AZCentral.com's view

The Honda Accord is a sedan that many, many people aspire to buy and generally make part of the family, transporting their kids, getting groceries and driving on vacation.

For 1998, Accord has gone through its sixth restyling, emerging bigger and roomier, with a cushier ride and better amenities. Most significantly, the new, improved Accord arrives at a price slightly lower than the last model.

My crystal ball tells me more Accords will be sold in calendar year 1998 than any other passenger car, including archrivals Toyota Camry and Ford Taurus.

People trust this car. Reliability, durability, economy, it embodies the good things that middle-class people look for in an automobile. That and a somewhat sporting image, which escapes Camry, Taurus and most other midpriced, four-door sedans.

As usual, Accord is being treated to some solid marketing, including Honda’s not-too-subtle chest beating that Accord is no longer a Japanese import but a 97 percent U.S. product, designed in California specifically for the U.S. market. It legitimately can wear one of those bumper stickers that says: Built by, bought by and driven by an American.

And the 1998 Accord press kit is wrapped in ersatz pigskin with a picture of a running 1930s-era football player and a title that proclaims “1998 Accord: All-American.”

Buy one for the Gipper.

The new body style looks more substantial than the old model, with its rounded flanks accented with sharply creased character lines that are well-integrated with the door handles. It still looks very Honda, still sharing a family resemblance with Civic and Prelude, just not as low and lean as the former models.

Despite its new look, the Accord quickly fades into traffic, failing to stand out from the common run of midsize sedans. Although it may look sleek and stylish in the driveway, nobody took a second glance on the street.

Our test car was fitted out the way most people want them – an up-market LX with a powerful V-6, automatic transmission and loads of amenities, including full power and a great stereo system.

The extra interior space is immediately noticeable in all directions. Headroom and legroom are good, even in the back seat, which is relatively commodious for this class of car.

Honda says the new Accord has more space inside than either the Camry or Taurus. And the space was added without making the outside of the car any bigger, instead taking advantage of chassis and suspension improvements to make more room for the interior proportions.

There are many thoughtful touches in the interior, such as multiple stowage bins, big and small.

The real star of the Accord is its 3-liter V-6, which uses Honda’s unique VTEC system that changes the valve timing and lift over the range of engine speed to produce a broad power band. There’s lots of torque in the low end and lots of power as the rpm climb freely.

The V-6, which has 30 more horsepower than last year’s engine while ge tting better gas mileage, is mated to a new automatic transmission that provides smooth gear changes and good response to throttle inputs.

The standard four-cylinder engine also has been upgraded, putting out 150 horsepower. The four-cylinder models represent some good bargains, with the basic DX version starting at $15,100. Stick shift is available only with the four-cylinder.

The suspension modifications provide Accord with a smooth, compliant ride that’s also good on curves and quick maneuvers, with precise steering and excellent brakes. But although the maneuverability is fine, the Accord is lacking in road feel or any kind of sporting edge.

Now, I suspect that the EX version might be a bit more interesting, providing the kind of inputs craved by people who enjoy driving. On balance, most people will find the Accord’s seamless, isolating road manners to be desirable.

There was a time when Honda built cars that appealed to driving enthusiasts. Now, Honda is hashi ng it out in the mainstream, building very successful cars for a wider audience.

The body, interior and chassis feel very stable and well-constructed, with the kind of rattle-free, built-from-one-piece solidity that mark Mercedes-Benzes and other high-end German cars, but are unusual in midrange sedans.

More than ever, the Accord is a major player in the world of popular cars, offering more for less in a stylish, high-quality package that is giving Ford and Toyota fits. Although the LX may not be an exciting car, it is a very good car with an excellent reputation, and is sure to score another touchdown this year.

1998 Honda Accord

Vehicle type: Five-passenger, four-door sedan, front-wheel drive. Base price: $21,550. Price as tested: $24,000 (est.). Engine: 3.0-liter V-6, 200 horsepower at 5,500 rpm, 195 pounds-feet of torque at 4,700 rpm. Transmission: Five-speed automatic. Curb weight: 3,241 pounds. Length: 188.8 inches. EPA fuel economy: 21 city, 28 highway. Highs: More for less. Engine power. Interior space Lows: Lacks excitement. Routine styling. No stick with V-6.