Expert Review, Pricing Analysis and Buying Guide
8.3
Overall Rating
"As evidenced by its place atop our rankings of midsize sedans, the Accord is the best car in its segment." - MOTORTREND
For the 2021 MY, Honda updates the new Accord with subtle tweaks across the trim range. For starters, Sport and above models get LED high- and low-beam headlights as standard. Then, the restyled grille is now wider and features improved inclusion of the Honda Sensing system's radar unit for enhanced usability. All 2021 Accord models also come standard with an 8.0-inch touchscreen unit along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto - wireless for the EX-L and Touring trims, which also offer wireless charging.
Offering three engine choices, including the Accord Hybrid variant, the 2021 Honda Accord sums up as an excellent, economical midsize sedan at a justified price tag. Prices for the 1.5L turbocharged backed LX trim starts from an MSRP of $24,770, excluding a $995 destination charge. There's also a more powerful 2.0L Turbo unit, which now comes standard with the 10-Speed AT, following the exit of the famed 6-Speed manual setup. The latter will reportedly make its return for the year 2022.
8.5/10
Pricing and Features
8.5/10
Engine and Performance
9.0/10
Fuel Economy
8.0/10
Interior
9.0/10
Exterior
9.0/10
Safety
7.5/10
Competition
2021 Honda Accord Pricing and Features
The 2021 Accord can be owned in six different trims, as it remains the same as the trim lineup of the 2020 Honda Accord, albeit with the introduction of the new Sport SE trim.
How much should I pay for my 2021 Honda Accord?
The entry-level LX trim is priced at an MSRP of $24,770, while the most expensive trim, Touring trim will carry a $36,700 price tag, all excluding the destination charge of $955. The Hybrid variant gets a 2-motor hybrid assistance to an Inline-4 engine, along with e-CVT for best efficiency, all for a starting price of $26,570.
What's new in the 2021 Honda Accord?
The updates include subtle tweaks to the exterior and interior of the vehicle along with the introduction of a new Sport Special Edition model. This Sport SE model replaces the EX trim from last year and gets generous levels of equipment such as heated and powered seats, leather-wrapped steering with paddle shifters, rear spoiler, and 19-inch wheels to name a few, making this a worthy upgrade over the base LX and Sport trims especially if you consider its $28,720 price tag.
|
Trim |
LX |
Sport |
Sport SE |
EX-L |
Sport 2.0T |
Touring |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
MSRP (FWD) |
$24,770 |
$27,230 |
$28,720 |
$31,090 |
$31,910 |
$36,700 |
|
Key Features |
Honda Sensing Safety and Driver Assistive Technology |
Adds/Replaces features of LX: |
Adds/Replaces features of Sport: | Adds/Replaces features of Sport SE: | Adds/Replaces features of Sport SE: |
All the features in EX-L added/replaced and: |
|
17-inch painted alloy wheels |
19-inch machined alloy wheels |
19-inch machined alloy wheels |
450-Watt Premium Audio System with 10-speakers |
More powerful 2.0L, Turbocharged inline 4 engine with 10AT gearbox |
More powerful 2.0L, Turbocharged inline 4 engine with 10AT gearbox |
|
|
7-inch infotainment screen |
8-inch Infotainment Screen |
Smart Entry with Walk away Auto-Lock |
Leather-Trimmed Seats | Cross Traffic Monitor with Blind Spot Monitoring System | Adaptive Damper System | |
|
160-Watt Audio System with 4 speakers |
12-Way power driver seat |
Blacked out grille and chrome trim |
Automatic Dimming Rear View Mirror |
One-Touch Power Moonroof with Tilt Feature |
Side mirrors with Reverse Gear Tilt Down |
Moreover, inside the cabin of the 2021 Accord, apart from the standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and 8.0-inch touchscreen, Honda also shifts the front USB ports a bit forward on the center console for ease of access. The safety feature list welcomes new rear-seat reminder feature for all trims too, that alerts the driver to check the back seat while getting out. On the performance front, for better off-the-line acceleration, the throttle response of the 2021 Accord sees a bit more refinement.
See Full 2021 Honda Accord Trims and Configurations >>
Compare the 2021 Honda Accord Specs and Features side by side >>
2021 Honda Accord Buying Advice
The 2021 Honda Accord On-Sale now comes with refreshed styling updates yet again after the redesign it had been put through for the 2018 MY.
Which 2021 Honda Accord should I buy?
Now, despite its shortcomings, which although are very few, including the exclusion of the 6-Speed manual, our recommendation would be the 2021 Accord's latest Sport SE trim, which replaces the previous EX trim. The value-added Sport SE trim of the 2021 Accord is priced at an MSRP of $28,720. Available with the standard 1.5L turbocharged engine rather than the 2.0 turbo unit, 0-60 MPH is achieved in 7.2 seconds, with the Accord Sport SE trim. It comes with 19-inch alloys, a decklid rear spoiler, an 8-inch infotainment screen, and a 12-way power driver seat, amongst other things, which make it the perfect Accord offering.
Check out the Warranty, Maintenance Costs, and Reliability Ratings of the 2021 Honda Accord >>
Also Read:
- Find a Used Honda Accord for sale, starting at $3,598.
- What do the owners have to say about the Honda Accord?
2021 Honda Accord Engine and Performance
"The Accord's ride is firmly controlled but never harsh, which helps it strike a winning balance between a sports sedan and a practical family car." - CAR AND DRIVER
The 2021 Honda Accord is a mid-size luxury vehicle that is offered with three engine options including the hybrid powertrain. The standard option under the hood of the 2021 Accord is a 1.5L Turbocharged Inline-4 engine, which manages to churn out a respectable 192-hp and 192 lb-ft of torque. A bigger 2.0L Turbocharged Inline-4 that comes with standard Sport 2.0T, and Touring trims, pumps out 252 HP of power and 273 lb-ft of torque at just 1,500 RPM.
The engines in the LX, Sport, Sport SE, and EX-L are mated with the standard CVT(continuously variable transmission), which gives surprisingly quick and efficient response, while the rest are limited to the 10-speed automatic transmission that you can choose in Sport 2.0T, and Touring trims for the ultimate driving experience. Honda has decided to do away with the 6-Speed manual transmission option for the year 2021. All of the said power is only sent to the front wheels of the 2021 Accord.
How fast is the 2021 Honda Accord from 0-60 MPH?
The 2021 Honda Accord bridges the 0-60 MPH sprint in 7.2 seconds, with the 1.5L turbo unit partnered with the CVT. However, the top speed is limited to just 115 MPH. The 2.0L turbocharged unit in the Accord, with the 10-Speed auto, brings the time down to 5.7 seconds.
What powers the 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid?
The hybrid choice of the 2021 Accord can get you an additional hybrid system assisting the 1.5L Inline-4 engine choice thus raising the power figures to 212-hp in total.
|
Models |
2021 Honda Accord |
2021 Toyota Camry |
2021 Hyundai Sonata |
2021 Nissan Altima |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
MSRP |
$24,770 |
$24,970 |
$23,700 |
$24,350 |
|
Engine |
1.5L Turbocharged Inline Four-Cylinder |
2.5L Inline NA four-cylinder |
2.5L Inline NA Four-Cylinder |
2.5 Liter NA Inline-4 |
| Drivetrain | FWD |
FWD |
FWD |
FWD |
|
Transmission |
CVT |
8-speed automatic |
6-speed automatic |
XTRONIC CVT |
|
Power |
192 hp @ 5,500 RPM |
203 hp @ 6,600 RPM |
191 hp @ 6,100 RPM |
188 hp @ 6,000 RPM |
|
Torque |
192 lb-ft @ 1,600 RPM |
184 lb-ft @ 5,000 RPM |
181 lb-ft @ 4,000 RPM |
180 lb-ft @ 3,600 RPM |
|
0-60 MPH |
7.2 sec |
7.6 sec |
7.9 sec |
8.0 sec |
|
Quarter-Mile |
15.3 sec |
15.7 sec |
15.9 sec |
16.0 sec |
|
Top Speed |
115 MPH |
135 MPH |
130 MPH |
130 MPH |
|
60-0 MPH |
116 ft. |
122 ft. |
121 ft. |
120 ft. |
The brakes are stiff and work effectively. Power-Assisted Ventilated Front Disc/Solid Rear Disc Brakes stops the sedan in just 116 ft of braking from an average 60 MPH speed. All-in-all the new 2021 Accord has an exceptional ride quality thanks to a light steering that makes maneuvering this long sedan a breeze and a suspension that's pliant enough. Moreover, let's not forget the recalibrated throttle response. The 2021 Honda Accord also delivers the best power to weight ratio.
Also Read:
- Check out the Prices, Trims, and Ownership Costs of the 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid
- Difference between the 2021 Honda Accord Sport and Touring trims
2021 Honda Accord Fuel Economy
The 2021 Honda Accord, when backed by the 1.5L turbocharged engine along with the CVT delivers 30 MPG in the city and 38 MPG out on the highway in the LX trim. The Sport and the Sport SE trims deliver 29 MPG and 35 MPG out on the city and highway respectively. The more potent 2.0L turbocharged in the 2021 Accord with the 10-Speed automatic, further takes down the numbers to 22 MPG and 32 MPG in the city and highway respectively.
|
Models |
2021 Honda Accord |
2021 Toyota Camry |
2021 Hyundai Sonata |
2021 Nissan Altima |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
MPG (City) |
30 |
29 |
28 |
28 |
|
MPG (Highway) |
38 |
41 |
38 |
39 |
|
MPG (Combined) |
33 |
34 |
32 |
32 |
|
Fuel Tank Capacity (Gallons) |
14.8 |
14.5 |
14.8 |
16.2 |
|
Range (City/Highway/Combined) (Miles) |
444/562/488 |
442/595/505 |
364/555/444 |
454/576/456 |
A hybrid variant adds up impressive figures to the 2021 Accord's fuel efficiency. Fit in the hybrid assistance and the same figures soars up high to 48 and 47 MPG for the same. A 14.8-gallon fuel tank comes in all trims, except the hybrid variant which gets a smaller 12.8-gallon one and a lithium-ion battery pack to stretch to a few more incredible miles.
2021 Honda Accord Interior
"More than its outright sportiness, though, the Accord has an aura of refinement that's missing from other midsize sedans." - ROAD / SHOW
The 2020 Honda Accord's interior silhouette will be carried on to the year 2021. The 2021 Honda Accord's interior can fit in a 5-passenger group. The rear seats are as spacious as the front seats, with 37.3-inches of headroom and 40.4-inches of legroom, as even the tall-occupants won't face a hard time fitting in. The base LX, Sport, and Sport SE trim of the 2021 Accord, wrap-up the seats with decent leatherette that is soft and comfortable, yet yearning for something more premium can get you genuine-leather seating surfaces in the upper trims, such as the EX-L, and the Touring trim.
What are the creature comforts on offer with the 2021 Accord?
Other comfort features of the cabin include Power windows with Auto Up/Down feature for front row, Push Button Start, Floor Mats, Illuminated Steering Wheel Mounted Controls, Rear Window Defroster, Driver and front passenger illuminated vanity mirrors, Tilt and Telescopic Steering Column.
How big is the cargo space in the 2021 Honda Accord?
The 2021 Honda Accord hosts a big 16.7 cu-ft cargo space, and even the hybrid variant doesn't eat up the rear space as skeptical minds would've loved to believe.
|
Models |
2021 Honda Accord |
2021 Toyota Camry |
2021 Hyundai Sonata |
2021 Nissan Altima |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Seating Capacity |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
|
Front Row (Headroom/Shoulder Room/Legroom) (in.) |
39.5/58.3/42.3 |
38.3/57.7/42.1 |
40.0/57.9/46.1 |
39.2/58.2/43.8 |
|
Rear Row (Headroom/Shoulder Room/Legroom) (in.) |
37.3/56.5/40.4 |
38.0/55.7/38.0 |
38.4/56.1/34.8 |
36.9/57.1/35.2 |
The 8-inch infotainment screen as standard will acquire the center dash space, For 2021, Honda Accord will now get Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard fitment in all of the trims, except the $31,090 EX-L trim, which brings in the wireless function, for no extra cost. A 160-Watt Audio System with 4 Speakers comes in the base Accord LX model and hybrid trim, from which it can be upgraded to a 180-Watt Audio System with 8 Speakers for the Sport and EX trims while the remaining trims get fitted with a 450-Watt Premium Audio System with 10 Speakers.
Some of the other interior and infotainment features in the 2021 Accord are-
- Bluetooth HandsFreeLink
- Radio Data System
- 1A, and 2.5A USB Smartphone/Audio Interface
- SiriusXM Radio
- Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System with Voice Recognition
- Wireless Phone Charger
- Near Field Communication limited to just Touring trim.
Also Read:
- 2021 Honda Accord vs 2021 Hyundai Sonata: Specs Comparison
- Prices for the base 2021 Honda Accord LX starts off at an MSRP of $24,770
2021 Honda Accord Exterior
"We like its elongated profile, which pairs well with a relatively upright front end and taillights almost too pretty for a mainstream sedan." - THE CAR CONNECTION
For 2021, the front of the Accord gets an updated grille that is wider and sports chrome accents, apart from the Sport SE trim which receives a blacked-out grille. The bumper too is wider and reshaped to accommodate the larger grille and as a result, the fog lamps have been moved to the edge. The new body-color door handles and powered side mirrors come along with remote entry and trunk release.
While 2021 Accord Sport SE trim adds sporty bits such as the chrome exhaust tips, the hybrid trim equips grille shutters to bump up the aerodynamics. Dimension-wise, the 2021 Honda Accord remains the same. Other exterior features worth mentioning are Aluminium Hood, Roof-mounted Fin Antenna, LED Brakelights, Variable Intermittent Windshield Wipers, LED low beam Headlights, Fastback roofline and 17-inch painted alloy wheels with the spiral spoke design that is very attractive.
|
Models |
2021 Honda Accord |
2021 Toyota Camry |
2021 Hyundai Sonata |
2021 Nissan Altima |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Curb Weight (lbs) |
3,131 |
3,241 |
3,472 |
3,212 |
|
Length (in.) |
192.2 |
192.1 |
192.9 |
192.9 |
|
Width (in.) |
73.3 |
72.4 |
73.2 |
72.9 |
|
Height (in.) |
57.1 |
56.9 |
56.9 |
56.7 |
|
Ground Clearance (in.) |
N/A |
5.7 |
5.3 |
4.9 |
|
Wheelbase (in.) |
111.4 |
111.2 |
111.8 |
111.2 |
A new Sonic Gray Pearl exterior shade has also been added to the color palette. All the rivals to the 2021 Honda Accord have a subtle exterior taste, which is nothing fancy, for the price-point they are being offered at. The rivals are slightly heavier in dimensions than the Honda Accord, while the coupe-like side profile makes the Accord stand out in the competition on the design front too.
Also Read:
- 2021 Toyota Camry gets redesigned front fascia and Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ for all its models
- The cabin of the 2021 Toyota Camry features refreshed interior styling and 7- or 9-inch floating touchscreen displays
2021 Honda Accord Safety
For 2021, Honda has updated the Honda Sense Safety system with a newer radar system for improved safety. Moreover, for 2021, Honda also equips the Accord with a new rear-seat reminder safety feature that alerts the front-seated passengers to look out for things in the rear while exiting.
Is the 2021 Honda Accord safe?
The NHTSA has awarded the 2021 Honda Accord a 5-star rating in its crash tests, while IIHS gives a "Top Safety Pick+" honor for the 2021 MY Accord.
The 2021 Accord will also equip a plethora of safety and driver assistance features which include-
- Collision Mitigation Braking System
- Road Departure Mitigation System
- Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Braking Control system
- Lane Keeping Assist System
- Traffic Sign Recognition System
- Vehicle Stability Assist
Read more about the 2021 Honda Accord Safety Features and Ratings >>
2021 Honda Accord Competition
2021 Honda Accord vs 2021 Toyota Camry
The 2021 Honda Accord fits in a smaller 1.5L block under the hood and is very efficient and powerful as compared to Toyota Camry. Both sedans have sport and hybrid variants and are equally generous with offering top-notch gadgets, and driver assistance features.
However, the Accord is slightly more economical, more spacious inside and lighter, and hence more agile. In exchange, the Toyota Camry is more expensive than the Accord by mere $200.
2021 Honda Accord vs 2021 Nissan Altima
The Honda Accord tops the charts in the mid-size sedan segment, while the Nissan Altima is an equally stylish family choice in the market. The 2021 Nissan Altima sedan still lacks a hybrid variant but is an agile and sporty sedan in the segment, for the $24,350 price-point it is being offered at.
However, the 2021 Honda Accord leads in power, acceleration, and on the interior front, which also marks it as the most economical sedan on the table.
2021 Honda Accord Final Verdict
The 2021 Honda Accord will follow the same attractive packaging, albeit the gut-wrenching exclusion of the 6-Speed manual transmission-equipped Sport trim. Having said that, with the potent engine choices the 2021 Accord provides, along with the updated feature list, it makes it worth shelling out $24,770. With minor tweaks inside-out, the Honda Accord will be again listed as a top-selling midsize sedan in the segment, thus symbolizing the value for money factor, when compared to the rest of the segment.
Check out the best prices and discounts on the new 2021 Honda Accord for sale near you >>
Also Read:
- Find the best deals on a used Honda Accord for sale near you, starting at just $3,598!
- How reliable is the 2021 Honda Accord?
- 2021 Honda Accord vs. 2021 Toyota Camry: Which is the best mid-size sedan?
2021 Honda Accord FAQs
Will the 2021 Honda Accord be redesigned?
The 2021 Honda Accord gets a slightly updated front and rear fascia, such as an updated chrome grille, body-colored door handles, and sporty chrome exhaust tips amongst others. But it will not be a complete redesign.
Is there going to be an AWD Honda Accord for 2021?
The 2021 Honda Accord isn't subject to many changes this year, making it least likely to be offered in an AWD setup. The 2021 Accord lineup has a couple of engine options (2.0L and a 1.5T) and two transmission options (CVT and 10-AT) but all of them are set up in an FWD configuration only.
Does the 2021 Honda Accord get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Connectivity?
Yes, the 2021 Honda Accord will get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support as standard on all models, unlike its predecessor which only got these connectivity options with the higher trim levels.
Where is the Honda Accord made?
The Accord lineup is manufactured and assembled at Honda's exclusive Marysville, Ohio plant.
2021 Honda Accord Latest Update
2021 Honda Accord Consumer Reviews and Ratings
based on 147 ratings
POPULAR TAGS
2021 Honda Accord Overall Reviews
User Overall Rating
Posted On: April 28, 2021
2021 Honda Accord
Pros - Sporty, reliable , economic
Cons - Not much
Classic Sedan Accord is the classic Honda which everyone wants to lay their hands on. The reason is simple and yet defining the class of Accord, it is the level of performance, class, comfort, driving ability like no other in competition. It is the best in its segment. A bit expensive but who sees price when you have a car this beautiful.
User Overall Rating
Posted On: March 30, 2021
New Accord
Pros - Touchscreen or infotainment, in general, is very good; it is reliable; love the styling of my new Accord
Cons - Sluggish acceleration; cabin space especially the rear seat legroom is on the smaller side
Honda can do better than this The interior is what is quite interpreting of my new Accord. It is both, good and bad, at the same time. The infotainment is good and intuitive with user-friendly controls and nice features whereas the seats are uncomfortable and there is little to no legroom for back seats. The cargo space is small as well. All in all, Accord has both pros and cons. I went there with no intention to buy but to simply browse and see what I like and what I don’t. The salesman I interacted with was very polite and explained everything in a great deal. And on top of that, the deal I got was too good to resist and the monthly payments were quite prudent. Hence I bought it!
User Overall Rating
Posted On: March 24, 2021
Nice ride
Pros - Looks, interior, comfortable
Cons - Interior gets scratched easily, CVT
Very happy with the purchase. I made a mistake and I chose the CVT instead of automatic transmission. And I regret that decision every time I drive it. Dual-zone climate control, Honda sensing, rearview camera. You know what Accord may very well be the most comfortable car I have set in. It has a good amount of features for a car at this price. It looks like any other 2020 car- a big front grille, body lines, and chrome. Lane keep assist and blind spot monitor are two of the most helpful features. It is a very reliable car or at least has been so I feel the price is fair for Accord. far.
