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

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class retained a familiar exterior design, but its aerodynamic efficiency was notable, boasting a drag coefficient of 0.22. The car was slightly larger than its predecessor, with increased length, wheelbase, height, and width. The S-Class exuded luxury with its classic Mercedes hood ornament and grille, complemented by standard 19-inch wheels, with options for 20-inch and 21-inch wheels. Inside, the cabin was centered around a prominent infotainment touchscreen and digital instrument cluster, with a minimalist design that included ambient lighting with 250 LED elements and 64 color options. High-quality materials like Nappa leather and open-pore wood trim were standard, though the piano-black trim was prone to smudging.

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid was praised for its stylish design, with a well-proportioned and detailed exterior. It featured minor front styling updates, including a new grille and headlights, and the Touring trim came with new 19-inch aluminum wheels. The test vehicle, an Accord Touring in Lunar Silver, had a sophisticated dark undertone. The interior was spacious and upscale, with a Black interior for Lunar Silver models. The cabin featured simulated matte-finish wood trim, robust controls, and polished metallic accents. The Accord Hybrid offered excellent outward visibility and logically arranged controls, including a volume and tuning knob for the 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class offered two engine options: the S500 4Matic with a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine producing 429 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque, and the S580 4Matic with a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 delivering 496 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. Both models featured a nine-speed automatic transmission and EQ Boost, a mild-hybrid system providing additional electric assist. The S500 accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds, while the S580 achieved it in 4.4 seconds, with top speeds limited to 130 mph. The S-Class included standard air suspension and optional E-Active Body Control suspension, along with rear-wheel steering for improved maneuverability. The S580 was fast and comfortable, with precise steering and effective driving modes.

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid utilized a two-motor hybrid system combining a 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with a generator/starter motor and a separate electric drive motor. This setup produced 212 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque, with a 0 to 60 mph time of 6.5 seconds. The Accord Hybrid offered three operational modes: EV Drive, Hybrid Drive, and Engine Drive, with additional driver-selectable modes like EV Mode, Econ Mode, and Sport Mode. The powertrain was refined for improved throttle response and sound, achieving 48 mpg in most trims and 43 mpg in the Touring trim. The Accord Hybrid Touring featured 19-inch wheels and athletic handling, with a brake-by-wire regenerative braking system providing excellent feel and response.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class provided more front and rear headroom, as well as increased rear legroom compared to its predecessor. It offered segment-leading shoulder room, enhancing the sense of spaciousness. The trunk space increased to 12.9 cubic feet, though it remained smaller than some competitors. The front seats were highly adjustable and comfortable, with features like heating, ventilation, and massage. The interior design included a large center console storage bin and a covered area for a wireless phone charger and cupholders. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed a large console/armrest with cupholders and climate controls, with options for power-adjustable rear seats and four-zone climate control.

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 ample door panel bins. The Accord Hybrid's trunk was a standout feature, providing 16.7 cubic feet of space, larger than any competitor in the segment. The trunk was deep enough to accommodate full-size suitcases, and the 60/40 split-folding rear seats added to the car's utility.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.8-inch OLED central touchscreen, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The MBUX infotainment system was updated for improved performance, with functions like climate control and seat massagers integrated into the touchscreen. The S-Class also included an augmented-reality head-up display and a 30-speaker Burmester audio system. While the digital instrument cluster had impressive graphics, the steering-wheel touchpads were small and challenging to use. The ambient lighting system reacted to certain functions, but it felt more like a gimmick.

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The EX trim offered wireless connectivity for these platforms, along with improved USB port access and quick-charge USB ports for rear-seat passengers. The EX-L trim featured a premium sound system, while the Touring trim included navigation, HondaLink subscription services, and a WiFi hotspot. The voice command system required specific prompts, and the navigation system struggled with certain tasks, like locating the nearest hospital.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class lacked crash-test ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, but it offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including a 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 features, with the S-Class' systems performing better than most competitors.

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 across all trims. 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 suite of advanced driving assistance systems received refinements for smoother operation, though some features, like lane departure warning, could be improved. The low-speed automatic braking system required recalibration, as it was overly sensitive in certain situations.