Why Isn't This Car Crushing The Prius In Sales? The 2015 Honda Accord Hybrid

The 2015 Honda Accord Hybrid Touring.

America loves the Honda Accord.  It was the second-best selling car in the country in 2014, and has at various times in the past 39 years, been number one.  But break it down into the hybrid variant, and the numbers are far behind those of the best-selling Toyota Prius hybrid.

Part of it is Honda's choice.  They simply are not making and shipping enough Accord Hybrids to meet demand. But even if they did, hybrid history seems to show that the best-sellers are the cars that scream "I'm different" from the first look...and the Accord Hybrid looks very much like every other Accord.

2015 Honda Accord Hybrid Touring.

You might think that the Accord Hybrid and Prius are apples and oranges.  Yes, they're both Japanese hybrids, but the Accord is a couple of size classes larger.  Therein lies the value equation that makes the Accord such a screaming deal.

2015 Honda Accord Hybrid Touring interior.

Our tester was the top-of-the-line Touring model.  Base price $35,055.  That's a one-price deal. Beyond loaded with navigation, FM Traffic, leather-trimmed seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, a 360-watt, seven-speaker audio system including Sirius XM, Pandora, Bluetooth and USB connectivity, LaneWatch, a dual-zone climate control system, power seats, locks and windows, a moonroof and a security system.  With $790 destination and handling charge, the bottom line is $35,845.

EPA fuel economy estimates:  50 city/45 highway.

Now, let's put that up against the most recent Toyota Prius we've tested, a bit over a year ago...a fully loaded 2014 Prius Five.

Smaller car.  Less interior room and comfort.  Slightly better fuel economy estimates (51 city/48 highway). And a bottom line of $35,704.

That's only $141 less than the Accord Hybrid Touring...and that's the 2014 price.  There's been a bump for 2015 that takes it to $35,734.  So the gap narrows to $111.  At that point, the Accord wins the value equation hands down.  If it were our money, we'd go Honda.