The Accord is bigger than the pre-2003 models, yet it looks lower, thanks in part to its sleeker, raked-back windshield. The sharpened noses of the Accord sedan and coupe are reminiscent of an Acura RSX. The corners and sides of both bodies are carefully sculpted with a combination of concave and convex surfaces, in an attempt to achieve a muscular and agile look, with subtle and unique three-dimensional window glass, also intended to reduce wind noise. The aerodynamically efficient side-view mirrors are one of the results of wind tunnel testing. The sedan's drag coefficient (a measure of how easily it moves through the air) is 0.30, which is quite slippery. The Accord Hybrid sedan is even more aerodynamic, with a 0.29 Cd, thanks to its rear spoiler and angled antenna.

The Accord sedan and coupe share no sheet metal, although their faces do look alike partly because they both have angular headlamps. The coupe is a completely different beast from the sedan, however. Its flanks and rear deck are more shapely, flowing naturally and gracefully from the roofline. It yields a very aerodynamic 0.29 drag coefficient.

The Accord's doors are built using a unique method that makes them light and strong. You can clearly hear the quality in the sound when you close them. You feel quality, also, in the light touch required to open the trunk.

Honda engineers are particularly proud of the fact that all Accord models achieved five-star safety ratings for driver and front-seat passenger in the government's frontal crash test. Additionally, the coupe earned a five-star rating for front- and rear-seat passengers in the side-impact test, even without the optional side-impact airbags.

All Accord coupes and the majority of sedans are assembled in Honda's Marysville, Ohio, plant, though some of the sedans come from Japan and Mexico.

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