Car Statistics: Honda - Accord (98 - 08) Series 98 (4 stars)

Styling (4 stars)

Sleek and sporty, the Accord has what it takes to stand out from its more downmarket rivals.

Handling (4 stars)

Plenty of grip and a nice, reactive chassis means the Accord drives very well.

Comfort (3 stars)

Good driving position but loud at higher speeds thanks to too much wind and road noise getting into the cabin.

Quality (4 stars)

Very well screwed together, as you would expect from a Honda. Some of the cabin materials look a bit cheap and shiny for the money, though.

Performance (4 stars)

All engines give decent urge - we'd recommend going for either the basic 2.0 litre petrol or the excellent 2.2 litre turbo diesel.

Roominess (4 stars)

Saloon has respectable interior space, although it's tighter in the back than some obvious rivals. Massive estate is simply enormous, especially with the rear seats folded.

Costs (3 stars)

Petrol versions have class competitive fuel economy, but owners report great difficulty getting the diesel near its claimed combined mpg figure. Servicing more expensive than mass-market repboxes, too - although residuals are respectable.

Value (3 stars)

Pricey compared to rivals like the VW Passat, and at the top of the range its treading on the 3 Series's toes. That said, even the most basic versions come with plenty of standard equipment.

Stereo (4 stars)

Excellent audio system comes as standard. Satnav is relatively pricey, but works well.