Why buy an expensive luxury car when you can drive the affordable and luxurious Honda Accord? The difference in driving, equipment and safety between expensive luxury cars and better run of the mill cars is not that great, and the savings are considerable.

The 2004 Honda Accord from Soichiro Honda’s company is something to smile about. It is amazing how Soichiro’s love of sporty drive feeling and powertrain refinement has infected even this run-of-the-mill midsize car. The model chosen to test was a luxury EX version of the 4-cylinder, five-speed Honda Accord.

The 2004 Honda Accord is powerful and sporty and offers luxurious comfort for a run-of-the-mill midsize car.

Frankly, there is no logical reason to pay the extra money for a 6-cylinder engine when what is arguably the best 4-cylinder engine on this planet can quietly and smoothly scoot this car around the city with more thrust and excitement than most drivers need or want. On the freeway, this tester challenges anyone to detect the difference between the 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder engines.

The 2.4 liter, 160 hp, DOHC, 16-valve, Variable Valve Timing and Electronic Control engine not only is the smoothest 4-cylinder around, it is rated as a Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle. This car returns an EPA estimate of 26 mpg city and 34 mpg on the freeway. This engine, with vibration killing counter rotating shafts, is an incredible piece of engineering, far ahead of any small engines Detroit provides. Honda does not have much in the way of options, but it offers some 26 different models, two DX’s, eight LX’s and 16 top-of-the line EX’s. This car sell for $15,900 without any extras in either the slick five-speed manual transmission or the smooth five-speed automatic transmission. Of course with the 6-cylinder engine, front and rear anti-lock disc brakes, traction control, remote key access, center console, garage door openers, moon roof, navigation system, XM radio, six-disc changer, side airbags, power driver and front passenger seats, leather heated seats, leather wrapped steering wheel with cruise control and radio touch controls, and alloy wheels the price can get up to $28,400. Even this price is way below an equally equipped, similar size luxury car.

If you like shifting, this car has the most delightful five-speed manual transmission, probably the best available in any midsize car. The 4-cylinder with the stick shift can awaken some Andretti genes on back country roads. Reviewers rate the five-speed automatic as smooth shifting and responsive — even behind the 4-cylinder engine it is almost as crisp and economical.

The car is big inside with room for five people, and it has a huge trunk with fold down, pass-thru rear seats for toting long stuff like skis or lumber. The instrument display is large, clear and easy to read. The leather and faux wood in the EX model reeks of Lexus or Mercedes. The exterior shape represents a modest departure from the jelly bean shape that describes most modern mass market cars. There is a hint of edge in the styling that separates it from its predecessors and to some degree, its competition. It’s one of those shapes that some people really like, and others really dislike.

The warranty is three years or 36,000 miles. It is surprising that Honda, with its great reliability reputation, doesn’t offer a longer warranty. You wouldn’t think it would cost much in claims.

If you are in the market for a midsize car, you must test drive the Accord. All San Diego dealers have them in stock: Hoehn Honda of Carlsbad, Pacific Honda of Pacific Beach, Cush Honda of San Diego.

Motoring since 1952, Austin Lynas has owned 55 cars and at one time raced mini-sedans in England. An aerospace engineer, he was instrumental in developing the anti-skid systems used in British military aircraft that preceded today’s ABS systems. Lynas can be reached by e-mail at austin@sandiegometro.com.