Honda Accord Hybrid Falls Short of 47 MPG Rating: Consumer Reports

Fuel economy labels on new cars have a history of being misleading, and now Consumer Reports has found another culprit.

The 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid is officially rated by the EPA at 45 mpg in the city, 50 mpg on the highway and 47 mpg combined. Despite its EPA label, Consumer Reports only managed to achieve 40 mpg combined in mixed city and highway driving.

“We’ve found that the EPA tests often exaggerate the fuel economy of hybrids,” said Jake Fisher, director of automotive testing for Consumer Reports. The hybrid model of the Accord also scored lower than the four-cylinder gasoline model due to its ride comfort, emergency handling and interior noise. However, the review agency says that the Accord Hybrid is a “comfortable, roomy sedan that’s nice to drive and easy to live with.”

SEE ALSO: Ford C-Max Downgraded to 43 MPG

In the past, both the Ford Fusion Hybrid and C-Max Hybrid fell short of their EPA ratings during Consumer Reports testing, which sparked a conflict that eventually led to Ford downgrading the fuel economy rating of the C-Max. Hyundai and Kia have also revised fuel economy numbers over discrepancies with the EPA ratings, and yet the EPA testing procedures remain the same.

[Source: Consumer Reports]

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