Honda Accord vs. Toyota Prius

Toyota Motors has been known for going beyond the market’s expectations in developing practical, affordable and well, futuristic cars. The latter is evident when they produced the road-going hybrid vehicle, called the Prius, in a time when everyone else was still designing an ecologically viable engine, to put into their cars as an alternative to the conventional fossil-fuel powered engine.

However, is the Prius all about substance, and no style? Well, to find out, we matched it up against one of the role models of the automotive industry, the Honda Accord. To make things fair for the gasoline-electric hybrid Prius, we only took a peek at each brand’s base models, starting with the Honda Accord LX.

The Accord LX has a 2.4L inline-4, which is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission gearbox, and produces 177 horsepower at 6,500rpm, delivered through the front wheels. This thrifty engine has a fuel economy of 25 miles per gallon for city and highway driving. In terms of curb weight, the Accord LX weighs in a bit heavier than the Prius, at 3230 lbs., and this heft is supported by 16-inch alloy wheels, wrapped in 215/60 All-Season tires. Honda’s suggested retail price starts at $21,765.

If you feel that you would like more furnishings for your Accord, then you definitely have to go up the different trim levels. This is where things get a bit more upscale, more competitive and pricier, but it should be worth it. The Accord is offered in 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 Toyota Prius, being a four-door hatchback, is a bit smaller than the Accord, but it can accommodate five people, and is available in 4 trims, ranging from the Prius II to the Prius V, of which are all equipped with a standard 1.8L inline-4 engine, with two electric motors and a special planetary gearset, which effectively becomes a speed variable, automatic transmission. However, don’t be fooled, for even though the Prius is a hybrid, it can still achieve 134hp at 5200 rpm, and can be zippy on twisty roads thanks to a light frame, weighing just 3042lbs., and riding on 195/65 spec tires with 15-inch rims. Priced at $22,400, the Prius may cost a little bit more than the Accord, but, just think hard about the 50 miles per gallon you will get out of the Prius.

Standard safety features for both cars include a host of airbags, 4-wheel ABS, and solid disc brakes on all four wheels of the car, just to name a few. One must remember though, that all of this data is just numbers and specifications, meaning that there is nothing that will truly compare to actually driving one of these cars.

Now for the Prius’ score points in the following areas: outstanding fuel economy, almost non-existent emissions, hatchback utility, uncompromised driving and acceleration characteristics, despite it being a hybrid, and a reasonable price. It’s only drawback could be future repairs and part replacements, which can be quite expensive, due to the fact that the Prius is not just any conventional vehicle.

Now, that is the main reason why the Accord wins this comparison, plus the fact that it is already a legend in its own right, but if you want to be a big part in saving the planet, the Prius is the only car for you, for now in any case.

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