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The 2011 Honda Accord gets improved fuel economy, updated styling and a new leather-equipped SE trim level..

TORRANCE, California — The 2011 Honda Accord gets improved fuel economy, updated styling and a new leather-equipped SE trim level, the automaker said on Thursday. The 2011 Accord goes on sale in mid-August. Pricing has not yet been announced.

"Improvements to vehicle aerodynamics, engine friction and transmission gear ratios all contribute to fuel economy improvements," said Honda in a statement.

Honda estimates that the 2011 Accord equipped with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and a five-speed automatic transmission will return 23 miles per gallon in city driving and 34 mpg on the highway. Similarly equipped 2010 Accord models return 21 mpg in city driving and 31 mpg on the highway, according to the EPA. The EPA has not yet posted final fuel economy numbers for the 2011 Accord.

The improved fuel economy numbers for Accord should help it compete against the redesigned 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The Korean automaker estimates that the 2011 Sonata with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and a six-speed automatic transmission returns 22 mpg in city driving and 35 mpg on the highway. The EPA has not yet posted final fuel economy numbers for the 2011 Sonata. The updated 2010 Nissan Altima with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and a CVT returns 23 mpg in city driving and 32 mpg on the highway, according to the EPA.

Even though the AAA Daily Fuel Gauge report on Friday pegged the current average price for a gallon of unleaded gas at $2.75, shoppers in this segment are highly sensitive to fuel prices, according to the automakers competing in this popular category.

The 2011 Accord also gets some modest exterior tweaks, including a new look for the grille, front bumper and rear deck lid, along with a fresh wheel design. New features on some models include steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters on the Accord EX-L V6 coupe, a USB audio interface on all coupe models and Accord EX and EX-L sedans, and a rearview camera on sedans equipped with the optional navigation system.

The 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine in the Accord LX, LX-P and SE produces 177 horsepower. A 190-hp 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine is standard in the Accord EX and EX-L sedans and the Accord LX-S, EX and EX-L coupes. The optional 3.5-liter V6 engine produces 271 hp. A five-speed automatic transmission is standard on V6 models; a five-speed manual transmission is standard on four-cylinder models.