THE COMPANY car is a strange beast. Once a stripped-out tool to help the lowly 'rep' do his or her job, any person who spends a lot of time on the road will tell you that, now, creature comforts are king. I'll tell you now that the stereotypical mid-size company car is no longer a stripped-out poverty spec office on wheels.

Don't forget, for many people their car is an extension of their office. Heck, it might even be their office. But what if your car isn't quite the plush office on wheels you think it should be? Would you tell the maker concerned? More importantly, do you think the car maker would listen and do something about it?

Welcome to planet Honda, a place where feedback is welcomed and acted upon. According to the firm, buyers like its Accord premium saloon and estate, or Tourer as it likes to be known, but they also felt a few things were missing from the kit list. Guess what - Honda took the feedback onboard and now there's a new variant in the Accord line up: the Sport GT.

The result is a more overtly sporty-looking car, plus the inclusion of more than a few choice creature comforts. Powered by Honda's critically acclaimed 2.2-litre diesel motor, this Accord is clearly aimed at the corporate sector. Now, for every BMW 3 Series complete with an M Sport bodykit or Audi's A4 suited and booted in S line kit, there's the Accord Sport GT to choose from. And if you're not a fan of these testosterone-fuelled options, this Accord is a sight for sore eyes.

I'm not having a pop at the German opposition, just acknowledging that sometimes it's nice to look at and drive a car that doesn't give the appearance of something that's trying too hard. The Accord doesn't have to try too hard - it's already an accomplished performer. Built well using decent quality fixtures and fittings, this is one compact executive that pretty much sells on its merits.

That said, the Sport GT variant is particularly attractive in its own right. Honda has certainly listened to buyer feedback, as there's no shortage of standard kit. On the outside there's 17-inch alloy wheels (16-inch for the Sport Tourer), dark chrome door handles and front grille to help tell the car apart, a modest boot lip spoiler, smoked headlights plus the option of an exclusive white pearl-effect paint scheme. As for creature comforts there's something all road warriors need: a Bluetooth handsfree phone system.

There's also a voice-controlled sat-nav complete with big colour screen, cruise control (another essential item), a six-CD changer audio system and tasteful carbon-effect trim for the fascia and centre console. Like BMW's M Sport and Audi's S line cars, the Accord GT also gains sports suspension. Unlike these cars, the Accord still manages to retain a pleasing level of composure on poorly surfaced roads. Yes the whole set up is a little firm, but you come to appreciate this when driving along interesting' and twisty roads.