2020 Honda Accord Hybrid vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

The 2020 Honda Accord Hybrid was nearly indistinguishable from its non-hybrid siblings, save for the “Hybrid” badges and aerodynamic 17-inch aluminum wheels. This subtle approach was a smart move by Honda, avoiding the odd design cues that often deter buyers from hybrid models. The Accord Hybrid maintained the same appealing look as the standard Accord, making it a visually attractive option for those who appreciated the Accord’s design.

Available in four trims—Hybrid, Hybrid EX, Hybrid EX-L, and Hybrid Touring—the Accord Hybrid started at $25,620. The Hybrid EX, priced at $29,520, was particularly recommended for its comprehensive driver-assistance and infotainment technologies, along with features like a 12-way power driver’s seat and heated front seats. The interior, especially with leather and simulated matte-finish wood trim, offered an upscale feel, though the floor mats were notably difficult to clean of pet hair.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, while not drastically different in exterior styling from its predecessor, boasted a drag coefficient of 0.22, making it more aerodynamically efficient than a Toyota Prius. The new S-Class was slightly larger in all dimensions, with a longer wheelbase contributing to its imposing presence. Standard 19-inch wheels could be upgraded to 20-inch or 21-inch options, with the 20-inch wheels filling out the wheel wells nicely.

Inside, the S-Class was designed around its infotainment touchscreen and digital instrument cluster, creating a minimalist yet luxurious cabin. The interior featured extensive ambient lighting with 250 LED elements, Nappa leather upholstery, and open-pore wood trim. However, the piano-black trim was prone to smudges and reflections, detracting from the otherwise high standards of the car’s interior.

The 2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, with its 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and two-motor hybrid powertrain, produced a combined 212 horsepower and 232 lb-ft of torque. During testing, it achieved 42.6 mpg in combined driving, slightly below the EPA estimate of 48 mpg. The car returned 44.1 mpg in city and suburban driving and 41.2 mpg after a spirited drive in Sport mode. Despite a 200-pound weight penalty, the Accord Hybrid was quick enough to lead traffic away from lights and freeway on-ramps, especially in Sport mode, though the eCVT drone was noticeable under hard acceleration.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class offered two engine options: a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six in the S500 4Matic, producing 429 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque, and a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 in the S580 4Matic, with 496 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. Both engines featured EQ Boost, a mild-hybrid system adding 21 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque for short bursts. The S500 and S580 accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 4.8 and 4.4 seconds, respectively, with top speeds electronically limited to 130 mph. The S-Class also featured standard air suspension and optional E-Active Body Control, along with rear-wheel steering for improved maneuverability.

The 2020 Honda Accord Hybrid offered the same spacious interior and trunk as the standard Accord, with a massive backseat and a 16.7-cubic-foot trunk. The front seats were comfortable, though taller drivers might find the lack of front-seat track travel limiting. The Touring trim added front heating and ventilation and rear heating. Interior storage was generous, and the trunk could accommodate four full-size suitcases with room to spare. The 60/40 split-folding rear seatback added versatility, though a hatchback design would have been even more practical.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class provided more front and rear headroom and rear legroom than its predecessor, with segment-leading shoulder room. Cargo space increased to 12.9 cubic feet, though still less than some competitors. The power-adjustable front seats, with 19 motors for adjustment, heating, ventilation, and massage, were incredibly comfortable. The removal of many analog controls freed up storage space, and the rear seats, especially with the Executive Line package, offered a luxurious experience with power adjustments and four-zone climate control.

The 2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, in EX trim or higher, featured a robust Display Audio infotainment system with a user-friendly interface, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, and quick-charge USB ports. The EX-L trim added a premium sound system, while the Touring trim included navigation, a wireless smartphone charger, NFC technology, a WiFi hotspot, and expanded HondaLink services. HondaLink offered features like in-car delivery of Amazon packages, a Find My Car function, and remote locking, unlocking, and engine starting. The Touring trim also included a head-up display (HUD).

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class came standard with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.8-inch OLED central touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and six USB ports. A 30-speaker Burmester audio system and a rear-seat infotainment setup with 11.6-inch touchscreens were available. The updated MBUX infotainment system, with increased computing power, relied more on the touchscreen but retained hard buttons for essential functions. The augmented-reality HUD was helpful for navigation, though the digital instrument cluster’s touchpads were small and difficult to use. The ambient lighting system reacted to certain functions, but seemed more gimmicky than useful.

The 2020 Honda Accord Hybrid included Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, traffic-sign recognition, and road-departure mitigation. The system was smoother and more refined than previous versions. All Accord Hybrids also had automatic high-beam headlights, a multi-angle reversing camera, and SmartVent front side airbags. The EX trim and higher added a blind-spot-warning system with rear cross-traffic alert. The Accord received top ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, while not yet rated by the NHTSA or IIHS, featured a comprehensive array of safety features, including an industry-first rear-passenger airbag. Standard driver-assist features included adaptive cruise control, automated lane centering, automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, lane-change assist, traffic-sign recognition, a driver-attention monitor, and a 360-degree camera system. Mercedes claimed improvements in these systems, with better traffic-sign recognition and lane-keep assist. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centering systems performed exceptionally well, handling highway curves and reacting smoothly to traffic changes.