The New Accord Dazzles with Good-Looks, Refinement and Performance

All of us here think the 2013 Honda Accord is by far the best the Japanese automaker has ever produced. Further, we like the idea that the Accord is built in the heart of America�built really well now for more than 30 years in Ohio.

Let's start with Accord's impressive styling.

Up front, the 2013 model can't help but look attractively aggressive thanks to its swept headlamp arrays and inset fog lamps. The nose and lower grille seem to mimic Acura's design playbook, and that's a good thing. Viewed broadside, it's easier to get a glimpse of the sedan's massive passenger cell and expansive greenhouse. Honda managed to maintain the Accord's cavernous cabin and actually expand trunk volume while reducing the vehicle's overall length.

The interior is the epitome of refinement with attractive brushed-metal accents, plus neat control clusters for the climate controls and stereo. Models above the entry Accord Sport also get a new touch-screen interface for the media system. All models get a huge eight-inch LCD display to handle video from the standard rear-view camera, as well as a new optional blind spot camera system.

Speaking of the Sport, we very much appreciate its standard four-cylinder's 189 HP, 6-speed manual and 34 MPG highway. You can get all of that on top of the sweet good-looks for under 24K. That's value, folks.

You'll love all the built-in value when you take the new Accord Sport for a spin. The new

generation bows with a MacPherson strut design up front and an independent multi-link set up in the rear, giving the sedan enough compliance to comfortably overcome broken and uneven pavement without sacrificing handling. The handling, by the way, is great.

Speaking of great, if you live in the Jacksonville area, we know a great place to purchase a new Accord. That would be north Florida's leading Honda dealer, Lou Sobh's Honda of the Avenues. The professionals there will treat you right. All the while, you can expect superior selection, savings and service at Honda of the Avenues. You heard it here first!