.0-litre, 16-valve, Atkinson cycle DOHC, i-VTEC^® 4-cylinder engine and operates at up to 212 @ 6200 total combined horsepower. Drives were incredibly-smooth and our family and friends commented how sleek and elegant this update of the Accord looks. We fully embrace Proximity Entry and its pushbutton start and gears. In fact, we don’t remember what driving was like anymore before them. Thanks, Honda!

Fuel Economy is a huge selling point for me and the Accord Hybrid gives you fabulous value at 5.0/5.0/5.0 L/100 km city/highway combined. It comes with an ECON mode button but also EV and Sport Drive options. We were able to make it twice downtown, to Niagara and out and about locally for about $45 in Regular fuel, just under a week. That is almost unheard of.

The Accord Hybrid is crammed with little luxuries. Dual-zone automatic climate control with air-filtration system, speed-sensing, variable intermittent windshield wipers, one-touch power moonroof with tilt feature, body-coloured heated power door mirrors with integrated LED turn signal indicators, LED foglights, LED brakelights, LED taillights, front wiper de-icer. Not only does it come with seat warmers, it comes with seat coolers knowing the vast array of conditions Honda’s Canadian customer base endures. These are little things that continually define the Honda driving experience as one that is sophisticated and just much more special. This is the car Canadians deserve.

We’re huge on the audio experience while driving. Its Display Audio System with Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™, HandsFreeLink™, wireless charging plate and arrange of USB ports (two in the front and two in the back), jumbo arm rest with a sizey compartment for storage – masks, gloves, sanitizer, you name it. The Accord Hybrid boasts a 452-watt AM/FM Premium audio system with MP3/Windows Media^® Audio playback capability and 10 speakers including subwoofer. And it sounds every bit the part. The Display system is enabled for SMS text messages and e-mail function. Connecting via Bluetooth was easy – we love our Spotify and can’t imagine not being able to listen to our favourite albums and playlists on the fly.

More importantly, safety is tops for Honda. Parking and reversing are so easy with its multi-angle rearview camera with dynamic guidelines, plus a driver attention monitor. If that’s not enough, check-out the endless list of safety features that ensure you are as well-protected as can be in the Accord Hybrid: 4-wheel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS); auto high beam; brake assist; Forward Collision Warning (FCW) system; Lane Departure Warning (LDW) system; Lane Keeping Assist System; Blind Spot Information (BSI) System;Rear Cross Traffic Monitor System; Traffic Sign Recognition via holographic display on the driver’s side of the windshield; Vehicle Stability Assist with Traction Control; Next-Generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering; i-SRS airbag system; Front Knee Airbags; Side curtain airbags with rollover sensor system; SmartVent™ side airbags. The list goes on.

As was the case with other new Accords I’ve test-driven in the past there are sometimes glitches like the Tire Pressure Monitoring System telling me I have low tire pressure when it’s cold out. Often this goes away on its own. We also saw its Maintenance Minder™ system telling us we had an Emissions System problem (see below), but that also went away on its own after a restart.

My week in review:

Getting my vaccine finally!

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Seeing my expectant Niece in Niagara

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Winning a Sovereign Award for my Photography

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Cherry Blossoms with beanie

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Supporting local businesses, as they need us!

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One tip I’ve learned that is your furry friend is keen on chewing things in your car, a great preventative measure is spraying those parts (i.e. seatbelt buckles, etc.) with Bitter Apple Spray!

A neat new thing I noticed with the Accord Hybrid is that it is smart enough to remind you that you have something in the back. In my case, that was beanie! How cute.

More on the 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid here, which starts at $35,805 CAN.

Thank you 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid for helping get me through the week and to my first vaccination safely. Grateful.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)