Passenger cars developed by Honda -- a worldly automaker originating in Japan but now with extensive design and production facilities in North America -- consist of a diverse fleet that emphasizes safety, value and fuel economy.

Honda's car collection expands in 2005 to include three unique hybrid vehicles that carry an ultra-efficient gasoline-powered engine as well as a battery-powered electric motor.

Honda's mid-size Accord series, recast in 2003 for a seventh design of the four-door sedan and two-door coupe, supports new styling for lamps on the tail and more standard passive safety features like curtain-style air bags. A glittery face and edgy lines defining the sedan look sophisticated, even expensive.

The Accord coupe borrows enough styling cues from the sedan to maintain a family resemblance; yet the two-door seems to hunker on pavement due to a lower roofline and high beltline with elongated doors. Accord's base four-cylinder engine displaces 2.4 liters with output extending to 160 hp. Both coupe and sedan carry the plant. In the sedan, it comes with three trims of DX, LX and EX, while the coupe shows LX and EX editions. Both also offer an aluminum 3.0-liter V6 with single overhead cam and i-VTEC (intelligent variable value timing and lift electronic control) management. It pushes up to 240 hp. A five-speed automatic transmission or six-speed manual slips into the top coupe, the EX V6. The fancy five-seat cabin features LED lighting for instruments and separate climate controls for driver and passenger. Trims EX-L and EX V6 add XM satellite radio service as standard equipment.

A third hybrid vehicle for Honda's line emerges in 2005 with a high-tech gas-electric treatment for the Accord V6 sedan. This hybrid differs on the exterior with a unique design for the front grille, special hybrid badges and a spoiler added to the trunk lid. The Accord V6 Hybrid employs Honda's IMA power control unit to manage all energy produced by the gasoline-based V6 engine and electric motor, then apply it in a frugal manner to turn the front wheels. Honda's 3.0-liter V6 with i-VTEC valve controls adds variable cylinder management (VCM) to trim the number of cylinders firing when a power boost is not required. The six-pack produces a robust 255 hp but pushes fuel economy figures akin to a small four-cylinder plant -- up to 38 mpg.

Other special equipment aboard ranges from a hybrid-powered twin-zone automatic climate control system to electric variable assist power rack-and-pinion steering, a special IMA display on the instrument panel with a fuel economy meter indicating both instantaneous and lifetime figures, and larger 16-inch alloy wheels. (CONTINUED...)