2005 Honda Accord rear.jpg

The big news is the Accord getting the hybrid treatment, bringing Honda's hybrid count to three. Unlike the super-stingy 93-horsepower Civic, the Accord will be marketed as a performance hybrid and comes with a V6 only. Horsepower goes from an already-ample 240 on normal V6 models to 255 here. Hybrid Accords also get Variable Cylinder Management to shut off three cylinders for further frugality. It went on sale in December at very close to $30,000 – a rather expensive way to save gas. Like the Civic Hybrid, this Accord looks just like its lesser brethren and drew no more stares than the others, proving that Honda's blend-in styling was the wrong strategy. Don't expect the same long lines or price gouging that bless the Toyota Prius. Other Accords get Honda's typical mid-life cosmetic changes (new wheels, new color taillights, and so forth).