The Accord was the second best selling passenger car in the U.S. last year, due in large part to Honda's reputation for build quality and reliability, and the 2007 model is carried over almost unchanged.

Honda's flagship is available in LX, EX and EXL trims in both coupe and sedan body styles. In addition, sedans can be configured with the Value Package (which loses the LX's CD player, power mirrors, auto-off headlights, and variable intermittent windshield wipers) or the Special Edition (which carries alloy wheels, four-wheel disc brakes with electric brake distribution, and steering wheel-mounted audio controls). Outside of the obvious, coupes and sedans are virtually identical.

Opting for EX trim adds a power moonroof, heated power mirrors, steering wheel audio controls and an in-dash CD changer to the LX. The top-of-the-line EXL adds leather heated front seats and dual-zone climate control. Navigation system with voice recognition can be added to the EXL for $2,000.

An inline four-cylinder and a V6 engine are again the two conventional engine choices for the Accord, with V6 models getting vehicle stability assist, traction control, alloy wheels, four-wheel disc brakes, dual chrome exhaust, a power moonroof, a CD changer, and a security system. This set-up adds $5,075 to the cost of an LX sedan with the I4, or $4,025 in the case of the coupe.

In the hybrid Accord, the 3.0 V6 gets paired with an in-line electric motor and variable cylinder management system to turn in 25 city/34 hwy mpg EPA rating. The hybrid drivetrain's 9 additional hp and 21 more lb-ft of torque versus the conventional V6, ensures there is no performance downside to saving fuel.

Instead of adding an auxiliary audio input for 2007, Honda offers the Honda Music Link for iPod (a $214 option), which allows an iPod to be operated with the steering wheel audio controls. XM satellite radio is also available as a $702 option on all trims except the EXL, where it is standard.

Model Strengths

Honda reliability, Hybrid available, Standard ABS

Model Changes

The 2007 Accord is largely unchanged from last year, which isn't a bad thing as Honda didn't try to fix anything that wasn't broken. The Accord still offers three drivetrain choices and two body styles. A 2.4L I4 or 3.0L V6 engine is available as well as a hybrid option, which is only available as a sedan.

New for 2007 is the Special Edition V6 sedan, which was formerly only available with the 2.4L engine. This package comes with 17" alloy wheels and is the cheapest way into a new V6 Accord, starting at $23,350.

For most Accord styles, prices were raised by $100 over 2006.

Model Value

The 2007 Honda Accord can range in price from $18,625 to well over $33,000, making it a viable option for those in search of a modest family sedan or a well-appointed cruiser. Accord's 2.4L engine produces more horsepower and better fuel economy than the Ford Fusion or Chevy Malibu, neither of which are slated to get a hybrid drivetrain until 2008. The Accord's V6 adds traction control and four-wheel disc ABS, keeping safety on par with performance.

The Honda Accord Hybrid is a Hybrid vehicle version of the North American Honda Accord. It became the company's third hybrid when the 2005 model was introduced in late 2004, following the Honda Insight and Honda Civic Hybrid. The Accord Hybrid is priced US3,000 higher than the EX V6 model Accord, and retains the same trim and feature levels . Honda has positioned the Accord Hybrid at the top of its lineup. While this new vehicle shares the same displacement as the regular seventh generation Accord V6 powerplant, the engine in the Hybrid is derived from the 2005 Honda Odyssey minivan and can shut off 3 of the 6 cylinders under certain conditions for better fuel economy . The new engine features iVTEC technology and drives a new compact transmission. Power is up from 240 to 255 hp and torque rose from 212 to 232 ft·lbf . Fuel economy was originally estimated at 29 mpg city and 37 mpg highway, but was later changed to 25 city, 34 highway, after Honda's addition of standard sunroof and spare tire bumped the car to a higher weight class for EPA mileage testing. The 2006 model has also been rated an AT-PZEV vehicle. AT-PZEV is an emissions standard created by the California Air Resources Board. Honda puts the emphasis on performance and targets high-end buyers. Unlike traditional hybrid designs, the new Accord hybrid uses a more powerful engine than its non-hybrid counterpart. Together with the Integrated Motor Assist, the hybrid version is a slightly higher performance car than the conventional V6-engined Accord. The 2005 Accord Hybrid Sedan is also 4 inches longer than the 2005 Accord Sedan. The 2005 Accord Hybrid Sedan comes in four colors: Graphite Pearl, Desert Mist Metallic, Silver Frost Metallic, and Taffeta White. For 2006, the Accord Hybrid comes standard with Vehicle Stability Assist, and like the conventional US-spec Accord, received a minor exterior facelift. Accord Hybrids from model year 2006 and up can be identified by the