2021 Honda Accord Hybrid vs 2021 Hyundai Elantra

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra stood out in the compact sedan market with its Sensuous Sportiness design language and Parametric surfacing. Its sharp creases and dramatic angles created a distinctive and appealing look. The Z-shaped dent in the doors, a controversial design cue, was intended to give the Elantra a unique character, breaking conventional automotive design rules. The Elantra's appearance improved with higher trim levels, ranging from SE to Limited, with prices between $19,650 and $25,450. The high-performance Elantra N, expected to cost less than $34,000, was set to debut early in 2021.

Inside, the Elantra featured a driver-focused dashboard and center console, with higher trims offering a more upscale and high-tech cabin. The Limited or Hybrid Limited in Gray was particularly favored for its modern and upscale look, with light gray seats and trim contrasting against the black cabin. The Elantra SEL with the Premium Package, however, had a drab black interior with glossy black plastic that was less appealing.

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid, available in standard, EX, EX-L, and Touring trims, ranged in price 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's design was praised for its proportion, stance, style, and detailing. Minor front styling changes for 2021 included a new grille, revised bumper, and new headlights. The Touring trim also 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 drab brightness of typical silver metallic paint. The new wheels looked terrific but were difficult to clean. The Accord's cabin, regardless of interior color, looked 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 Hyundai Elantra offered various powertrain combinations, including the high-performance Elantra N. The standard engine, a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder with 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT, provided fine power around town but felt gutless on the highway. The Elantra Hybrid, with a 1.6-liter Atkinson-cycle engine and electric motor producing 139 horsepower, offered better fuel efficiency and a more satisfying drive. The sporty Elantra N Line, with a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine making 201 horsepower, was fun to drive but not as thrilling as the Elantra N, which boasted a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine with 276 horsepower and 289 pound-feet of torque.

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid featured a two-motor hybrid system with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, generator/starter motor, and electric drive motor, producing a combined 212 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque. The Accord Hybrid felt quick from a standing start, with an estimated 0-60 mph time of 6.5 seconds. The powertrain control module determined the appropriate operational mode, including EV Drive, Hybrid Drive, and Engine Drive. Drivers could also select EV Mode, Econ Mode, and Sport mode. The Accord Hybrid Touring, with its larger wheels and tires, averaged 42.8 mpg, matching the EPA rating of 43 mpg. The car's suspension and handling were praised for their athleticism and compliance, making the Accord Hybrid fun to drive.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra, classified as a midsize car by the EPA, offered a roomy interior with a height-adjustable driver's seat and tilt/telescopic steering wheel. The rear seat provided ample legroom and foot space, though the backrest shape and angle lacked upper back support. The trunk measured 14.2 cubic feet, with a 60/40-split folding rear seat for added utility. However, the Elantra lacked air conditioning vents and USB charging ports for rear-seat passengers, and the manual passenger's seat height adjuster was removed for 2021.

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid, competing as a midsize sedan, offered a spacious interior with 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 an available wireless smartphone charger, and large door panel bins. The Accord Hybrid's trunk measured 16.7 cubic feet, larger than any competitor in the segment, and featured 60/40 split-folding rear seats for added utility.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite radio, and Blue Link connected services. The Limited trim upgraded to a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation and a 10.25-inch digital instrumentation screen, offering a dynamic natural voice recognition system and a Sounds of Nature function. The Limited Hybrid's voice recognition system performed inconsistently, but a Hyundai spokesperson suggested an active Blue Link subscription would improve results. A new Bose premium sound system and Hyundai Digital Key were also available.

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 voice command system required specific prompts and pathways, and struggled to locate the nearest hospital during testing.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra featured SmartSense, Hyundai's collection of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane-centering assistance, automatic high-beam headlights, and a driver attention warning system. Additional safety features included blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, Rear Occupant Alert, and Safe Exit Warning. Safety-related upgrades included cyclist detection, junction turning assistance, adaptive cruise control, rear automatic braking, and Highway Drive Assist.

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid aimed to achieve a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS by redesigning its LED headlights and making them standard. The Accord Hybrid included a rear-seat reminder and rear seatbelt reminder system, with the Touring model adding low-speed braking control. The Honda Sensing ADAS suite was refined for smoother and more accurate operation, though the lane departure warning and low-speed automatic braking systems required further improvement.