2009 Mercedes-Benz C300 vs. 2009 Honda Accord

The new 2009 Honda Accord comes in under $30,000 and offers great fuel economy. It does not carry the visual weight of a BMW 3 Series and it does not have the legroom of a Mercedes Benz C Class, but it does give you a fantastic option that will not overturn your bank balance.

Having dropped the hybrid, Honda launched a diesel version that is emissions-compliant in all US states and offers pretty good fuel economy itself. When set alongside the 2009 Mercedes Benz C300, the Honda definitely offers a more economical package from top to bottom.


The gap between luxury and economy has shrank, not unlike the US economy. Do the positive qualities offered in an Accord, in a time of penny-pinching, take away from the allure of a Mercedes luxury sedan?

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.