Is the next Honda Accord daring enough?

Seriously, since when has an Accord been "daring", or any Honda/Acura, for that matter. The only "daring" Honda, ever, was the NSX. When Honda/Acura tried to be "daring", it got blasted (read: TL) by everyone. And the fact remains that "daring" does not equal SALES. See sales results of Accord/Camry vs. Sonata/Optima. There's still a HUGE gap. And, clearly, a company like VW recognizes this as they went the complete opposite of daring, to practically sterile, with the Passat and Jetta.

It doesn't have to be. Accord and Camry are the gold standard in midsize sedans. They are safe, reliable, and all around good vehicles. They have never been known for being gorgeous looking. They should stick to what is moving metal, not go out on a limb for a nod from the snobs in the automotive media.

Camrys and Accords blend in, not make you stare at them. They will not wow or offend you. They are the perfect appliance. Toyota and Honda should team up and design one car, one with a T and the other with an H.
Hyundai and VW can pick up last years model.

I hate to say this. A few years ago, Kia copied honda with their forte sedan. Now Honda's redesigned accord looks way too similar to the Kia forte.
And what's with the blinded out fog lights?

*blinged, rather

So Honda shouldn't be allowed to use their own design because Kia laid claim to it?

From what you're saying, Apple shouldn't be allowed to use the iPad design because Samsung stole it, therefore it belongs to Samsung.

You completely misinterpreted my comment, like I thought many would. I m saying that it's a shame Kia copied Honda, because now the average automotively ignorant buyer would think Honda copied Kia. I'm on Honda's side here.

The Accord is still the best in class. Sorry, I'm not a sucker for slick styling. That and price are the only advantages to the Korean brands.

I still consider Hyundai/Kia somewhat unproven. I know what an Accord feels like at 200,000 miles. I can't imagine an Optima or Sonata being nearly as durable or pleasant to drive at that point. And it will be worth about half of the Accord for resale.

If the Accord is boring to drive, then compared to what? There is not a car in this class with a better steering feel. In fact, it feels better than the steering in the latest '5' series BMW. Check it out.

These are family sedans here. I don't care if the styling on my driver is not of the latest trendy look. I want the controls to feel as though they will not snap off in my hand and are pleasing to the touch. If the manufacturer claims a certain level of fuel economy, I want to be able to attain that. If I'm rushing down a backroad, I want a car that is communicating to me, and capable of being pushed through some challenging situations.

When I hit 40,000 miles, I'd rather not have 8 or 10 rattles in the car. It's 4AM and 15 below zero; will it start? Crash safety? A few years ago, a friend of mine in the auto body trade was remarking on pulling the uni-body on a Hyundai back into shape after a crash. It could have been performed with a garden tractor.

It's about balance, I think. None of the competing cars can offer any more than one or two advantages to the Accord without falling short on a dozen other points. But it does a lot of things well. That's what makes it an Accord.

Since it has a little higher purchase price and it is not sold to fleets, the sales numbers may never be the best. I don't care. That's another factor that seems to be of concern to a lot of contributors here but not to me. I don't care if they sold 4 cars a year, I would still buy it.

Honda may have allowed the competition close the gap a bit over the last few years. So what? It's all good. Honda is being pursued. It's only made it better for the consumer. Malibu, Camry, Fusion, etc. would not be as good as they are if it were not for the Accord, period.

Looks good enough.

From what I can tell (have to wait for the covers to come off), this car looks much better proportioned with much better detailing - for those who care about noticing these things...

This car WILL shut the pie holes of all the naysayers....

irishmike...explain to us how if it were not for the Accord the Camry, Fusion and others would not be as good as they are? And while your're at it in the Accords history it only outsold the Camry ONE YEAR! I feel ya on your passion for Honda, which is an excellent product, but my friend you have to give it to the big dog Toyota...There is a serious reason why they keep the Camry ahead of the Accord. Do u need a little help w/ that guess?.....It's called who has the deeper pockets of the two? And who has the Larger Vision of the two, not to mention they dont even have a darn V8 in their Luxury cars yet!! What's that really all about? Very talented car maker with too small of vision. At this point in the game Honda needs big thinkers like Toyota and always remember the Baby-Boomers still pay the Bills!!! Their are still Billions of us out there who buy new Autombiles, not teenagers.

lexworld - its called fleet sales. Everyone knows which car to drive if you like driving - the ACCORD

It starting to have that ridiculous and pathetic grin of the Acura