Honda Accord

Success is far from guaranteed in the cut-throat family car sector. Things were tough enough with existing offerings such as the Ford Mondeo, which is a great driver's car, but more recent entrants to the market, including the Mazda 6, Nissan Primera and Vauxhall Vectra, have raised the stakes further.

However, Honda thinks it has the answer. With prices likely to start at ΂£16,000, the Accord is moving upmarket a notch compared to mainstream rivals. It's a big step for the company, and one that obviously hasn't been easy. However, the result of all the hard work is a much more stylish-looking motor than before. Spend only five minutes behind the wheel, and it's clear the new car is far more luxurious, and bigger where it counts, too. The length has been increased from 1,435mm to 1,465mm, and width is up from 1,695mm to 1,760mm, which translates into a far more spacious cabin for both front and rear seat passengers.

The engines have also grown in size. Only two petrol units will be offered from launch, with entry-level cars powered by a 153bhp 2.0-litre and the flagship using a 187bhp 2.4-litre. We tried the 2.0-litre model first. This is set to be the main seller in the range, and its four-cylinder motor proves smooth and responsive. Unlike most Honda engines, there is plenty of grunt, even at low speeds, and it will pull strongly from as low as 2,500rpm right up to 6,000rpm. While official figures are still to be confirmed, we estimate that the 2.0-litre is capable of sprinting from 0-60mph in around 10 seconds. The top speed is 134mph, which is fast for the class.

With the company car market in mind, two tax-busting versions, called the Econo and the Comfort, will offer combined fuel economy of 40mpg and a CO2 figure a full 10g/km lower than the standard car's 179g/km, thanks to weight-saving measures and longer gear ratios.

The 2.4-litre engine is mated to a short-shifting six-speed manual gearbox, and our estimates suggest a 0-60mph time of 8.5 seconds and a top speed of around 145mph. But fans of the previous-generation Type R will be disappointed. A Honda spokesman told us there was no longer a market for the car, and the more comfort-oriented Type S will be the fastest model.

All is not lost for keen drivers, however, as the firm wanted this generation of Accord to be more sporting, and has revised the already impressive wishbone suspension of the previous model. Improvements in body stiffness also offer greater steering feel and a better ride.

This has all been possible without hurting refinement. The ride quality of BMW's 3-Series was a clear influence on the development of the front-wheel-drive Honda, and enthusiastic drivers should be impressed by the chassis.

The supple suspension means body control is good, and the Accord should make for an exemplary long distance cruiser. Extra soundproofing means the once noisy car is now as quiet inside as any of its rivals. In the rush for quality, safety hasn't been forgotten, either, and while four airbags, ABS, EBD and brake assist are fitted as standard on every model, plusher variants also get curtain airbags and a vehicle stability program as standard. Prices and final specification will be revealed at October's British Motor Show. Our early drive, limited to Honda's test track, has yet to prove how the Accord will cope with UK roads. But it's clearly a step forward, and we can't wait to test it here.