Honda Accord vs Citroën C5
The French are known as the best in the world for their fine wine and great food, but not so much for their cars. The Japanese, on the other hand, are known not only for their technology and exotic raw foods, but also for the reliable cars they provide to the masses. So it wouldn’t be surprising if the Japanese car is considered the yardstick, so to speak, for the rest of the automotive world when it comes to automotive engineering. Here we pit the Citroën C5, a well-known French car brand, against one of Japan’s best-known brands: the Honda Accord.
The Citroën C5, available mainly in the UK, is the latest French attempt to infiltrate the hotly contested midsize sedan market. It’s been quite a surprising coup, considering the reputation the French have when it comes to the automotive department. It’s now considered fair to compare the Citroën C5 to the Honda Accord, and rightly so, as it’s considered the gatekeeper in the midsize sedan category.
To keep things balanced, we’ll compare the base models for each brand, starting with the Honda Accord LX. This entry-level Accord has a 2.4L inline-4, delivering 177 horsepower through the front wheels at 6,500 rpm. The engine is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission gearbox, and it has a fuel economy of 25 miles per gallon for both city and highway driving. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price for this model starts at $21,765.
The rear-wheel drive Citroen C5, on the other hand, offers an inline 2.0 HDi 2.0 turbo diesel engine, putting out a modest 160hp at 4000rpm, via a 6-speed manual gearbox. Even though it’s priced at $28,560, buyers will be surprised to learn that this car averages 38.2 mpg, which is huge savings at the pump.
Both cars offer 4-wheel ABS on ventilated disc brakes as a standard feature, but in terms of curb weight, the Accord LX comes in a slightly trimmer 3230-lb version with 16-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 215 /60 All- Season tires. The Citroën C5 weighs 3,353 lbs., while using slightly wider 225/60 tires on 16-inch alloy wheels.
You have to remember, though, that all of these numbers are for the entry-level models only, for both automakers. Things get a little more exclusive, more competitive, and more expensive 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.
The Citroën C5, meanwhile, is offered as a 4-door sedan or 5-door wagon, and has six available engines, two of which are petrol and four are diesel. The 2.0HDi is the default engine, and a 208-hp V6 diesel is the top trim. Since the Citroën is a European car, it is safe to say that the featured services available are on a par with the main competitors in the market.
Be that as it may, paying a higher sticker price for the Citroën C5 to skimp on the gas pump is pretty disconcerting to say the least. Potential buyers are better able to drive off the dealer’s lot with the Honda Accord’s strong reputation.
