Honda The car is significantly lighter, between 114 and 187 pounds depending on trim, yet also stiffer and, with available adaptive suspension, has a better mix of ride qualities to suit your need -- and your mood.

The leanest of the bunch is a continuously variable transmission, only available on the smallest engine: a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that delivers a nice, square 192 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque.

With laminated glass, insulating foam in the roof and a new active noise cancelation system, the 2018 Accord is wonderfully quiet at any speed.

For 2018, Honda Sensing is now standard on all Accords, meaning they all have adaptive cruise and a proper lane-keep assist system, one that doesn't just make the car ping-pong between the painted lines but actually helps steer.

Honda We'll need more time with the new Accord before we can deliver a final verdict, but after a day spent driving every trim plus many of the competing mid-size sedans in this segment, I have to say this is really looking like the car to beat.