2008 Motor Trend Car of the Year Finalists

Honda Accord: Mission Statement Revision

How did this stunning new Honda land here amongst the wannabes and not in the lavish winner's spread? C'mon, it nails the three criteria: On superiority, it provides more of everything families want: a longer, taller, wider body with a vast interior; a bigger V-6 engine with more passing and hauling power; and fuel-saving technology like variable-cylinder management that allows the V-6 to run on three or four cylinders. On significance, it consistently racks up 350,000-400,000 annual sales by offering a choice of two body styles, manual or automatic transmissions, and four-cylinder engines or a V-6. And in terms of value, you can't beat the Accord's opening price-just $20,995-and even the dolled-up $30,000 models enjoy incredible resale values of around 50 percent after three years. Clearly "the fix" is in.

Not so fast, pen pals, this new Accord lost fair 'n' square. For starters, this eighth edition strays a bit from what we perceive as the Accord's essential mission. Yes, you can now perform calisthenics in the back seat, but from the left front seat the car is less sporting and fun on the road. Accords always managed to shrink when you kicked the passengers out and attacked a twisty road. This new one corners without leaning much, but always feels big and a bit soft. Mushy, howling tires are part of the problem and are largely to blame for our Accord EX-L's middling braking and handling numbers. Stops from 60 mph in 122 feet trailed the Chevy Malibu's by nine. Figure-eight laps were a half-second off the Malibu's pace, too, though subjectively, tester Kim Reynolds preferred the Honda's deportment in that test.

Then there's the issue of the styling, which polarizes staffers into those who hate it and those who expect it to grow on them. Even the interior drew harsh criticism for its overly buttony center stack and cold appearance. When the votes were tallied, the Accord finished high, but not on top.

-Frank Markus

What they did right: The interior is more than roomy with accommodations that edge up on several full-size entries.

Room for improvement: This larger Accord is closing in on the Toyota Avalon's bulk...it doesn't need to be this big on the outside.

Bet you didn't know: With 268 horsepower on tap, the 2008 Accord EX V-6 has 200 more than the 1976 Accord (68 horses)-that's an increase of slightly more than 394 percent!