The 2021 Honda Accord evolves, but leaves us hungry

The current generation of the Honda Accord is halfway through its course and it’s time to make some changes — especially as its big rival, the Toyota Camry, is too.

Thus, for the 2021 model year, all Accord adopts a redesigned and enlarged grille. On Sport and higher versions, the LED headlights are new and brighten the road more. There are also smaller openings for the fog lights, new rim choices and an additional color on the palette called Sonic Gray Pearl.

Inside, the USB ports have been moved to the front of the center console for better access, while Sport and above trims have two new 2.5-volt USB ports in the rear seats. Note that in some cases, the integration of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto can be done wirelessly. There’s also a new alert that reminds the driver to take a look at the bench seat before exiting so they don’t forget a child or pet.

In the United States, a new Accord Sport SE (Special Edition) appears on the menu, including a rear spoiler, distinctive 19-inch wheels, a dark chrome-finished grille, chrome exhaust tips, heated front seats, and more. , leather upholstery, remote starter and more. However, its availability in Canada is not confirmed at the time of this writing.

Nothing changes on the engine side. While more and more midsize sedans offer all-wheel drive, like the Camry and Nissan Altima, that’s unfortunately not the case here. And as previously announced, the Accord loses its six-speed manual transmission – the only one of its kind that remained in the class, but chosen by just 2% of buyers. It will therefore be content to offer a CVT with the 1.5-liter turbo engine and a 10-speed automatic with the 2.0-liter one.

In contrast, the Accord Hybrid benefits from a few improvements that translate to smoother and more instant acceleration, according to Honda.

Finally, we should mention that safety is enhanced in the high-end Touring version with the addition of a low-speed braking control system. Basically, if the Accord detects an object in forward or reverse such as in a parking maneuver, it will alert the driver or apply the brakes to prevent or mitigate a collision. In addition, Honda says it has improved adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assist to make them easier to use and make the car’s handling more natural.

The 2021 Honda Accord will be on sale at dealerships in the coming weeks. Its prices should remain very similar to those of the 2020 models.