Toyota Avalon vs Honda Accord

The 2021 Toyota Avalon presented a mixed bag in terms of aesthetics. While the overall design was appealing, the front-bumper styling, particularly on the XSE trim, drew mixed reactions due to its orthodontic-like grille. This design choice made the car appear as though it had a face full of braces, which was not universally appreciated. Despite this, the Avalon's long and low styling was generally well-received, offering a sleek look from any angle. The interior, however, was a different story. It featured an architecturally-themed design with artfully stitched leather seats and real wood trim in the Limited model, creating an ambiance that was more special than a Camry but not quite as luxurious as a Lexus ES. The interior was well-crafted, though some plastics felt inexpensive for the price point.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda Accord underwent a mid-generation refresh that enhanced its styling with a wider, restyled grille, giving it a more sculpted appearance. The Accord's design was cohesive and sophisticated, with LED headlights and new alloy wheel designs adding to its appeal. Inside, the Accord was designed for practicality and comfort, offering ample head-, hip-, and legroom for both front and rear passengers. The interior was well-appointed with features like dual-zone automatic climate control and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The Accord's cabin was thoughtfully designed, with all essential controls within easy reach, and it offered a generous 473 litres of trunk space, surpassing many of its competitors.

The 2021 Toyota Avalon offered two powertrains in Canada. The Limited trim featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 205 horsepower and 185 pound-feet of torque, paired with an all-wheel-drive system. While this setup provided decent performance, it lacked excitement. Alternatively, the standard 301-hp 3.5-litre V6 engine delivered more power and was paired with front-wheel drive. The Avalon AWD weighed 1,681 kilograms and felt lively enough, with an eight-speed automatic transmission ensuring quick launches. However, the AWD was limited to the Limited trim, and the Sport mode primarily increased engine revs and fuel consumption. The Avalon rode on the Toyota New Global Architecture platform, offering predictable handling and a comfortable ride. It was quiet inside, thanks to aerodynamic design and sound insulation, though tire noise was noticeable over road imperfections.

The 2021 Honda Accord provided two engine options. The standard 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine produced 192 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. The more powerful 2.0-litre turbo-four engine, available in Sport 2.0 and Touring 2.0 trims, delivered 252 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Accord was front-wheel drive only, with no AWD option. The smaller engine offered better fuel economy, while the larger engine provided a more engaging driving experience. The Accord's handling was precise, with paddle shifters available on Sport and Touring trims for added control. Honda improved the braking system for 2021, resulting in smooth and measured performance.

The 2021 Toyota Avalon, though larger than a Camry, felt similar in size to a Honda Accord. The Avalon Limited featured eight-way power-adjustable front seats with leather upholstery, heated and ventilated cushions, and a heated steering wheel. However, the seats could benefit from improved side bolstering and a power-extending thigh bolster. Rear-seat space was generous, with heated rear-seat cushions adding comfort. The Avalon offered ample storage space in the centre console and a roomy 456-litre trunk, though it lacked a grab handle for easy closure.

The 2021 Honda Accord was designed for daily drivability, offering comfortable seating for five adults. The interior featured dual-zone automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and push-button start. Rear seats had a 60/40 split and centre armrest, allowing pass-through from the 473-litre trunk. The cabin was well-designed, with all essential controls within easy reach. Small-item storage was better than some sedans, with a cubby at the front of the centre console for various items.

The 2021 Toyota Avalon came equipped with a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto compatibility. Toyota connected services, including Safety Connect and Remote Connect, were standard, with a free year of access. The upgraded infotainment system added dynamic navigation and voice recognition, along with a 14-speaker JBL premium sound system. The user interface was intuitive, though the JBL sound system required fine-tuning for optimal performance. A 10-inch colour head-up display was available, though it was faint when wearing polarized sunglasses.

The 2021 Honda Accord featured 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, and a 10-speaker premium audio system. The Accord Touring and Touring 2.0 offered an on-board navigation system, rain-sensing wipers, and a head-up display with various data.

The 2021 Toyota Avalon came standard with Toyota Safety Sense-P (TSS-P), which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. The Avalon earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and top scores from the IIHS, though it was ineligible for a "Top Safety Pick" award due to poor headlight performance on lower trims.

The 2021 Honda Accord featured a comprehensive suite of safety features, including vehicle stability assist, brake assist, a rearview camera, and LED daytime running lights. The Honda Sensing suite included 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. It also had two complete sets of LATCH connectors for child safety seats.