2021 Honda Accord Hybrid vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid was available in base and Touring trim levels, with prices ranging from $36,105 to $42,805. The hybrid powertrain added a premium of approximately $3,000 to $4,000 over the non-hybrid models. The Accord Hybrid was not offered in a Sport trim. The car was praised for its attractive design, with a well-proportioned stance and stylish detailing. Minor front styling updates included a new grille, revised bumper, and new headlights. The Touring trim featured new 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels, which, while visually appealing, were challenging to clean. The interior of the Accord Hybrid was noted for its upscale appearance, with high-quality materials and logically arranged controls. The 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display was user-friendly, and the car offered excellent outward visibility.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class incorporated design elements from other Mercedes models, resulting in a cohesive and stylish sedan. The front end resembled the CLA-Class, while the rear end and taillights were reminiscent of the S-Class. The C-Class featured cab-rearward proportions, emphasizing its rear-wheel-drive platform. Standard LED headlights and taillights could be upgraded to the Mercedes Digital Light system, which offered advanced features like projecting warning icons. Inside, the C-Class aimed to emulate the luxury of the S-Class, with a freestanding touchscreen, prominent air vents, and ambient lighting. The interior felt luxurious, although the standard MBTex synthetic leather upholstery was typical for cars in this price range. Nappa leather seats were available as an upgrade.

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid featured a two-motor hybrid system combining a 2.0-litre four-cylinder gasoline engine with a generator/starter motor and a separate electric drive motor powered by a lithium-ion battery pack. This setup produced a combined 212 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque. The car's powertrain control module determined the appropriate operational mode: EV Drive, Hybrid Drive, or Engine Drive. Drivers could also select EV Mode, Econ Mode, and Sport Mode. The Accord Hybrid Touring, with its 19-inch wheels and 235/40 tires, offered impressive handling and a compliant ride. The brake-by-wire regenerative braking system was praised for its feel and response. The car's fuel efficiency was excellent, averaging 5.5 L/100 km in combined driving.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C300 was powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. It featured a nine-speed automatic transmission and a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, which added up to 20 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque in short bursts. The C300 could accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 6.0 seconds, with a top speed of 210 km/h. The sportier Mercedes-AMG C43 version offered 402 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, with a zero to 100 km/h time of 4.5 seconds. The C300's power delivery was not always smooth, with some turbo lag and rough shifts. However, the ride quality was up to luxury standards, and the car handled well on twisty roads, although it required a more deliberate approach to cornering.

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid offered impressive interior space, competing as a midsize sedan but providing the roominess of a full-size sedan. The driver's seat was 12-way power-adjustable, and the back seat was spacious. Touring trim included heated and ventilated front seats and heated rear seats. Interior storage was generous, with a large centre console bin and a covered compartment for hidden storage and wireless smartphone charging. The Accord Hybrid's trunk offered 473 litres of cargo space, larger than any competitor in the segment, and 60/40 split-folding rear seats added to its utility.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan was longer and wider than its predecessor, offering more interior space. Headroom increased by 2.5 mm in front and 10 mm in back, while rear-seat legroom increased by 20 mm. The C-Class led its segment in front-seat headroom and rear-seat legroom, although front legroom was near the bottom. The seats were comfortable, with enough bolstering for spirited driving. The trunk offered 455 litres of space, with a wide opening for easy loading. A 40/20/40 split-folding rear bench accommodated longer items, although Mercedes did not publish a cargo-space figure with the seat folded.

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

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class featured an infotainment setup inspired by the S-Class, with a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and 11.9-inch touchscreen angled toward the driver. Standard features included keyless entry and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The MBUX infotainment system offered a "Zero Layer" setup, displaying multiple items on the screen simultaneously. The voice recognition system was highly effective, and touch controls on the steering wheel were easy to use. The optional augmented-reality navigation system provided helpful visual cues for turns.

In 2020, the Honda Accord did not receive a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS due to its headlights. For 2021, Honda redesigned the LED headlights and made them standard across all trims. The Accord Hybrid included blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and low-speed braking control. The Honda Sensing suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) was refined for smoother operation, although some features could be more transparent and less intrusive.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. Standard safety features included automatic emergency brake assist, blind-spot monitoring, and Pre-Safe systems. Optional features included lane-keep assist, evasive steering assist, and two levels of Distronic adaptive cruise control. The C-Class also offered Car-to-X communication, which allowed vehicles to share information about road conditions.