2021 Honda Accord Hybrid vs 2021 Toyota Prius

The 2021 Toyota Prius retained its iconic boomerang-shaped hood and roofline, a design choice that had been part of its identity for over 15 years. Despite advancements in aerodynamic vehicle design, the Prius continued to sport this look, which many found unappealing, even in the trendy 2020 Edition with blacked-out trim. Inside, the Prius featured a unique layout with a strip of displays in the center of the dashboard, a toggle lever for transmission controls, and a narrow center console. The gloss-black trim was a magnet for dust and fingerprints, adding to the car's unconventional interior aesthetics.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid was praised for its proportionate and stylish design, a rarity for Honda. Minor front styling changes for the year included a new grille, revised bumper, and new headlights. The Touring trim level received new 19-inch aluminum wheels and a new Sonic Gray Pearl paint color. The test vehicle, an Accord Touring in Lunar Silver, was noted for its dark undertone, avoiding the typical brightness of silver metallic paint. The interior of the Accord was upscale, with simulated matte-finish wood trim, robust controls, and polished metallic accents, although the hard plastic upper rear door trim was a minor letdown.

The 2021 Toyota Prius was all about fuel efficiency, with the L Eco version achieving an impressive 56 mpg in combined driving according to the EPA. Other front-drive models earned 52 mpg, while AWD-e versions managed 49 mpg. The Prius 2020 Edition, however, averaged 47.5 mpg on the testing loop, falling short of EPA estimates. The Prius combined a 1.8-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with a 53-kilowatt electric motor, producing a total system output of 121 horsepower. The electric motor's 120 pound-feet of torque provided a lively feel off the line, and the car offered electric-only driving at speeds under 25 mph. The TNGA platform contributed to a lower center of gravity and a more athletic feel, making the Prius surprisingly capable on curvy roads, though hard acceleration resulted in powertrain drone.

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid featured 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. This setup produced a combined 212 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque, making the Accord Hybrid feel quick from a standing start. Honda estimated a 0-60 mph time of 6.5 seconds, with most trim levels returning 48 mpg in combined driving, while the Touring trim earned 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 for EV, Econ, and Sport. The Accord Hybrid Touring averaged 42.8 mpg during testing, matching the EPA rating. The car's handling was enhanced by its 19-inch wheels and 235/40 tires, providing a compliant ride and athletic handling.

The 2021 Toyota Prius offered more interior space than expected, accommodating up to five people. The seats were comfortable, though the SofTex synthetic leather could be sticky. The test vehicle featured an eight-way power driver’s seat, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. However, the low seating position made entry and exit challenging. The rear seats provided adequate foot room, legroom, and headroom, but lacked air-conditioning vents. Cargo space varied by trim level, ranging from 24.6 to 27.4 cubic feet behind the back seat and 47.9 to 50.7 cubic feet with the seat folded down.

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid impressed with its spacious interior, competing as a midsize sedan but offering full-size sedan space. The 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat and enormous back seat provided excellent leg support, with heated and ventilated front seats and heated rear seats in the Touring trim. Interior storage was generous, with a large center console bin, a covered compartment with wireless smartphone charging, and large door panel bins. The Accord Hybrid's trunk offered 16.7 cubic feet of space, the largest in its segment, and could accommodate full-size suitcases on their sides. The 60/40 split-folding rear seats further enhanced utility.

The 2021 Toyota Prius featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with stereo-volume and tuning knobs, and shortcut buttons. Standard equipment included Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, Safety Connect, and WiFi Connect. However, the stereo speaker sound quality was poor, and road noise overwhelmed it on the highway. The Limited trim offered a 10-speaker JBL premium sound system, navigation, and a natural voice recognition system, paired with an 11.6-inch portrait-style touchscreen that lacked Android Auto.

For 2021, the 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. Wireless smartphone charging was also standard from the EX trim up. The EX-L trim featured a premium sound system, while the Touring trim included navigation, HondaLink subscription services, and a WiFi hotspot. The system worked well, though voice commands required specific prompts and pathways.

The 2021 Toyota Prius came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS 2.0), which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane-centering assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and road-sign recognition. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. Safety Connect services were also standard, offering automatic collision notification, emergency assistance, roadside assistance, and a stolen vehicle locator. The IIHS gave the Prius favorable marks, though it did not earn a Top Safety Pick due to headlight and front-passenger protection issues.

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid aimed for a Top Safety Pick+ rating by redesigning its LED headlights and making them standard. The car also included a rear-seat reminder, rear seatbelt reminder, and low-speed braking control on the Touring model. Honda Sensing, the suite of advanced driving assistance systems, was refined for smoother operation. The Accord Hybrid's safety features were effective, though the lane departure warning and low-speed automatic braking could be intrusive.