2025 Honda Accord Hybrid Sport L – Review by David Colman

Understated Good Looks and Track-Quality Handling

David Colman

Photos and Story by David Colman
Special Correspondent
THE AUTO CHANNEL

Buried unseen within the matrix of every Honda is the DNA of a race car. That beneficial trait has long made Honda the number one choice of enthusiast drivers. The stealthy looking 2025 Accord sedan continues that distinguished tradition with a sharply honed Hybrid Sport L package that renews Honda's commitment to driving excellence.

The understated good looks of the 2025 Accord are enhanced by a stunning optional ($455) coat of Canyon River Blue Metallic paint. The sleekly styled body shell is counterpointed by gloss black alloy rims, front splitter, exterior trim, rear spoiler, and rear diffuser. But the real magic happens where you can't see it, with a front MacPherson strut/rear Multi-Link suspension system tuned to transmit road surface information to the driver with uncanny accuracy.

The first time you nose the 2025 Accord into an apex, you're instantly gratified by its adhesion. This Honda rewards precision and control. 235/40R 19 Goodyear Eagle Touring radials (TW 500), mounted on wide track 19 x 8.0J rims, provide excellent lateral grip. If you want to refine the feedback loop further, you can reset handling by bumping the 4-Mode Drive System from Normal into Sport. Doing so bathes the 12.3 instrument panel with red backlighting, and also increases the precision and force required for steering and throttle inputs. Be advised, however, that the stiffer suspension jiggle of Sport Mode will make it impossible for your passenger to read the stock tables of the Wall Street Journal.

In the engine bay, you'll discover a 2.0 liter inline-4 cylinder gas fueled motor augmented by an electric AC motor plus a 1.1 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. This Hybrid array yields a combined output of 204hp and 247lb.-ft. of torque, which in turn squirts the 3,525lb. Accord from 0-60mph in 6.5 seconds and enables it to clear the standing start quarter mile in 15.2 seconds at 91mph. When you stomp the Sport L's ribbed aluminum gas pedal, the Hybrid emits a bewitching wail. The surprising gas/electric soundtrack quickly becomes intoxicating.

Thankfully, one feature of classic Honda dashboard design carries over into the 2025 Accord. Instead of opting for the continuous, edgeless instrument screens that have become so popular today, Accord designers retained the traditional sunken and hooded instrument nacelle to house two important circular gauges from the separate, flat 12.3-inch infotainment display panel. The left-hand gauge reads out a percentage of Hybrid boost (0-100), while the right gauge uses an old-fashioned pointer to identify road speed. Though this speedo reads all the way to 160mph, the Hybrid Accord tops out at 120mph, a speed it achieves 41 seconds after leaving the start line.

The interior of the Sport L package leaves very little to be desired in terms of amenities or convenience. The leather-trimmed front sport seats proved supportive and handsome, with 10-way power adjustment on tap for the driver, and 4-way power available to the passenger. Given the high cornering penchant of the Goodyear tires, however, a bit more side bolstering would be appreciated. One of the prime benefits of selecting the latest Accord is the superb visibility it provides in every direction. In particular, the expansive view rearwards, enhanced by an exceptionally large pane of glass, was much appreciated. However, a rear wiper is needed since the flat pane, even though heated, takes forever to clear in stormy weather. Note that although both front seats are heated with 3-stage warmers, the steering wheel rim is not included in the Sport L's Hybrid's heat program. For that added warmth you'll need to upgrade to the top-tier Touring Hybrid which unaccountably carries a base price $3,925 more expensive than the Sport L we tested.

With its mud and snow rated radials expelling water like mini sump pumps, the Accord felt every bit as stable when plowing through heavy rain as it did when scooting from apex to apex in the dry. Aside from the heated steering wheel, we can't think of a single reason to bump your purchase of a Hybrid from the Sport L model we drove to the range topping Hybrid Touring. What you don't want to do is select a non- Hybrid Accord, because those entry level models are powered by 1.5 liter inline-4 gas engines that produce just 192hp and 192lb.-ft. of torque. Making that choice will also limit your mileage from the Hybrid's sensational 44MPG Overall to the gas engine's 32MPG Overall. Where the Hybrid's 12.8 gallon tank will propel your Accord for 563miles between refills, the straight gas model will cover just 409 miles. That 154 mile range difference makes your choice of the Hybrid a matter of simple math.

2025 HONDA ACCORD HYBRID SPORT L

• ENGINE: 2.0 liter inline-4, DOHC, 16-valve +181hp AC Motor and 1.1kWh lithium-ion battery pack
• HORSEPOWER: 204hp (Combined)
• TORQUE: 247lb.-ft. (Combined)
• FUEL CONSUMPTION: 46MPG City/41MPG Highway
• PRICE AS TESTED: $36,925

HYPES: Track Quality Handling

GRIPES: Rear Wiper and Heated Steering Wheel Please

STAR RATING: 10 Stars out of 10

©2025 David E Colman