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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Engine | 1.5L 4-Cylinder |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (variable gear ratios) |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Regular |
| City / Hwy MPG | 30 / 38 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 33 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $2,050 |
| CO₂ Emissions | 268 g/mi |
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
| Body Style | Sedan |
| Base Price | $26,945–$34,482 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2021 Honda Accord is a sedan that earns a Carivo score of 8.3/10 — rated Recommended. Its strongest dimension is Reliability at 9.2/10, while Performance at 7.3/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. Reliability stands out at 9.2/10. The Accord nameplate has earned that score through its track record and a comparatively clean recall sheet. On safety, it scores 8.7/10 in our assessment. Always confirm the official crash-test results for your exact trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
With 7.3/10 for performance, this is a car tuned for daily driving rather than excitement — perfectly capable on the commute, unremarkable on a back road. At 7.8/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.
Priced from $26,945–$34,482, 29 MPG, seating 5, the Honda Accord sits in the mid-market bracket of the sedan segment. Its value score of 8.3/10 confirms that the price reflects the quality — you're getting a lot for your money here. At 5 years old, it's worth checking whether a newer generation or refresh has addressed any weaker dimensions — compare it to the current model year before buying.
Verdict: Nothing about the 2021 Honda Accord will scare a sensible buyer off. It scores consistently across the board, and it does what a good sedan should — quietly and competently.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2021 Honda Accord ranks #31 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 98% of the segment. Its 8.3/10 overall score is 0.8 points above the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $26,945 starting price sits close to the segment's median of $27,664.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking → · Best Sedans under $35k →
Smart-money pick: the 2018 Honda Accord scores 8.2/10 — within striking distance of the 2021's 8.3 — and starts roughly $2,500 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 8.5/10 | $30,498 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 8.5/10 | $30,498 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 8.4/10 | $29,610 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 8.4/10 | $28,721 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 8.3/10 | $27,833 | Read review → |
| 2021 (this review) | 8.3/10 | $26,945 | |
| 2020 | 8.3/10 | $26,056 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 8.1/10 | $25,168 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 8.2/10 | $24,280 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 8.2/10 | $23,391 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 8.0/10 | $22,503 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 8.0/10 | $21,615 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Seat belts / Rear/other / Retractor 18/11/2021 · 21V900000 | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021 Accord Sedan, Accord Hybrid, CR-V, Ridgeline, 2022 Insight and CR-V Hybrid vehicles. The automatic locking retractor on the second-row center seat belt assembly may deactivate improperly, which… |
|---|---|
| Air bags / Sensor / Occupant classification / Front passenger 01/02/2024 · 24V064000 | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020… |
| Fuel system, gasoline / Delivery / Fuel pump 18/12/2023 · 23V858000 | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda… |
| Air bags / Sensor / Occupant classification / Front passenger 21/05/2026 · 26V332000 | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V,… |
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
We rate the 2021 Honda Accord's reliability 9.2/10 — one of the stronger records in its class. It has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
4 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
It scores 8.3/10 overall, ranking #31 of 1310 sedans in our database (better than 98% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.
The 2021 Honda Accord starts at $26,945 and ranges up to $34,482 across trims (MSRP when new). At 29 MPG, expect roughly $1,810/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Other sedans at a similar price point, ranked by Carivo score.
Explore the full lineup of Honda models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.
