Again, winding roadways, steep hills and unpredictable traffic can do a number on a car's brakes. Fortunately the Accord didn't disappoint in this all-important area either. ABS with electronic brake force distribution (EBD) is now standard, assisting the standard front disc and rear drum system. Actually I was a little miffed that Honda had chosen to keep the status quo instead of opting for four-wheel discs for all models, but this seems to be a standard set by almost all manufacturers in this class - driven by the price sensitive marketing departments no doubt. That said rear drums are only available on the base DX model, with all four upper models getting rear discs.

With that in mind the five model choices are DX, LX-G, EX-L, LX V6 and EX V6. The DX, a model designed for price point advertising targeting company fleet sales in particular, comes well appointed nonetheless with speed synchronized front wipers, tinted glass, air-conditioning with micron air filtration, a 4-speaker AM/FM/CD stereo, cruise control with steering wheel mounted controls, keyless entry, power windows and door locks, a center console with armrest and a tilt and telescopic steering wheel. Fortunately Honda also chose to equip it with body-colored bumpers instead of black plastic ones to match its dual black manually adjusted mirrors, black side window moldings and black exterior door handles - it would have made a mess of the design. Standard safety equipment includes front dual-stage airbags, ECU immobilizer and front seat whiplash protection.

That's a fairly hefty list of features for its impressively low $23,800 base price - $200 cheaper than last year's car. The LX-G adds heated body-colored mirrors, body-color door handles, chrome side window moldings, variable intermittent wipers, auto-off headlights, a 6-speaker version of the standard stereo, a rear center armrest with integrated cupholders, map light, illuminated ignition, manual driver's seat height adjustment and an overhead sunglass compartment. The LX-G also boasts driver and front passenger side airbags with occupant sensing protection and a security system.