When you’re looking for a comfortable and stylish family sedan, the cabin is where you’ll spend all your time. The 2021 Honda Accord interior sets a high standard with its spacious and modern design, blending practical roominess with up-to-date technology. It’s a place that feels both open and thoughtfully put together, whether you’re commuting solo or packing in the whole crew. This article walks you through everything that makes the Accord’s cabin a great place to be.
You’ll get a detailed look at the materials, tech features, and clever storage solutions. We’ll also cover the seating comfort and overall layout that makes this interior so successful.
2021 Honda Accord Interior
Stepping inside the 2021 Accord, the first thing you notice is the sense of space. Honda’s clever engineering maximizes room for both people and their stuff. The design is clean and driver-focused, avoiding unnecessary clutter. High-quality materials are used in key areas you touch and see most, giving it a premium feel that rivals some luxury brands.
The overall atmosphere is airy and uncluttered, which helps reduce stress on long drives. Everything is placed right where you expect it, making it easy to use from the moment you sit down.
A Closer Look at Cabin Space & Dimensions
The Accord has always been a leader in passenger space, and the 2021 model continues that tradition. It’s officially a midsize sedan, but it feels more like a full-size car on the inside.
Here are the key interior dimensions:
* Front Headroom: 39.5 inches
* Front Legroom: 42.3 inches
* Rear Headroom: 37.3 inches
* Rear Legroom: 40.4 inches
* Passenger Volume: 105.6 cubic feet
* Trunk Volume: 16.7 cubic feet
The rear legroom is particularly impressive. Adults can sit behind other adults without feeling cramped. The trunk is also huge and features a wide opening, making it easy to load suitcases, strollers, or grocery bags.
Dashboard Layout & Control Design
Honda took a minimalist approach with the 2021 Accord’s dashboard. The goal was to reduce buttons and create a clean, horizontal flow across the cabin. An elegant strip of real or faux wood (depending on the trim) stretches from door to door, adding warmth.
The center stack is dominated by the touchscreen, with just a few physical buttons and knobs below for critical functions like volume and climate control. This design minimizes distraction and looks very modern. All the controls have a solid, damped feel to them, which enhances the quality impression.
Seating Comfort & Upholstery Options
Seating is where the Accord really shines. The front seats are generously sized and offer excellent support for long journeys. Even the base model comes with comfortable cloth seats that have plenty of adjustment.
Higher trim levels add more luxury:
* Sport & EX: Upgraded cloth or leather-trimmed seats.
* EX-L: Heated front seats with premium leather.
* Touring: Ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and premium perforated leather.
The driver’s seat has ample power adjustments on most trims, ensuring you can find the perfect position. The rear bench is comfortably contoured for two adults or three children, and the seatbacks fold down in a 60/40 split to expand the already large trunk.
Infotainment & Technology Features
The heart of the 2021 Accord’s tech is its standard 8-inch touchscreen display. The system is responsive and features a simple, tile-based menu. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard on every single trim, which is a huge plus for smartphone integration.
Here’s a quick breakdown by trim level:
1. LX & Sport: 8-inch touchscreen, 4-speaker audio, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.
2. EX & EX-L: Adds an 8-speaker audio system, HD Radio, and a wireless phone charger.
3. Touring: Upgrades to a premium 10-speaker audio system by Honda.
The available head-up display on the Touring trim projects speed and navigation info onto the windshield, so you never have to look away from the road. The digital driver’s display behind the steering wheel also changes depending on the drive mode, giving you relevant information.
Material Quality & Build Feel
Honda did a great job balancing cost and quality in the Accord. While you’ll find some hard plastics on lower door panels and in the very back, the areas you interact with daily feel excellent.
The soft-touch material on the top of the dashboard and door armrests is standard. The steering wheel is always wrapped in leather, and the shift knob (or buttons on the hybrid) feels substantial. The switchgear for windows and lights clicks with precision. It’s not a luxury car, but it feels well-built and designed to last, with tight panel gaps and no squeaks or rattles.
Storage & Practicality Solutions
Practicality is a Honda hallmark, and the Accord is packed with smart storage.
* Center Console: A deep bin with a sliding armrest cover and multiple USB ports.
* Glovebox: Generously sized for manuals and documents.
* Door Pockets: All four doors have bottle holders and extra space.
* Front Cubby: A perfect spot for phones or wallets, right under the climate controls.
* Rear Center Armrest: Features two cupholders and a pass-through to the trunk for long items like skis.
These features make daily life much easier, ensuring there’s a place for everything you carry.
Climate Control & Air Quality
Every 2021 Accord comes with a dual-zone automatic climate control system. This means the driver and front passenger can set their own preferred temperature. The system works quickly and quietly to heat or cool the cabin.
The higher EX-L and Touring trims add a few extra comforts:
* Heated Front Seats: Standard on EX-L and above.
* Ventilated Front Seats: Exclusive to the Touring trim, a lifesaver in hot weather.
* Heated Rear Seats: Also exclusive to the Touring model.
* Air Filtration: All models have a cabin air filter to help reduce dust and allergens.
Interior Lighting & Visibility
Visibility out of the Accord is excellent, thanks to its relatively thin roof pillars and large windows. This creates an open, airy feeling and helps with safety when changing lanes or parking.
At night, the interior lighting is functional and pleasant:
* Ambient Lighting: Soft lighting in the footwells and center console (on higher trims).
* Overhead Lights: LED map lights for both front and rear passengers.
* Instrumentation: Gauges and screens are clearly lit and easy to read without being glaring.
Comparing Trim Levels: LX to Touring
Your experience of the interior changes noticeably depending on the trim you choose.
* LX: The base model is well-equipped with an 8-inch screen, cloth seats, and automatic climate control. It feels far from cheap.
* Sport: Adds sport pedals, a leather-wrapped wheel, and unique trim. It’s more about style.
* EX: A big jump, adding heated seats, a sunroof, the 8-speaker audio, and the wireless charger.
* EX-L: Brings in leather seating surfaces, a power passenger seat, and auto-dimming mirror.
* Touring: The full luxury experience with ventilated seats, premium audio, head-up display, and rear heated seats.
Pros and Cons of the 2021 Cabin
Let’s sum up the strengths and few weaknesses.
Pros:
* Exceptional rear seat legroom and trunk space.
* Simple, user-friendly infotainment with standard smartphone integration.
* High-quality materials in key contact points.
* Comfortable, supportive seats across all trims.
* Excellent outward visibility and an airy feel.
Cons:
* Some hard plastic surfaces are used in lower areas.
* The lack of physical volume knob can be annoying to some (though steering wheel controls are there).
* The wireless charger on higher trims can be slow and phones can slide around.
Keeping the Interior Clean & Maintained
To keep your Accord’s interior looking new, a simple routine helps. Regularly vacuum the carpets and seats to prevent dirt from grinding in. Use a mild cleaner for the dashboard and door panels to avoid a greasy shine. For leather seats, a dedicated leather conditioner a few times a year will prevent cracking.
Don’t forget to clean the touchscreen with a microfiber cloth and screen-safe spray. Also, using all-weather floor mats from day one is one of the best investments you can make to protect the original carpet.
FAQ Section
Q: Is the 2021 Honda Accord interior roomy?
A: Yes, it’s one of the most spacious interiors in its class, especially for rear-seat passengers. The trunk is also very large.
Q: What is the interior of the Honda Accord like?
A: It’s modern, clean, and user-friendly. It focuses on high-quality materials where it counts, great tech, and exceptional passenger space.
Q: Does the 2021 Accord have a nice interior?
A: Absolutely. It’s widely regarded as having one of the best interiors for the price, offering a premium feel without the premium price tag.
Q: Is Apple CarPlay standard in the 2021 Accord?
A: Yes, both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on every trim level through the 8-inch touchscreen display.
Q: How is the build quality of the Accord’s cabin?
A: The build quality is very good. Panel fits are tight, materials feel durable, and the switchgear operates with a solid, precise feel. It’s designed for long-term use.
Q: Are the seats comfortable for long trips?
A: The front seats are very supportive and comfortable for long drives. Higher trims with leather and available ventilation add even more comfort on extended journeys.
The 2021 Honda Accord interior successfully combines smart, spacious design with modern technology and solid comfort. It proves you don’t need to sacrifice style for practicality, or quality for value. Whether you choose the base LX or the loaded Touring, you get a cabin that is welcoming, easy to live with, and built to last, making every trip a more pleasant experience. It’s a key reason why the Accord remains a top choice for so many drivers.