Honda Accord vs. Nissan Teana
A car by any other name is still a car. This holds true for most car manufacturers, as they often resort to giving a certain car a different name, depending on the country it is sold in, simply because its name doesn’t sound right for that particular place. One car company, known for doing this, is Nissan Motors, and here we have an example in the form of the Nissan Teana, which is sold in Japan under that name, but is rebranded as the Nissan Altima in countries outside of Asia, such as the UK, United States and Australia.
As a front-wheel drive midsize sedan, it belongs in the same category as the reigning midsize champion, the Honda Accord. So it’s only right that we compare both cars to see which one can give the best value for money.
The Nissan Teana, depending on the country it’s marketed in, starts at $19,900 for the base model, and for that it gets the 2.5L inline 4 engine, with a 4-speed continuously variable automatic transmission, delivering 175 horsepower at 5600rpm to the front wheels. This engine has a fuel economy rating of around 27 miles per gallon, despite the fact that it is slightly heavier than the Accord, weighing in at 3,295 pounds. Its weight is supported by 205/65 size tires on 16-inch wheels.
Four-wheel ABS with brake assist, stability control, and airbags are just a few of the standard safety features you’ll find on Teana.
Continuing the Honda Accord, it starts with the entry-level LX, which has a 2.4L inline-4 that’s mated to a 5-speed manual transmission gearbox, producing 177 horsepower at 6,500 rpm. This 4-cylinder engine offers a fuel economy of 25 mpg both in the city and on the highway. It has a lighter weight of 3,230 pounds, which is supported by 16-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 215/60 all-season tires. As with the Nissan, its safety features include 4-wheel ABS on ventilated disc brakes, loads of airbags, and an excellent crash test rating. Honda’s suggested retail price for this entry-level trim starts at $21,765.
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.
Meanwhile, the Nissan Teana is offered in three versions, namely the base 200XL, the upgraded 250XL with the 182PS 2.5L V6 engine, and the top 350XV with the 251PS 3.5L V6 engine, which completes with the luxurious amenities typically found in a European-spec vehicle.
What definitely stands out for the Nissan Teana, though, is its ride quality, which is surprisingly close to that of the more expensive Mercedes Benz. With features like a luxurious cabin, excellent ride quality, and an affordable price, the Teana passes the Accord for a mustache.
