I know I already sort of asked this during one of my first posts here, but for those of you who had the opportunity to test drive the hybrid vs non-hybrid models - how would you rate the differences in the acceleration?

I had the opportunity to test drive the non-hybrid model this weekend and I could feel the pick up of the car - at least more so than in my prior v6. I understand thats to be expected (it just feels off since im not used to it) but I've also been heard that its not as prominent in the hybrid models - is this true?

Not my own rating;

I've seen different web sites that measured the EX at 8-9 seconds 0 to 60. The hybrid was measured at 11-12 seconds 0 to 60. These measurements were not done by the same people, so they may not be perfectly comparable, but I think they give a reasonable indication.

2006 HCH Alabaster Silver w/Navi
2003 Honda Accord LX

In a way this is the same question as stick shift or auto transmission. If you want speed of acceleration you will not buy an HCHII. However if you want a quiet sophisticated drive you will! I guess the answer to both questions may be age related. When I was young (and foolish?) I loved to take the car up through its rev range noisily in each gear using a manual gear box. Now I am older (and a little wiser?) I really love my CVT and have had auto autos for the last 20 years

There is definitely no comparison. If you are looking for good acceleration, buy the EX. My last two cars were an Integra GS-R and a Civic Si. The Civic Hybrid is just a different kind of fun.

30 more horsepower in the non-Hybrid will make a large difference. You will notice a difference.

Alabaster Silver HcH

Ditto to Janey's comment.

Nick wrote:
This is so true.
The few times I've demanded alot of power it is quite a different sound & feeling as the CVT smoothly changes ratio, vs. a standard automatic transmission downshifting, then running back up through the gears.

Of course I'm not saying the HCH is a racing powerhouse but is kind of cool in its own way.

I've always thought it would be so cool if there were an option to manually adjust the CVT ratio during those hard acceleration times. Kind of a gearless stick shift.
Probably not the most efficient, but if you're pulling that hard your FE is out the tailpipe anyway. But the cool factor would be "a 10".

Efficient drivers do it better.
1003 miles a tank personal record. 74MPG calculated. HCH1 CVT

Hmmm... would you describe it as smoother? How is it "engine drag" (for lack of a better description) when you start to get going after a red light?

Well, you can shift from D to S.

2006 HCH Alabaster Silver w/Navi
2003 Honda Accord LX