Honda Accord vs Mercedes-Benz C-Class

The C-Class’s design ethos was further underscored by its cab-rearward proportions, featuring a long hood and a short rear deck—hallmarks of its rear-wheel-drive (RWD) platform, which set it apart from the front-wheel-drive (FWD) CLA-Class and A-Class. Standard features included LED headlights and taillights with an optional upgrade to Mercedes’ Digital Light system, enhancing functionality with adaptable headlights that could project warning icons and illuminate potential hazards without dazzling pedestrians.

Inside, the C-Class took inspiration from the luxurious S-Class, showcasing a freestanding touchscreen and instrument cluster, striking air vents, and intricately designed speaker grilles for the optional Burmester audio system. Complemented by nightclub-style ambient lighting with 64 selectable colors, the interior epitomized modern extravagance. Though the standard MBTex synthetic leather upholstery might fall short of true leather, higher trims did offer Nappa leather seats, adding to the plush experience.

Conversely, the 2023 Honda Accord embodied a redesign that brought a more technical demeanor, discarding the extravagant chrome and animated look for a modern yet conservative aesthetic. While the previous model had fans, the new model’s Canyon River Blue paint job turned heads and garnered compliments, as did the EX trim’s pewter-finished wheels.

Inside, the Accord EX offered durable cloth seats with contrast stitching and a thoughtfully designed metal mesh dashboard trim that seamlessly integrated the air conditioning vents. The Accord’s functional digital instrumentation and touchscreen infotainment system underlined Honda's commitment to detail and refinement. While not as lavishly furnished as the C-Class, the Accord’s straightforward approach to comfort and style appealed to a broad demographic.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, particularly the C300 variant, came with a robust 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produced 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The nine-speed automatic transmission accompanied by paddle shifters and a 48-volt mild-hybrid system added convenience, the latter contributing an additional 20 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque in short spurts. The C300 could accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds, with a top speed electronically capped at 130 mph. More performance-oriented drivers had the option of the Mercedes-AMG C43, equipped with a 402-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, achieving zero to 60 mph in just 4.6 seconds and maximum speeds ranging between 155 and 165 mph depending on wheel choice.

The C300 4Matic test car displayed adequate power, although the delivery was often inconsistent, marked by noticeable turbo lag. The automatic transmission, while capable of swift gear changes, occasionally held onto gears longer than preferred. Despite the powertrain's minor hiccups, the C-Class provided a comfortable ride quality, handling bumps and potholes with finesse, albeit with some minor vibrations. The Mercedes held its own on winding roads, demonstrating good body control and responsive steering, though requiring a more measured driving approach compared to more agile sports sedans.

On the flip side, the 2023 Honda Accord LX and EX trims were powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, generating 192 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 192 pound-feet of torque from 1,700 to 5,000 rpm. The engine, while brought over from the previous generation, saw some refinements. It paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) providing a smooth ride and incorporated programmed ratio changes under hard acceleration to simulate a traditional automatic. The lack of a more powerful 2.0T option was noticeable, but the smaller turbo four remained practical for most needs.

The Accord's front-wheel-drive setup and its suspension system cleverly managed the vehicle's front-heavy weight distribution. The car felt nimble and responsive, delivering a balanced driving experience on both urban roads and winding coastal highways. The EPA expected the Accord to return 32 mpg in combined driving, whereas the test model managed 28.7 mpg under rigorous conditions. Despite some CVT drone under heavy acceleration, the Accord's robust structure and well-tuned suspension provided a compliant, communicative ride. The braking system performed admirably under duress, with excellent modulation and response.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, now solely available as a sedan, offered improved dimensions over its previous generation, translating to slightly more interior space. Front headroom increased by 0.1 inch and rear headroom by 0.4 inch, with rear-seat legroom seeing an increase of 0.8 inch, making it class-leading in these metrics. These changes resulted in a spacious rear seat environment, although front legroom remained somewhat restricted compared to competitors. Comfort-wise, the seats in the C-Class balanced plushness with enough support for spirited driving. However, the thick rear pillars created substantial blind spots, mitigated by the car’s advanced driver aids. The C-Class also boasted a spacious trunk with 17.9 cubic feet of cargo space and a wide opening, making it user-friendly.

The 2023 Honda Accord EX trim enhanced practicality with features like darker wheel finishes, heated mirrors, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, and a 60/40-split folding rear seat. However, it curiously missed out on rear air conditioning vents and charging ports, which would have significantly improved rear-seat comfort. With plenty of legroom and high-mounted rear seats, the Accord offered a comfortable ride for both front and rear passengers, although drivers with a taller stature might find the seat-track travel insufficient. The Accord also featured a sizeable 16.7 cubic-foot trunk, with easy loading capabilities and practical storage solutions throughout the cabin.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class technology suite aimed to deliver an experience similar to the high-end S-Class, featuring a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an 11.9-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen angled toward the driver. Standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto made connectivity hassle-free, while higher trims offered a Burmester 3D surround-sound system, a head-up display, and augmented-reality navigation. The MBUX infotainment system featured a "Zero Layer" interface allowing multiple functions to be displayed simultaneously, while voice recognition impressed with its reliability. Our test car’s augmented-reality navigation system proved more intuitive than conventional systems.

On the other hand, the 2023 Honda Accord LX and EX came equipped with a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, covering basic needs but without the flair of larger screens. Despite the absence of SiriusXM satellite radio, the system supported Bluetooth connectivity, wired Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and HondaLink services. A robust eight-speaker audio system came standard on the EX trim. Although the Accord’s tech was more utilitarian compared to the Mercedes, it included practical physical controls for the stereo, which was a nice touch, though slightly undermined by a confusing function control knob.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class came loaded with standard advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, a driver-attention monitor, Pre-Safe collision preparedness, and more. Optional features extended to lane-keep assist, evasive steering assist, a 360-degree camera system, park assist, and enhanced adaptive cruise control. Car-to-X communication enabled real-time information sharing between vehicles, improving safety through advanced warning systems. However, crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were unavailable at the time.

The 2023 Honda Accord featured the Honda Sensing suite, encompassing adaptive cruise control with traffic-jam assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and more. The EX trim’s affordable $550 optional safety package added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Honda Sensing tech performed with commendable accuracy and refinement, though curves and freeway off-ramps occasionally challenged the system. Overall, the Accord boasted a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS for 2023, reflecting its strong safety credentials.