Although it’s often overlooked due to the popularity of the Honda Civic, the Accord has been around almost as long, having made its debut way back in 1976. Over the past 45 years, the Accord has gone through 10 generations and become one of the most reliable and dependable cars on the road today.
Here in Canada alone, Honda consistently sells roughly 12 thousand Accords per year, and for good reason: it’s a fantastic car. With a nearly perfect combination of practicality, dependability, luxury, and power, there’s a lot to love about the Honda Accord, and the 2021 model year is no exception.
Without further ado, here’s a quick review of the 2021 Honda Accord to see what’s new, what’s changed, and what you should keep an eye out for.
What is the 2021 Honda Accord?
As with all Accords produced since 1989 (it was a compact car before then), the 2021 Honda Accord is a high-quality, stylish, midsize sedan with a peppy engine, luxurious interior, and upgraded infotainment system. With the 2021 model year, Honda subtly redesigned the exterior with a wider grille, smaller fog lights, and, to spice things up, optional LED headlights.
But it’s not all good news for fans of the popular car. After years as one of the only remaining midsize sedans to offer a manual transmission, Honda dropped the six-speed manual from its available options. Instead, all 2021 Accord models have either a 10-speed automatic or a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Although this doesn’t affect the vast majority of drivers, it’s been a staple of the Accord since its inception, so it’s sad to see it go.
What’s Under the 2021 Honda Accord’s Hood?
The 2021 Honda Accord comes in six different trim levels, each of which could potentially be the perfect car for you. Even with all these different models, there are only two engine choices (except for the Hybrid, which is always a little different). Both engine options are turbocharged four-cylinders, but one is a heck of a lot more fun to drive!
Let’s break it down by trim level and see which engines come in which models.
Trim Level | Engine |
LX | 1.5 L turbo 4-cylinder, 192 hp & 192 lb-ft torque |
Hybrid* | 2.0 L 4-cylinder, 212 hp & 232 lb-ft torque |
Sport** | 1.5 L turbo 4-cylinder, 192 hp & 192 lb-ft torque |
Sport SE** | 1.5 L turbo 4-cylinder, 192 hp & 192 lb-ft torque |
EX-L | 1.5 L turbo 4-cylinder, 192 hp & 192 lb-ft torque |
Touring | 2.0 L turbo 4-cylinder, 252 hp & 273 lb-ft torque |
*These numbers are the combination of the gasoline and electric motors.
**The 2.0 L from the Touring trim is available as an option on the Sport 2.0T models.
The 252-hp turbocharged engine that comes standard in the top-tier Touring trim really makes that model a blast to drive. While the standard 192-hp engine is peppy in its own right, the more powerful option wakes up the 2021 Accord and shows you what it can really do!
How’s the 2021 Honda Accord’s Interior?
The 2021 Honda Accord boasts an impressive interior, undoubtedly one of the biggest highlights of the updated model. When it comes to interiors, the Accord has one of the best in its class, with a focus on both functionality and style. If you take a seat in the EX-L or Touring trims, you’ll think you’re in a luxury car that’s twice the price. Honda really made the interiors in this new Accord something special.
One of the first things you’ll notice when you take a seat (aside from the high-end materials all around you) is the space. It seems like everywhere you look there’s just more and more space. With two fully functional rows of seating, the 2021 Accord can easily seat five adults without anyone feeling like they’ve been shoved into a sardine can. And the trunk is one of the most spacious in its class, offering nearly 17 cubic feet of cargo space.
Lastly, you’ll be blown away by the new infotainment system, upgraded for the 2021 model year. We’ll get into it in more detail in the next section, but suffice it to say for now that the new touchscreen adds personality and flair to the already-enticing interior.
How’s the 2021 Honda Accord’s Tech?
Infotainment System
As mentioned above, the 2021 Accord’s upgraded infotainment system is a welcome addition to the new model. The eight-inch touchscreen (which now comes standard in all models) is easy to see and reach from the driver’s seat and the interface is user-friendly. As well, the accompanying upgraded audio system sounds incredible.
It comes with upgraded connectivity capabilities, allowing you to connect your phone to the car’s system via Bluetooth. It also works with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so it’s never been easier to stay connected!
Tech Features
Aside from the infotainment system, the 2021 Accord comes with a variety of technical features that are worth a look. Here are our favorites:
- Wireless charging device
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- WiFi hotspot
- Forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking
- Lane-keeping assist
- Adaptive cruise control
- High-resolution rearview camera
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Driver drowsiness monitoring
- Rear seat reminder
Our Take on the 2021 Honda Accord
Taking everything into account, we at Car Digest are pretty big fans of the 2021 Honda Accord. While we were a little saddened by the removal of the manual transmission (the end of an era!), the turbocharged engines still make the new Accord a blast to drive. Add in the luxurious interior and upgraded infotainment system and there isn’t too much not to like. It’s a high-quality car for the price, and we recommend it to anyone in the market for a new midsize sedan!
