Family values: the 2003 Honda Accord edges out the Volkswagen Passat and Toyota Camry as our top-rated four-cylinder family sedan.(Family Sedans (4-CYL.) Road Test)(Product/Service Evaluation)

While auto manufacturers like to make a ballyhoo about their new-model-year vehicles, most cars--roughly 80 percent to 90 percent--don't change that much from one year to the next. Family sedans, for example, are typically redesigned every five to seven years. Otherwise, for each model year they receive only subtle changes, such as styling details, some new features, a revised powertrain, or a new trim line.

When cars undergo a major redesign, they often receive fundamental improvements. Witness the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, and Volkswagen Passat. They have been among CONSUMER REPORTS' highest-rated family sedans for years, with the Passat our top pick in the ...