2021 Honda Accord vs 2021 BMW 5 Series

The 2021 BMW 5 Series was known for its understated elegance, lacking the flamboyant design elements of the 3 Series or the grandiose presence of the 7 Series. It received a subtle styling refresh that enhanced its sleekness, featuring streamlined LED headlights and a larger, yet tastefully proportioned, twin-kidney grille. The addition of trapezoidal tailpipes, L-shaped taillights, and updated bumpers for the M Sport Package contributed to its refined appearance. Despite being 30 millimetres longer, the 5 Series maintained a commendable drag coefficient of 0.27, ensuring aerodynamic efficiency. Inside, the 5 Series retained its classic BMW layout, with distinctive design elements that unmistakably identified it as a BMW. While lower trims featured SensaTec upholstery, higher trims offered luxurious Dakota and Nappa leather options. The interior boasted high-end materials, although the sporty steering wheel felt somewhat out of place in the otherwise luxurious cabin.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda Accord presented a blend of style and practicality, appealing to a broad audience. It underwent a mid-generation refresh, featuring a wider, more sculpted grille that improved its aesthetic appeal. The Accord's LED headlights and fog light openings were redesigned for a more sophisticated look, while new alloy wheel designs added a touch of elegance. The interior of the Accord was spacious and well-appointed, with high-quality materials even in lower trims. The Accord's cabin was thoughtfully designed, with all essential controls within easy reach of the driver. The rear seats offered a 60/40 split, enhancing cargo versatility, and the trunk provided an impressive 473 litres of space. The Accord's interior was praised for its comfort and practicality, making it a strong contender in the midsize sedan segment.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series offered a diverse range of powertrains, starting with the 530i's 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 248 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This entry-level model could accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 6.0 seconds, with a top speed limited to 210 km/h or 235 km/h, depending on tire choice. The 540i featured a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six engine with a 48-volt mild hybrid system, delivering 335 hp and 362 lb-ft of torque, achieving zero to 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds. The M550i xDrive boasted a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 with 523 hp, while the M5 offered a more potent version with 617 hp, reaching zero to 100 km/h in just 3.0 seconds. The 530e plug-in hybrid combined a 2.0-litre engine with an electric motor, producing 288 hp and offering an electric range of 31 km.

The 2021 Honda Accord provided two engine options: a 192-horsepower 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a more powerful 2.0-litre turbo-four with 252 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. The 1.5-litre engine was paired with a CVT, while the 2.0-litre engine came with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Accord's fuel economy varied, with the 1.5-litre engine achieving 7.2 to 7.5 L/100 km combined, depending on the trim, and the 2.0-litre engine rated at 9.1 L/100 km combined. While the Accord lacked the sporty dynamics of the BMW, it offered engaging driving characteristics and smooth braking performance, making it a practical choice for daily driving.

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's trunk provided 396 litres of cargo space, surpassing rivals like the Audi A6 and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. The rear bench featured a 40/20/20 split fold for added versatility. The 5 Series boasted 16-way power front seats with various adjustments, ensuring comfort and support. However, forward visibility was somewhat compromised by the long hood, though a surround-view camera system aided in parking.

The 2021 Honda Accord excelled in practicality, offering seating for five with generous head-, hip-, and legroom in both front and rear seats. Standard features included dual-zone automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and push-button start. The rear seats had a 60/40 split, enhancing cargo flexibility, and the trunk offered an impressive 473 litres of space. The Accord's cabin was well-designed, with intuitive controls and a user-friendly infotainment system. While small-item storage was limited, the Accord provided a convenient cubby for essentials.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series featured a standard 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with the iDrive 7 system and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM were standard. The infotainment screen's placement atop the dashboard ensured easy readability, though the instrument cluster's layout could be confusing. The rotary knob provided a tactile interface, complemented by voice and gesture controls, though the latter required some learning.

The 2021 Honda Accord offered an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with physical volume and tuning knobs. Standard features included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and two USB ports. Higher trims added satellite radio, a wireless phone charger, a premium audio system, and a Wi-Fi hot spot. The Accord Touring models featured an on-board navigation system, rain-sensing wipers, and a head-up display, providing comprehensive information to the driver.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series received a "Top Safety Pick+" award from the IIHS for the 2020 model, with top scores in crash tests and front-crash prevention. 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, and lane-keep assist, enhancing safety and driver convenience.

The 2021 Honda Accord was equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including vehicle stability assist, brake assists, a rearview camera, and LED daytime running lights. The Honda Sensing suite offered lane-keeping assist, road departure mitigation, 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, highlighting its commitment to safety.