I currently enjoy driving my Honda Accord iCDTI on my 40 mile round trip commute over a mixture of roads. I like the build quality, reliability, refinement and effortless torque. However, I realise that the car is a bit large for driving 1-up most of the time, and the mixture or urban and country roads doesn't really get me the best fuel economy benefits from this motorway cruiser.

I'd happily swap to something smaller (though still with 4/5 doors). My average for the commute is only 30mph, but I do appreciate a good slug of overtaking torque for the country roads section. So I'm a bit relucatent to do the truly sensible thing and drop to a normally aspirated 100 bhp petrol hatch.

What my options to downsize, yet maintain reliability, refinement and good mid-range acceleration? Am I asking too much?