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Hybrid Vehicles Hybrid Vehicles - Archived Discussions Honda Accord Hybrid - worth the extra $$$? 
223 messages, Last post on Feb 07, 2006 at 6:12 PM
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Replying to: railroadjames (Mar 07, 2005 6:11 pm) If you doubt me compare interior space, equipment, premium extras … Luggage space is a win with the Prius and a surprise to boot with the hidden compartment below the rear storage. It holds alot of extras. Size: Passenger Volume (cu. ft.)/Luggage Capacity (cu. ft.)/Total (cu. ft.) Ford Focus ZX3/ZX5: 94.4/18.6/113 Toyota Prius II: 96.2/16.1/112.3 The Ford Focus is the larger of the two. Even the sound system is an up grade over the Focus. The stock Ford Focus SES’ radio includes speed sensitive volume, 6-CD-Changer, and MP3 player capability and sounds better then the stock Prius’ system. If you upgrade either, the Ford Focus’ Sony system has an 8” Sub. I do not know how that compares to the upgraded JBL in the Prius II but I bet the Ford sounds better given those that have commented on the upgraded Prius II system. Although a Ford Focus ZX5 loaded up (leather - heated seats, powered sunroof, TCS, ABS, Side Bags, etc.) can be had for < $18K w/ the $2K rebate. I wouldn’t purchase one at that price myself but another 3 or 4 months when the $3 - $5K rebates are available might make a big difference to some? At that point, the only thing you have going for the Prius II in terms of TCO is FE and the optional lux amenities that take a Prius II up into the $27K range. $27K is a lot of $’s for a compact no matter the performance or FE. The Prius can go around 500 miles on a tank. Try that with a Focus. My 2.3 L Ranger XLT has a range of over 600 miles from most tanks (16.5 gallon cap) in an average of 30 degree temps throughout the winter. http://www.greenhybrid.com/compare/mileage/car/380 Why wouldn’t a Focus 2.0e with a 6 mpg higher highway rating and just a 1.5 gallon cap tank shortfall? I would say your 500 mile range in the Prius II is poor at best. How many critics have given the Focus the accolades that the Prius has acquired these last several months? The Focus has made Car and Driver’s 10 Best for how many years in a row now? Handling: Ford Focus is easily the best of the two. Performance: Ford Focus with either the 2.0e or the 2.3 is by far the faster of the two. Good Luck Wayne R. Gerdes
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Replying to: xcel (Mar 08, 2005 7:27 am) Ford also gives a better drivetrain warranty than the Toyota Prius. Five years 100,000 miles for the Focus. They must be more reliable. Oh, plus an inch and a half more headroom in the back seat, for those tall teenagers. $8k buys a lot of gas probably enough for the life of the Focus. That means the Prius starts out 100k miles or more behind the Focus. I believe you can get the Focus PZEV rated in CA. |
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Replying to: xcel (Mar 08, 2005 7:27 am) The Focus also rated very high in Consumer Reports Auto Issue this year, until Today. Today Consumer Reports today took the unprecedented step of changing one of their best picks (Focus) to an "Unacceptable" rating due to newly released IIHS Crash Tests showing poor side impact protection in the Focus. I add this even though the message I'm replying to was completely Off Topic in this thread (having nothing to do with the Accord), because we can probably go ahead and agree at this point that the Focus and Accord are not comparable. |
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| Let's keep the discussion specifically about the HAH please. | |
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Replying to: pf_flyer (Mar 08, 2005 5:50 am) Why must that be the case? Is there some law that says the only purpose for hybrid technology is increased fuel efficiency/better mileage? How about more power from the same displacement ICE? Cleaner emissions? There may be a perception that improved fuel economy is the only purpose of a hybrid because that was the focus (small f) of the first commercial hybrids. But it doesn't mean it must always be so. The most recent hybrids, starting with the HAH and continuing with the Highlander and RX400h, will offer improved fuel economy but also more power. What is wrong with that? |
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"hybridization" does not and never has completely and only meant "huge miles per gallon" numbers. With Toyota planning on a Hybrid version of ALL their vehicles within 10 years (they have repeatedly said that) and Honda repeatedly saying "we can and will put our IMA system in ANY VEHICLE in our car line", that alone should signify that "hybridization" means more than just cars which get 45+ MPG. More torque, more power, improved MPG, cleaner emissions. That is what hybridization does. |
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I have driven the new Accord Hybrid (HAH), the V6 Accord and the Accord 4 cyl AND the new Prius. Around here, the Prius is hard to get and sells at a premium to MSRP, although that trend seems to be coming more in line around the country to selling AT MSRP. The HAH, around here, is available and sells fairly close to MSRP (no premium), while the other Accords (6 & 4) are available at discounts. The Honda Accords (all of them) are much better driving cars than the Prius, which is a neat car but a bit underpowered compared to the Hondas (in my opinion, as with everything else I say). That said, the HAH seems a bit of a contradiction to me, as I don't want or need that much hp in a "green car." The Prius gets much better gas mileage than the HAH. The HAH is a much "nicer" car in terms of driving and comfort. I was bothered by the HAH turning "off" the engine at stop lights and restarting when the accelerator was pressed when it was time to go. That may just be a personal quirk, as I have owned too many cars in my youth that used to "die" at lights and that was never a good thing:) Maybe the Prius does it too, but it wasn't noticeable. With the tach on the HAH dropping to zero, there was no doubt and there was a start up jerk. Frankly, if it is simply a dollars and cents analysis, the hybrid technology in the Hondas is a bit hard to justify. The initial cost premium, plus the "down the road" battery replacement seem to favor the conventional 4cyl models. Then you get into the emissions issues, and the hybrids are about as clean as are available, as I understand it. I have been driving an Acura TL for the last 5 years and it has been a great car. Frankly I don't want to "step down" to a Corolla-like driving experience, but I do want to "do the right thing". Nuts! What to do....
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Replying to: felton1 (Mar 08, 2005 12:05 pm) 
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Replying to: xcel (Mar 08, 2005 7:27 am) The Accord Hy. is interesting in that it has much better performance than I was expecting but the mpg's just aren't up to snuff. The price is, in this case, just doesn't justify the purchase unless Honda discounts the car significantly. Culliganman |
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Replying to: felton1 (Mar 08, 2005 12:05 pm) As far as emissions are concerned, the PZEV based non-hybrid Accord I4 is cleaner then the Prius II and much cleaner then AH. With that, the wife and I almost picked up an 05 TL for the 03 MDX tonight. Except the Acura dealership and I were about $1.5K apart … I have tried to get the wife to consider an Accord PZEV or the AH as the AH is now below invoice at a Honda dealership here in the Chicago area. She has driven both the I4 and the V6 Accord (not the AH) and wants something a bit nicer unfortunately. If only the TL was VCM’ed  Good Luck Wayne R. Gerdes
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