2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, part of the W213 generation, showcased a design evolution that embraced the "sensual purity" theme, moving away from the sharper angles of its predecessor. This model featured a more fluid and curvier form, reminiscent of the S-Class and C-Class models from earlier years. The E-Class had a slightly edgier front with squinted headlights and an inverted trapezoid grille, while the rear design echoed the W212 with horizontal taillights. Despite the absence of the classic standing hood ornament, the E-Class maintained its elegance across its various body styles, including sedan, wagon, coupe, and convertible. Inside, the E-Class was a showcase of luxury, with rich woods, aluminum, and carbon fibre adorning the cabin. The interior was a blend of decadent materials and modern technology, featuring two 12-inch screens, a digital instrument panel, and a new steering wheel design. The E-Class's interior was unmatched in its class, offering a lavish and inviting space.

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid, available in base and Touring trims, was a testament to Honda's design prowess, boasting a well-proportioned and stylish exterior. The Accord Hybrid featured minor front styling changes, including a new grille, revised bumper, and new headlights. The Touring trim level came with 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels, adding to its visual appeal. Inside, the Accord Hybrid's cabin was remarkably upscale, with simulated matte-finish wood trim, robust controls, and polished metallic accents. The interior was spacious, offering a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat and heated and ventilated front seats in the Touring trim. The Accord Hybrid also provided generous interior storage and a large 473-litre trunk, making it a practical choice for families. The car's infotainment system was user-friendly, with an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto as standard features.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class introduced significant changes to its powertrain lineup, with the E450 model transitioning to an electrified inline-six powertrain. This hybrid system, featuring a 48-volt electrical system, provided an additional 21 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque for brief periods. The E450's 3.0-litre inline-six engine produced 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, offering a smooth and quiet driving experience. The AMG E53 model added a second turbocharger, delivering 429 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque, with brisk acceleration and a refined exhaust note. The AMG E63 S, with its hand-built 4.0-litre V8 engine, produced 603 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque, making it a high-performance variant. Despite its power, the E-Class maintained a comfortable ride, thanks to its variable-rate air suspension and rear-biased all-wheel drive. Fuel efficiency varied across models, with the E450 4Matic achieving 9.2 L/100 km combined.

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid featured a two-motor hybrid system, combining a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with an electric drive motor. This setup produced a combined 212 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque, providing quick acceleration from a standstill. The Accord Hybrid offered three operational modes: EV Drive, Hybrid Drive, and Engine Drive, allowing the car to adapt to different driving conditions. The car's fuel efficiency was impressive, with a combined rating of 5.0 L/100 km, and our tests averaged 5.5 L/100 km. The Accord Hybrid's suspension was tuned for athletic handling, and the brake-by-wire regenerative braking system provided excellent feel and response. The car's driving experience was enjoyable, with a compliant ride and responsive handling, making it a fun and efficient choice for everyday driving.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class offered a spacious cabin with ample headroom and legroom for four adults. The seats were supportive, and the interior featured a range of user-friendly controls, including separate climate controls and seat adjustments on the doors. The E-Class sedan provided 540 litres of trunk space, while the wagon offered up to 1,820 litres with all seats folded. The coupe and convertible models had less cargo space, but the wagon's stowable rear-facing jump seat added versatility. Despite its luxury features, the E-Class lacked some conveniences like rear USB ports and heated rear seats in certain trims.

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid impressed with its spacious interior, offering a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat and heated and ventilated front seats in the Touring trim. The back seat was enormous, providing excellent leg support and heated rear seats. Interior storage was generous, with a large centre console bin and a covered compartment for hidden storage. The Accord Hybrid's trunk was a standout feature, offering 473 litres of cargo space, larger than any competitor in its segment. The 60/40 split-folding rear seats further enhanced the car's utility, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured the MBUX infotainment system, offering a touchscreen interface with improved organization and shortcut buttons for major functions. Gesture control and natural voice processing enhanced the user experience, while the system provided a live feed from the front camera with overlay arrows for navigation. The E-Class offered optional features like massaging seats and seat kinetics, but it lacked over-the-air updates and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The car's instrument cluster was highly customizable, allowing drivers to choose between traditional and modern displays.

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. While the system required specific prompts for voice commands, it offered standard wireless charging and quick-charge USB ports for rear-seat passengers. The Accord Hybrid's infotainment system was user-friendly, providing essential features for a connected driving experience.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class was a top performer in safety, earning a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" from the IIHS for the 2020 model. The car featured innovative safety technologies, including Pre-Safe Sound and side bolster inflation during a side collision. Standard safety features included forward automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring, with additional driver-assist features available as options.

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid aimed to improve its safety ratings by redesigning its LED headlights to meet IIHS standards. The car came standard with blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. The Accord Hybrid Touring added low-speed braking control and front and rear automatic emergency braking. While the Honda Sensing system was effective, it required further refinement for a more seamless operation.