All-New 2013 Accord Cleans Up in Car and Driver Midsize Sedan Comparison

GURNEE, ILL. (11/01/2012)(readMedia)-- Though the 2013 Honda Accord just went on sale in September, it hasn't taken long for the redesigned car to start earning praise. The all-new Accord recently received top marks in a Car and Driver magazine midsize sedan comparison test, beating out three other fresh-faced entries to the market: the 2013 Ford Fusion, 2013 Nissan Altima and 2012 VW Passat.

Accounting for more than three-quarters of a million in U.S. sales last year, the four midsize sedans tested make for fierce competition within their segment. Car and Driver ran each model through performance and handling tests, while also rating them on comfort, amenities and styling. The end result was a big win for the 2013 Accord, which scored the highest in each test category, including a dominating performance in the "Fun to Drive" section of the Experience category.

"Honda pulled out all the stops when it designed the new Accord, and its efforts have paid off with a model that sets the bar higher in the midsize car segment," said Tony Pescatore, general sales manager of Chicagoland Honda dealer Rosen Honda. "An all-new vehicle represents an automaker's best effort, and the fact is the competition doesn't hold a candle to the new Accord, whether you're looking at passenger comfort or driving fun."

While the latest Honda Accord is physically smaller on the outside than its predecessor, Car and Driver noted that interior space hasn't suffered, with impressive room for passengers and a larger trunk. Editors also praised the Accord's handling, including its "fog-free steering" and new continuously variable transmission (CVT) that eliminates the "rubber-band delay" that often plagues competitors.

The 2013 Accord's smooth-shifting CVT was developed as part of Honda's broader effort to increase fuel efficiency, and it comes paired with a new 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. Producing 185 horsepower, the unit was the most powerful standard engine in the comparison test, providing responsive acceleration yet returning up to 36 mpg on the highway. Meanwhile, for buyers seeking even greater performance, an available 3.5-liter V6 churns out 278 horsepower.

Car and Driver called the new Honda Accord a "triumphant return to form," which is a significant statement given the car's storied history in America. November marks 30 years of Accord production in the United States, with more than 9 million models built at the vehicle's Marysville, Ohio assembly plant. Since production began in 1982, Honda has invested more than $4 billion into the Accord's facility, creating more than 150,000 jobs in the process.

"Few cars have the history of excellence that the Accord has, and the new model had big shoes to fill," added Pescatore. "But just like Accords past, the newest generation pushes the boundaries a little further, offering improved space, performance and fuel economy without blowing up the price point."

About Rosen Honda:

Rosen Honda has proudly served Illinois motorists for years, providing new and used Honda sales, service and parts in a customer-focused environment. Featuring the entire lineup of new Honda vehicles, including the Honda Civic, Accord, CR-V, Fit, Odyssey, Ridgeline, Insight, CR-Z, Pilot and Crosstour, their Chicagoland Honda dealership has become a prime location for buyers that want a reliable yet stylish ride. Visit their showroom at 7000 Grand Avenue in Gurnee, Ill. or call them at 866-769-3949. Rosen Honda's entire inventory can also be viewed online at www.rosenhonda.com, and they can be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/rosenhondanissan.