2021 Honda Accord Gets Refreshed Styling, Updated Hybrid Variant, New Sport Special Edition Trim, plus Wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ Integration

TORRANCE, Calif., Oct. 12, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Widely regarded by experts as the benchmark midsize sedan, Honda raises the Accord's game for the 2021 model year with a refresh that includes updates to styling, technology, drivability and safety features. In addition, unique upgrades were made to performance and design for the ultra-efficient and refined Accord Hybrid. On-sale at Honda dealerships beginning tomorrow, the 2021 Accord will carry a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) starting at $24,770 (not including destination and handling), while the 2021 Accord Hybrid will be available at a starting MSRP of $26,370. Click here for a video tour of the changes.

 "The new Honda Accord Hybrid is really the Accord to buy, offering customers more of everything they like about Accord -- more power, refinement and, of course, excellent fuel economy ratings," said Dave Gardner, executive vice president of National Operations at American Honda.  

2021 ACCORD UPGRADES
For the 2021 model year, all Accords boast a wider, restyled grille for an even more sophisticated look, along with improved integration of the Honda Sensing^® system's radar unit. Flanking the new grille on Sport and above trims (EX and above on Hybrid) are new LED high- and low-beam headlights with longer and wider down-the-road illumination. Also new are smaller openings for the fog lights. Additionally, LX, EX-L and Touring trims all receive new alloy wheel designs, while a new color is available for Sport, Sport Special Edition (SE) and Touring trims: Sonic Gray Pearl.

Inside, further enhancements to the class-leading style and sophistication of Accord's cabin include an 8-inch Display Audio touchscreen entertainment system now standard on all trims (previously, EX and above). Apple CarPlay^® and Android Auto™ integration also are now standard (previously EX and above), and EX-L and Touring trims (EX and above on Hybrid models) get new wireless Apple CarPlay^® and Android Auto™ integration.

The combination of wireless charging and wireless smartphone integration eliminates the extra step of physically connecting the phone, making Apple CarPlay^® and Android Auto™ ready to go and freeing up an additional USB port for charging a separate phone. Front USB ports on all grades have been moved to the front of the center console for easier access, and Sport and higher trims (EX and higher trims for Accord Hybrid) now include dual 2.5-volt USB ports for rear seat passengers.

All Accords also receive a new Rear Seat Reminder, while upper grades gain a new Low Speed Braking Control system.

ACCORD HYBRID
The 2021 Accord Hybrid benefits from updates to the innovative Honda two-motor hybrid system for a more direct and immediate throttle response with a more natural acceleration feeling as engine revs climb in concert with the driver's throttle input. With a peak total system output of 212 horsepower and peak torque delivery of 232 lb.-ft. right off idle, Accord Hybrid has the most power and torque in its class, with a top fuel economy rating of 48 mpg¹.

Thanks to the unique configuration of the two-motor hybrid system, the Accord Hybrid also can spend more time operating solely on electric power than competing hybrid models, imbuing Accord with a smoother and more refined driving feel. Also, Accord's sophisticated brake-by-wire technology offers more natural and consistent braking performance and pedal feel versus competing models, seamlessly blending mechanical and regenerative braking force.

Honda's two-motor hybrid system uses a propulsion motor and a generator/starter motor built with a patented Honda design made with magnets using no heavy rare-earth metals. This reduces magnet cost and weight, while also reducing reliance on rare-earth metals, helping avoid the often negative environmental impact of mining them.

The hybrid powertrain control system manages the power delivery between each component and seamlessly switches between EV Drive, Hybrid Drive and Engine Drive for maximum efficiency with no input from the driver. Accord Hybrid drivers can further maximize fuel efficiency, or power, by selecting between Sport, EV and ECON modes using the three buttons behind the push-button gear selector.

Already, Honda leads all full-line automakers in fleet-average fuel economy and low CO₂ emissions according to the U.S. EPA, with 27 vehicles that received EPA combined fuel economy ratings of 30 mpg or higher.

Visually, Accord Hybrid adds its own unique touches to the styling updates made to the entire 2021 Accord lineup, including a blue H-mark on the grille and Hybrid badges on the front fenders and trunk lid. This year, Accord Hybrid Touring grade features 19-inch wheels, giving it an upscale and sporty appearance.

NEW SPORT SPECIAL EDITION
The Accord Sport SE is new to the lineup for 2021, replacing Accord EX 1.5T and expands on the popular Sport trim with additional sought-after features. The new Sport SE adds leather seats, heated front seats, a four-way power passenger seat to complement the addition of 12-way power driver's seat, heated mirrors, Smart Entry, and remote engine start to the popular Accord Sport 1.5T grade. This is in addition to the already generous equipment on the Sport 1.5T, which includes dual rear USB ports, leather-wrapped steering wheel with paddle shifters, leather-wrapped shift knob, and an 8-speaker audio system. Visually, Accord Sport and Sport SE are distinguished from the other trims by a rear trunk lid spoiler, trim-specific 19-inch wheel design, LED fog lights, dark-chrome grille and chrome exhaust finishers.

2021 Honda Accord Pricing & EPA Fuel Economy Ratings

POWERTRAIN AND DRIVING DYNAMICS
In addition to the updates made to Accord Hybrid's two-motor system, the 2021 Accord's two turbocharged engines receive updated engine management software for more linear and responsive throttle control. In addition, the 1.5-liter turbo has improved Idle Stop performance, with quicker engine start-up when the driver releases the brake.

A 192-horspower 1.5-liter VTEC Turbo^® engine is standard in Accord LX, Sport, Sport SE and EX-L grades, while Accord Sport 2.0T and Touring are available exclusively with a 252-horsepower, 2.0-liter VTEC Turbo^®.

The braking system has also been updated for smoother engagement, especially at low speeds such as in stop-and-go traffic and in parking situations.

Powertrain Specs

SAFETY AND DRIVER-ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGIES
For the 2021 model year, all Accords receive a new Rear Seat Reminder and a rear seatbelt reminder as standard equipment. The Rear Seat Reminder chimes when the car is turned off, with a notification on the digital meter reminding drivers to check the rear seating area when exiting the car for children, pets or other precious cargo. The rear seatbelt reminder uses a warning on the digital meter to let drivers know if rear seat passengers have not fastened their seatbelts.

Accord Touring and Hybrid Touring trims now feature a new front and rear braking system called Low Speed Braking Control. Using sonar-based parking sensors, the new system can sense solid objects at low speeds, such as in parking situations, and warn the driver or apply the brakes to help avoid or mitigate a collision.

Honda Sensing^® receives updates to Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Lane Keeping Assist system (LKAS). For 2021, ACC now has smoother braking when following another vehicle, while LKAS offers more effective and natural lane centering. Additionally, the steering wheel and dash controls for ACC and LKAS now feature industry-standard icons.

The 2021 Accord targets a 5-star Overall Vehicle Score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), including the highest available rating of GOOD in all collision tests and SUPERIOR for frontal cash prevention. Also, the updated standard LED headlights have been designed to achieve a GOOD rating in the rigorous IIHS headlight standard.

Accord Key Features

Accord Hybrid Key Features

About Honda

Honda offers a full line of clean, safe, fun and connected vehicles sold through more than 1,000 independent U.S. Honda dealers. Honda has the highest fleet average fuel economy and lowest CO₂ emissions of any major full-line automaker in America, according to the latest data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Honda lineup includes the Fit, Civic, Insight, Accord and Clarity series passenger cars, along with the HR-V, CR-V, Passport and Pilot sport utility vehicles, the Ridgeline pickup and the Odyssey minivan. Honda's electrified vehicle lineup includes the Accord Hybrid, CR-V Hybrid, Insight hybrid-electric sedan, and the Clarity Fuel Cell and Clarity Plug-In Hybrid.

Honda has been producing automobiles in America for 38 years and currently operates 19 major manufacturing facilities in North America. In 2019, more than 90 percent of all Honda vehicles sold in the U.S. were made in North America, using domestic and globally-sourced parts.

For More Information
Additional media information including detailed pricing features and high-resolution photography of all 2020 Honda models is available at hondanews.com. Consumer information is available at automobiles.honda.com. To join the Honda community on Facebook, visit facebook.com/honda.

¹ MSRP (Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price) excluding tax, license, registration, $955 destination charge and options. Dealer prices may vary.
² Based on 2021 EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle, driving conditions, battery pack age/condition (Hybrid only), and other factors.

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SOURCE American Honda Motor Co., Inc.