Buying help - 2005 Hybrid or 2014 Accord?
 

I want a V6 Accord, but of course want the highest MPG for my highway commute. I've narrowed it down to:

2005 Accord Hybrid 3.0 VCM engine (EPA rated 33 mpg highway)
2014 Accord 3.5 with VCM engine (EPA rated 34 mpg highway)
2014 Accord 3.5 with manual shift (EPA rated 28 highway)

Typically a smaller engine gives better efficiency when hypermiling, but the EPA results show the opposite. I suspect it's the older car's 5-speed transmission that gives it lower economy.

Which V6 would you buy? ;) :) :D

honestly, neither. If you're looking to get better mpg's I'd go with a 4 cylinder, why do you need a V6? I'm sure the 4 cylinders are peppy enough. Unless there are other reasons why you may need the V6

If you have to have a V6, probably the 2014 automatic. If you pulse and glide the manual though you might end up with better fuel economy.

I already have two I4 and I3.... I want to go back to a V6 with the three cylinder mode..... also this engine has won Wards magazine for eight years (best economy & smoothness)

Id just wait for the new car as honda is suppose to have 3 new direct injected turbo charged power plants and a new hybrid system for 2015.

DI is a bad idea, because the fuel doesn't wash the air inlet valves (which clot & stop working properly). Also Wards Auto already reviewed the DI V6 and said it wasn't as good as the PI engine.

So far you are the only 1 to answer the original question. :D So you think manual will do better than automatic, even though there's a 6 highway mpg gap?

I think the reason the manual has a lower rating is due to gearing differences, the thing is, for gearing to effect mileage you actually have to be in gear haha. If your doing most of your commute freeway or other areas where pulse and gliding isn't an option, then get the auto with Taller gears.

If you consider EOC, that is only an option with a manual, although everybody says to read the owner's manual regarding towing.

As Balto wrote, automatics have better gearing than manuals. Manuals should be more efficient, but they are also quicker, so they make them sportier at the cost of efficiency.

Not sure about the availability of different gear sets to make its manual transmission more suitable to highway driving, but a V6 with a manual sounds cool...