Introduction

Almost every time Honda redesigns a car it steps to the head of the line in automotive greatness-at least for awhile. We think this is true of the all-new Honda Accord. Completely redesigned for 1998, this is the sixth generation of this popular car and it appears to have established a new benchmark for midsize sedans-a post most recently occupied by its arch-rival, the Toyota Camry. Honda says it has made more changes to this new Accord than any other model in its 22-year history. Like the previous model, the Accord does everything well. Even more impressive, it's a much better car than the previous model. The interior is roomy and comfortable, the suspension is responsive and well damped, the brakes are excellent, and both brand-new VTEC engines-a 3.0-liter V6 and a 2.3-liter inline four-cylinder-are incredibly smooth. This is a car that a family can buy, then quickly turn their attention to other concerns. Reliability should not be an issue. It is, after all, a Honda. And it's Honda's most important car. It's easy to drive and every aspect of it is user friendly. Obviously, those brilliant Honda engineers have once again done their homework.

Walkaround

The body of the 1998 Accord is completely new. Sharp edges and rounded corners lend an understated, refined look, while an aggressive stance gives it the air of a European sedan. The nose is short, the hood and cowl are low, which complement the glassy cabin to provide excellent visibility from inside. Two body styles are available, a four-door sedan and a sporty new coupe. The Accord Coupe shares all the wonderfulness of the new sedan, but boasts unique styling and some performance tweaks designed to make it more fun to drive. While the previous Accord Coupe looked like a two-door version of the Sedan, Honda designed the 1998 model to have its own identity. Only the headlights and door handles are shared with the Sedan. Indeed, the Coupe is a handsome car, and a good choice for busy executives who want something practical and sporty. But we're here to talk about the Accord Sedan, which comes in five models. The DX, LX and EX come equipped with 4-cylinder engines, while the LX V-6 and EX V-6 models are powered by a new 200-horsepower, aluminum alloy, 3.0-liter V6. The 3.0-liter engine replaces the previous 2.7-liter powerplant. Equipped with Honda's Variable valve Timing and valve lift Electronic Control, or VTEC, system, the 60-degree V6 is tuned to deliver optimum torque over a broad rpm range. It's so smooth and so quiet that sometimes a glance at the tachometer is required to confirm that it's running. It provides lots of power for merging into traffic or entertaining its driver. Lest anyone fear an inferiority complex, the 2.3-liter VTEC inline-4 is a complete redesign as well. It produces more power, less vibration and better fuel efficiency than its predecessor. It's so clean that the Accord EX with an automatic transmission meets California's demanding ultra-low emission vehicle, or ULEV, standards. Generating 150 hp at 5700 rpm, an Accord equipped with this engine is by no means a penalty box. An Accord equipped with one of these 4-cylinder engines is a great package that deserves consideration by anyone shopping for a roomy mid-size car that excels in quality, durability, reliability, smoothness, ride quality, practicality and fuel efficiency. Did we leave anything out? A fantastic new chassis comes with a new five-link double-wishbone rear suspension and a redesigned double-wishbone front suspension. Structural rigidity is significantly improved over the previous model for better handling and ride.

Interior Features

Honda used airline business-class seating as a model for the Accord interior and it's a marvel of space efficiency. Amazingly, the new interior is substantially roomier than last year's edition, but the exterior is just slightly larger. The front seats are wider and more comfortable than before, but the big news is in back where there's substantially more room for rear seat passengers. This makes the new Accord a true midsize sedan, whereas before it was considered a big compact. Bigger front and rear door openings make it easier to get in and out of the car. It's also easier to load cargo because the trunk opening is bigger. The trunk itself is four inches wider for increased cargo capacity. Everything inside the car has been redesigned. A new instrument panel features a two-tone finish with big gauges that are easy to read. Gone finally are the little silver metal switches that have locked doors for millions of Honda products, replaced with more aesthetically appealing plastic ones that match the interior. Features associated with luxury cars abound, particularly on the high-level models. Sun visors offer sliding extensions, a HomeLink remote control system can be programmed to open garage doors, turn on house lights and turn off security systems. The air conditioning system, redesigned to reduce cool-down times by 30 percent, uses an air filtration system to keep pollen out and reduce diesel fumes from buses and trucks.