2012 Honda Accord EXL

The market for mid-size sedans has turned into an all-out brawl: upstarts sparring with old favorites, domestics trying to match imports, Honda and Toyota warring for Japanese supremacy. But one model soldiers on as dependably and reliably as ever: the Honda Accord. The Accord had a mid-cycle face-lift just a year ago, but its last major redesign was in 2008. Still, it continues to serve customers well. The Accord is available with either two or four doors, a 2.4-liter four-cylinder or a 3.5-liter V-6, and a choice of three transmissions -- a five-speed manual, a six-speed manual, or a five-speed automatic. The Crosstour drops the Accord nameplate for 2012 and is now its own model. On its own, the Accord has few obvious flaws: its VTEC engines are famously reliable, its interior build quality is very good, it handles well, and to top it off, its famously high resale value makes it a good automotive investment. Where the Accord might come up a little short is in comparison with its competition from Hyundai (the Sonata) and Toyota (the Camry), both of which have been redesigned recently. Still, it's hard to find fault with the Accord, which is still a solid choice in its segment.