2021 Honda Accord
- Spirited handling, roomy cabin, and smooth ride
- Available hybrid delivers up to 48 mpg
- Class-leading resale value and low operating costs
- Pricing starts at $24,770 (plus $955 destination charge) | Price yours
- On sale now | See Autotrader listings right here on KBB.com
The Honda Accord returns yet again as Kelley Blue Book’s Best Buy among midsize sedans for 2021. For the new model year, the 2021 Accord is freshened with a new grille and other interior upgrades. But it’s the underlying vehicle architecture that keeps the Accord out front of the increasingly stiff competition, particularly from the new Hyundai Sonata and Kia K5. The Accord continues to stand out for its roomy cabin (particularly the rear seat), large trunk, and advanced powertrains, including a hybrid that delivers up to 48 miles per gallon. In short, the Honda Accord is the complete package, from its affordable price to its traditionally high resale value.
For 2021, the Accord sports a new front grille with better integration of the radar unit. Upper trim levels also sport new LED lights and alloy wheel designs. Inside, an 8-inch infotainment screen is standard on all trim levels along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. On EX-L and higher trims (EX and above on Accord Hybrid), the smartphone integration is wireless.
Honda has also added a new Sport Special Edition above the Sport SE model to replace the Accord EX 1.5T model. This addition to the Sport model features leather upholstery, heated front seats, 4-way power front passenger seat, heated outside mirrors, smarty entry, and remote engine start.
All-star family car
Even though the car’s last complete makeover was for the 2018 model year, the Accord’s styling remains fresh. The sleek roofline, crisp exterior character lines, and brightwork and LED lighting give it the look of a luxury model. The size and premium appearance allow Honda to use the Accord to appeal to buyers of midsize sedans and those intenders who have fewer choices in the traditional full-size segment.
The premium approach to design and materials carries over into the cabin. The interior has a well-crafted look with plenty of soft-touch materials, wood trim, and satin finish accents. The Accord also offers great visibility from the driver’s seat with a low cowl and thin A-pillars.
Instruments and controls are logically arranged with the welcome use of traditional knobs for the volume and tuning on the sound system and an array of easy-to-use controls for the HVAC system. The only quirky element here is the use of pushbuttons for the 10-speed automatic transmission. Still, once you adapt to the layout, it becomes intuitive.
What continues to impress us about the Accord is the roominess of the cabin. The front bucket seats are comfortable and supportive, while the rear-seat legroom is exceptional. There’s also class-leading trunk space and a standard 60/40 split rear seat that folds flat for additional cargo hauling.
Confident road manners
Driving the 2021 Honda Accord inspires confidence. The steering has a light touch, but it’s accurate with excellent on-center feel. The same is true for the brakes, which are also precise and linear in response. Standard Honda Sensing reassures with a suite of assists including blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, cross-traffic alerts, and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability.
There are also three powertrains to choose from, depending on whether you want a car that’s spirited or super efficient. The volume models are the LX, SE, Sport SE, and EX-L, all of which employ a 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). This engine boasts 192 horsepower, which is on par with or better than other entry-level models in the segment. The CVT does its work unobtrusively, and the overall performance of these models is solid.
Those looking for a bit more punch under the hood will be satisfied with the 252-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder that mates to a 10-speed automatic transmission providing smooth, seamless shifts. While the 2.0T Sport model remains in the lineup, sadly, Honda has dropped the 6-speed manual option. Still, that model’s paddle shifters provide a way to engage the gears manually.
Honda also offers a hybrid variant that provides truly amazing fuel economy numbers for a sedan this size. The Accord Hybrid has a total system output of 212 hp and 232 lb-ft of torque, which allows this 4-door to step smartly off the line. The EPA estimates a combined fuel economy average of 48 mpg – a figure that would be astounding for much smaller vehicles.
Taking it to the bank
Beyond saving money at the pump, the 2021 Honda Accord achieves Best Buy status for its affordability, low operating costs, and on the back end, high resale value. Pricing starts at a competitive $25,725 for the 1.5-liter LX. The Accord Sport and new Sport SE carry respective stickers of $28,185 and $29,675. The EX-L tops out the 1.5-liter range at $32,045. The 2.0-liter range starts with the $32,865 Sport 2.0T and tops out at $37,655 for the Touring. Hybrid models are priced from a base of $27,325 up through the range-topping Touring Hybrid at $37,195. All prices include $955 in destination charges.
Another major factor in the Accord’s repeat win among midsize sedans is its class-leading 5-Year Cost to Own numbers and higher-than-average resale value.
In a nutshell, the Honda Accord does many things well. With continual upgrades, as shown in the 2021 model, it manages to stay a step ahead of the competition in meeting the transportation needs of a wide range of customers – from families to empty-nesters. It’s that broad appeal along with its easy-to-drive and easy-on-the-pocketbook nature that makes the 2021 Honda Accord our choice as the Midsize Car Best Buy.
Photo Tour: 2021 Honda Accord
More 2021 Honda Accord
Build and price your own 2021 Honda Accord to see this week’s Fair Purchase Price, 5-Year Cost to Own, and more, or see Autotrader listings right here on KBB.com.
