2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, part of the W213 generation, debuted in 2017 with a design shift from the sharper angles of the W212 to the fluid, curvier forms seen in the S-Class and C-Class. Mercedes' chief designer, Gorden Wagener, described this theme as "sensual purity." The 2021 model introduced a slightly edgier front with squinted headlights and an inverted trapezoid grille, while the rear resembled the W212 with horizontal taillights cutting into the trunk lid. New bumpers, exhaust tips, and wheels were the major changes, maintaining the E-Class's handsome and elegant appearance across its sedan, wagon, coupe, and convertible variants.

Inside, the E-Class was a showcase of luxurious materials and exuberant style. Rich woods, aluminum, and carbon fiber adorned the cabin, complemented by metal speaker grilles, elaborate stitching, and incredible ambient lighting. The dashboard featured two 12-inch screens with crisp detail and brilliant color, and the 2021 model replaced analog gauges with a standard digital display. The new steering wheels, especially the AMG model with its touch-sensitive controls and multiple screens, added to the lavish and modern feel of the interior. Five years into its lifecycle, the E-Class's interior remained unmatched by any car at its price point.

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid came in standard, EX, EX-L, and Touring trim levels, with prices ranging from $26,370 to $36,240. The hybrid powertrain added a $1,600 premium, except for the Touring trim, where it represented a $460 savings. The Accord Hybrid was not available with the Sport trim. The Accord's design was praised for its proportion, stance, style, and detailing, with minor front styling changes for 2021, including a new grille, revised bumper, and new headlights. The Touring trim also received new 19-inch aluminum wheels and a new paint color, Sonic Gray Pearl.

Our test vehicle, an Accord Touring in Lunar Silver, featured a dark undertone that avoided the drab brightness of typical silver metallic paint. The new wheels looked terrific but were challenging to clean due to the gloss black inserts. The Lunar Silver model came with a Black interior, while other colors offered a high-contrast Ivory-over-Black two-tone appearance. The Accord's cabin was remarkably upscale, with simulated matte-finish wood trim, robust controls, and polished metallic accents. However, the hard plastic upper rear door trim was a disappointment. The controls were logically arranged and easy to use, with excellent outward visibility and a sculpted hood that made parking and maneuvering easier.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class saw a significant change with the switch from conventional V6 engines to electrified inline-six powertrains for the highest-volume models. The E450 became a hybrid, using a 48-volt electrical system to supplement the 12-volt system. This setup included a small lithium-ion battery powering an electric starter-generator, providing extra power and torque (up to 21 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque) for brief periods. The 3.0-liter inline-six engine produced 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, with more available through the battery's overboost. The base E350's 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine, revised for 2020, produced 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque but was underwhelming for a luxury car.

The AMG E53 added a second turbo, powered by the 48-volt battery, to the E450's engine, producing 429 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque. The AMG E63 S featured a hand-built 4.0-liter V8 with 603 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 48-volt system. The E-Class offered a range of driving experiences, from the comfortable and quiet E450 to the high-performance AMG models. Fuel economy varied, with the E450 4Matic and E350 4Matic sedans returning 26 mpg combined, while the AMG models had lower ratings.

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid used a two-motor hybrid system pairing a 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with a generator/starter motor and a separate electric drive motor powered by a lithium-ion battery pack. This setup produced a combined 212 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque, with the torque available immediately and remaining constant to 2,000 rpm. Honda estimated a 0-60 mph time of 6.5 seconds, with most trim levels returning 48 mpg in combined driving. The Touring trim earned a 43-mpg rating due to its larger wheels and tires.

The Accord Hybrid's powertrain control module determined the appropriate operational mode: EV Drive, Hybrid Drive, or Engine Drive. Drivers could also select EV Mode, Econ Mode, and Sport Mode to tailor the drivetrain characteristics. For 2021, Honda refined the powertrain for improved throttle response and a more natural sound and feel. The Accord Hybrid Touring averaged 42.8 mpg, matching the EPA's rating. The car's suspension was tuned for athletic handling and a compliant ride, making it fun to drive despite the added weight of the battery and electric drive motor.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured a redesigned infotainment system with a touchscreen, making everyday tasks easier. The touchpads on the steering wheel were reshaped, and shortcut buttons for navigation, stereo, and other settings remained. The cabin was spacious for four adults, with ample headroom and legroom, supportive cushions, and knee cutouts on the seatbacks. The E-Class offered various body styles, including a sedan with 13 cubic feet of trunk space, a coupe with 10 cubic feet, and a wagon with 35 cubic feet of cargo space (64 with all seats folded). The E450 All-Terrain wagon added ground clearance and plastic body cladding.

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid impressed with its spacious interior, offering a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat and a large back seat. The Touring trim included heated and ventilated front seats and heated rear seats. Interior storage was generous, with a large center console bin, a covered compartment with a wireless smartphone charger, and large door panel bins. The Accord Hybrid's trunk was enormous, with 16.7 cubic feet of space, larger than any competitor in the segment. The 60/40 split-folding rear seats further expanded the car's utility.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured the MBUX infotainment system with a touchscreen interface, natural voice processing, and online searches. The system included a live feed from the front camera with overlay arrows and street names, massaging seats, and seat kinetics. The instrument cluster offered various display options, from traditional analog gauges to bar graphs and zany colors. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 4G WiFi, and connected services, with optional driving assists for semi-autonomous driving.

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid made its 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system standard, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The EX trim added wireless connectivity for these platforms, improved USB port access, and quick-charge USB ports for rear-seat passengers. The EX-L trim included a premium sound system, while the Touring trim added navigation, HondaLink subscription services, and a WiFi hotspot. The system worked well but required specific prompts for voice commands.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class was one of the safest cars on sale, with a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS for the sedan. Standard safety features included forward automatic emergency braking, a driver-attention monitor, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional features included Pre-Safe Sound, side bolsters that shift occupants during a side collision, and advanced driving assists.

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid aimed to earn a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS by redesigning its LED headlights. The car included a standard rear-seat reminder and rear seatbelt reminder system, with the Touring model adding low-speed braking control. The Honda Sensing collection of advanced driving assistance systems was refined for smoother operation, but some features, like lane departure warning and low-speed automatic braking, needed further improvement.