Honda Launches New Crider in China Filling the Gap Between Civic and Accord

The final production version of Honda's all-new Crider middle class sedan landed in the brand's Chinese showrooms today. Designed exclusively for customers in China, Honda's press blurb states that the Crider targets "those who were born in 1980s, known for the energetic pursuit of their dreams".

Whereas last year's Crider Concept not only captured our attention but also managed to impress us if you exclude the overly detailed front end, the real-life model is simply put, a mundane exercise on the Civic formula with a rather awkward looking profile – at least with these wheels and nose.

Slotting between the smaller Civic and the larger Accord sedans, the Crider measures 4,650 mm (183.1 inches) long, 1,750 mm (68.9 inches wide) and 1,505 mm (59.3 inches) tall and rides on a 2,650mm (104.3 inches) wheelbase.

For its motivation, the Crider relies on a 1.8-liter i-VTEC four-cylinder gasoline engine rated for 137hp (139PS) and 172Nm (127 lb-ft) of peak torque, paired to a standard 5-speed manual or an optionally available 5-speed automatic transmission, which returns a combined fuel consumption of 6.5l/100km (36.2mpg US) and 6.7l/100km (35.1mpg US) respectively.

Produced by the Japanese carmaker's Guangqi Honda Automobile Co., Ltd local joint venture, the Crider starts at 114,800 R.M.B. (approximately US$18,700 / €14,400), with one of its chief rivals being the upcoming and similarly size/positioned Hyundai Mistra.

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