Honda Accord vs. Ford Mondeo

Ford Motors have been in the automotive business for a long time, and they have made their share of great, and not-so-great vehicles, with some that have become worldwide icons. However, when the Japanese presented their own versions of what a car should be, the Americans suddenly saw stiff competition which they couldn’t shake off. These foreign cars were much cheaper, practical, reliable, and best of all, economical.

One of these Japanese cars, that maintained a stronghold on American soil for decades, was the Honda Accord. Well engineered and of exemplary build quality, it became the benchmark automobile, especially in the midsized sedan category. Now that the competitors have finally started to catch up, we’ll see how Ford’s new entry, the Mondeo sedan, matches up to the ‘king of the hill’.

We start off with the base model of the Honda Accord LX, which has a 2.4L inline-4 engine that is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission gearbox, and produces 177 horsepower at 6,500rpm delivered to the front wheels. This thrifty engine has a fuel economy rating of 25 miles per gallon for both city and highway driving, and for just $21,765, you not only get a reliable car, but a practical one as well.

Meanwhile, the Ford Mondeo’s price tag starts at $28,695, and continues to a little over $30,000, depending on the trim level, and for the base model Edge, you get a 2.0L inline-4 engine with a 6-speed manual gearbox, that summons out 140hp at 4000rpm to the front wheels. Although it is underpowered compared to the Accord LX, the trade-off is that you get a little over 36 miles for every gallon of fuel that you pump into the tank.

Both these cars offer 4-wheel ABS on ventilated disc brakes, but they differ in terms of curb weight, since the Accord LX comes out in a slightly trimmer 3230 lbs., supported by 16-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 215/60 All-Season tires, while the Ford Mondeo weighs in slightly more at 3265lbs., wearing size 235/45 tires on 17-inch rims.

One must remember though, that all these numbers are for the entry-level models only, for both car manufacturers. Things get a bit more upscale, more competitive and pricier as you go up the different trim levels. The Accord offers three different trim levels, namely, the base LX, the upgraded EX, and the top of the line EX-L, which offers premium features such as leather upholstery and an optional navigation system.

Meanwhile, the Ford Mondeo is available in three body styles (sedan, wagon and hatchback), a host of gasoline and diesel engines, and up to 8 trims, namely: Edge, Zetec, ECOnetic, Ghia, Titanium, Titanium Eco, Titanium X, and the top of the line Titanium X Sport. Some of the features found on any of those trims that are not found in the Accord, includes the following: Electronic Stability Program (ESP), capless refueling, Thatcham Category 1 alarm, Quickclear heated windscreen, headlight courtesy delay, Ford’s Intel ligent Protection System including driver’s knee airbag, and advanced Bluetooth with voice control system.

One key note to remember, is that the Mondeo is a very important car for Ford, because, not only does it sell in huge numbers in the UK, it defines that mid-sized sedan market as well, making it the very essence of transport for the masses in the UK alone. As for the Honda Accord, its reputation is known, not just in one country, but throughout the world, and that by itself, hints at which car offers the best value for your money.

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