2009 Mercedes-Benz C350 vs. 2009 Honda Accord

If horsepower gets you sitting up and taking notice, then go ahead and sink back into your chair. The competition, such as the 2009 Mercedes Benz C350, delivers between 250 and 300 bhp. The 2009 Honda Accord? Just 190. The new Accord is less Hammer of the Gods, and more a bottomless gourd. Where BMW, Mercedes, and Audi struggle to deliver more than 20 mph, the Accord gets thirty miles out of each expensive gallon.

The 2009 Mercedes Benz C350 costs a bit more, around $33,000. The new Accord's MSRP cannot scratch thirty grand. If you drive a lower end of the market vehicle and fancy an upgrade, there is no need to jump straight to the German luxury sedans when the Accord can fill most of your practical needs in a refined package that costs less.


The comparison of a C300 and Accord was posed earlier, and the general reaction was: no contest, with a little bit of defense for the Honda sprinkled in. This comparison would suggest a further disparity, but consider that a C350 is pricier than a C300 and is often deemed an unnecessary step up. Ironically, is it more worth it to go for an Accord over a C350 than it is to choose it over a C300?

2008 Honda Accord Model Line Overview
Model lineup:	Honda Accord LX Sedan ($20,360); LX-P Sedan ($21,360); LX-S Coupe ($21,860); EX Sedan ($23,060); EX Coupe ($23,160); EX-L Sedan ($25,060); EX-L Coupe ($25,160); EX V6 Sedan ($25,960); EX-L V6 Sedan ($28,060); EX-L V6 Coupe ($28,310)
Engines:	177-hp 2.4-liter I4; 190-hp 2.4-liter I4; 268-hp 3.5-liter V6
Transmissions:	5-speed manual; 5-speed automatic; 6-speed manual
Safety equipment (standard):	two-stage front airbags, dual-chamber front side airbags, side curtain airbags, active front head restraints; electronic stability control, antilock brakes, tire pressure monitors, daytime running lights
Safety equipment (optional):	none
Basic warranty:	3 years/36,000 miles
Assembled in:	Marysville, Ohio; Sayama, Japan

Specifications As Tested
Model tested (MSRP):	Honda Accord EX-L Sedan ($25,060)
Standard equipment:	leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, power steering, power disc brakes, power windows/locks/heated mirrors, moonroof, tilt-and-telescope steering wheel w/illuminated controls, heated front seats, power driver's seat, sliding-top console, cruise control, floor shift, active noise cancellation, 17-inch alloy wheels, 270-watt sound system/CD changer, auto-dimming rearview mirror, six airbags, electronic stability control
Options as tested (MSRP):	voice-activated navigation
Destination charge:	($635)
Gas guzzler tax:	N/A
Price as tested (MSRP):	$27,895
Layout:	front-wheel drive
Engine:	2.4-liter dohc 16-valve inline-4
Horsepower (hp @ rpm):	190 @ 7000
Torque (lb.-ft. @ rpm):	162 @ 4400
Transmission:	5-speed manual
EPA fuel economy, city/hwy:	21/31 mpg
Wheelbase:	110.2 in.
Length/width/height:	194.1/72.7/58.1 in.
Track, f/r:	62.2/62.2 in.
Turning circle:	37.7 ft.
Seating capacity:	5
Head/hip/leg room, f:	39.0/56.6/42.5 in.
Head/hip/leg room, m:	N/A
Head/hip/leg room, r:	37.2/54.3/37.2 in.
Cargo volume:	14.0 cu. ft.
Payload:	N/A
Towing capacity:	N/A
Suspension, f:	independent, coil springs
Suspension, r:	independent, coil springs
Ground clearance:	3386 in.
Curb weight:	N/A
Tires:	P225/50VR17
Brakes, f/r:	vented disc/disc with ABS, EBD, Brake Assist
Fuel capacity:	18.5 gal.

2008 C-Class Model Line Overview
Model lineup:	Mercedes-Benz C300; C350
Engines:	228-hp 2.8-liter V6; 268-hp 3.5-liter V6
Transmissions:	7-speed automatic; 6-speed manual
Safety equipment (standard):	frontal airbags, side-impact airbags, curtain airbags; electronic stability control, traction control, ABS, EBD, Pre-Safe
Safety equipment (optional):	none
Basic warranty:	4 years/50,000 miles
Assembled in:	Sindelfingen, Germany

Specifications As Tested
Model tested (MSRP):	Mercedes-Benz C350 Sport
Standard equipment:	N/A
Options as tested (MSRP):	N/A
Destination charge:	N/A
Gas guzzler tax:	N/A
Price as tested (MSRP):	N/A
Layout:	rear-wheel drive
Engine:	3.5-liter dohc 24-valve V6
Horsepower (hp @ rpm):	268 @ 6000
Torque (lb.-ft. @ rpm):	258 @ 2400
Transmission:	7-speed automatic
EPA fuel economy, city/hwy:	N/A
Wheelbase:	108.7 in.
Length/width/height:	180.4/69.7/57.0 in.
Track, f/r:	60.4/60.5 in.
Turning circle:	35.4 ft.
Seating capacity:	5
Head/hip/leg room, f:	37.1/52.3/41.7 in.
Head/hip/leg room, m:	N/A
Head/hip/leg room, r:	36.9/54.9/33.4 in.
Cargo volume:	17.6 cu. ft.
Payload:	N/A
Towing capacity:	N/A
Suspension, f:	independent, coil springs, gas struts, stabilizer bar
Suspension, r:	independent. five-link with coil springs, gas shocks, stabilizer bar
Ground clearance:	N/A
Curb weight:	3498 lbs.
Tires:	P225/40ZR-17 front; P245/40ZR-17 rear
Brakes, f/r:	disc/disc with ABS, EBD, Brake Assist
Fuel capacity:	17.4 gal.