TheMercuryNews.com's view

Simply put, the new Honda Accord is a wonderful car.

Since it arrived last fall, I’ve done test drives in all the variants — sedans and coupes, four-cylinders and V-6s — logging hundred of miles behind the wheel. Each time I drive these cars, I marvel at their sheer goodness.

I find no obvious flaws and, despite being a notable contrarian, precious few minor quibbles. My biggest complaints with the last-generation Accord — its lack of size and automatic transmissions that didn’t shift as smoothly as I’d like — have been corrected.

With the 1998 model, these cars are every bit as good as the Toyota Camrys. Together, they are the benchmarks in the mid-size, $20,000, family-sedan segment. Buyers won’t make a mistake whether they pick a Camry or an Accord.

What the Accord lineup has that the Camry doesn’t — until the new Toyota Solara arrives late in the year — is a two-door model. And perhaps my favorite new Accord is the V-6 coupe. While the four-cylinder, manual-transmission model was good for kicks, the V-6 coupe with the standard automatic transmission was a stylish statement with plenty of power, superb handling and loads of nice features.

In fact, this car does a great job of showing how far the market has moved in just a few years.

Look at the early ’90s Acura Legend coupe and you’ll see the similarities with the ’98 Accord coupe. Things like performance and product features are remarkably similar. A big difference, of course, is that the Acura was a luxury model and priced that way. The new Accord coupe is within the realm of affordability of a large number of buyers, with prices ranging from $18,290 to $24,150 plus $395 destination charge.

Honda Accord EX interior

Another difference is that the Legend was built in Japan. This Accord is built in Marysville, Ohio, and gets 75 percent of its parts from North American sources.

We drove the Accord V-6 coupe recently. It was the top-of-the-line EX model, complete with power everything, leather seats, a six-speaker stereo with CD player and moon roof. It had a close-to-perfect combination of luxurious tones and sporty feel.

The 200-horsepower V-6 — vs. the 2.3-liter four — gives the Accord a slight power edge over Toyota’s Camry and Nissan’s Maxima. More important to us California buyers, since we’re still paying so much for gas, is that this six runs fine on regular unleaded.

Interior roominess is quite good for a two-door model, and the back-seat actually will accommodate two adults. The interior design is smart and savvy with crisp buttons and knobs properly placed.

On the outside, this car shows a new side to Honda styling. It’s understated, yet expressive. The long front end has a smooth, flowing look to it. The flat rear gives the car a unique personality. Taken as a whole, it’s a nice statement that’s one part aggressive and one part sophistication.

Besides interior room and exterior style , the thing I noticed most about this car is how much the handling has improved. V-6 models get larger tires and a stiffer suspension.

NUTS AND BOLTS

What we drove: 1998 Honda Accord EX coupe with a 3.0-liter V-6 engine and a four-speed automatic transmission.

Base price: $24,150

Price as tested (includes options and delivery charge): $24,724

Curb weight: 3,241 pounds

Length: 186.8 inches

Turning circle (curb to curb): 36.1 feet

Standard features: Anti-lock brakes; 16-inch alloy wheels; power moon roof; auto-off headlights; dual air bags; leather seats, door panel inserts and steering wheel; power driver’s seat with lumbar support; wood-grain interior trim; automatic climate control; power windows, locks and mirrors; AM/FM stereo with CD player; HomeLink remote system; cruise control; adjustable steering.

Optio ns on test vehicle: Floor mats

EPA figures: 21 mpg (city); 28 mpg (highway)