6th place - 2010 Honda Accord EX-L NAVI (75.8%)
The Accord was once a reference point as a sporty family sedan. As the population aged, it grew to accommodate the increasing girth and requirements of a clientele that requested ever-larger cars. As this transmogrification took place, the Accord lost its way. Where things have not changed at Honda (unlike Toyota) is in the quality of how the car comes together. Materials used as well as fit and finish are very classy and Acura-like. Unfortunately, Acura's influence can also be found in the cabin's ergonomics and here, they falter miserably; many complicated controls, some being out of reach as well.

Body roll was well-controlled and its steering, properly judged and precise. (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com)

The exterior shell, controversial in the least, has never won over critics from the day it arrived as a 2008. Regrettably, the tested Accord's mystic green paint job did nothing to improve the situation. If you can ignore the stamped steel and the dashboard and find your way on-board, you will be treated to impressively comfy seats and a spot-on driving position. Cabin volume is obscenely large but the trunk offers up only 30 litres of extra volume over the Kizashi, a significantly smaller car.

Honda's venerable 2.4L puts out 190 horsepower and is mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission. Although the output numbers suggest performance, the Accord was the second slowest car to 100 km/h. That, and when solicited, the powerplant whaled towards its redline, and the autobox was a reluctant participant in our tests and spirited driving stints. The Accord thankfully could depend on a cordial suspension capable of providing a pleasant and sporty ride. Body roll was well-controlled and its steering, properly judged and precise.

"Despite this car's questionable exterior, I still find it to be an extremely effective every-day car. Its huge cabin is very well assembled; there's a real sense of quality and it shows. It is also quite competent as a driver's car and should not be judged by its cover." - Guy St-Pierre

	BASE PRICE	PRICE AS TESTED
2010 Ford Fusion SEL	$25,799	$33,554
2010 Honda Accord EX-L NAVI	$30,790	$32,790
2010 Hyundai Sonata Limited	$28,999	$28,999
2010 Mazda6 GT-l4	$28,695	$32,390
2010 Subaru Legacy PZEV	$26,395	$26,395
2011Suzuki Kizashi	$29,995	$29,995
2011 Toyota Camry SE	$27,755	$30,885