You can (and may) get the Accord in Sonic Gray.
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The Honda Accord will get just a few little enhancements this yr, none of which ought to hamper the perennial success of this easy-to-like household sedan. That’s extra vital now than ever, too, because the 2021 Accord faces towards more and more stiff competitors. In addition to the Honda’s longstanding archrival, the Toyota Camry, firms like Hyundai, Kia and Nissan are providing higher midsize choices than ever earlier than. Thankfully, the 10th-generation Accord was a winner from the get-go.

LikeSmooth, sturdy turbo powerSpacious, snug, quiet interiorEngaging and refined to driveLots of normal driver-assistance tech

Don’t LikeNo all-wheel drive possibilityNot as environment friendly as some opponentsInfotainment tech may use a refresh

In truth, this Accord was so good out of the gates that its mid-cycle refresh is proscribed to only a few styling tweaks, minor cabin tech upgrades and a few mannequin positioning/packaging modifications. Honestly, the largest information for the 2021 Accord is an improved hybrid drivetrain, which my buddy Andrew Krok talks about intimately in a separate overview.Visually, the slimmer LED headlights and wider grille of my Sport tester do not actually transfer the needle somehow, though I’ve to say the Accord’s new Sonic Gray paint possibility — which initially debuted on the Civic — seems completely scorching. LX and EX-L fashions roll on milquetoast 17-inch wheels, whereas Sport, Sport SE and Touring trims get snazzier 19s, wrapped in 235/40-series tires.

Honda’s 1.5-liter turbo I4 remains to be the bottom engine possibility, placing out 192 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque. A extra highly effective 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four is on the market with Sport and Touring fashions, bringing a wholesome 252 hp and 273 lb-ft to the occasion. Sad trombone time, although: The Accord’s six-speed handbook transmission possibility goes away this yr. The 1.5T engine comes normal with a constantly variable transmission and the two.0T has a 10-speed automated. And earlier than you complain, know that solely a super-duper-small proportion of Accord patrons really spec’d the handbook gearbox. In different phrases, y’all solely have yourselves in charge.Another factor you possibly can’t get on the Accord? All-wheel drive. I do know AWD may sound like an oddity for a midsize sedan, however an increasing number of automakers are embracing this foul-weather friendliness in an try to appease prospects who merely don’t need an SUV. No longer reserved for the Subaru Legacy, the Kia K5, Nissan Altima and Toyota Camry all provide AWD now. Go to your Honda vendor in search of all-wheel drive and so they’ll fortunately present you a CR-V.

These 19-inch wheels are distinctive to the Accord Sport.
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The 2.0-liter I4 is a complete peach of an engine — accurately, because it’s successfully the identical unit used within the pleasant Civic Type R. You can journey a clean wave of torque from simply 1,500 rpm, and the 10-speed transmission is pleased to hang around within the decrease finish of the engine’s rev vary, benefiting from that turbocharged woosh. On the opposite hand, this implies the 10-speed gearbox is commonly hesitant to kick down and go-go-go-go-go when fast freeway passes are demanded, although in case you run the Accord in its Sport mode, the transmission isn’t solely snapper to shift, however holds onto gears longer, too.

With the two.0-liter engine, the Accord ought to return an EPA-estimated 22 miles per gallon within the metropolis, 32 mpg on the freeway and 26 mpg mixed. That’s… high quality. But equally highly effective turbocharged opponents just like the Nissan Altima and Subaru Legacy are barely extra frugal. Of course, if gas effectivity is a high concern, you are in all probability higher off simply sticking with the 1.5T, or for that matter, an Accord Hybrid.The Sport 2.0T has largely the identical suspension setup as different Accord fashions, save for the Touring, which gives adaptive dampers. But even with out ’em, the Accord Sport strikes a wonderful steadiness of consolation and composure; this automotive will eat up freeway miles with cool, collected confidence and it will not get all pissy in case you toss it right into a nook with gusto. The steering is properly weighted and fast to reply and, typically talking, the Accord feels extra agile than absolutely anything else within the class, besides perhaps the Mazda6. Maybe.The cabin might sound a bit of plain, nevertheless it’s quiet, snug and neatly organized.
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More than its outright sportiness, although, the Accord has an aura of refinement that is lacking from different midsize sedans. There’s a sense of premium solidity that makes this Honda easy to drive. Combine that with a quiet cabin and cozy seats, and lengthy stints behind the wheel of the Accord are something however fatiguing.This Honda is a straightforward automotive to stay with each day, too. The inside may lack the flashy design of some newer sedans just like the Hyundai Sonata, however the entire Accord’s controls are precisely the place you count on them to be and each floor you contact seems and feels very nice. Head- and legroom is beneficiant for each entrance and rear passengers and there are many little storage cubbies all through the cabin, together with one beneath the local weather controls that homes a wi-fi charging pad on higher trims.Every 2021 Accord now comes with an 8-inch touchscreen working Honda’s Display Audio multimedia system. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are normal and could be operated wirelessly on any Accord that has the aforementioned charging pad. These are small tech upgrades, however considerate ones. That stated, the Display Audio software program actually lags behind what plenty of different automakers provide when it comes to design and performance and the Accord cannot compete with the larger screens and higher-res shows present in rivals just like the Sonata and K5. Across its full portfolio, Honda may actually stand to provide its infotainment tech a lift.Both 1.5-liter and a pair of.0-liter turbocharged engines can be found.
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At least driver-assistance tech is in excessive provide. Every Accord will get adaptive cruise management, lane-keeping help, traffic-sign recognition, forward-collision warning and automated high-beam headlights. Unfortunately, blind-spot monitoring with cross-traffic alert is not obtainable on the decrease trim ranges and you’ll solely get a head-up show on the top-end Touring. It’s all nice tech to have, however man, the lane-keeping help and forward-collision warning positive are delicate. I discover myself turning them off most of the time.Starting at $25,765 together with a $995 vacation spot cost, the 2021 Honda Accord stays competitively priced inside the midsize sedan class. You cannot get right into a 2.0-liter mannequin for something lower than $33,105 and a top-of-the-line Touring will run you slightly below $38,000. That’s just a few thousand {dollars} greater than you will pay for an equal Hyundai Sonata Limited, although the latter would not have as a lot energy and is not fairly as good to drive. The Hyundai gives extra placing design, an extended guarantee and manner higher cabin tech, although — three issues which are arguably extra vital for the common household sedan purchaser.Still, whereas some opponents may surpass the Accord in particular elements, none really feel as wholly well-rounded. Well-built, good to drive, refined and good-looking, Honda’s midsize sedan continues to be a terrific purchase.