2021 Honda Accord vs 2021 Volkswagen Jetta

The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta presented a more upscale presence compared to its predecessor, with a slightly longer body and wheelbase, and a wider stance by about 2.5 centimetres. Its design was inspired by the VW Arteon sport sedan, featuring a wide, angular grille that added a dramatic flair to its appearance. Inside, the Jetta continued this angular design language, creating a cabin that was both spacious and functional, with a premium feel thanks to strategically placed soft-touch surfaces. The Jetta was available in Comfortline, Highline, and Execline trims, each offering a range of features from heated seats and mirrors to a digital instrument cluster and a premium audio system.

The 2021 Honda Accord, refreshed for the model year, showcased a wider, restyled grille that gave it a more sculpted face. The Accord's design was sophisticated, with LED headlights and a new alloy wheel design for most trims. Inside, the Accord offered a spacious and well-designed cabin with high-quality materials, even in lower trims. The interior featured dual-zone climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a power moonroof from the Sport trim upwards. The Accord's trunk provided 473 litres of cargo space, surpassing most midsize sedans, and the rear seats could fold down for additional storage flexibility.

The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta was powered by a 1.4-litre turbo inline four-cylinder engine, producing 147 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. Despite having slightly less horsepower than its predecessor, the engine felt more responsive, thanks to its tuning and the new 8-speed automatic transmission. This setup allowed the Jetta to deliver power efficiently across various speeds, making it suitable for both city and highway driving. The Jetta's steering was well-weighted and precise, offering a smooth yet sporty driving experience. Fuel efficiency was impressive, with the manual transmission achieving 6.9 L/100 km combined and the automatic 7.1 L/100 km combined.

The 2021 Honda Accord offered two engine options: a 192-horsepower 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder and a more powerful 252-horsepower 2.0-litre turbo-four. The smaller engine was paired with a CVT, while the larger one came with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Accord's driving dynamics were engaging, with pointed steering and easy maneuverability. Fuel economy varied between the engines, with the 1.5-litre achieving 7.2 to 7.5 L/100 km combined, depending on the trim, and the 2.0-litre consuming 9.1 L/100 km combined. The Accord's braking system was upgraded for smoother engagement, enhancing its overall performance.

The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta offered comfortable front seats suitable for long trips, with adequate rear-seat legroom and headroom. The trunk provided 399 litres of space, which was average for its class. The interior layout was practical, with a user-friendly touchscreen positioned above the climate vents and a larger centre tray for storage. The Jetta combined touchscreen functions with real buttons and dials, prioritizing practicality and ease of use.

The 2021 Honda Accord was designed for daily drivability, offering ample head-, hip-, and legroom for both front and rear passengers. The interior featured dual-zone climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a power moonroof from the Sport trim. 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 cabin was well-organized, with all essential controls within easy reach, and small-item storage was better than in some sedans.

The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta came with a 6.5-inch touchscreen display featuring Volkswagen’s Car-Net App-Connect, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto as standard. The Execline trim offered Volkswagen’s Digital Cockpit, a customizable digital display that could project navigation and other information directly onto a 10.25-inch screen.

The 2021 Honda Accord featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with physical volume and tuning knobs. Standard technology included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and two USB ports. Higher trims added features like satellite radio, a wireless phone charger, a 10-speaker premium audio system, and a Wi-Fi hot spot. The Touring trims included an on-board navigation system, rain-sensing wipers, and a head-up display.

The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta was equipped with front and side airbags, a reversing camera, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Highline trim included blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, while the Execline added features like automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control. The Jetta received a Good rating from the IIHS but did not earn a Top Safety Pick due to its headlights. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star safety rating.

The 2021 Honda Accord came standard with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including vehicle stability assist, brake assist, and a rearview camera. The Honda Sensing suite offered lane-keeping assist, blind spot monitoring, and forward collision warning, among others. The Accord earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. It also featured LATCH connectors for child safety seats.