Three Reasons Why You Should Get the 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid and Two Why You Shouldn’t
Hybrid, 1.5-liter, or 2.0-liter?
Like we said in our 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid First Drive , the green midsize sedan makes a great proposition: more power, less gas. Compared to the gas-only 2021 Honda Accord , there's no compromise in terms of interior space or versatility. With its terrific packaging, the Accord Hybrid manages to deliver an ample cabin and delivers over 500 miles of range. Besides that, its styling has been freshened up , with a few changes in the grille and headlights for the 2021 model.
The internal combustion Accord lineup covers a big chunk of the market—from the 1.5-liter to the 2.0-liter turbo engines, the Accord is comfortable and dynamic. Whether you're looking for something traditional or sporty, the standard Accord has you covered. So, why should you get the Accord Hybrid over the gasser? Or why should you buy the gas-powered Accord over the hybrid? Let's find out.
2021 Honda Accord Hybrid: Performance
Compared to the Accord with the base 1.5-liter turbo engine, the Accord Hybrid is more powerful and refined. The Hybrid delivers 212 hp and 232 lb-ft combined thanks to its 2.0-liter Atkinson cycle engine and two electric motors. The Accord's base engine, on the other hand, delivers 192 hp and 192 lb-ft of torque.
For reference, the 2018 Accord EX with the 1.5-liter engine we last tested took 7.6 seconds to get from 0 to 60 mph and crossed the quarter mile in 15.9 seconds at 89.3 mph. The 2018 Accord Touring Hybrid was almost a second faster to 60 mph , taking 6.7 seconds. The fuel-efficient sedan was also a bit quicker in the quarter mile, crossing the finish line in 15.4 seconds at 89.3 mph.
2021 Honda Accord (Gas): Price and Trims
The price difference between the Accord LX and Accord Hybrid (base) is $1,600, and that number stays the same as you move up the ladder. Although that doesn't sound like a lot, it could be a decent difference when you're thinking about leasing. The Accord with the base engine starts at $25,725 and maxes out at $32,045; the hybrid starts at $27,325 and goes all the way up to $37,195 for the Touring trim.
The Sport SE trim is new for 2021 and exclusive to the Accord 1.5-liter. It brings leather seats, heated front seats, four-way power passenger seat, heated mirrors, keyless entry, and remote engine start. The Sport SE starts at $29,675 and falls between the Sport and EX-L trims.
2021 Honda Accord Hybrid: Fuel Economy
All Accord Hybrids except for the Touring deliver 48 mpg in city , highway, and combined driving. Those numbers are great for a midsize sedan that delivers over 500 miles on a single tank. Touring models deliver 44/41/43 mpg city/highway/combined, which is still pretty competent (you can thank the big wheels for that).
Accords powered by the 1.5-liter engine deliver anywhere from 29 to 38 mpg—that means the hybrid delivers up to 10 mpg more than the base gas engine.
2021 Honda Accord (Gas): The 2.0-Liter Engine
If you're sticking with the gas-powered Accord, the 2.0-liter turbo-four is a great upgrade, delivering 252 hp and 273 lb-ft. That's more power than the hybrid, which makes it the most powerful Accord.
The engine is derived from the Honda Civic Type R, and besides putting down a lot of power, it delivers a fun experience behind the wheel. Mated to a quick-shifting 10-speed automatic, the powerful engine turns up the Accord's aura.
2021 Honda Accord Hybrid: The Drive
For 2021, Honda made small but important changes to the Accord Hybrid. It now has stronger acceleration and a more natural feeling thanks to some improvements made to the two-motor hybrid system.
During our drive with the Accord Hybrid, we noted a smoother and stronger drive than in the past. Accelerating from a stop, it feels powerful while the cabin is quiet and serene. The hybrid system is smoother, so you never hear or feel any vibrations from the engine when it turns on.
For as long as I can remember, I was always interested in cars. I’d spent countless hours playing with toy cars or reading anything and everything I could find out about them. As I got older, I began wanting to make a career out of it, in whatever way possible. I used to think I would end up in engineering or automotive design, but turns out that was trickier than I imagined… Luckily, I also had a passion for photography and after honing my skills at The Creative Circus in Atlanta, a portfolio based school, I turned my enthusiasm into a career, specializing in capturing the beauty and power of cars. As a photographer at MotorTrend, I’ve had the privilege of working on numerous features and projects, showcasing many vehicles and helping share the stories of our highly talented editors. I’m grateful for my journey so far, and I hope to share my passion for cars through my images.
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