Top Safety Pick + Top Safety Pick criteria

2021 Honda Accord

midsize car / 4-door sedan

2021 Honda Accord 4-door sedan

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Small overlap front: driver-side
Small overlap front: passenger-side
Moderate overlap front: original test
Side: original test
Side: updated test
Roof strength
Head restraints & seats

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Headlights (varies by trim/option)
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle
Standard system
Superior
Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)
Standard system
Superior

Seat belts & child restraints

LATCH ease of use
+

Other available safety features

  • Standard daytime running lights
  • Optional blind spot detection
  • Standard lane departure warning
  • Standard lane departure prevention

Key

  • G
    Good
  • A
    Acceptable
  • M
    Marginal
  • P
    Poor
  • Superior
  • Advanced
  • Basic

Some ratings use a scale of Poor to Good. Others range from Basic to Superior.

Small overlap front: driver-side

Rating applies to 2018-22 models

Tested vehicle: 2018 Honda Accord 1.5T LX 4-door

The Honda Accord was redesigned for the 2018 model year. Driver-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Honda as part of frontal crash test verification.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTN1713
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 1
Footrest (cm) 2
Left toepan (cm) 2
Brake pedal (cm) 5
Parking brake (cm)
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 1
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column 0
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 1
Upper dash (cm) 0
Lower instrument panel (cm) 0

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTN1713
Head
HIC-15 186
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.0
Extension bending moment (Nm) 13
Maximum Nij 0.20
Chest maximum compression (mm) 23
Femur (kN)
Left 0.9
Right 0.2
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 0
Right 0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.35
Right 0.51
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 1.7
Right 1.8
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 48
Right 41

How the driver-side small overlap front test is conducted

Small overlap front: passenger-side

Rating applies to 2018-22 models

Tested vehicle: 2018 Honda Accord 1.5T LX 4-door

The Honda Accord was redesigned for the 2018 model year. Passenger-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Honda as part of frontal crash test verification.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on passenger side

Test ID VTP1713
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 1
Footrest (cm) 10
Right toepan (cm) 11
Center toepan (cm) 11
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 0
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm) 3
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 1
Upper dash (cm) 4
Right lower dash (cm) 4

Passenger injury measures

Test ID VTP1713
Head
HIC-15 243
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.2
Extension bending moment (Nm) 14
Maximum Nij 0.23
Chest maximum compression (mm) 25
Femur (kN)
Left 0.7
Right 0.5
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 1
Right 0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.42
Right 0.33
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 1.9
Right 1.8
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 56
Right 55

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTP1713
Head
HIC-15 155
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.8
Extension bending moment (Nm) 11
Maximum Nij 0.22
Chest maximum compression (mm) 25
Femur (kN)
Left 0.6
Right 0.1
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 0
Right 0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.55
Right 0.25
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 1.7
Right 1.3
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 46
Right 52

How the passenger-side small overlap front test is conducted

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2018-22 models

Tested vehicle: 2018 Honda Accord 1.5T LX 4-door

The Honda Accord was redesigned for the 2018 model year. Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Honda as part of frontal crash test verification.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Leg/foot, left
Leg/foot, right
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTF1719
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm) 1
Left (cm) 2
Center (cm) 2
Right (cm) 4
Brake pedal (cm) 5
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm) 0
Right (cm) 0
Steering column movement
Upward (cm) -1
Rearward (cm) -5
A-pillar rearward movement (cm) 0

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTF1719
Head
HIC-15 195
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.9
Extension bending moment (Nm) 16
Maximum Nij 0.24
Chest maximum compression (mm) 23
Legs
Femur force - left (kN) 0.7
Femur force - right (kN) 0.5
Knee displacement - left (mm) 1
Knee displacement - right (mm) 0
Maximum tibia index - left 0.30
Maximum tibia index - right 0.28
Tibia axial force - left (kN) 2.1
Tibia axial force - right (kN) 1.8
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 39
Right 40

How the moderate overlap front test is conducted

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2018-22 models

Tested vehicle: 2018 Honda Accord 1.5T LX 4-door

The Honda Accord was redesigned for the 2018 model year. Side ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Honda as part of side crash test verification.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Driver head protection
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Rear passenger head protection
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTS1717
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm) -15.0
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTS1717
Head HIC-15 316
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.9
Compression (kN) 0.1
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 53
Lateral force (kN) 1.5
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 42
Average deflection (mm) 34
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 5.03
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.59
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 1.1
Acetabulum force (kN) 0.9
Combined force (kN) 1.3
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 0.8
L-M moment (Nm) 53
A-P moment (Nm) 137

Passenger injury measures

Test ID VTS1717
Head HIC-15 111
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.3
Compression (kN) 0.5
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 36
Lateral force (kN) 0.9
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 41
Average deflection (mm) 24
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 3.48
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.51
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 0.1
Acetabulum force (kN) 0.5
Combined force (kN) 0.6
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 0.7
L-M moment (Nm) 28
A-P moment (Nm) 206

How the side crash test is conducted

Side: updated test

Rating applies to 2018-22 models

Tested vehicle: 2022 Honda Accord 1.5T LX 4-door

The Honda Accord was redesigned for the 2018 model year.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis
Driver head protection
The dummy's head moved downward past the side curtain airbag and struck the window sill of the driver door hard. The head protection is inadequate.
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis
Rear passenger head protection

View of the vehicle just after the crash test.

View of the vehicle after the crash with doors removed, showing the side airbags and damage to the occupant compartment.

Smeared greasepaint shows that the driver dummy's head moved downward, past the side curtain airbag, and contacted the window sill.

Smeared greasepaint shows where the rear passenger dummy’s head was protected by the side airbag.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID CES2217
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm) -12.0
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Driver injury measures

Test ID CES2217
Head
HIC-15 576
Peak gs at hard contact 77
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.9
Compression (kN) 0.8
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 54
Lateral force (kN) 1.6
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 40
Average deflection (mm) 36
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 3.38
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.62
Pelvis
Combined force (kN) 5.1

Passenger injury measures

Test ID CES2217
Head
HIC-15 279
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.0
Compression (kN) 0.7
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 37
Lateral force (kN) 0.6
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 43
Average deflection (mm) 27
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 3.68
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.71
Pelvis
Combined force (kN) 4.5

How the side crash test is conducted

Roof strength

Rating applies to 2018-22 models

Tested vehicle: 2018 Honda Accord 1.5T LX 4-door

Overall evaluation
Curb weight 3,105 lbs
Peak force 17,114 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio 5.51

How the roof strength test is conducted

Head restraints & seats

Seat type: Manual cloth seat

Overall evaluation
Dynamic rating
Seat/head restraint geometry
Technical measurements for this test
Seat type Manual cloth seat
Geometry
Backset (mm) 22
Distance below top of head (mm) 34
Seat design parameters
Pass/fail Pass
Max T1 acceleration (g) 11.5
Head contact time (ms) 53
Force rating 1
Neck forces
Max neck shear force (N) 0
Max neck tension (N) 145

How the head restraint & seat test is conducted
Currently, IIHS tests apply only to front seats.

Headlights

Ratings are given for 2 different headlight variations available on this vehicle.

Trim level(s)

  • Sport trim
  • Sport SE trim
  • EX-L trim
  • Touring trim
  • Hybrid EX trim
  • Hybrid EX-L trim
  • Hybrid Touring trim
Low-beam headlight type LED reflector
High-beam headlight type LED reflector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was fair on both right curves and inadequate on both left curves.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on the gradual right and gradual left curves, fair on the sharp right curve and inadequate on the sharp left curve.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway, on both left curves and on both right curves.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • Sport trim
  • Sport SE trim
  • EX-L trim
  • Touring trim
  • Hybrid EX trim
  • Hybrid EX-L trim
  • Hybrid Touring trim
Low-beam headlight type LED reflector
High-beam headlight type LED reflector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2021-22 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 109.6 m None
Straightaway left edge 55.8 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 62.2 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 48.9 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 50.6 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 43.1 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 180.0 m
Straightaway left edge 155.9 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 83.6 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 78.4 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 59.5 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 54.4 m

Trim level(s)

  • LX trim
  • Hybrid trim
Low-beam headlight type LED reflector
High-beam headlight type Halogen reflector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit Some glare

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on the gradual right curve and fair on the sharp right and both left curves.

The low beams created some glare.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and fair on the left side. On curves, visibility was good on the gradual right curve and fair on the sharp right and both left curves.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway, on both left curves and on both right curves.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • LX trim
  • Hybrid trim
Low-beam headlight type LED reflector
High-beam headlight type Halogen reflector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2018-22 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 95.7 m 27.3%
Straightaway left edge 62.0 m 27.3%
250m radius right curve, right edge 67.5 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 57.9 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 52.3 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 51.0 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 154.6 m
Straightaway left edge 129.4 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 76.3 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 74.1 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 58.9 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 58.0 m

How headlights are evaluated

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle

System details

  • Standard Collision Mitigation Braking System

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2021-22 models

Superior
Superior
  • This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

How front crash prevention is evaluated

Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)

System details

  • standard Collision Mitigation Braking System

Overall evaluation

This rating applies to all 2021-22 models

Superior
Superior

Crossing child

  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 13 mph.

Crossing adult

  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Parallel adult

  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 37 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 36 mph. A warning was issued 2.3 seconds before impact.

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2018-22 models

Overall evaluation
+
extra LATCH positions
Vehicle trim 1.5T LX
Seat type cloth

This vehicle has 2 rear seating positions with complete child seat attachment (LATCH) hardware.

It has 1 additional seating position with a tether anchor and the ability to borrow lower anchors from the other seating positions.

Note: When anchors are borrowed, they aren't available to use in their designated positions.

Overall evaluation
+
extra LATCH positions
Vehicle trim 1.5T LX
Seat type cloth
1 2 3
G Good
A Acceptable
M Marginal
P Poor
Seating positions that rely on borrowed lower anchors or have only a tether anchor available are not rated.
thether anchor symbol
Tether anchor
lower anchor symbol
Lower anchors
shared lower achors symbol
Lower anchor(s) can be borrowed from adjacent positions(s)
No hardware available

Details by seating position

1
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
not too deep in seat
not too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
2
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
Can be borrowed from 1 and 3
3
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
not too deep in seat
not too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
Technical measurements for this test

Seat position 21

3

Lower anchor A
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 0-2
Force (lbs) 8
Clearance angle (degrees) 79
Lower anchor B
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 0-2
Force (lbs) 3
Clearance angle (degrees) 72
Tether anchor
Location Rear deck
Confusing hardware present No
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor
No

Seat position 22

2

Lower anchor A
Lower latch is shared for this seat position
Lower anchor B
Lower latch is shared for this seat position
Tether anchor
Location Rear deck
Confusing hardware present No
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor
No

Seat position 23

1

Lower anchor A
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 0-2
Force (lbs) 5
Clearance angle (degrees) 82
Lower anchor B
Open access rated Yes
Depth Visible
Force (lbs) 1
Clearance angle (degrees) 84
Tether anchor
Location Rear deck
Confusing hardware present No
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor
No

How child seat anchors are evaluated