1997 Honda Accord Sedan – CF8 2.3L 5MT (135 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Honda introduced the sixth generation of the Accord for the U.S. market in 1997 for the 1998 model year, and the car’s success was immense, topping the sales charts and averaging more than 400,000 units per year during its five-year lifespan.

The Japanese automaker made three versions of the sixth generation of the Accord. One targeted the European market, one the Asian customers, and the third one aimed at the North American continent. While some parts and underpinnings were shared, their overall designs and features differed significantly. The U.S.-made version was built in Marysville, Ohio, and that helped the automaker keep the price low and supply them fast, thanks to the shorter distribution chain. In addition, the car boasted an excellent price-per-value index, and it was already famous for its reliability. It was available as a four-door sedan, targeting families, and as a coupe for those looking for a sportier vehicle but still reliable enough to be considered a long-time partner.

When the design team gathered to create the sixth generation of this mid-size vehicle, they understood that younger customers were not very fond of chromed details. As a result, the 1998 Honda Accord Sedan didn’t have those shiny trims on the tilted-rearward grille. Furthermore, the narrow headlights were angled down towards the car’s center. They created a sporty look for the vehicle, even though it was just a regular family sedan. Furthermore, the apron on the lower side of the bumper featured a broad air intake crossed by a horizontal slat from side to side.

With its almost bland-looking profile, the 1998 Honda Accord Sedan featured a slightly ascending beltline that made a visual connection between the headlights and the taillights. Like its predecessors, the vehicle featured flush door handles that followed the same beltline. The automaker didn’t want to create a vehicle to stand out from the crowd, and that seemed to be a winning recipe for it. At the back, the wide taillights spread from the rear quarter panels to the trunk’s lid provided an upscale stance for the vehicle.

Inside was more than just an average vehicle. Its spacious cabin was comfortable, with two bucket seats at the front separated by a narrow center console that housed the gear selector and the parking brake. Fronting the driver was an instrument cluster that resembled the one from the Accord’s fourth generation. It had large dials for the speedometer and tachometer, while the fuel level and temperature gauges were placed on the right side of the instrument panel. In the back, the automaker installed a one-piece flat-folding bench seat wide enough for three adults, with enough legroom and headroom.

Under the hood, the 1997 Honda Accord was available with a choice of three engines ranging between 135 PS (133 hp) and 200 PS (197 hp). The lowest-powered version was available with a five-speed manual gearbox, while the others were paired with a four-speed automatic transmission. Like its predecessors, the car was based on a platform featuring a double-wishbone suspension at the front and a new five-link system in the back.