2021 Honda Accord vs 2020 Honda Accord

The 2020 Honda Accord was recognized for its stylish design, despite some mixed opinions on its front styling and rounded roofline. It was considered one of the most stylish Accords in history, offering a mainstream family sedan with an upscale appearance. The 19-inch alloy wheels on the Touring, Sport 2.0, and Touring 2.0 trim levels added to its visual presence, while the 17-inch wheels on other versions were seen as a more cost-effective choice. The interior was praised for its quality, with soft touchpoints, good-feeling leather, and realistic matte-finish simulated wood.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda Accord received a mid-generation refresh to keep up with its competitors. It featured a wider, restyled grille, giving it a more sculpted face. The Honda Sensing safety system's radar unit was better integrated, enhancing the vehicle's appearance. All models came with LED headlights and lowlights, improving night visibility. The 2021 model also introduced new alloy wheel designs and a Sonic Gray Pearl paint option. The interior was noted for its sophistication, with cloth seats in lower trims and leather-trimmed seats in higher trims. The Accord SE was a new addition for Canada, offering a range of features at a competitive price.

The 2020 Honda Accord offered a standard turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 192 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT and front-wheel drive. It was the last year for the optional 6-speed manual gearbox with the Sport trim. The 212-horsepower hybrid powertrain was praised for its fuel efficiency, averaging 5.5 litres per 100 kilometres. The turbocharged 2.0-litre engine, with 252 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, provided a thrilling driving experience, especially in Sport mode. The Accord Touring 2.0 featured adaptive dampers and 19-inch tires, offering excellent handling and ride comfort.

For 2021, the Accord continued with the same engine options. The 1.5-litre engine was standard on most trims, while the 2.0-litre engine was available on Sport 2.0 and Touring 2.0 grades. The 1.5-litre engine's Idle Stop performance was improved for quicker starts. Fuel economy ratings were slightly better for the 1.5-litre engine, while the 2.0-litre engine offered more driving excitement. The 2021 model also featured upgraded brakes for smoother engagement. Paddle shifters were available on Sport and Touring trims, enhancing driving dynamics.

The 2020 Honda Accord was essentially a full-size car, offering more rear-seat legroom and cargo space than its rival, the Toyota Camry. The 12-way power driver's seat was comfortable, with heating and ventilation available on the Touring trim. The back seat was exceptionally comfortable, with wide doors for easy access and ample thigh support. The trunk offered 473 litres of space, accommodating full-size suitcases. The interior was well-designed, with clear instrumentation and ergonomic controls.

The 2021 Honda Accord continued to impress with its spacious and practical design. It offered good head-, hip-, and legroom for both front and rear passengers. Standard features included dual-zone automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and push-button start. The rear seats featured a 60/40 split and centre armrest, with a pass-through to the sizeable trunk. The cabin was well-organized, with easy-to-reach controls and a user-friendly infotainment system. Small-item storage was adequate, with a cubby for miscellaneous items or a wireless phone charger in higher trims.

The 2020 Honda Accord featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with volume and tuning knobs, offering Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto connectivity. A ten-speaker premium audio system was standard from the Sport trim, with additional features like HondaLink, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and wireless charging available on the Touring trim. The system lacked natural voice recognition but was otherwise user-friendly. A head-up display was exclusive to the Touring trim.

In 2021, the Accord continued to offer an 8-inch touchscreen with physical knobs, providing a responsive and attractive interface. Standard features included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and two USB ports. Higher trims added satellite radio, HD radio, a wireless phone charger, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Touring trims featured an on-board navigation system, rain-sensing wipers, and a head-up display, offering comprehensive information to the driver.

The 2020 Honda Accord was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS and received five stars from the NHTSA. It came standard with the Honda Sensing suite, including forward collision warning, collision mitigation braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and traffic sign recognition. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was reserved for the Touring trim. Some refinement was needed for the adaptive cruise control and warning systems.

The 2021 Honda Accord continued Honda's commitment to safety, with standard features like vehicle stability assist, brake assist, a rearview camera, and LED daytime running lights. The Honda Sensing suite included lane-keeping assist, blind spot monitoring, forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Accord received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. It also featured LATCH connectors for child safety seats.