Honda Accord Hybrid Powertrain Receives 2019 Wards 10 Best Engines Award

WardsAuto has named the Accord Hybrid’s Intelligent Multi-Mode Drive (I-MMD) Two-Motor Hybrid powertrain as one of the acclaimed on the 2019 Wards 10 Best Engines list.

The engine was selected for both its fuel efficiency and responsiveness, plus the seamless way power is delivered to the drive wheels. Another key factor was the Accord Hybrid’s affordability.

The Accord Hybrid is powered by Honda's innovative two-motor hybrid powertrain, which pairs a 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle inline-four engine to an electric motor and generator combo that produces 315 Nm of torque and a combined system output of 212 hp. The Accord Hybrid’s two-motor system operates without the need for a conventional automatic transmission.

Depending on the driving situation, the I-MMD powertrain shifts between three distinct drive operations, EV Drive (100 percent electric motor), Hybrid Drive (electric motor and gasoline engine driving the generator motor), and Engine Drive (petrol engine) – utilizing power from the engine and electric motors to accommodate the current driving conditions.

Other notable finalists on the 2019 WardsAuto list include Infiniti’s 2.0-litre Variable Compression four-cylinder (Infiniti QX 50), Lexus’ 2.0-litre Atkinson four-cylinder hybrid (Lexus UX 250h) and BMW’s 3.0-litre (B58) turbocharged inline-six (BMW G05 X5).