When it comes to affordable, reliable, and generally good cars, the Honda Accord Hybrid, along with its gas-powered counterpart is simply one of the best. Gone are the days when a hybrid had to be boring, filled with cheap plastics, and ugly. But, enough talk of the Toyota Prius. The Accord Hybrid's powerplant is a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder that is aided by a pair of electric motors. This produces a total of 212 horsepower, all of which goes through a continuously variable transmission feeding the front wheels. It has more to offer than just a frugal and efficient engine, though gas mileage estimates of 48 mpg are worth noting. It boasts a comfortable cabin with good quality materials used throughout, and a long list of standard features and safety assists which have earned the Accord Hybrid a top-notch review from the NHTSA. And with a pleasing cabin filled with conveniences, it makes for a lovely midsize sedan that is neither pretentious nor pious. But, with the Toyota Camry Hybrid still raking in the sales, has Honda done enough with it's hybridized midsize sedan?
The 2021 model sees the new Accord Hybrid fitted with a wider front grille and a better-integrated radar unit for the Honda Sensing suite. Accord Hybrid models get LED headlights, while new alloy wheel designs are joined by a fresh shade of paint called Sonic Gray Pearl available to top trim levels. In terms of the interior, all trims now get an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment display as standard, which includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto across the range, with wireless integration from the EX trims and up. There's also now a new Rear Seat Reminder feature, and the Touring variants gain low speed braking control. The automaker has tweaked the adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assist systems for improved functionality for 2021. Lastly, some upgrades to the hybrid system mean better throttle responses and acceleration for the sedan, too.
See trim levels and configurations:
| Trim | Engine | Transmission | Drivetrain | Price (MSRP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid |
2.0L Inline-4 Hybrid
|
Continuously Variable Automatic (CVT)
|
Front-Wheel Drive
|
$26,570 |
| Hybrid EX |
2.0L Inline-4 Hybrid
|
Continuously Variable Automatic (CVT)
|
Front-Wheel Drive
|
$30,520 |
| Hybrid EX-L |
2.0L Inline-4 Hybrid
|
Continuously Variable Automatic (CVT)
|
Front-Wheel Drive
|
$32,890 |
| Hybrid Touring |
2.0L Inline-4 Hybrid
|
Continuously Variable Automatic (CVT)
|
Front-Wheel Drive
|
$36,440 |
The Honda Accord Hybrid may have been one of the less famous electrified vehicles of the past few years, but to those that have been smart enough to buy one, it's turned out to be a great little car that runs faultlessly and is a great everyday driver. Not only is it frugal and relatively cheap to buy, but it is also remarkably spacious, practical, and - thanks to clever packaging - no different on the surface than the regular Accord. And like the regular Accord, it's surprisingly fun to drive. Of course, no car is perfect. The biggest issues with this one are its oddly-shaped trunk opening and the fact that it runs out of steam the faster you go. However, these are small prices to pay for a car that is incredibly cheap to run, fun to drive, and comfortable to spend time in. And, after review of the Honda Accord Hybrid from the NHTSA, a full five-star safety score only adds to its appeal. Compared to rivals like the Toyota Camry Hybrid - a great car in its own right - the Accord is still the one we'd have.
The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid starts at a base price of $26,370 before a $955 destination charge. Stepping up to the fancier Hybrid EX will set you back $30,320 while the EX-L trim carries an MSRP of $32,690. The top Hybrid Touring trim goes on sale for $36,240. There aren't a lot of features you can add here, but playing around on the configurator sees a fully loaded model priced upwards of $42k, although this is encroaching on the territory of the BMW 330e sedan with its $44,550 MSRP.
The most popular competitors of 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid:
Acura
Alfa Romeo
Aston Martin
Audi
Bentley
BMW
Bollinger
BrightDrop
Bugatti
Buick
Cadillac
Caterham
Chevrolet
Chrysler
Dodge
Ferrari
Fiat
Fisker
Ford
Genesis
GMC
Gordon Murray Automotive
Hennessey
Honda
Hyundai
Infiniti
Jaguar
Jeep
Karma
Kia
Koenigsegg
Lamborghini
Land Rover
Lexus
Lincoln
Lordstown
Lotus
Lucid Motors
Maserati
Mazda
McLaren
Mercedes-Benz
Mini
Mitsubishi
Nissan
Pagani
Polestar
Porsche
Ram
Rimac
Rivian
Rolls-Royce
Spyker
Subaru
Tesla
Toyota
VinFast
Volkswagen
Volvo