Before the advent of the internet, when you had to be an automotive journalist to test a car, most reviews were very in-depth, covering each and every aspect of the model at hand.
This analysis of the 1990 Honda Accord EX will show you just how much attention to detail was shown back in the day. The fourth-generation Accord was unveiled in 1989 as a 1990 model year and, according to MotorWeek, it managed to really stand out despite belonging to a very competitive segment.
Unlike its predecessor, the 1990 Accord was bigger, both inside and out, and featured a new engine, excellent fit and finish and the most comfortable ride in its class. Of course, that meant that it didn’t feel very sporty, but the typical Accord buyer certainly didn’t mind.
Another minus would be the absence of a V6 power unit, for anybody who needed more punch during straight line acceleration, and also the absence of ABS, which actually wasn’t as big a deal three decades ago as it is now.
The 2.2-liter engine, good for 130 HP (132 PS) and 142 lb-ft (192 Nm) of torque, was a little more potent in this EX model compared to DX and LX spec Accords. In fact, it featured 5 extra horsepower courtesy of a different exhaust manifold design, larger exhaust piping and a twin outlet muffler.
In an acceleration test, this 90’s Accord EX hit 60 mph (96 km/h) from a standstill in 8.8 seconds, with the help of a 5-speed manual gearbox. Surprising, given its output, right? Well, that’s because 30 years ago, a Honda Accord only weighed 2,728 lbs (1,237 kg) – barely more than a modern-day Ford Fiesta.