All-new, the 2008 Honda Accord impresses with what you don't see, don't feel, and don't hear. There's no gee-whiz gadget, two-tone animal-on-animal upholstery, or 400-hp engine to get worked up about. There's also next to no learning curve to operate it, no weak spots in the powertrain, no unnecessary or intrusive noise, no bad manners in how it responds to driver direction, next to nothing bad for the environment, and no excuse for not asking directions since you can do that without winding down a window. It's a case where a lack of superlative aspects (and the frequent compromises accompanying them) is a very good thing. In short, the new Honda Accord is a great midsize sedan. It's also available as a stylish, trouble-free coupe

NewCarTestDrive.com correspondent G.R. Whale filed this report from Santa Monica, California.