Test Drive: Popular and proven

HONDA ACCORD CONTINUES ITS BEST-SELLING WAYS

By Ron Moorhead

For years, the Honda Accord has been one of the top-selling vehicles in America, and with good reason. The Accord offers the reliability that Hondas are known for, a stylish package and performance that makes driving a pleasant experience.

The 2004 interior is a mixture of the innovative and tried-and-true Honda style. The redesigned front seats are exceptional in their comfort and support. Once you experience their comfort, you will be sold on the rest of the car. Drivers tend to slump down in the seat the longer they drive, and the front seats are designed to reduce fatigue. The side bolsters are firm without being overly ridged so they remain comfortable.

As the Accord was completely reworked in 2003, the styling remains unchanged, retaining its sleek lines. The double contours of the front fenders are artistic, beginning with a convex curve at the top of the headlights running rearward, transforming into a concave curve at the top of the fender. As the fender flows rearward, it returns to convex as it transitions to the "A" pillar in a manner that makes light dance off these contours. These complex curves make a subtle statement about the Accord. It is a vehicle that not only satisfies the complexity of our transportation needs, but it does it with class.

I am intrigued with the unique way Honda uses LED lighting in the instrument panel, making the interior more inviting. It lights up in stages. Unlock the door, and the gauges glow dimly. Insert the ignition key and the instruments light up. Start the engine and the instrument needles light up with a red glow, contrasting the white numerals on black gauges. These lights dim in an opposite manner as you follow the shutdown procedure.

From the passenger compartment the Accord seems larger than it was in its previous iteration, but the wheelbase has increased just one minuscule inch. The reconfiguration has improved rear seat room, plus makes the passenger space seem quite large.

Both the suspension and steering have been reworked, resulting in precise and agile handling. The new Accord is much more balanced, poised and responsive.

The V-6 engine has a whopping increase of 40 horsepower while becoming more miserly with a gallon of gasoline. The base Accord comes with a zippy 160-horsepower four-cylinder engine that qualifies as a Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (PZEV). Going on past sales records, the four-cylinder engine appears as though it will remain the most popular choice, although the performance numbers from the V-6 make it the enthusiast's choice. It sure would be mine.

There is no doubt the stiff competition between the Camry and Accord will continue. However, Honda seems to be quite happy to just keep on year after year maintaining a sales level of 400,000 Accords, and let the chips fall where they may.

I think deep down, however, that in every Honda executive's heart is the desire to have the Accord continue to be the top-selling vehicle it has had in 9 of the past 10 years. With the performance, styling and agility exhibited by the Accord, perhaps it is on its way to make that 10 out of 11.