The trunk was open when one friend walked past and the hood was popped open when two other friends meandered by.

"If I took off my front wheel, OK maybe both wheels, I could my bike in the trunk, no problem," one friend said. "That's a spacious trunk for a mid-sized car."

My two other friends were more impressed with the powerful and efficiently designed engine.

"Look where everything is; It's good access, for sure," he said. "Even if you know nothing about cars, you can find everything. It would be hard to put the oil where the transmission fluid goes. And it's like what we used to call a 'Muscle Car' engine when we were growing up."

And so it goes with the 2004 Honda Accord, particularly the 240 horsepower V6 sedan EX model test driven for this review.

From small, yet important, features like trunk space and engine dynamics, to passenger comfort, instrumental controls functionality and interior and exterior styling, there's not much not to like on the 2004 Accord.

In short, in its ongoing competition with the Nissan Altima, Toyota Camry and Volkswagen Passat, the tested Accord is a high-performance vehicle thinly disguised a mid-sized sedan.

Two test drives during my week with the vehicle were extended journeys, including a 200-mile round-trip day's trek of primarily freeway miles.

With its 240 HP engine, freeway on-ramps, lane changes and accelerating when necessary in heavy traffic is surprisingly quick. According to Consumer Guide, the Accord V6 two-door coupe with automatic transmission was tested at 0-60 mph in 7.0 seconds. The four-door sedan, in this instance appointed with a Redondo Read Pearl exterior and gray interior, seemingly was in the same speedy category.

The
vehicle's comfort and its standard equipment are equally impressive. One example, the XM satellite radio system, hadn't been discovered on my 200-mile journey or a subject round-trip trek into the Sierra Nevada foothills. That was unfortunate.

Even in its preview mode, the satellite feature is a complement to the also standard AM/FM stereo (six speakers) and six-CD changer. Channel offerings in the satellite preview selection included a movie soundtrack station, an option not found via usual audio choices.

In recent years, Honda has meticulously honed its models' interior and exterior design and features. Individually heated front seats, steering wheel audio controls, a driver's side eight-way power seat with adjustable lumbar control with easily accessible power levers, cruise control, a power moonroof with slide shade and leather-trimmed seats are all included.

Efficiently designed and well-placed radio, interior and exterior light and windshield wiper controls are another plus as is the front-seat leg room and spaciousness. The rear seats aren't quite as roomy and the total rear area is better suited for two adults than three.

A wonderfully designed engine, plenty of cargo area, a quiet ride, ease of use and versatility as a cargo carrier with a sports car's performance. What can be more appealing?

In short, the 2004 Honda Accord is a superior family car with plenty of wondrous accouterments to use just in case a sports car opportunity arises.    

Safety Features -- Driver and front passenger front and side airbags,  Three-point front seatbelts. Side curtain airbags. Three-point front and rear seat belts.

Fuel Mileage (estimates) -- 21 mpg (city), 30 mpg (highway).

Warranty -- 3 years/36,000 miles (bumper to bumper); 5 years/unlimited miles (corrosion); no schedules tune-ups for 105,000 miles

Base Price Range -- $15,900 - $28,400.