One thing that hurts the Accord is that its interior volume is slightly smaller than the interiors of some of its competitors. The roomier Toyota Camry, for example, is rated by the EPA as a midsize car, but the Accord is a compact. Still, the Accord is on the upper end of the compact range, and it does make efficient use of its space - however limited. It will seat five reasonably sized adults just fine, and the front seats are supportive and comfortable. With two in the rear there's plenty of room. However, three across in back may be a little tight, especially if the riders are on the larger size. On the bright side, there should be plenty of headroom for most folks. As is typical of Honda, the instrument panel is arranged for near-ideal operation of the car and its functions. Every instrument, knob, switch and button is easy to see, reach and twist, flick or push. There's lots of storage, including a coin tray to the left of the steering wheel and dual cupholders in the center console. And even with the passenger airbag, there's still a good-sized glove box. The trunk is larger than it looks, measuring 13.0 cu. ft. A clever over-center mechanism that allows the trunk lid to open past vertical, as well as a low liftover height, aids in loading luggage or groceries. In addition, the trunk stretches a good distance under the rear window. And for even more added versatility, the rear seat folds down to expand storage space. Standard safety features include dual airbags and 3-point seat belts in the four outboard positions. The Accord also meets the 1997 federal side-impact standards.
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