Family Sedan Superiority

"The four cylinder Accord proves that when Honda plays to its strengths, it is better than anyone at producing vehicles with a supernaturally fine balance of attributes."  -Car and Driver, naming the 2012 Accord to its 10 Best Cars list.

2012 Accord EX-L vs.

2012 Kia Optima EX

Top five reasons to buy the 2012 Accord EX-L instead of the 2012 Kqia Optima EX:

1. Braking
In the Car and Driver Family Sedans comparison (May 2012), the 2012 Accord EX-L stopped from 70-0 mph in 175 feet.  The 2012 Kia Optima EX took an additional 8 feet (183 feet total) to stop.
2. Roomy Rear Seat
Accord provides large rear door openings for easy access, a high roofline for extra headroom above the seatback, and 37.2 inches of rear-seat legroom for adults and teenagers.  Kia Optima provides 2.5 inches less legroom and its sloped roofline makes rear-seat headroom feel tight.
3. Sporty Handling
Car and Driver praised Accord's communitcative steering; smooth, sure brakes; and unflappable chassis with its race-bred double-wishbone front suspension.  Optima EX has a less-sophistocated MacPgerson strut front suspension.  Car and Driver criticized Optima EX for slow steering.
4. Honda Reliability
Accord owners can look forward to years of trouble-free driving, given Accord's Predicted Reliability RAting of 4.5 out of a possible 5.0, according to J.D.Power and Associates.  The 2012 Kia Optima falls far short with a predicted reliability rating of just 3.0 out of a possible 5.0.
5. Lower True Cost to Own (TCO)
Although Accord EX-L has a higher initial MSRP when Kia Optima EX is comparably equipped, Edmunds.com estimates that the 2012 Accord EX-L will cost owners $1,927 less to own over 5 years when driven 15,000 miles per year. (TCO calculated for ZIP code 98208)

2012 Accord EX-L vs.
2013 Hyundai Sonata Limited

Top five reasons to buy the 2012 Accord EX-L instead of the 2013 Hyundai Sonata Limited:
1.  Superior Overall Frontal Crash Safety Rating
The 2012 Accord Sedan earned a 5-star safety rating from the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) in each combined New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) category, including a 5-Star Overall Frontal Crash Safety Rating.  The 2013 Hyundai Sonata earned a 4-Star Overall Frontal Crash Safety Rating.
2.  Roomy Rear Seat
Compared to Accord's spacious rear seat, Sonata Limited provides 2.6 inches less legroom and its plunging roofline can pinch rear-seat headroom for tall passengers.
3.  Sporty Handling
Sonata Limited lacks Accord's sporty driving character and well-thought-out ergonomics.  Like Optima, its front suspesion is a MacPherson strut setup.
4. Honda Reliability
The 2012 Sonata falls short of Accord's legendary reliability with a predicted reliability rating of just 3.5 out of a possible 5.0. (2013 Data not available.)
5. Lower True Cost to Own (TCO)
While Accord has a higher initial MSRP when Sonata Limited is comparably equipped, Edmuinds.com estimates that the 2012 Accord EX-L will cost its owners $2,229 less to own than the 2012 Sonata Limited over five years jwhen driven 15,000 miles per year.  (TCO calculated for zip code 98208.  TCO data not available for 2013 Sonata Limited)

Comparabily Equipped Price