2021 Honda Accord Hybrid
Independent review & score by Carivo
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Engine | 2.0L 4-Cylinder |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (variable gear ratios) |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Regular |
| City / Hwy MPG | 48 / 48 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 48 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $1,250 |
| CO₂ Emissions | 183 g/mi |
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
| Body Style | Hybrid |
| Base Price | $30,930–$37,627 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid is a hybrid that earns a Carivo score of 8.3/10 — rated Recommended. Its strongest dimension is Reliability at 9.3/10, while Performance at 6.9/10 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 9.3/10. The Accord Hybrid nameplate has earned that score through its track record and a comparatively clean recall sheet. On safety, it scores 8.5/10 in our assessment. Always confirm the official crash-test results for your exact trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Performance at 6.9/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. At 7.7/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.
Priced from $30,930–$37,627, 45 MPG, seating 5, the Honda Accord Hybrid sits in the mid-market bracket of the hybrid segment. Its value score of 8.9/10 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 Hybrid will scare a sensible buyer off. Keep an eye on performance if those matter to you; otherwise it does what a good hybrid 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 Hybrid ranks #32 of 135 hybrids in the Carivo database — better than 77% of the segment. Its 8.3/10 overall score is 0.1 points above the segment average of 8.2/10. Its $30,930 starting price sits close to the segment's median of $31,584.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Hybrid ranking → · Best Hybrids under $35k →
| Fuel (75,000 miles) | ~$5,835 ($1,167/year at $3.50/gal) |
|---|---|
| Recall repairs | $0 — 3 campaigns on record; recall work is always free at franchised dealers |
| Insurance | Varies widely by driver and state — always quote the exact trim before buying |
We only print costs we can compute from sourced data (EPA fuel economy, NHTSA recalls). We don't estimate maintenance or depreciation — anyone who gives you one number for those is guessing.
Smart-money pick: the 2018 Honda Accord Hybrid scores 8.2/10 — within striking distance of the 2021's 8.3 — and starts roughly $3,000 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 | 8.6/10 | $35,009 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 8.6/10 | $35,009 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 8.6/10 | $33,990 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 8.5/10 | $32,970 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 8.5/10 | $31,950 | Read review → |
| 2021 (this review) | 8.3/10 | $30,930 | |
| 2020 | 8.3/10 | $29,911 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 8.3/10 | $28,891 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 8.2/10 | $27,871 | 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 with our free VIN recall checker.
| 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… |
| 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.
Own a 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid that's been repaired repeatedly for the same problem? It may qualify under your state's lemon law — run the free lemon law check →
We rate the 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid's reliability 9.3/10 — one of the stronger records in its class. It has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
3 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 #32 of 135 hybrids in our database (better than 77% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.
The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid starts at $30,930 and ranges up to $37,627 across trims (MSRP when new). At 45 MPG, expect roughly $1,167/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
No standout weak years: across the 9 Accord Hybrid model years we've scored, every year lands within half a point of the best (8.6/10). Pick on price and condition rather than year.
The documented issues for the 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid are its NHTSA recall campaigns, which involve: Seat belts, Air bags (details in the recalls section above; repairs are free at dealers). For wear-and-tear patterns beyond recalls, owner forums are the best source — we only report what federal data documents.
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Other hybrids 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.