Honda Accord
2006 Honda Accord
MSRP: $18,225 to $32,990
Deal: $1,000 dealer cash
Expires: May 31, 2006
NHTSA: Frontal impact - four stars driver and passenger; Side impact - five stars front; Rollover – not tested.
IIHS: Good, frontal offset; Good, side impact
MPG (combined): 29, 4 cyl
You could do far worse. If you’re in the market for a sedan or a coupe, and enjoy driving, the Accord should be way up high on your list. Yep, there are cars out there with more horsepower, more style and even cars that sell at a lower price. But scoring another model that offers a better combination of smart interior design, powertrain excellence, driving feel, and overall value would be quite difficult – if not impossible. And though some competitors – including the segment’s gorilla, the Toyota Camry – are selling thoroughly revised sedans, the 2006 Accord, with a boost in horsepower and a freshened look, will stay relevant until the new 2008 model debuts. The thing about the Accord is that it doesn’t matter so much which model year you buy, because Honda has consistently built its Accord as an excellent driver with great build quality and a smart interior. Sales results say it all: For years, thousands of Americans have chosen the Accord over the competition, a trend that is likely to continue as long as gas prices continue upward, and you can still get 29 miles per gallon (combined) from the Accord’s great little four-cylinder engine.