2021 Honda Accord

Honda takes the idea of a "mid-cycle refresh" of its cars rather literally, and sure enough, three years into what is likely to be a six-year lifespan, the current generation Accord sees a comprehensive round of updates. Yet, true to the company's norm, don't expect massive changes for the 2021 Honda Accord. The styling is updated, but even we're having a hard time telling the difference. The interior sees more infotainment features on more trims, while the various driver assistance systems have been updated and increased in number. There have also supposedly been some improvements made to throttle and brake response, though we honestly didn't notice them. They were fine before and continue to be.  All of this should be welcome news, but these updates are just a bunch of icing on what was an already delicious, well-iced cake. Despite some impressive new competitors in recent years, the '21 Accord continues to shine as our top family sedan choice. It does virtually everything well. It has a huge interior, yet is responsive to drive. It's fuel efficient, yet all its powertrains, including that of the Accord Hybrid, provide punchy acceleration for the segment. It's also well-equipped, and should provide the long-term value that's become synonymous with the name Honda Accord. In other words, the best just got better. What's new for 2021? Outside, the 2021 Accord gets a wider, restyled grille and a new LED headlight design. Inside, the base LX now comes standard with the same 8-inch touchscreen as the rest of the Accord lineup. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now standard as well, though they get upgraded to wireless capability on the EX-L and Touring trims (plus all Hybrids but the base model). The standard adaptive cruise control system has apparently been improved with smoother, more natural braking, while its lane-centering steering capability has also been upgraded to ping-pong less between lanes. The ACC system also gets steering wheel controls more in keeping with other makes. This is all good news. Mechanically, the Hybrid's engine is apparently more likely to rev in concert with the driver's throttle input (this may sound weird, but we'll explain in detail below). Throttle and brake pedal response have also been tweaked on gas-only models. Sadly, the manual transmission option has been discontinued. Finally, a new Sport SE trim replaces the old EX 1.5T. What's the Accord interior and in-car technology like? The Accord's cabin offers excellent fit and finish, plus materials that are among the best in the segment. The climate control knobs even click like an Audi's. The design won't wow you, but it's tidy and, in upper trim levels, sufficiently elevated in appearance. More important, the interior is arguably the most functional of any midsize family sedan. The under-armrest storage bin is gigantic, and the large square-ish cupholders can fit vessels of all shapes and sizes (good news for boxed water enthusiasts), while the bin forward of the shifter features two USB ports, the wireless charger (upper trims) and …
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