The last time a Honda Accord participated in one of our comparison tests was way back in the spring of 2000. That Accord, too, was an upscale EX V6 model, and it lost by the narrowest of margins to a beautifully finished Volkswagen Passat. The 2000 Accord was a well-rounded family sedan, editors thought at the time, but it wasn't much fun to drive. And its interior offered neither distinctive styling nor exceptional seat comfort. Such small deficiencies certainly didn't threaten the Honda's best-seller status, but our staff has long favored the VW's rich blend of performance, luxury and refinement.

Now almost four years later, this freshly redesigned Accord finds itself comfortably in first place with more than a three-point lead over the second-place Mazda 6 (the VW, meanwhile, has fallen to fifth). This car has all the virtues of its predecessor, along with just enough performance, style and comfort to keep buyers enthused about putting their money on the Honda in this increasingly competitive segment.

Judging by the numbers, it's readily apparent that the Honda Accord had few weaknesses. It earned the top score on editors' 23-point evaluations, and our test car came standard with nine of the 12 features that we consider most important in a family sedan. It didn't fare too badly in instrumented testing, either, as its smooth and potent V6 engine earned it the second-fastest 0-to-60-mph (7.5 seconds) and quarter-mile (15.7 seconds) acceleration times. Its braking performance was much less impressive, however, and we'd like to see Honda fit its sedan with a more powerful set of brakes. Price accounted for 20 percent of each vehicle's score in the comparison test, and although the Accord was one of the more expensive cars, it was still a few hundred bucks cheaper than the Camry and almost five grand less than the Passat.

Step inside any Accord, whether it's the popular four-cylinder LX or a leather-lined EX V6 like our test car, and you'll like what you find. Honda designers have borrowed some of the personality and premium ambience that drew buyers to the Passat while preserving the company's traditional emphasis on driver-friendly ergonomics. The result is an attractive two-tone ensemble with upscale Euro-style textures; large, distinctive electroluminescent gauges; and oversized, easy-to-reach controls that operate with extreme refinement.

Editors gave the Accord high marks for its interior materials quality, though a couple felt the Passat and Camry had a slight edge in this area. Every panel inside the car fit together tightly, and there were no build quality issues to speak of, save for a slightly misaligned trunk lid.

Our test vehicle's leather seats incorporated some extra padding not found in cloth-upholstered Accords, and as a result, the front seats earned unanimous praise from editors, who described them as "supportive" and "nicely contoured all around." A standard tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel makes it easy for drivers of all sizes to find a good driving position. Crash protection is excellent as well, as the Accord picked up a full five stars in government frontal crash tests (the NHTSA has yet to report side-impact scores) and a top rating of "Good" in IIHS frontal offset crash testing.

In back, the accommodations are similarly comfortable. Although the seat bottom is a tad short and low, the back and bottom cushions still manage to offer plenty of support. Moreover, even our tallest editor reported that he had ample head- and legroom and could slide his feet underneath the front chairs. Broad, padded door panel armrests invite passengers to rest an elbow and make the backseat feel more spacious than the interior specs suggest. Wide door openings make it easy to get in and out.

The Accord was the only sedan in the group that offered dual-zone climate control for the driver and front passenger. This automatic system isn't quite as easy to use as Honda's manual setups, but dual temperature dials help a lot. The stereo could use a tuning knob, but with its large and bright display, a well-designed set of steering wheel controls and a huge volume knob in the middle of the stack, it's an ergonomic masterpiece in every other respect. The cruise control buttons are also on the wheel, and they're a cinch to use.

As in the Camry, there are plenty of storage areas to stow the odds and ends of everyday life, including spacious door bins in all four doors and an invaluable cubby under the center stack that's large enough to hold an assortment of CDs, snacks and cell phone paraphernalia. Each door bin includes a bottle holder, and either of the two center console cupholders can hold a 1.5-liter water bottle securely.

Overall trunk capacity is on the small side (14 cubic feet), and exposed metal hinges further reduce the load space. On the plus side, the opening is wide and the lid is easy to open and close. Our test vehicle's lid also had a felt liner — a thoughtful feature that our four-cylinder EX long-term vehicle does not have. When additional space is required, the rear seat folds but does not offer a 60/40-split arrangement as in most competitors.

Although the Accord still can't be counted among the athletes in its class, most buyers won't be disappointed with the car's driving dynamics. The Honda's 3.0-liter V6 engine generates 240 horsepower and 212 pound-feet of torque. It doesn't have the low-end kick of sedans like the Altima or Galant, but highway passing maneuvers are effortless and the engine is exceptionally smooth and refined. A five-speed automatic transmission is standard with this engine, and it comes through with crisp shifts, though one editor found it a little slow to downshift at times. Another minor complaint is the inability to select fourth gear manually when you want a little engine braking on downhill grades.

The ride quality is smooth and mostly comfortable without feeling plush like a Camry. This is balanced against handling that is fully competent without feeling sporty. "This is the setup I would prefer most for everyday driving," one editor said. The sedan's steering is a particular bright spot, as the wheel is nicely weighted at any speed and has a slick, precise feel. Road noise at highway speeds is minimal, but there is a moderate amount of wind noise.

Even though many of us still don't like its exterior styling, as an overall package, the seventh-generation Accord is the best one Honda has ever offered. And it's the one that three out of four Edmunds.com editors would recommend first to the average family sedan shopper. "Even though I'm not crazy about how it looks, I can't help but like the way it feels," our senior road test editor said.

Second Opinions:

Editor in Chief Karl Brauer says:
The Honda Accord is to the midsize family sedan category what the BMW 3 Series is to the entry-level luxury sedan category. Even the manufacturers that don't blatantly copy it still use it as a reference point when designing their own midsize offering. While the variety in this segment continues to expand as more and more competitors jump in, I find myself unable to ignore the Accord's fundamental principles that make it such a desirable vehicle. For instance, it has, by far, the best steering in the segment. Some models offer more heft, some offer a faster ratio and some even come close to offering as much feedback from the front tires, but none of them so perfectly melds these elements together to create a vehicle that manages to be both easy and confident to drive (sort of like a BMW).

Then there are the front seats, which are probably the most comfortable seats in the segment. Our EX-V6 model had the leather interior that further ups the Accord's premium demeanor. Then there's the electroluminescent gauge cluster and high-quality interior materials that seem more Acura-esque than Honda. After driving all of these cars back-to-back, it became clear to me that if you're looking for a luxury car, but don't care about a luxury nameplate, this is the only model to consider. The Camry may have a slightly quieter cabin at highway speeds, but the seats aren't as comfortable and the gauge cluster doesn't "talk" to you like the Accord's (plus it doesn't have that magic steering).

I'm not thrilled with the Honda's exterior styling, and I wish the sedan offered a sport package with larger wheels and stiffer suspension settings. But this vehicle is so good at just being a superbly comfortable, high-quality luxury sedan that complaining about its lack of sportiness seems akin to the wealthy complaining about taxes. The nation's rich people and Honda Accord drivers share a common trait: they're both in a very good place. My advice: stop complaining and just enjoy the ride.

Senior Road Test Editor Ed Hellwig says:
I still don't like the styling much, and the power of the 240-horsepower V6 doesn't make the car jump like the Altima, but after a few stints behind the wheel it was hard not to be impressed with the Accord. Whether you're looking for refinement, interior space or a comfortable ride, this car rarely fails to impress. The interior design isn't the most dynamic setup I've seen, but the crystal clear gauges and the high-quality feel of all the controls give it an upscale ambience that few of its competitors can match. The seats are some of the most comfortable in the business and there's more than enough room in every direction to feel comfortable.

What really makes this car stand out, however, is the refinement of both the drivetrain and the suspension. The engine's power delivery is as smooth as any luxury sedan and although it doesn't have the snap of some of the other V6s, you often find yourself going faster than you thought because of its quiet demeanor. Its ride quality only enhances that feeling, as the suspension smothers potholes and other road hazards without missing a beat. If you're looking for something sporty, this isn't the car, but if you're like most people and you just want something smooth and quiet, it doesn't get much better than this.