2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs 2021 Honda Accord

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, part of the W213 generation, showcased a design evolution that embraced "sensual purity," a concept introduced by Mercedes' chief designer, Gorden Wagener. This model moved away from the sharper lines of its predecessor, adopting a more fluid and curvier form reminiscent of the S-Class and C-Class models. The E-Class featured 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 reputation as a handsome and elegant vehicle, available in sedan, wagon, coupe, and convertible forms. The interior was a luxurious space filled with rich materials like polished woods, aluminum, and carbon fibre, complemented by advanced features such as dual 12-inch screens, ambient lighting, and intricate stitching, making it a standout in its class.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda Accord received a mid-generation refresh to stay competitive in a crowded market. The Accord's design updates included a wider, restyled grille and smaller fog light openings, giving it a more sophisticated appearance. Available in six trim levels, the Accord offered a range of features, with the Sport 2.0 model providing a balance of performance and style. The interior of the Accord was designed for practicality and comfort, with ample headroom and legroom for both front and rear passengers. The cabin featured high-quality materials, even in lower trims, and a well-organized layout with essential controls within easy reach. The Accord's trunk offered 473 litres of cargo space, surpassing many midsize sedans, and the rear seats could fold down for additional storage. Overall, the Accord combined style and functionality, making it a strong contender in its segment.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class introduced significant changes to its powertrain lineup, with the E450 model transitioning to an electrified inline-six engine. This hybrid system, featuring a 48-volt electrical system, provided additional power and torque for brief moments, enhancing fuel efficiency and reducing emissions. The E450's 3.0-litre engine produced 362 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, with overboost capabilities. The AMG E53 model added a second turbo, delivering 429 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque, offering brisk acceleration and a refined driving experience. The AMG E63 S, with its 4.0-litre V8 engine, produced an impressive 603 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque, making it a high-performance variant. Despite its power, the E-Class maintained a comfortable ride, thanks to its advanced suspension and AWD system. However, fuel efficiency on AMG models was less impressive, with the E450 and E350 models offering better consumption rates.

The 2021 Honda Accord offered two engine options: a 192-horsepower 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a more powerful 2.0-litre turbo-four producing 252 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. The smaller engine was paired with a CVT, while the larger engine came with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Accord's fuel economy varied between the two engines, 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 consuming 9.1 L/100 km combined. The Accord's driving dynamics were engaging, with pointed steering and easy maneuverability, although it lacked the athleticism of its Acura counterparts. Paddle shifters were available on Sport and Touring trims, enhancing the driving experience in certain situations. The Accord's braking system was upgraded for smoother engagement, contributing to its overall measured performance.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured a spacious cabin with ample headroom and legroom for four adults. The interior was designed for comfort, with supportive cushions and knee cutouts on the seatbacks. The E-Class offered various body styles, including a coupe with usable rear seats, a convertible with a folding soft top, and a wagon with a stowable rear-facing jump seat. The sedan provided 540 litres of trunk space, while the coupe and convertible offered 405 litres. The wagon's cargo space ranged from 640 to 1,820 litres with seats folded. The E-Class All-Terrain model added ground clearance and body cladding for a more rugged appearance. The redesigned infotainment system and touchscreen improved usability, although mastering the dual screens required some learning.

The 2021 Honda Accord prioritized daily drivability with a well-designed cabin that accommodated five passengers comfortably. The interior featured dual-zone automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and power windows as standard. The rear seats had a 60/40 split and a centre armrest, allowing for pass-through from the trunk, which offered 473 litres of cargo space. The Accord's cabin layout ensured that essential controls were within easy reach, and the infotainment system was accessible to both the driver and front passenger. While small-item storage was limited, the centre console provided a convenient cubby for personal items. The Accord's interior appointments varied by trim level, with higher grades offering more advanced technology and features.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class was equipped with the MBUX infotainment system, featuring a touchscreen interface that allowed for intuitive navigation through menus. The system included gesture controls, natural voice processing, and online searches, similar to virtual assistants like Siri or Alexa. The E-Class offered advanced features such as live camera feeds with overlay arrows for navigation, massaging seats with side bolsters, and seat kinetics to enhance comfort. While the system did not support over-the-air updates, it included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless phone charger, and 4G WiFi. Optional driving assists provided semi-autonomous capabilities, although drivers were advised to remain in control. The instrument cluster offered customizable displays, allowing drivers to choose between traditional gauges or more modern graphics.

The 2021 Honda Accord featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with physical volume and tuning knobs, providing a responsive and user-friendly interface. Standard technology included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and two USB ports. Higher trims added features like satellite radio, HD radio, a wireless phone charger, and a 10-speaker premium audio system. The Accord Touring and Touring 2.0 models offered additional technology, such as an on-board navigation system, rain-sensing wipers, and a head-up display. The display provided information on cruise control, lane-keeping assist, traffic sign recognition, and turn-by-turn directions, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class was recognized for its safety, receiving a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" designation from the IIHS for the sedan and wagon models. The E-Class featured innovative safety technologies, such as Pre-Safe Sound, which played a "pink noise" during a crash to protect eardrums, and side bolsters that shifted occupants away from doors in a side collision. Standard safety features included forward automatic emergency braking, a driver-attention monitor, and blind-spot monitoring, with additional driver-assist features available as options.

The 2021 Honda Accord prioritized safety with a comprehensive suite of standard features, including vehicle stability assist, brake assists, a rearview camera, and LED daytime running lights. The Honda Sensing suite offered advanced driver-assist technologies, such as lane-keeping assist, road departure mitigation, blind spot monitoring, 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, with top ratings in all crash testing scenarios. The Accord also provided two complete sets of LATCH connectors for child safety seats in the rear.