Car Buyer Labs

Car Buying Advice, Tips, and Reviews

A red 2021 Honda Accord Touring 2.0T is shown form the front parked inside of a covered bridge after leaving a Honda Accord Dealership.

Why the Honda Accord Is the Perfect Commuter

When you need a model that’s comfortable, safe, and fuel-efficient to and from work, then it’s time to visit your local Honda Accord dealership. The Honda Accord’s stylish appeal, mixed with its convenient features, makes it a shoo-in for commuters. And since Honda is a top brand for safety, you won’t have to pay extra for driver-assist features. While this sounds like a lot, it’s just the start. We’ve got all the major details about this model. So, if you’re not sold yet, you’re about to be.

Fuel-Efficient Performance

Usually, drivers have to pick between two extremes: fuel efficiency and power. But that doesn’t have to be the case. It’s possible to manage both. Since this is such an important factor for car buyers, let’s start off by looking at the new Accord’s engine options.

This model’s engines vary by trim. So, for example, there are several different trim levels and multiple different configurations for each trim. The models with the 2.0L turbocharged engine and 10-speed automatic transmission have the best performance. However, despite their power, they still reach as much as 22 MPG in the city and 32 MPG on the highway. While this powertrain is the least fuel-efficient, its acceleration is impressive, pumping out 252 horses and hitting 0 to 60 in 5.4 seconds.

Now, maybe you’re not so keen on the larger engine. That additional fuel efficiency is much more important to you than showing off in the streets. The good news is that you can trade power for fuel economy with the 1.5L turbocharged engine. This powertrain gets up to 30 MPG in the city and 38 MPG on the highway, depending on the trim. The 1.5L turbo is the best all-around balance of performance, efficiency, and affordability, which is why it’s the standard engine in the Accord. But overall, even the most powerful engine still provides solid fuel economy ratings, making the Accord the perfect commuter model.

Now, let’s talk about hybrid engines really quickly. It comes as no surprise that the Accord Hybrid is the most fuel-efficient option. This powertrain is available for different trims, and they all get 48 MPG in the city and on the highway. Don’t let that great mileage fool you, either. The hybrid Accord still pumps out 212 horses, leaving you plenty of pep to get you going. If you’re interested in going green and saving the most money on fuel, then a hybrid Honda Accord is a great option.

A red 2021 Honda Accord Touring 2.0T is shown from the side parked behind a lake.

Safety Features

When you’re going back and forth to work every day, it’s nice to have an extra set of eyes to help keep you attentive and safe. That’s where driver-assist features come into play, and there are a few reasons why the Honda Accord’s safety features are better than those of most competing models.

First off, many brands only include driver-assist features as add-ons or high trim-level bonuses. However, the Accord includes a standard safety suite called “Honda Sensing” on every trim. This safety suite includes all the most important driver-assist features on the market and then some – which brings us to the next point.

While there are other brands that also include standard assist features, the Accord’s Honda Sensing suite includes a driver-assist feature called “Traffic Sign Recognition.” The Traffic Sign Recognition Feature is something that is typically only on luxury or high-end trims. In case you forget the speed limit, or you miss an important construction sign, the Traffic Sign Recognition feature has your back. It will display the most recent road sign directly to your infotainment system. There is also an available Head-Up Display, which projects important specs directly onto the windshield. Head-Up Displays are also known as luxury items, so you get a two-for-one with this Honda Sensing feature.

Honda Sensing also includes four other additional driver-assist features. These include the following:

  • Road Departure Mitigation
  • Collision Mitigation Braking System
  • Lane Keeping Assist
  • Adaptive Cruise Control

Thanks to these features, drivers can depend on automatic braking, lane assistance, and speed controls to help make their commutes easier and safer.

In addition to Honda Sensing, the 2021 Accord includes several other driver-assist options. First, we’ve got the Blind Spot Information System. This driver-assist feature works by using radar sensors to detect vehicles that are in difficult-to-see blindspots. In short, it comes in most handy when it’s time to switch lanes. Second, the Cross Traffic Monitor is there for parking lot usage. When you’re backing out of a parking spot, it kicks in and lets you know if a vehicle is approaching from the aisle behind you.

Finally, we’ve got Low-Speed Braking Control paired with a Multi-Angle Rearview Camera. This automatic braking feature paired with three different rear angle views makes backing up a cinch. There’s no longer any excuse for backing into the mailbox.

Hybrid Model Features

While fuel efficiency is obviously the main factor when buying a hybrid model, the 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid comes with a few other cool benefits. For example, you can easily keep up with your range and average fuel economy ratings on the Accord’s 8-inch touchscreen. Further, you can also kick it into EV mode, which means you can run solely on your electric charge. While hybrids are designed for implementing both electricity and gasoline, this feature allows you to live the all-electric life for short distances. Just press that EV Mode button, and you’re good to go.

When it comes to the competition, the Accord Hybrid has more space thanks to its unique battery placement. While many hybrid cars sacrifice trunk space for battery storage, the Accord is different. It offers up 16.7 cubic feet of trunk space, just like any other midsize sedan. Whether you’re hauling suitcases on a business trip or have a trunk full of pizzas for the office, the hybrid Accord has all the space you’ll need.

A silver 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid is shown from the front driving through a city.

Technology Perks

The 2021 Accords touchscreen display isn’t just for specs. Drivers also get standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity on this screen. In addition to these audio streaming services, you’ll also get an available Wi-Fi hotspot and built-in navigation. HondaLink connectivity is also on offer. When you use HondaLink, you gain access to remote functions you can access straight from your smartphone.

Plus, the Accord includes an automatic locking and unlocking system that your keyfob triggers. When you get close to the vehicle, it will unlock, and as you get far enough away, it will automatically lock for you. This model is tech-packed without charging numerous additional fees, which is what makes it an affordable yet convenient commuter option.

Why the 2021 Honda Accord is the Commuter for You

The main reason you need to visit a Honda Accord dealership is to save money while living luxuriously. What we mean by this is that while the Accord has a low price tag, this brand new model includes the most bang for your buck. You’ll get incredible fuel efficiency, tons of standard safety and tech features, and enough pep in your step to have fun on the backroads. While the competition may offer one or two of these features, the Accord has them all wrapped into one pretty little package.