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Buy this Ford vs Ferrari GT40 Movie CarBudget Buy: Dodge Avenger vs Honda Accord
At $5,000, is the Dodge Avenger or the Honda Accord the compact car for the budget conscious?
Cost Efficiencies
Every brand needs its entry-level offering. In the aughts, the Avenger played that role for Dodge. Simple and affordable, the Dodge Avenger sports a babyface just reminiscent enough of the Charger to remind you of the concession you’re making to financial necessity. While the Accord was and remains Honda’s entry-level car, it’s consistently felt a smart buy. In fact, the Accord long been raising the bar of the rest of the compact sedan segment, letting consumers, and competitors, know what they can and should expect.
Reliability, build quality, and fuel economy are all top of the list items when shopping at the lower end of the used automotive market. The goal should not only be to save on the initial cost of the vehicle but to also ensure that that vehicle has low operating costs. This is why, at $5,000 for either the Dodge Avenger or Honda Accord, the Honda has a distinct advantage even if it’s five years older. That’s right, for $5,000 we’d be looking at either a 2008-2010 Dodge Avenger or a 2004-2006 Honda Accord.
Specs
The 2010 Dodge Avenger has two engines on offer. First is the 2.4L 4-cylinder making 173 horsepower and 166 lb.-ft. of torque and paired with 4-speed automatic. Fuel economy comes in at a somewhat disappointing 21 city and 30 highway mpg. Next is the 3.5L V6 with 235 horsepower and 232 lb.-ft. of torque and a 6-speed manual transmission. Fuel economy is even worse in the V6 at 16 city and 27 highway mpg. The Avenger comes exclusively in front-wheel drive.
The 2005 Honda Accord offers three different powertrains. The Accord’s four-cylinder option is a 2.4L making 160 horsepower and 162 lb.-ft. of torque and paired with a 5-speed automatic or 5-speed manual. Fuel economy is impressive at 26 and 34 highway mpg. Next is the 3.0L V6 with its 240 horsepower and 212 lb.-ft. of torque matched with a 6-speed manual. Fuel economy here comes in at 20 city and 29 highway mpg. For good measure there’s a hybrid version of the V6. With a bit of extra oomph from an electric motor, the hybrid Accord produces 255 horsepower and great gas mileage at 29 city and 37 highway mpg. The Accord also comes only in front-wheel drive.
Driving & Performance
Despite the Dodge pedigree, the Avenger does not have a lot to offer when it comes to driving enjoyment. The four-cylinder is weak and underperforming. The V6 does deliver more power but sounds harsh and labors under hard acceleration. The handling isn’t much better. The Avenger’s steering is mushy and vague while the stiff suspension can be unforgiving when encountering potholes and bumps.
The Accord sharply contrasts with the Avenger. Not does it offer traction and stability control, absent in the Avenger, the Accord offers more efficient and more potent powertrains. The four-cylinder option in the Accord is quiet and responsive while the V6 offers smooth, energetic acceleration. Handling is compliant and the steering sharp and accurate. The suspension is well-damped and fully capable of handling road imperfections.
Interior & Comfort
The theme continues once inside the two cars with the Dodge Avenger feeling every bit the economy-class car while the Accord punches above its weight. The Avenger’s cabin is heavy on hard plastics. The seats aren’t especially comfortable; a weakness that only grows the longer you drive the car. The Avenger does, however, offer a nifty “Chill Zone” cooler built into the dash just above the glove box. This minifridge is just big enough to hold up to four cans of 12oz. pop and/or soda (depending on what part of the country you’re from).
The Accord utilizes its share of hard plastics but offers some softer bits to round out its cabin. Generally, the Accord’s interior is neatly organized and logically laid out. It offers a number of higher-end options like dual-zone climate control and heated front seats unavailable in the Avenger, and the seats are notably more comfortable. Overall, the Accord offers the nicer, more livable space versus the Avenger.
Trims & Features
The 2010 Dodge Avenger comes in two trims: the SXT and the R/T. The SXT comes standard with keyless entry, satellite radio, a CD player, cloth seats, and cruise control. The R/T adds a leather steering wheel, heated mirrors, and heated front seats. Options include navigation and remote start.
The 2005 Honda Accord comes in three basic trims with several variants on these that denote the addition of key features like navigation. First in the base DX trim which carries the four-cylinder engine, a CD player, power windows, a rear window defogger, and cloth seats. Next is the LX trims which adds keyless entry and AC. The LX Special Edition adds 16-inch wheels. The EX trim features the V6 engine, a moonroof, a six-CD changer, and options for navigation, leather upholstery, and Honda Sensing safety tech.
An Easy Choice
There’s a good reason, several good reasons in fact, why a Honda Accord for $5,000 will be roughly five years older than a comparably priced Dodge Avenger. Long term reliability is just one of many reasons why the Accord is the better choice. The smoother, more efficient engines, the better handling, the nicer interior, and the higher end features all add up to a clearly superior vehicle. Our advice at $5,000: hunt for the best Accord with the lowest mileage and the cleanest vehicle history and then drive away with a smile on your face.
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