2021 Honda Accord Hybrid vs 2021 BMW 5 Series

The 2021 BMW 5 Series presented a restrained design, distinguishing itself from other BMW sedans with its understated elegance. It lacked the design flourishes of the 3 Series and the imposing size of the 7 Series, opting instead for a more subtle presence. The 2021 model year introduced a minor styling refresh, enhancing the sedan's sleekness with streamlined LED headlights and a larger, yet tastefully sized, twin-kidney grille. Additional updates included trapezoidal tailpipes, L-shaped taillights, and new bumpers for the M Sport Package. Despite being 30 millimetres longer, the 5 Series maintained a commendable drag coefficient of 0.27, ensuring efficient aerodynamics.

Inside, the 5 Series retained its familiar BMW layout, with distinctive design elements that underscored the brand's identity. The interior featured standard SensaTec upholstery, with options for Dakota and Nappa leather at an additional cost. The test car, a 540i xDrive, boasted Nappa leather in Mocha, enhancing the luxurious feel. Aluminum trim with a unique scale pattern added to the high-end ambiance, though the standard leather-wrapped "sport" steering wheel felt somewhat out of place, given its size and the minimal effort required by the electric power steering.

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid, available in base and Touring trims, showcased a design that was both proportionate and stylish, a rarity for Honda. The model year brought minor front styling changes, including a new grille, revised bumper, and updated headlights. The Touring trim featured new 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels, adding to its visual appeal. The test vehicle, an Accord Touring in Lunar Silver, highlighted the challenges of maintaining the gloss black inserts on the wheels, which required extra effort to keep clean.

Inside, the Accord Hybrid's cabin exuded an upscale feel, with lower panels that, despite being plastic, did not appear cheap. The simulated matte-finish wood trim, robust controls, and polished metallic accents contributed to the interior's classy ambiance. While the hard plastic upper rear door trim was a slight disappointment, the logically arranged controls and excellent outward visibility made for a user-friendly experience. The 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display featured both a volume and tuning knob, enhancing ease of use.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series offered a diverse range of powertrain options. The base 530i sedan featured a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 248 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, achieving zero to 100 km/h in 6.0 seconds. The 540i model, equipped with a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six engine and a 48-volt mild hybrid system, delivered 335 hp and 362 lb-ft of torque, reaching zero to 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds. The M550i xDrive, with a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8, boasted 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, while the M5 offered 617 hp in Competition spec, achieving zero to 100 km/h in just 3.0 seconds. The 530e plug-in hybrid combined a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with an electric motor, producing 288 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, with an electric range of 31 km.

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid utilized a two-motor hybrid system, pairing a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with a generator/starter motor and an electric drive motor, producing a combined 212 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque. The system offered three operational modes: EV Drive, Hybrid Drive, and Engine Drive, allowing for efficient power management. The Accord Hybrid achieved a fuel consumption rate of 5.0 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with an average of 5.5 L/100 km during testing. The Touring trim's 19-inch wheels and 235/40 tires provided excellent grip, while the suspension offered a balance of athletic handling and a compliant ride. The brake-by-wire regenerative braking system delivered excellent feel and response.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series, available as a four-door, five-seat sedan, offered a spacious interior, with competitive front-seat space and ample rear-seat room. The 540i model featured a 396-litre trunk, larger than its Audi A6 and Mercedes-Benz E-Class counterparts, with a 40/20/20 split-folding rear bench for added versatility. The test car's 16-way power front seats provided supportive bolstering and cushioning, though forward visibility was hindered by the long, high hood. A surround-view camera system aided in maneuvering.

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid impressed with its spacious interior, offering a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat and a generous back seat. The Touring trim included heated and ventilated front seats, as well as heated rear seats. Interior storage was ample, with a large centre console bin, a covered compartment with a wireless smartphone charger, and sizable door panel bins. The Accord Hybrid's 473-litre trunk matched other Accord models and surpassed competitors, accommodating full-size suitcases and featuring 60/40 split-folding rear seats for enhanced utility.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series featured a standard 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with the iDrive 7 system and a 12.3-inch Live Cockpit Professional digital instrument cluster. Standard features included Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The rotary knob controller provided a tactile interface, while voice control and gesture controls offered alternative options. However, the layout of the instrument cluster could be confusing, with a power meter replacing the tachometer in non-sport modes.

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, including Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Touring trim added a head-up display and navigation with bilingual voice recognition, though the system required specific prompts for voice commands. USB port access was improved, with quick-charge ports for rear-seat passengers and standard wireless charging for smartphones.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series had not been crash-tested by the IIHS, but the 2020 model received a "Top Safety Pick+" award. Standard safety features included lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic high beams. The Driving Assistance Plus Package added adaptive cruise control, traffic-jam assist, lane-keep assist, and emergency stop assist, with smooth operation and sophisticated driver-assist technology.

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid aimed to achieve a Top Safety Pick+ rating by redesigning its LED headlights. Standard safety features included blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a rearview camera. The Touring trim added low-speed braking control and front and rear automatic emergency braking. The Honda Sensing suite offered refined adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist, though some features required further improvement for a more seamless experience.