YONKERS, N.Y., May 29, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Consumer Reports fuel economy tests found the Honda Accord Hybrid delivered impressive overall fuel-economy, tying the smaller Honda Civic Hybrid and just below the top-performing Toyota Prius hatchback

The Accord Hybrid's 40-mpg performance on Consumer Reports combined city and highway tests make it a class leader for fuel economy among midsized sedans. Testers found the Accord Hybrid has a very impressive hybrid system that smoothly transitions between battery and engine power. To save fuel, even at highway speeds, the engine willingly shuts off as soon as drivers lift their foot off the gas pedal.

But Consumer Reports' engineers caution that buyers expecting their car to the EPA's figure of 47 mpg posted on the window sticker might be disappointed.

"We've found that the EPA tests often exaggerate the fuel-economy of hybrids," said Jake Fisher, director of automotive testing at Consumer Reports.

Prior Consumer Reports tests of the Ford Fusion Hybrid and C-Max Hybrid also found a significant shortfall between the EPA's estimated highway fuel economy figures and those in CR's own fuel economy tests.

Although the Accord Hybrid delivers improved fuel economy over the non-hybrid version, the Hybrid falls short in other areas of Consumer Reports' testing including ride comfort, emergency handling, and quietness. As a result, the Accord Hybrid scored lower overall in Consumer Reports' tests than the non-hybrid four-cylinder Accord while costing about $6,500 more.


Complete reports and ratings for the Honda Accord Hybrid, Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid, BMW 328d, and Jeep Cherokee Diesel, as well as updated tests for the recently freshened Volkswagen Passat, Honda Civic and Dodge Dart are available now at www.ConsumerReports.org or in the July Issue of Consumer Reports on sale June 3.

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/m...view/index.htm