2014 Honda Accord Hybrid Priced From $29,950, On Sale Oct 31

Honda has announced pricing for the 2014 Accord Hybrid, which will arrive in showrooms on October 31.

The Accord Hybrid starts at $29,155, with a mid-level EX-L model going for $31,905, and the top Touring model starting at $34,905.

A $790 destination and handling fee brings the total costs to $29,945, $32,695, and $35,695, respectively.

That makes the Accord a little more expensive than the hybrid competition.

The 2014 Ford Fusion Hybrid starts at  $26,995 with destination; a 2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid starts at $26,445; and its 2013 Kia Optima Hybrid sibling begins at a sticker price of $26,700.

The well-established 2013 Toyota Camry Hybrid starts at a cost of $26,950. Buyers willing to move from a midsize sedan to a hatchback might also consider the more fuel-efficient 2013 Toyota Prius Liftback, which starts at $25,010.

The 2014 Accord Hybrid has an EPA combined rating of 47 mpg (50 mpg city, 45 mpg highway), which puts the Accord at the head of its class.

The hybrid Accord's combined rating matches the Fusion's, and tops those of the Camry Hybrid (41 mpg) and both the hybrid Hyundai and Kia (38 mpg). The Prius gets 50 mpg combined.

MORE: 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid: Review

The Accord's powertrain consists of a 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine, a continuously-variable transmission (CVT), and a pair of electric motors. It's similar to the setup used in the Accord Plug-In Hybrid, but with a smaller battery pack that does not plug in.

One motor acts as a generator to recharge the battery during regenerative braking; the other motor powers the car either by itself or with assistance from the engine.

The Accord Hybrid offers three driving modes: "EV Drive," "Hybrid Drive," and "Engine Drive."

Production of the 2014 Accord Hybrid is already underway at Honda's Marysville, Ohio, assembly plant. The first examples will arrive in showrooms just in time for Halloween.