Honda freshened the 2006 Accord with some exterior and interior tweaks and upgrades, a bit of engine tuning, and additional standard safety equipment. The exterior face lift involves a new grille, front and rear bumpers, deck lid, and LED tail lights.

The mid-level LX V6 trim has an impressive list of standard features which include air conditioning, daytime running lamps, cruise control, power locks and keyless entry among others. In addition, with the V6 level, heated side mirrors, a power glass sunroof, and other luxury equipment are included.

The 3.0-liter V6 has also been tweaked for 2006 delivering 244 hp and 211 lb-ft of torque. The i-VTEC equipped V6's torque range begins down low in the rpm range. Reviewers loved the V6's performance. Consumer Guide saw 0-60 come up in 7.0 seconds in an automatic coupe. The standard transmission is a 5-speed automatic. Reviewers were quite satisfied with its performance citing its smooth, tight shifting. EPA gas mileage for the automatic is 21/30 mpg.

Accords are built with double wishbone suspension that is engineered to reduce acceleration squat, braking nose dive, and cornering lean. Reviewers were highly impressed by the handling. New Car Test Drive reviewers found the Accord rode smoother and was more comfortable than Nissan's Altima, handled better than the Toyota Camry, and was, "stable at high speeds with crisp handling on winding roads." Consumer Guide found the steering, "quick, informative; tight turning radius." Brakes were good, but stopping distances are not "super short" and they fade under hard use.

The interior, freshened for 2006, sports a new instrument panel with new satin chrome accents on the vents, new seat fabrics, and a new steering wheel. The instrument panel gets high marks for its layout and clarity. The interior materials are high quality and tasteful with typical Honda finish quality. Reviewers found the seats "great, generously wide" and "the driver's seat provides a one-with-the-car feel." Standard across the Accord line, a tilt/telescope steering wheel adds to that feel. Rear bench seats in the sedan are roomy and comfortable for two people. Reviewers found rear-seat legroom, "slightly better than the Nissan Altima" but gave up an inch to the Toyota Camry. The Accord trunk holds 14 cubic feet, which is 3 cubic feet less than a Camry.

Accords are safe with five-star ratings for driver and front-seat passenger in government frontal crash tests. Honda has enhanced the standard safety equipment throughout its lineup. All Accords come with front dual airbags, side-impact and curtain airbags, and ABS with Electronic Brake-force. The V6 models all add 17-inch wheels, Vehicle Stability Assist and brake assist.

Honda has made one of the best selling cars in the U.S. better - consider: for 20 of the 24 years that Car and Driver has been handing out 10Best Cars awards, the Accord has made it onto that exclusive list.