Honda Accord sedan still a winner

2011-01-05 09:50:00 PST , , United States — (01-05) 09:50 PST (AP) --

Even in troubled economic times, the long-running Honda Accord remains the second best-selling car in the United States. And no wonder it stays popular.

The Accord sedan is a recommended buy of Consumer Reports magazine and earned top scores recently in newly revised, tougher crash testing by the federal government. With refreshed styling, the 2011 Accord gets better gasoline mileage than its 2010 predecessor, too.

The new federal government fuel economy estimates of 23 miles per gallon in city driving and 34 mpg on the highway for the 2011 Accord sedan with four-cylinder engine, for example, are the best of all large, 2011-model sedans except for the 2011 Hyundai Sonata with four-cylinder engine.

One of Honda's best-known nameplates, the Accord has a higher starting retail price this model year. Starting manufacturer's suggested retail price, including destination charge, is $21,930 for a base, 2011 Accord sedan with 177-horsepower four cylinder and manual transmission. The lowest-priced Accord sedan with automatic has a starting MSRP, including destination charge, of $22,730.

Accords also are sold as coupes, with a starting retail price of $23,530 with a 190-horsepower four cylinder. The higher-powered, 190-horse four cylinder is offered in the sedan, too, and a 271-horsepower V-6 is available in both the Accord sedan and coupe.

Competitors include the 2011 Hyundai Sonata, which has a starting retail price of $19,195 with 198-horsepower, four-cylinder engine and manual transmission. The starting retail price is $20,915 with automatic transmission.

Another competitor is the 2011 Toyota Camry, which starts at $19,962 for a base model with 169-horsepower four cylinder and manual transmission. A base Camry with automatic starts at $20,884. But note the Camry is classified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a mid-size car, not a large car like the Accord. EPA bases the size on interior volume of the auto.

For decades, the Accord and Camry have been rivals bidding to be America's best-selling cars.

In 2010, the Camry beat out the Accord again to claim the top-selling-car crown, but Camry sales declined last year from their 2009 levels, while Accord car sales increased to 282,530.