is subdued but inviting.

Seeing out of the Accord is easy in all directions, although the rear

window seemed a little small to us. The outside rearview mirrors are large

enough to give a good view of what's coming up behind you. From the driver's

seat you immediately notice that the instrument panel is classic Honda.

Easy to read, white-on-black temperature and fuel gauges flank a larger

tachometer and speedometer. Two large rotary switches just to the right

control the interior fan and temperature, and the air-conditioning control

buttons are large and accessible.

Two buttons for the cruise control are comfortably positioned on the

steering wheel, and the radio has knobs and buttons that are also easy

to use while driving. None of that could be simpler or more convenient.

Two small drawbacks come to mind, though. First, the horn buttons are

too small and located on the edges of the wheel, rather than a handier

center-punch arrangement. And the cupholders, two plastic indentations

tastefully covered by a door, are marginal--awkward to reach, and too close

to the elbows.

The rest of the interior is nicely done. The fabrics and plastics are

pleasing to the eye and the touch, with excellent finishing throughout.

As for safety, all Accords come with a driver and passenger side air bag,

but antilock brakes aren't available on DX models and cost $850 extra on

LX models.

Seating comfort is well suited for long drives. Bottom cushions are

deep enough to support your legs and back cushions are thick and firm enough

to support your back. The seats don't have big torso bolsters to keep you

from sliding side-to-side in sharp corners, but that's not surprising in

a car that doesn't have a lot of sporty pretensions.

Both the front and back seats provide plenty of room: four good-sized

adults can be comfortable in this car. While the back isn't as spacious

as that of the Cirrus or Stratus, headroom and leg room are still more

than adequate.

The back seat folds down to expand the trunk. You can also fold down

the rear seat's center arm rest and open a small pass-through door to the

trunk that will let long things like skis fit inside the car.

You can get three kids in the back seat, no problem, as long as they

aren't tormenting each other. (It could happen.) And the roof is high enough

to let you lift a little one into a car seat without killing your back.