Honda Accord Plug-in is a high-tech hot mess (pictures)
With its modern but bland design, the Accord Plug-in attempts a high-tech coup, but merely catches up with previous efforts from Toyota and Ford.
Honda adds a plug-in hybrid version of the Accord sedan for the 2014 model year.
The Accord Plug-in gets a few unique styling cues, such as a blue-tinted stripe below the front badge holder.
As a midsize sedan, the Accord Plug-in offers a roomy cabin, comfortable for five.
Like the standard Accord, the Accord Plug-in is a front-wheel-drive car.
Honda's Earth Dreams brand encompasses its new efficiency technologies, including a hybrid drivetrain and direct-injection engines.
A lithium ion battery pack takes up extra room in the Accord Plug-in, limiting trunk space to 8.6 cubic feet.
A charging cable adapter that can plug into a 110-volt wall outlet stows under the trunk floor.
Honda mounts the standard J1772 charging port on the left-front fender.
The soft seats help absorb some of the stiffness of the suspension.
The interior design of the Accord Plug-in is light and modern.
The cabin tech interface is confusing, with an LCD at the top of the stack, a smaller touch screen below, and switchgear below that.
This dial-and-button set controls the LCD at the top of the stack.
Typical for hybrids, the instrument cluster lacks a tachometer, instead offering drivers information on power usage and regeneration.
The shifter controls an electronic continuously variable transmission.
Drivers can view a power flow animation on the top LCD.
Honda's maps are bright and colorful, but the navigation system is prone to losing track of the car.
The stereo includes iOS integration for devices plugged into the USB port.
Pandora integration comes standard and requires that the Pandora app be running on a connected smartphone.
The HondaLink app integrates Aha audio and location services.