2021 Honda Accord Hybrid vs 2021 Chrysler 300

The 2021 Chrysler 300 retained much of its classic design, reminiscent of its major facelift in 2014. Its "three-box design" gave it a straightforward, old-school profile that was easy to recognize. The car's appearance, from the base 300 trim to the high-end 300S, was something to be proud of, with bi-xenon halogen projector lamps and LED driving lamps on lower trims, and adaptive HID lamps on higher trims. The grille options, either black or chrome, added to its tough, no-nonsense look. Wheel sizes ranged from 17-inch silver alloys on the base model to 20-inch Black Noise wheels on the 300S.

Inside, the Chrysler 300 offered a luxurious feel with cloth upholstery on the base model and Nappa leather on higher trims. The 300S featured perforated inserts and accent stitching, with heated front seats standard on the top trims and optional heated rear seats. The interior quality was comparable to cars with much higher price tags, making it a strong contender in its class.

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid, available in standard, EX, EX-L, and Touring trims, showcased a flair for proportion, stance, style, and detailing. Minor front styling changes included a new grille, revised bumper, and new headlights. The Touring trim featured new 19-inch aluminum wheels and a new Sonic Gray Pearl paint color. Our test vehicle, an Accord Touring in Lunar Silver, had a dark undertone that avoided the typical brightness of silver metallic paint. The new wheels, though attractive, required extra effort to keep clean.

The Accord's interior, regardless of color, looked remarkably upscale with simulated matte-finish wood trim, robust controls, and polished metallic accents. The lower panels, though plastic, did not feel cheap. The cabin's controls were logically arranged and easy to use, with excellent outward visibility. The 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display featured both a volume knob and a tuning knob, making it user-friendly.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 was not designed for speed, but its 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine provided a solid 292 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque in the 300 Touring and 300 Touring L, and 300 hp and 264 lb-ft in the 300S. The 300S also offered a 5.7-liter V8 with 363 hp and 394 lb-ft of torque. Both engines came with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with paddle shifters on the 300S. Rear-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available for an additional $2,750, though not on the 300S.

The base 300 Touring with rear-wheel drive and the V6 felt like a rental upgrade, but it was quiet, capable, and comfortable. The AWD Touring L offered a traditional luxury driving experience, while the V8-powered 300S provided a fun, albeit not overwhelming, launch experience.

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid featured a two-motor hybrid system with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine, 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 torque available immediately and constant up to 2,000 rpm. Honda estimated a 0-60 mph time of 6.5 seconds and a combined fuel economy of 48 mpg for most trims, with the Touring trim rated at 43 mpg due to its larger wheels.

The powertrain control module managed three operational modes: EV Drive, Hybrid Drive, and Engine Drive, with additional driver-selectable modes like EV Mode, Econ Mode, and Sport Mode. The refined two-motor hybrid powertrain offered improved throttle response and a more natural sound and feel during acceleration. The Accord Hybrid Touring averaged 42.8 mpg, matching the EPA's rating. The car's handling was athletic, with excellent brake-by-wire regenerative braking and a compliant ride.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 offered generous front and rear legroom, with 41.8 inches in the front and 40.1 inches in the back, surpassing competitors like the Lexus ES350. With 106.3 cubic feet of passenger volume, it was classified as a midsize car by the EPA but felt spacious compared to the Genesis G70 and Lexus ES350. The trunk provided 16.3 cubic feet of cargo space, enough for four large suitcases.

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid, though a midsize sedan, felt like a full-size sedan with its spacious interior. The 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat and large back seat offered excellent leg support. 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 an available wireless smartphone charger, and large door panel bins.

The Accord Hybrid's trunk was enormous at 16.7 cubic feet, the same size as other Accords and larger than any competitor in the segment. It could accommodate full-size suitcases on their sides, and the 60/40 split-folding rear seats added to its utility.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 featured the Uconnect 4C infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, standard across all trims. The system was intuitive, with prominent knobs and excellent steering wheel-mounted controls. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard. The $3,495 Popular Equipment Group added a 506-watt amp, nine premium Alpine speakers, GPS navigation, SiriusXM Traffic Plus, surround sound, a trunk-mounted subwoofer, and a dual-pane sunroof.

For 2021, the Honda Accord Hybrid made its 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system standard on all trims, including the base model. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with wireless connectivity available on the EX trim. The EX trim and higher also included 2.5-amp quick-charge USB ports for rear-seat passengers and wireless smartphone charging. The EX-L trim featured a premium sound system, while the Touring trim added navigation, HondaLink subscription services, and a WiFi hotspot. The system worked well, though voice commands required specific prompts.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 received top "Good" scores in most IIHS crash tests but scored "Marginal" in small overlap tests and "Poor" for headlights. The NHTSA gave it a four-star overall rating, with four-star driver and passenger side crash test ratings and a four-star rollover rating. It received a five-star rating for the combined side barrier and side pole crash test. Safety features included active head restraints, multiple airbags, traction and stability control, brake assist, rain brake support, ready alert braking, and hill start assist. Advanced safety features were available on higher trims and packages.

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid aimed to earn a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS by redesigning its LED headlights and making them standard. The car included a rear-seat reminder and rear seatbelt reminder system, with the Touring model adding low-speed braking control. The Honda Sensing suite of advanced driving assistance systems was refined for smoother operation, with easier access to settings. However, the lane departure warning and low-speed automatic braking could be improved.