2014 Honda Accord vs. Its Competition

Bengt Halvorson Senior Editor

The 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid compete most directly with the Ford Fusion Hybrid and Energi models.

The Honda is a known vehicle in its ninth generation, with a built-in audience.

The new and stylish Fusion is a strong contender that's doing well, and Ford's hybrids are well-respected, but the Fusion Hybrid seems to miss its 47-mpg combined EPA rating--leaving Honda an opening.

Then there's the Toyota Camry Hybrid, the first mid-size sedan to come in a hybrid model (though Toyota offers no plug-in model).

It's bland but reliable, and Toyota's sold lots of them.

The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid and Kia Optima Hybrid had their fuel-economy ratings cut, and their hybrid systems were often lumpy and lurchy, but there are new versions for the 2013 model year that we haven't yet driven.

Finally, there's the Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid, a five-door hatchback rather than a four-door sedan--but the second best-selling plug-in electric car sold in the States during 2012.

It has the lowest electric range, but then it reverts to a standard Prius, rated at 50 mpg and with legendary Prius solidity.

There's also the Chevrolet Volt, which only seats four and is a smaller car, but offers the highest electric range (38 miles) of any plug-in hybrid.