1993 Honda Accord CC7 2.2i VTEC 4AT (150 HP)

Vehicle Overview

The fifth generation of the European Honda Accord looked completely different from the one sold in the U.S. and other Asian countries despite sharing the same platform.

Honda noticed that European customers’ tastes significantly differed from American customers. While the former were not bothered by having an inline-four engine under their cars’ hoods, the latter craved V6 powerplants. Furthermore, the styling preferences were not the same, so different vehicles were created that wore the same nameplate for these two continents. In addition, since Honda already had a factory in the UK, it could build the EU-spec version there, while those for the North American continent were made in Marysville, Ohio. However, both cars shared the same platform, an evolution version of the one used on the fourth generation of the Accord (the CB3).

The European version of the Accord, also known as the CC7, was introduced by the automaker in early 1993. Its front fascia was penned according to the bio-design styling, with curved lines and smooth surfaces. They flanked an H-shaped grille stuck between the hood and the bumper. On the apron, the automaker offered the option for fog lamps.

The fifth generation of the Honda Accord in European clothing was significantly larger than its predecessor, even though they shared the same wheelbase. Honda enlarged the front and rear overhangs and created a new bodywork for the car, trying to create a proper mid-size sedan with some large interior room. The greenhouse started with a raked windshield followed by a curved roof and sloped down towards the back of the car, where the automaker placed a tall and short deck. That forced the automaker to install a third row of windows in the C-pillars to increase the driver’s three-quarter visibility.

Inside, the large cabin welcomed its customers with smooth and curved lines. The dashboard was taller than the previous generation and featured a rounded instrument cluster with a new layout. It featured large dials for the tachometer and speedometer that were flanked on their outer areas by the water temperature on the left and the fuel level gauges on the right, respectively. Honda installed comfortable bucket seats with mild bolstering at the front, separated by a center console that housed the gear selector, an armrest with a storage area underneath, and the buttons for the power windows. Thanks to the re-arranged cabin, the fifth generation of the Accord provided more legroom for those seated in the back. A split-folding (60/40) bench seat was available.

Under the hood, the European-spec Accord carried over the same F-family engines as its predecessor, although it improved. These were mated with five-speed manual gearboxes, while a four-speed automatic was available for selected versions. The Accord CC7 was the first to get a VTEC engine. Since the car shared its underpinnings with the previous generation (the CB3), it featured multi-link suspension in all corners. However, the automaker recalibrated the suspension to provide a smoother ride, making the car one of the most comfortable ones in its class.