Honda Accord vs. Alfa Romeo 159

Long ago, there used to be a competition between the Americans and the Europeans to build great cars. A third wheel has come to join the fun, which is the Japanese. Since then, Asian car manufacturers have gone a long way in the automotive business, even gaining top accolades with their build quality, reliability and practicality. The styling isn’t bad either.

Take the Honda car company for example. Their flagship brand, the Accord, has been lording over the mid-sized sedan segment for decades now, and only a few European or American branded cars could ever match up to it. However, what if it is matched up with a vehicle of great pedigree, say the Alfa Romeo 159? Since both cars belong to the same mid-size sedan department, let’s take a closer look at how each stacks up against the other.

The Honda Accord LX has a 2.4L inline-4, which produces 177 horsepower at 6,500rpm, and is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission gearbox. This thrifty engine has a fuel economy of 25 miles per gallon for city and highway driving. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price for this model comes is $21,765.

The base car model of the Alfa Romeo 159, is a bit pricier, starting at $34,544. For this price you get a 1.8L inline-4 turbocharged engine, which gives out 200hp at 5000rpm, and is quite fuel efficient, with a 24 mpg output. Power is driven through the front wheels by a 6 speed manual transmission, although there is an optional 6-speed AT or Semi-Automatic gearbox available.

Both these cars offer standard 4-wheel ABS on ventilated disc brakes. In terms of curb weight, the Accord LX comes out in a slightly trimmer 3230 lbs. compared to the Alfa’s 3240lbs. Although, both cars are supported by 16-inch alloy wheels, wrapped in 215/60 All-Season tires.

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.

There are just two trim levels available on the Alfa Romeo 159: The Turismo and Lusso, but these are available in three gas engines, namely, 1.8-litre MPI. 2.2-litre JTS and 3.2-litre JTS V6; and in two diesel engines: 1.9 and 2.4-litre JTDM.

So, which car should you choose? Be mindful that the Alfa Romeo’s history of reliability means that this car’s value will drop quite heavily in about two years. Therefore, it would be a wise decision to choose the Honda Accord over the Alfa 159, for that reason.

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