2007 Honda Accord

The V-6 Accord EX coupe gets leather upholstery standard, and the only option is a navigation system, which the test car had. Though Honda doesn't list it as an option, they sell the cars with the nav system and without. The price of the test car was $30,095. If you can live with a cloth interior and a spunky 2.4-liter, 166-horsepower four-cylinder engine and five-speed manual transmission, a base EX coupe costs just over $23,000 with shipping. I like the extra power and the extra transmission gear in the test car -- and I really like the leather and the nav system -- but do I like them $7,000 more? It would be a tough decision.

The rear seat of the coupe is usable, but kids fit best. Front-seat room is fine, and the bucket seats are excellent. Instruments and controls are well-placed, but I still haven't warmed up to Honda's audio controls. Honda's navigation system, always among the best, just gets better.

On the road, the coupe's big 17-inch tires and wheels help the handling, and the ride is better than you'd expect. The Accord EX coupe loves winding back roads, but it's fine on the interstate, too.

The solid, quiet, refined Accord makes a fine family sedan. Any Accord model is exceptionally pleasant in virtually every respect, but the sedan trails a bit in the ride comfort category. Generally, the ride is smooth, but some bumps are bothersome.

Apart from slight steering deadness on-center, the firm suspension pays off in confident handling. Performance with the V-6 and automatic transmission also excels by delivering quick bursts of acceleration. Seat comfort and support are appealing, the brightly lit gauges are great, and the air conditioner is potent. Space is either adequate or ample all around, but the cockpit feels cozier than in some midsize cars.