In an effort to give its current model Accord a fresher look, Honda has redesigned the grille, front bumper, rear decklid, and enhanced the brake lights. The Accord is in its fourth year of a typical five-year cycle.

The nearly full-sized family sedan is up against some stiff competition from new nameplates, specifically the Hyundai Sonata and Kia Optima. And a fresh appearance to a design that we thought was not well conceived from the outset is one of the ways Honda hopes to breathe new life into its best-selling model.

The 2011 Accord grille, left, and the 2010 version, right (Honda Motor Company photos)       

The 2011 Acord rear, left, and the 2010 Accord rear, right  (Honda Motor Company photos)       

MotorwayAmerica photos by Jim Meachen unless otherwise noted