There is nothing wrong with the 2005 Honda Accord Hybrid, beyond what, if anything, is wrong with the interior and design of the Honda Accord. As the same vehicle, it brings with it Honda’s landmark penchant for quality.

But it’s just a sedan matched up against a large hatchback and a –- gulp –- SUV. If you’re in the market for a sedan only, and want a hybrid, this is the car for you.

Kind of.
The problem is, well, why? Again, the Accord Hybrid is hurt by its price and ability to do the things a hybrid ought not do, namely gulp gas when driven hard and pollute like most other cars on the road. But at least you can say you drive a hybrid, and at least you’ll be comfortable, as will your friends in the rear, thanks to nicely bolstered leather seats. Interior panels are quality and pleasant to the touch. There are well-placed armrests, and a soft leather steering wheel. Hard seatbacks usually pose a danger for rear passengers’ knees, so the Accord’s front seatbacks have a thin layer of padding. It is also the only tested vehicle that provides drivers with a telescopic steering wheel. Cargo capability is limited by fixed rear seats with no folding feature or center pass-through. But then you don’t buy an Accord Hybrid –- or any Accord for that matter –- because it can pack away a campground. Despite this, passenger space is intelligently done, with room for tall and wide passengers.

Conclusion
So the Prius –- yet again –- shows that it’s hard to beat the front-runner. Even an SUV, one with a solid reputation, was unable to beat it when it came to a category natural for SUV dominance. The reason is actually more obvious than it seems: When it comes to interior space and design, the 2005 Toyota Prius does everything right and leaves nothing to chance. The embarrassed SUV, meanwhile, should take a look in the parts drawer for some screw tops and better interior material, while the Accord Hybrid –- well, it doesn’t really give two hoots and a gallon about cargo, but the interior is a golden definition of refinement. But then, with a design like the Accord and an engine much better, are there enough humble people in the world to make Honda a profit selling this car?