What’s new, highlights, and safety info for the 2009 Honda Accord.

Introduction

Honda’s large family car, available in coupe and sedan form, isn’t just a perennial 10Best winner, it dominates the list. The last time the Accordwasn’t on the list was 1997, and the car has appeared a whopping 22 times. The reason? Simple: the Accord has everything you want in a sensible car—reliability, a comfortable and friendly interior, and good fuel economy—plus good engines and lively handling to keep pulse rates raised.

The 2008 model year brought the eighth-generation Accord, which was first introduced all the way back in 1976. The big news for 2009 is addition of a diesel powertrain later in the year. Power and torque for that engine are expected to be around 160 hp and 260 lb-ft, which should provide a very different driving experience from Honda’s high-revving gas engines. Those are still around, starting with a 177-hp four in LX and LX Premium trim levels in the sedan. The coupe starts in LX Premium trim with an upgraded, 190-hp engine, which also comes installed in the EX and EX-L trim in both coupe and sedan. Finally, EX V-6 (sedan only) and EX-L V-6 trims come with, you guessed it, a six-cylinder engine good for 271 horsepower.  Dunlop tire prices