Aston Martin AM310 Vanquish

Stepping in for the DBS, Aston's new range-topping AM310 Vanquish looks to improve both performance and usability. The updated 5.9-liter V-12 adds variable valve timing; output rises to 565 hp and 457 lb-ft of torque, which is sent to a six-speed automatic transaxle (no manual this time). A new launch-control system helps drivers race from 0 to 62 mph in 4.1 seconds. The engine sits lower in a new iteration of Aston's bonded-aluminum chassis, which again features adaptive dampers and standard carbon-ceramic brakes. The Vanquish's body takes design cues from the limited-edition One-77 supercar and makes more extensive use of carbon fiber than ever before, including in the hood, front fenders, trunk lid, trunk enclosure, door surrounds, and roof (the last of which may be left exposed if a buyer so chooses). Weight is held to just 3613 pounds and is distributed 50/50 front/rear. Despite casting nearly the same shadow as a DBS, the new Vanquish has a roomier two-place cabin (two-plus-two seating is optional), along with more stowage and a greatly enlarged trunk. Capacitive-touch switches and a new rotary controller lend modern flair to the characteristic Aston Martin jewel-box interior.
Price $280,000 (est.) 
Engine 5.9L V-12, 565 hp, 457 lb-ft 
Terminal velocity 183 mph

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Acura ILX

Ever since the demise of the RSX, nee Integra, Acura has been without a true entry-level model. (The TSX has become too close to the TL in size, design, and price to perform that function.) Enter the smaller, cheaper ILX. Is it the second coming of the Integra, the frisky subcompact that once attracted young people to the brand? Not really. The ILX has a bit of an identity crisis, as it comes in three distinct iterations. The car is based on the Honda Civic sedan, and although Acura designers did a good job of disguising that fact, we wouldn't exactly call it handsome. The interior, at least, is a wholesale improvement over the Civic's more downmarket cabin. The chassis also has been comprehensively upgraded, with more sophisticated dampers for better ride quality and retuned, quicker steering that's more lively and precise. There's also additional sound deadening and NVH control. The volume-model ILX has a 150-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (up from 1.8 liters and 140 hp in the Civic) that is hitched to an automatic transmission with only five speeds. Acura reaches out to greenies with a hybrid ILX, which lifts the Civic Hybrid's powertrain intact for a 39/38 mpg EPA city/highway rating. The most interesting ILX variant uses the Civic Si as its starting point. Priced at $30,095, it features the Si's 201-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder and a six-speed manual. One problem for the ILX may be that it's not that much cheaper than a TSX: when adjusted for the TSX's extra equipment, the difference is less than $1000. That factor may hinder this outreach effort.
Price $26,795-$35,295
Engines 2.0L I-4, 150 hp, 140 lb-ft; 2.4L I-4, 201 hp, 170 lb-ft; 1.5L I-4/electric hybrid, 111 hp, 127 lb-ft 
Smaller than...a TSX, by 6.5 inches in length, 1.8 inches in width, and 1.1 inches in height.

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2013 Dodge Dart SXT - Welcoming An Alfa-infused Dodge Read more: http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/12_month_car_reviews/1301_2013_dodge_dart_sxt_introduction/#ixzz2HnPUKuDx

The story behind the Dodge Dart goes back nearly four years to the period when Chrysler was entering bankruptcy. Italian automaker Fiat stepped in to help rescue the American giant, but the U.S. Treasury set several conditions for the takeover. Among them was a provision that Fiat help Chrysler build a 40-mpg car on American soil. The Dodge Dart was that car, and launching it allowed Fiat to up its stake in Chrysler by five percent to 58.5 percent.

Our 2013 Dodge Dart SXT won't break the 40-mpg barrier -- only the economy-minded Dart Aero does, with a 41-mpg highway rating -- but it is EPA-rated at 37 mpg on the highway. We skipped the standard 2.0-liter Tigershark four, and instead spent $1300 for the optional 160-hp, 1.4-liter turbo-four engine (the same one found in the Fiat 500 Abarth). Another $1100 got us a dual-clutch automatic transmission that is sourced from Fiat, the first-ever dual-clutch unit offered in a Dodge vehicle.

We chose the Dart SXT because it provides a good balance between equipment and pricing. Our car started at $18,790 after a $795 destination charge, but the upgraded powertrain and several other options bumped the final bill to $23,195. We paid $595 for the Uconnect touchscreen and an illuminated dashboard accent, $495 for navigation and a backup camera, $195 for SiriusXM satellite radio, and $225 for LED taillights that resemble those on the Dodge Charger. Finally, the $495 popular equipment group added cruise control, remote starting, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, illuminated cupholders, and an enhanced trip computer.

Because the Dart arrived at our offices in the middle of winter, we immediately called our official tire and wheel sponsor, Tire Rack, to order some cold-weather rubber. The factory Continental tires will wait patiently in our garage while we use Pirelli Sottozero Serie II tires for the rest of the winter. The Pirellis set us back $797.92, plus another $100 for mounting and balancing. Already they have proven their worth by providing plentiful traction in ice, snow, and below-freezing temperatures.

Shortly after arriving, the Dodge Dart took a 480-mile road trip to deputy editor Joe DeMatio's ancestral homeland, rural West Branch, Michigan (where the car posed for a photo-op alongside sheep and a llama at a local farm). DeMatio's first impressions: "The little turbo four has plenty of energy but is coarse, hoarse, and gravelly. The dual-clutch transmission seems to lack the smoothness and refinement of VW's unit, but perhaps it will improve with time."

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2011 Maybach Landaulet Convertible

For 2011, the Maybach Landaulet gets 18 more horses for a grand total of 620. The options list also grows to include a partition-mounted 19-inch "cinema screen."

Introduction

So the time has come to finally retire your trusty old car. It's been with you through thick and thin. It took you out on your first date with your future wife and brought junior home from the hospital. It certainly wasn't perfect -- the passenger seat squeaks a bit, the trunk smells like crayons and the bumper is still scratched from when you backed into your lawnmower back in '02 -- but it was your automotive friend. Yet the time has come to move on, so why not move up with your next purchase? Why not consider the 2011 Maybach Landaulet?

This 20-foot-long ultraluxury limousine may seem at first to be just another pedestrian Maybach 62 S with its ho-hum twin-turbo V12, but swing around to the back and you'll discover something pleasantly refreshing and new. There you'll find a soft rear roof panel that elegantly slides back atop the trunk lid, leaving the backseat out in the open air while maintaining the privacy, security and wind-deflecting capability of the side windows and roof structure. A standard solid partition that separates the front and rear cabin sections should keep your chauffeur's cap in place while you're enjoying al fresco motoring. (Oh, you don't have a chauffeur? That's odd). For 2011, you can even place a 19-inch TV on the partition.

Beyond the roof, however, the Landaulet enjoys the same benefits as a regular Maybach. That twin-turbo V12 engine produces 620 horsepower for 2011, providing that extra bit of thrust that'll make runs to Target that much quicker. The interior is finished with acres of soft leather and comes equipped with things like power seats and a CD player, along with La-Z-Boy-style reclining backseats, a 21-speaker stereo, an umbrella and a rear fridge with accompanying champagne flutes. Typical stuff, sure, but it's standard on the Landaulet, which speaks to its value. Plus, the amount of customization options are dizzying, with a personal "Maybach Relationship Manager" on hand to make sure your Landaulet is built to your exact specification. It's this sort of service you inexplicably won't find at your neighborhood Chevy or Honda dealer.

If we're to be honest, though, the Landaulet's Mercedes-Benz roots are a tad too visible (Maybach is a division of Mercedes) compared to the more royal-feeling Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe. The Maybach's door-mounted power seat controls, for example, are the same as in any number of Mercedes products from 10 years ago, while the overall styling of the car is too evocative of the S-Class from the same period.

Now, perhaps you think we've gone a little too far upstream in our selection for your next trusty old car, but when you think about it, the 2011 Maybach Landaulet is a smart choice. At only $1.38 million, it's significantly cheaper than one would expect to pay for a Gulfstream G650 or a luxury yacht. Sure, that's $930,000 more expensive than a Maybach 62 S, but did we mention that retracting cloth panel?

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The 2011 Maybach Landaulet is a four- or five-seat ultraluxury sedan with a retractable rear soft top. Standard features include exclusive 20-inch wheels, adaptive bi-xenon headlights, an active self-leveling suspension, power-closing doors and trunk, adaptive cruise control, 10-way power front seats with heat and massage, front-seat memory settings, a full leather interior, two-person reclining rear bucket seats with heat and La-Z-Boy-style footrests, four-zone climate control with active air filtration, a rear beverage cooler, champagne flutes and an umbrella. Also standard are Bluetooth connectivity (for both front and rear seating), a navigation system with a rearview camera, an entertainment system and a 21-speaker Bose surround-sound system with an in-dash CD player, a console-mounted six-CD changer, satellite radio and an auxiliary audio jack.

Options include granite trim, three-across seating in the back, a partition-mounted 19-inch television screen, active ventilated seats and pretty much whatever you and your Relationship Manager can cook up.

Powertrains and Performance

The 2011 Maybach Landaulet is powered by a twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter V12 that produces 620 hp and 738 pound-feet of torque. Rear-wheel drive and a five-speed automatic are standard. The Landaulet should go from zero to 60 mph in just a hair over 5 seconds, which is quite swift for something that weighs about 6,400 pounds.

Safety

The 2011 Maybach Landaulet comes standard with antilock brakes, stability control, front and rear side airbags, and side curtain airbags.

Interior Design and Special Features

Landaulet owners will likely spend their time in the rear compartment, but their chauffeur will enjoy a sumptuous wood- and leather-trimmed front cabin, albeit one littered with old Mercedes switchgear. The backseat clearly takes center stage in the Landaulet, what with its retractable soft top and first-class-style reclining bucket seats with footrests (a three-person setup is optional). These seats are heated, of course, and in the two-passenger trim they're separated by a center console that houses a refrigerator and controls for the rear dual-zone climate control and the standard DVD entertainment system.

Driving Impressions

Those fortunate enough to have $1.38 million to spend on a 2011 Maybach Landaulet will be more interested in riding impressions, but their drivers will be pleased with the Landaulet's 6.0-liter V12. Torque is monstrous at any engine speed. The cabin is generally quiet, though the soft top lets in a bit more road and wind noise than the fixed-roof 62 S.

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2011 Maybach 62 Sedan

The 2011 Maybach 62 S gets an extra 16 horsepower -- apparently, 604 hp just wasn't enough. Adding to the rear-seat niceties, a pair of different partition walls now debut. One has a 19-inch flat screen television mounted to it and the other features power-operated glass and an intercom.

Introduction

If a Rolls-Royce is a motor car fit for a king, the 2011 Maybach 62 is an automobile fit for a German chancellor. The Rolls emphasizes presentation and classic British opulence, while the Maybach is all business, mixing a restrained German aesthetic with exquisite luxury and technology. The Maybach's lackluster sales success would indicate which of these approaches most high-end luxury buyers prefer, but it's this difference in character that's likely to ultimately determine which joins your multicar garage.

The Maybach 62 is one of three models sold by the ultraluxury division of Mercedes-Benz -- the others being the short-wheelbase Maybach 57 and quasi-convertible Maybach Landaulet. Though the Maybach name dates back to the 1920s, the current iteration was launched in 2002 when Mercedes-Benz jumped into the ultraluxury sedan segment to keep pace with BMW and Volkswagen, which had gobbled up Britain's most storied automotive marques (Rolls and Bentley, respectively). The resulting car shares not only a passing resemblance to the styling of the previous-generation Mercedes-Benz S-Class but also its basic platform as well. As such, the 62 comes across as an über-Benz rather than a bespoke car like the Rolls and Bentley.

Of course, saying that a car is too much like a Mercedes-Benz is like saying your date looks too darn much like Scarlett Johansson. With solid construction, fine craftsmanship and bulletproof engineering, the 2011 Maybach 62 features a choice of two twin-turbo V12 engines hand-built by a single technician at Mercedes AMG headquarters in Germany. The "base model" 62 produces 543 hp, while the 62 S gets a bump up to 620 hp for 2011 (it previously produced 604 hp).

Of course, performance is one thing, but for super limousines like a Maybach, the interior is of paramount importance. While it doesn't have the sort of grand, old-world interior design of the Rolls-Royce Phantom, the 62 has the abundance of leather and wood you'd expect from a vehicle this expensive. Its backseat is where it really sets itself apart from the Rolls, with a pair of heated and reclining captain's chairs separated by a center console containing climate and entertainment controls. Oh, and it also has a miniature fridge perfect for chilling champagne -- though we're not sure how that jibes with open container laws. Perhaps it would be best to get the optional solid partition just in case.

When ordering a 62 at a Maybach "Commissioning Studio," customers can equip their car in literally any way they wish. If they want alpaca upholstery instead of regular old cow leather, the "Maybach Relationship Manager" can probably make it happen -- just be prepared to pay a colossal amount of money. Indeed, Maybach regular options are extraordinarily expensive.

It's hard to compare cars that cost vastly more than the average American home and only slightly less than the entire GDP of Tajikistan. Despite its many niceties, though, the 2011 Maybach 62 can't match a Rolls-Royce for exquisitely decadent luxury and that uniquely British character that dates back a century. The Maybach has a classic name, but it's very much the world's nicest S-Class. That may be perfect if you're a German chancellor or P. Diddy (he owns several), but for others, the Phantom might be the more regal choice.

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The 2011 Maybach 62 is a long-wheelbase ultra-luxury sedan available in two trims: the 62 and 62 S. There are also a regular-wheelbase version known as the 57 and a quasi-convertible known as the Landaulet discussed in separate reviews.

Either Maybach 62 model can be customized with nearly any features the purchaser can dream up, but nevertheless, standard kit includes 19-inch wheels, an active self-leveling suspension, adaptive cruise control, front and rear cabin sunroofs, power rear sunshades, 10-way power front seats with heat and massage, front-seat memory settings, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel and a full leather interior. The opulent rear quarters includes reclining rear captain's chairs with heating, memory functions, power leg supports and footrests, folding rear picnic tables, electronic rear door closers, four-zone climate control with active air filter and a rear beverage cooler. Standard tech features include front and rear Bluetooth controls, a navigation system, a rearview camera, a DVD entertainment system and a 21-speaker Bose surround-sound system with an in-dash CD player, a console-mounted six-CD changer, satellite radio and an auxiliary audio jack. The Maybach 62 S adds 20-inch wheels with higher-performance tires, a slightly lower ride height, sportier suspension and minor exterior differences.

Regular optional extras revolve mostly around the rear passengers and include additional rear-seat entertainment options, a three-person rear bench seat, different front and rear partition designs, ventilated front or rear seats, folding rear picnic tables and rear curtains. Other options include a solar panel module (it generates enough electricity to power the car's ventilation fan) and a rear sunroof design that can be turned opaque at the touch of a button.

Powertrains and Performance

Both the Maybach 62 and 62 S are rear-wheel drive and powered by versions of the twin-turbocharged V12 found in some of the high-end AMG-tuned Benzes. The 5.5-liter V12 in the 62 produces 543 hp and 664 pound-feet of torque. The 62 S gets a 6.0-liter version of the V12 with 620 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque. Maybach estimates both will go from zero to 60 mph in the mid 5-second range. According to the EPA, the Maybach 62 and 62 S will return 10 mpg city/16 mpg highway and 12 mpg combined.

Safety

The 2011 Maybach 62 has a comprehensive list of safety features that includes side airbags for the front and rear passengers, full-length side curtain airbags, antilock brakes, traction control, stability control, front and rear parking sensors and a rearview camera.

Interior Design and Special Features

For the few Maybach 62 owners who actually drive their car, they will find a front cabin that basically resembles a lavish previous-generation Mercedes-Benz S-Class. The electronic controls are consequently behind the times and the interior design also generally lacks the sense of classical grandeur evident in the Rolls-Royce Phantom.

Still, it's a safe bet most Maybach 62 owners will be occupying the rear quarters as their chauffeur ferries them about. They will find a pair of reclining and heated bucket seats with full-sized retractable footrests. A center console separates the two and incorporates a refrigerated compartment as well as controls for the rear dual-zone climate control and the standard DVD entertainment system. Traveling by car really doesn't get more luxurious than this.

Driving Impressions

Every Maybach drives like the large car that it is. That said, these are pretty amazing large cars, with a prodigious amount of power that easily overcomes their substantial mass. Both the 62 and the 62 S are seriously quick. At the same time, there's just no way to make 3 tons and 20 feet worth of Maybach seem agile. Of course, these are cars built to deliver diplomats to a meeting of the World Bank, not set a low lap time at the Nurburgring. For such deliveries, the Maybach provides a beautiful ride that swallows bumps without floating about like a luxury yacht upon the high seas.

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2012 Maybach 57 Sedan

The Maybach's final year sees no changes.

Introduction

If the Rolls-Royce is the king of all automobiles, this must make the 2012 Maybach 57 the Kaiser. While the Rolls puts a premium on tradition, presentation and classic British opulence, the Maybach is all-business, no-nonsense and impervious to change, standing by while other ultra-luxury cars progress. This approach has not been successful, however, and as such, 2012 will be the Maybach's final year before it joins old Wilhelm in the annals of history.

Now, the Maybach 57 is actually one of three cars sold by this division of Mercedes-Benz. All are essentially the same car, but the 62 has a longer wheelbase, while the Landaulet has a quasi-convertible roof. Though the Maybach name nearly dates back to the Kaiser, the brand's current iteration was launched in 2002. The car itself also dates from that period, making it one of the oldest on the road.

Frankly, the Maybach's age shows and so does its lineage. Not only does the Maybach have a clear resemblance to the Mercedes-Benz S-Class introduced back in 2000, but it's mechanically based on that car as well. This is still a Mercedes-Benz we're talking about, and the Maybach has certainly been updated over the years, but in total, the 57 comes off as an über-Benz rather than a bespoke luxury sedan. By comparison, you'd be hard-pressed to detect the BMW influences in a Rolls-Royce, or the Volkswagen DNA in a Bentley.

To its credit, the 2012 Maybach 57 is still constructed to a standard that would make any old Prussian nod with stern approval. To send his crowned head back into the plush headrests, the Maybach comes with a choice of twin-turbocharged V12 engines: one good for 543 horsepower and the other for 620 hp. The latter is known as the 57 S.

Putting the Kaiser aside for a moment, it's the P. Diddys and Dubai oil executives of today who really matter. And what they are more likely to care about are the interior trappings. Sure, the dash looks every bit like something from the turn of the century (this one, not the Kaiser's) and its in-car electronics controls are a generation behind those found in the 2012 Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Yet our modern-day bigwigs are more likely to be enjoying their Maybach from the backseat, which has all the leather, wood and craftsmanship they'd expect given the Maybach's exorbitant cost.

The Maybach also sets itself apart from the Rolls by offering a pair of heated and reclining backseat captain's chairs separated by a center console containing climate and entertainment controls. It also has a miniature fridge perfect for chilling champagne -- though given open container laws, perhaps it would be better to get the Maybach 62 and its optional solid partition. If such opulence isn't opulent enough, buyers can turn to the Maybach "Commissioning Studio" that can equip a 57 in literally any way they wish. Just be prepared for shocking price tags, since Maybach options are extraordinarily expensive -- even at this price range.

To be honest, it's hard to compare cares that cost vastly more than the average American home and only slightly less than the gross domestic product of Kyrgyzstan. Yet if you intend to spend most of your time in the backseat, then the 2012 Maybach 57 or its long-wheelbase sibling is probably your best choice. If you want something with more character that doesn't look 10 years old the second it leaves the dealership, we think a Rolls-Royce Phantom or Bentley Mulsannewould be a better choice. It's also hard to argue with a "regular old" Mercedes-Benz S600. That probably wouldn't be the choice of the Kaiser, but Angela Merkel would no doubt appreciate its more modern take on German luxury.

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The 2012 Maybach 57 is an ultraluxury sedan offered in two trim levels: the 57 and the more powerful 57 S. There are also a long-wheelbase version known as the Maybach 62 and a quasi-convertible known as the Landaulet discussed in separate reviews.

Either Maybach 57 model can be customized with nearly any feature the purchaser can dream up, but nevertheless, standard kit includes 19-inch wheels, an active self-leveling suspension, adaptive cruise control, a front-cabin sunroof, power rear sunshades, 10-way power front seats with heating, massaging and memory settings, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a full leather interior, reclining and heated rear captain's chairs, four-zone climate control and a rear beverage cooler. Tech features include front and rear Bluetooth controls, a navigation system, an older version of the Mercedes COMAND electronics interface, a rearview camera, a DVD entertainment system and a 21-speaker Bose surround-sound audio system with an in-dash single-CD player, a console-mounted six-CD changer, satellite radio and an auxiliary audio jack.

The Maybach 57 S adds a more powerful engine, 20-inch wheels, higher-performance tires, a slightly lower ride height, sportier suspension and minor exterior differences.

Extras revolve mostly around the rear passengers and include additional rear-seat entertainment options, a three-person backseat, ventilated front or rear seats, folding rear picnic tables and rear curtains. Also offered is a solar panel module that can generate electricity to power the car's ventilation fan.

Powertrains and Performance

Both the Maybach 57 and 57 S are rear-wheel drive and powered by versions of the twin-turbocharged V12 found in some of the high-end AMG-tuned Benzes. The 5.5-liter V12 in the 57 produces 543 hp and 664 pound-feet of torque. The 57 S gets a 6.0-liter version of the V12 with 620 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque. Maybach estimates both will go from zero to 60 mph in the low 5-second range. According to the EPA, the Maybach 57 and 57 S will return 10 mpg city/16 mpg highway and 12 mpg combined.

Safety

The 2012 Maybach 57 has a comprehensive list of safety features that includes side airbags for the front and rear passengers, full-length side curtain airbags, antilock brakes, traction control, stability control, front and rear parking sensors and a rearview camera.

Interior Design and Special Features

The Maybach owner will find a front cabin that resembles a lavish previous-generation Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Electronics controls are consequently behind the times, and the overall design generally lacks the sense of classical grandeur evident in the Bentley Mulsanne or Rolls-Royce Phantom. Actually, the current S-Class is a little classier than the Maybach.

Still, it's a safe bet many Maybach owners will be occupying the rear quarters as their chauffeurs ferry them about. They will find a pair of reclining and heated bucket seats separated by a center console (a three-place bench is an option). It houses a refrigerated compartment and controls for the rear dual-zone climate control and the standard DVD entertainment system. Space is copious, but if it's not enough, the long-wheelbase Maybach 62 is not only more spacious but features La-Z-Boy-style footrests.

Driving Impressions

Every Maybach drives like the large car that it is. That said, these are pretty amazing large cars, as a tremendous amount of power easily overcomes their prodigious mass. Both the 57 and the 57 S are seriously quick. But in the corners, such great weight works against the Maybach; there's just no way to keep 3 tons from wallowing when cornering at speed. Yet these are cars built to deliver rappers to the American Music Awards, not set a low lap time at the Nürburgring. For such deliveries, the 2012 Maybach 57 provides a beautiful ride that swallows bumps without floating about like a luxury yacht.

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2013 Honda Accord Sedan

The Honda Accord is fully redesigned for 2013.

Introduction

There's some anticipation of the redesigned 2013 Honda Accord. It's as if it were some strange date in the Mayan calendar, and while not exactly end-of-the-Earth stuff, the new Accord does indeed shake things up more than past iterations.

For one, the 2013 Honda Accord is no longer bigger and heavier than the one it replaces. Perhaps in response to criticism that the previous Accord had become -- in Elvis-like fashion -- too large and too soft, the new, ninth-generation example is slightly smaller and slightly lighter. The tighter dimensions complement notable mechanical changes to make for a car that once again has not only segment-leading fuel economy but also a distinct feeling of nimbleness from behind the wheel.

After a long wait, Honda has finally added power- and efficiency-enhancing direct fuel injection to the Accord's standard 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. This power plant is now paired to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that becomes the automatic transmission for cars using the four-cylinder. With this combo, the Accord earns an EPA-estimated 27 mpg city/36 mpg highway, one of the best ratings for a midsize sedan and even better than those of the diminutive Honda Fit.

The 2013 Honda Accord's styling is a careful evolution from its predecessor, and while this may not please those seeking more adventurous lines, the new Accord design is visibly less bulky. Inside the cabin, the new car is noticeably improved, with a more coherent design and higher-quality materials. Also new is HondaLink, a connectivity system that integrates Internet audio streaming, social media applications and cloud-based content through iPhone and Android apps. Yet there's still plenty of get-it-done sedan functionality here, too, with a roomy rear seat and a big trunk.

As improved as it is, the Accord, just like the Toyota Camry isn't the no-brainer choice it once was. There are now many excellent choices for a family sedan, and each presents certain advantages. The new Ford Fusion is more stylish, while the new Nissan Altima is still sportier and more engaging. Equally appealing are the value-packed Kia Optima and the European-influenced VW Passat. Choosing one won't be easy, but we're pleased to say that Honda has restored an encouraging degree of the old magic to the new Accord.

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The 2013 Honda Accord is available as a midsize sedan and coupe. Four-cylinder sedans come in five trims: LX, Sport (new for 2013), EX, EX-L and EX-L with Navi. Opt for the Accord's 3.5-liter V6 and three trims are offered: EX-L, EX-L with Navi and Touring.

The 2013 Accord coupe comes in LX-S, EX, EX-L and EX-L with Navi, while the V6-equipped coupe comes only in EX-L and EX-L with Navi trims.

The base four-cylinder LX comes with 16-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, full power accessories, cruise control, an 8-inch video display, Bluetooth (phone and audio), a rearview camera, cruise control, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a height-adjustable manual driver seat, a folding rear seat and a four-speaker sound system with a CD player, an auxiliary audio jack, iPod/USB audio interface and Pandora functionality.

Opting for the new Sport trim brings a bit more horsepower, 18-inch wheels, a rear spoiler, an eight-way power driver seat (with power lumbar) and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with shift paddles for the CVT. Compared to the LX, the Accord EX trim gets you 17-inch wheels, heated mirrors, a sunroof, keyless ignition/entry, the power driver seat, the leather-wrapped steering wheel, Honda's new LaneWatch blind-spot display and a six-speaker sound system.

The EX-L trim adds leather upholstery, driver-seat memory functions, a four-way power passenger seat, forward-collision and lane-departure warning systems, a more sophisticated rearview camera, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and a premium seven-speaker sound system with satellite radio and smartphone app integration (HondaLink). The EX-L with Navi adds, as you can likely guess, a navigation system with voice recognition.

The EX-based trim levels for the 2013 Honda Accord sedan with the V6 engine are pretty similar to those for the four-cylinder EX models. The V6-exclusive Touring sedan tops the range, combining LED headlights and adaptive cruise control with the equipment from the EX-L with Navi.

For the coupe version of the 2013 Honda Accord, the base LX-S trim is similar to the LX sedan. The coupe's EX trims are also comparable in terms of equipment, though the V6-powered EX-L has 18-inch wheels.

Powertrains and Performance

Most of the front-wheel-drive examples in the Accord range are fitted with the 2.4-liter inline-4, whether sedan or coupe. For all coupes and sedans except the Sport trim, the engine generates 185 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, some 8 hp and 20 lb-ft better than the previous base-model Accord's four-cylinder. The Sport trim's less restrictive dual exhaust frees up the engine to the tune of 189 hp and 182 lb-ft of torque.

The standard transmission paired with the four-cylinder for the LX, Sport and EX sedans and LX-S and EX coupes is a six-speed manual. Optional for the four-cylinder sedans and coupes and standard for the four-cylinder EX-L sedan and coupe trim is Honda's newly developed CVT. With it, the EPA estimates the 2013 Accord will average 27 mpg city/36 mpg highway and 30 mpg combined. The Accord Sport automatic, with its slightly more powerful engine, returns 26/35/29. The four-cylinder Accord with the six-speed manual gets 24/34/28.

The 2013 Accord's 3.5-liter V6 is upgraded this year and now develops 278 hp and 252 lb-ft of torque. Backed by a conventional six-speed automatic, the V6's fuel economy numbers are still quite impressive at 21/34/25. With the V6 running through the six-speed manual transmission in the Accord EX-L coupe, fuel economy drops to 18/28/22.

With the four-cylinder, performance is markedly improved. In Edmunds testing, a four-cylinder Accord EX sedan with the CVT accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds, a very good time for the class. The V6 is notably strong; an EX-L V6 sedan we tested sprinted to 60 mph in just 6.1 seconds.

Safety

Every 2013 Honda Accord comes with antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, active front head restraints, front seat side airbags and side curtain airbags. Blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure and forward-collision warning systems are available on upper trim levels.

Worthy of particular mention is the LaneWatch blind-spot system (EX trim and above), which instantly switches the 8-inch screen's display to a low and expansive view of the passenger side of the car when the right turn signal is engaged. A camera in the right-side mirror dedicated to this function provides a confidence-inspiring view, and acclimating to catching the view in the center-dash display is quick and natural.

In Edmunds testing, a 2013 Accord sedan braked from 60 mph to a standstill in 128 feet, a slightly longer-than-average distance for a midsize family sedan.

Interior Design and Special Features

When the revised Civic debuted last year, we were disappointed in its interior quality. Matters are much improved for the 2013 Honda Accord. With a few exceptions, the materials have a high-quality look and feel, while the overall cockpit design is elegant and well-constructed enough for a luxury car.

The center stack embraces the spirit of legibility with an effective three-tier layout. At the top is the 8-inch display that offers varying levels of information depending on trim level and the presence of audio/navigation. Meanwhile, the main instrument binnacle contains the right amount of information and not too much.

Despite the Accord's slightly smaller exterior dimensions, its interior room remains impressive. There is plenty of leg and shoulder space for front occupants, and rear-seat passengers should be quite comfortable and happy. Road and tire noise -- often a Honda bugaboo -- are noticeably reduced in the 2013 Accord thanks in part to two active noise-cancellation systems plus improved aerodynamics. We're also fond of the visibility afforded by the Accord cabin, which offers a lower beltline, slimmer roof pillars and a generous amount of glass.

The 2013 Accord's trunk -- at 15.8 cubic feet -- is more than 1 cubic foot larger than before. The Accord coupe has a 13.4-cubic-foot trunk.

Driving Impressions

The 2013 Honda Accord should be a front runner for those who like crisp driving characteristics in their family sedan. Although it's not significantly smaller, the new-generation Accord certainly drives smaller. The Accord's electric-assist power steering is pretty light in terms of effort, but it's precise and relays information well. Although we like the Accord's handling balance, the ride quality is noticeably firmer than some rivals such as the Camry, which could be a turnoff for some buyers.

The 2013 Accord's upgraded four-cylinder engine is a pleasant surprise. Many inline-4s that have direct injection are gruff and hard to love, but true to Honda's strong engineering reputation, the new four-cylinder revs willingly and its power is entirely appropriate and satisfying. The all-new CVT will be the transmission the majority of 2013 Accord buyers will experience, but only the fussiest will find much fault with it. CVTs don't have the best reputation for refinement, but Honda's new unit is the best of the breed, imparting more realistic aural and tactile sensations of acceleration and generally avoiding the "rubber band" histrionics of most CVTs.

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