2021 Honda Accord Sport Special Edition vs. 2021 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the 2021 Honda Accord Sport Special Edition and 2021 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the 2021 Honda Accord Sport Special Edition and the 2021 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus.
When we compare the 2021 Honda Accord Sport Special Edition's and the 2021 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus's specifications and ratings, the 2021 Honda Accord Sport Special Edition has the advantage in the areas of resale value and interior volume. The 2021 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for used cars and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the 2021 Honda Accord Sport Special Edition's and the 2021 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus's specifications and ratings, the two cars are fairly comparable.
Pricing: A used 2021 Honda Accord Sport Special Edition ranges from $19,136 to $27,998 while a used 2021 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus is priced between $17,894 to $26,390.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the 2021 Honda Accord Sport Special Edition loses 34.9 percent of its value and the 2021 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus loses 57 percent of its value. This means the 2021 Honda Accord Sport Special Edition retains 22.1 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the 2021 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the 2021 Honda Accord Sport Special Edition’s base engine makes 192 horsepower, and the 2021 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus base engine makes 201 horsepower. The Sport Special Edition is rated to deliver an average of 33 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 562 miles. The Standard Range Plus is rated to deliver an average of 127 miles per gallon of gasoline-equivalent (MPGe), with a highway range of 267 miles.This gives the 2021 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus the advantage in fuel efficiency and the 2021 Honda Accord Sport Special Edition the advantage in maximum range. The Sport Special Edition uses regular unleaded, and the Standard Range Plus uses electricity.
Passenger Space Comparison: The 2021 Honda Accord Sport Special Edition, a midsize car, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front shoulder room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The 2021 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus, a electric compact car, has the advantage in the areas of front head room, front leg room and rear head room.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the 2021 Honda Accord Sport Special Edition and the 2021 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
28920
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize Cars)
25984
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize Cars)
22270 - 36995
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
37990
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
47447
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
37990 - 59900
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
24014
Price Range:
19136 - 27998
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize Cars)
21702
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize Cars)
17222 - 28093
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
201
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
70658
# Good or Great Deals:
98
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
22856
Price Range:
17894 - 26390
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
23291
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
21754 - 24416
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
379
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
58594
# Good or Great Deals:
241
Honda Accord Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.9 / 10
Reliability:
8.0 / 10
Retained Value:
8.8 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Tesla Model 3 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
7.3 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for 2021 Honda Accord Sport Special Edition
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
9.6
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Midsize Cars)
7.3
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize Cars)
3.8 - 9.6
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.303
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for 2021 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
9.95901061510275
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
3.9
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
1.6 - 10.0
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
439.7277332547294
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
6.0
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
3.5 - 439.7
Honda Accord Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 13Ranking
1 out of / 13Ranking
1 out of / 13Ranking
1 out of / 13Ranking
1 out of / 13Ranking
1 out of / 13Ranking
1 out of / 13Ranking
1 out of / 7Ranking
1 out of / 7Ranking
1 out of / 7Ranking
1 out of / 4Ranking
4 out of / 13Ranking
5 out of / 13Ranking
7 out of / 7Ranking
10 out of / 13Tesla Model 3 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 21Ranking
3 out of / 30Ranking
3 out of / 22Ranking
4 out of / 22Ranking
4 out of / 22Ranking
4 out of / 22Ranking
5 out of / 27Ranking
6 out of / 30Ranking
6 out of / 30Ranking
7 out of / 30Ranking
11 out of / 22Ranking
16 out of / 30Ranking
17 out of / 22Ranking
18 out of / 30Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Electric
Other Honda Accord Trim Levels
EX-L, LX, Sport, Touring
Other Tesla Model 3 Trim Levels
Long Range, Performance
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
8 years / 100000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years / 50000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
192 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque:
192 foot-lbs @ 1600 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.059 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
201 hp
Torque:
258 foot-lbs
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.055 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
1.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT Automatic)
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
30 / 38 / 33
MPGe:
Not applicable
Range (city/hwy):
444 / 562 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Battery Size/Capacity :
Not applicable
Maximum Charging Rate:
Not applicable
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
Not Applicable
Engine Configuration:
Not Applicable
Number of Cylinders:
Not Applicable
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
Not applicable
MPGe:
127 / 127 / 127
Range (city/hwy):
267 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Electricity
Battery Size/Capacity:
50 kWh
Maximum Charging Rate:
10 hours (240V)
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Leather Upholstery:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Navigation System:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Satellite radio:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
Available
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Massage Seats:
N/A
Navigation System:
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Satellite radio:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
Standard
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
37.5 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.3 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
58.3 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.2 inches
Rear Leg Room:
40.4 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56.5 inches
Cargo Space:
16.7 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
102.7 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.3 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.7 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.3 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.7 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.2 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54 inches
Cargo Space:
15 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
97.0 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3230 lbs
Width:
73.3 inches
Height:
57.1 inches
Length:
196.1 inches
Wheelbase:
111.4 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3648 lbs
Width:
82.2 inches
Height:
56.8 inches
Length:
184.8 inches
Wheelbase:
113.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.5 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
19.0 x 8.5 inches
Wheel Type:
polished aluminum alloy with painted accents
Tire Size:
235/40R19
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
235/45R18
Exterior Colors
Black
Not available
Blue
Not available
Red
Not available
Silver
Not available
White
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Solid Black
Blue
Deep Blue Metallic
Red
Red Multi-Coat
Silver
Midnight Silver Metallic
White
Pearl White Multi-Coat
Interior Colors
Black
Not available
White
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Black
White
Black and White
