I tried the Honda Accord V-6 Hybrid the other night.

Very strong acceleration, well beyond needs.

What was cool:

-stop at a light, engine shut off; let go of brake, engine starts
smoothly and immediately.

-cruise at 120 km/h, three cylinders shut off (little light on dash
"ECO" turns on).

-let off gas during cruise and you could feel the electic motor "drag"
as it generated electricity for the battery.

-apply brakes, and even more energy was diverted to the motor/generator.

(There's a little meter bar that shows when the battery is discharging
or recharging)

What was not cool:

- automatic transmission
- ... and not so well programmed at that
- 3 litre engine
- no fold down rear seats (the battery is there)
- 253 total HP.... what's economical about that?
- does not qualify for the Quebec hybrid rebate (misses the mileage goal)
-stopped the car in "D", engine stops.  Shifted to "P" and the engine
started up again.  Should have remained off, IMO.  I guess it's the way
this is mechanized that allowed the engine to restart.
- price ($39,400 in Canada, $31,000 in the US).
  The CAD $ is running 89 - 90 cents these days...
  I could probably talk them down a couple K on the car; and up a
couple K on the trade in, but it's still not worth it to me.

I take it that they put in a 6 banger in order to get 3 cylinder cruise
on the highway, and that this might not have worked well with a 4
banger.  Why not a 5 banger?  Why not a smaller displacement 6 banger? I
simply can't believe that a Honda Accord really needs 200 HP, never minf
253 with the assist.

Any Canadians here who can explain the price differential (US / CAD)
that is way beyond the exchange rate?

Cheers,
Alan FreeLunch.