2011 Honda Accord

The Honda Accord hasn't changed much since it debuted in 2008 – it finally loses its family-car crown this year to the redesigned 2011 Hyundai Sonata (Base MSRP: $19,395 to $27,245). The 2011 Accord does get a few updates, including a boost in fuel economy, a new leather-upholstered SE trim and some new options (including a rearview camera, driver's seat memory, an iPod/USB interface and shift paddles for the automatic transmission). See our full analysis of the 2009 Honda Accord (*Est. $20,905 to $28,955) for more details on this car.

Fuel economy improves for 2011

To improve fuel efficiency, Honda has smoothed the Accord's aerodynamics and engine friction and tweaked the transmission gearing. Four-cylinder Accords now get an EPA-estimated 27 mpg overall (23 mpg city/33 highway with the five-speed manual transmission, or 1 mpg better on the highway with the optional five-speed automatic), which is 2 mpg better than last year – and almost as good as the 28-mpg Hyundai Sonata and its mechanical twin, the 2011 Kia Optima (Base MSRP: $19,200 to $26,200), which are the most fuel-friendly non-hybrid midsize sedans you can buy. V6 Accord sedans are only available with the automatic transmission, and fuel economy drops to 20 mpg city/30 mpg highway/24 mpg combined (1 mpg better than last year).