Honda Accord 2.2 Type-R Review

Overall Rating

Engine, Looks, handling, interior, ability to carry my wife, two kids and golf clubs and still go quick

Boot a little smaller than thought, lack of tuning parts, tyres wear quick (oops).

I bought my 2002 Honda Accord 2.2 Type-R six months ago. I spent eight months looking for the right one for me! I wanted a milano red, 2002 model, from a Honda dealer and had to travel to Wigan twice (from Scotland) to buy it! But it was worth the hassle.

Over the years I have owned a Peugeot 205 1.9 GTi, Astra GTE 16v, Corrado VR6, Vectra GSi, RS2000 and lately a Mondeo ST200. The Honda is BY FAR the best all round car I have had. Its a great handling car, easy to push hard round bends. Understeer kicks in, lift off the power and the car goes back on line. Awesome.

I had read reviews and researched the 2.2 Vtec, which has 212 bhp, but nothing prepared me for actually driving it. At first, it seems disappointing. Very quiet at idle and the revs pick up like a normal hot hatch. But as the revs rise, it feels to get a different persona. It just takes off, then Vtec kicks in at 5500 and god, away you go! Up to the red line, flick the quick, precise gearchange up a gear, and off you go again.

The car is easy to drive around town and keep the needle below the vtec zone, petrol consumption is good. Even regularly going above 5500, I get around 22-29 mpg.

I have two kids, and the car easily accomodates them, the wife and a good load of luggage. But i did expect teh boot to be bigger (probably a result of coming from a Mondeo hatch). But it is adequete.

I have had one service carried out at Honda which cost very reasonable £92. Because I bought from Honda, I also have a 12 month warranty.

Bad points? Front tyres seem to vanish quickly! Dont think mine will reach 10k. Apart from that, I really cannot fault the car. I tend to drive the car hard, and it takes it well and in its stride. It goes well in a straight line, round bends, quickly, slowly and even looks good standing still.

I did originally plan to buy an Impreza, but after tests in both cars, the Honda won. It obviously wasnt as quick, but for build quality, prices, insurance and all round ability, in my opinion, it couldn't be beaten.

If you do buy one, which you should, spend time looking around and if you can, use a Honda dealership.

Trust me, this car is worth it. You wont be disappointed!