Monday 24th February 2020

Honda Accord Euro R (CL7) | Spotted

Same powertrain as the DC5 Type R, subtle looks and genuine rarity - the Euro R is a forgotten JDM hero

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You'd be forgiven for never having heard of the Honda Accord Euro R. Despite its name, the four-door was never officially sold outside of Japan and for one reason or another, it has remained a UK import curio. Maybe it's because this 220hp performance saloon shares many parts with the DC5 Integra Type R, a model that's both more famous and obviously sportier looking than the three-box Accord. The CL7-gen Euro R gets the same screamer of an engine, six-speed gearbox and limited slip differential as its stablemate, so it's certainly not lacking in technical appeal.

Nor has it ever been short of real-world appeal. Laden with 200kg over the Integra and EP3 Civic Type R, it's a slightly less focussed take on the usual VTEC-powered recipe. But with a proper saloon body, five seats and a cabin that mixes flashes of Type R (including a teardrop gear knob) with Accord functionality, it offers something a little more rounded too. We rather like the way it looks; there's nothing in the way of clutter - never a guarantee with JDM products - and the lowered stance and clean bootlid complete the look, helping it to ooze a similar sort of cool to a wingless Supra.

The model's larger footprint does actually give it some handling advantages, too. Where the EP3 and DC5 are renowned for their liveliness, the JDM Accord is considered more stable and predictable. So less fun then, but easier going across country. The Euro R is said to be more polished than the earlier Accord CL1, too, largely thanks to that car's use of Honda's H22A 2.2, an older unit that's not as refined as the K20 2.0-litre. As such, despite the retro image, CL1s don't seem to hold any more appeal than the CL7 Euro R.

Lovers of this sort of stuff may also be drawn to the Torneo Euro R, which also has 220hp and mixes sporting bits onto a JDM four-door frame. But the Torneo has a rear wing and aggressive bumpers to illustrate its ranking. The Accord remains the Q car of the family, opting to not flaunt its 7.3 second 0-62mph and 145mph capabilities. And let's not forget, Honda's VTEC hardware means you're almost getting two engines in one. Send the K20A's internals spinning towards that 8,000rpm (!) peak and it feels as racey as they come. But with a flatter (by VTEC standards) spread of its 152lb ft of torque, there's a refined, efficient engine beneath that gives this car significant daily appeal.

That being said, with so much to love and so few having made it to the UK, prices for second hand Euro Rs in Britain have been rock solid for several years. Just three are listed on the PH classifieds, with prices ranging from £7k and £9k. As a model almost exclusively owned by enthusiasts - because they're the ones who'd find a JDM Q car most appealing and, let's face it, who else would fork out so much for an old Accord? - each appears to be in good condition. Today's Spotted is the youngest and lowest mileage example, and the only one in white. The shade is Pearl White, not Championship White, but it adds to the authenticity of this hot Honda saloon. Combined with the technical highlights and that under-the-radar look, that's plenty JDM goodness for a tenner short of £9k.

SPECIFICATION - HONDA ACCORD EURO R (CL7)
Engine: 1,998cc, inline four
Transmission: 6-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Power (hp): 220@8,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 152@6,000rpm
MPG: N/A
CO2: N/A
Recorded mileage: 74,400
First registered: 2007
Price new: (JDM only)
Yours for: £8,990

See the full ad here.

[Jon_S_Rally]

It's an interesting curio for sure, and I always quite liked the look of this generation of Accord, but it is probably a difficult car to justify. Contemporary rivals include the 330i, ST220 and the like, which are much more appealing to most buyers.

I think you'd have to really want one to buy one over one of the above. It's definitely an oddball though, which is one of the great things about the JDM world.

[Jon_S_Rally]

TheOrangePeril said:

Why do you think that? Between the VTEC engine and famed Honda reliability, this is surely drastically more desirable to most than (as much as I like them) an old BMW or Mondeo?

If that was the case, I suspect we would have seen a lot more of them imported to the UK. Despite their reliability, Honda products don't sell that well compared to most European rivals. Euro stuff is generally considered to be much nicer in terms of interiors and the like, while most petrol heads would probably take a six-pot over the revvy four in this type of car.

Don't get me wrong, I think it's an interesting car, but you can see why they are only here in tiny numbers.

[Jon_S_Rally]

Kewy said:

^^^ This.

Often see people mention the price of the Accord yeh wouldn’t bat an eyelid to pay similar price for a DC5 Integra. Essentially you’re getting all the Teg running gear in a practical family saloon.

That is one way of looking at it. The other way is that you're getting the engine from a reasonably small car, but inside a much bigger, heavier one.

walton1231 said:

I wouldn't say significantly better, and what is your interpretation of a fast road car? I found the atr perfectly liveable day to day 95% of the time, although not good at all with more than 3 people in I'll admit. Also wondering how you would think the Mondeo would be better handling? I'd reckon the atr would be much more capable on the b roads or track.

Edited by walton1231 on Monday 24th February 22:51

The ST220 was regarded as one of the best sports saloons around. I was once told by a Lotus chassis guy that the Mondeo was always their benchmark when working on sports saloon projects for other OEMs, Ultimately, the Accord may be as capable, or even more so but, with this type of car, it's often about the complete package, so about how good the car is at going to the shops, how big the boot is, how well equipped it is etc etc etc. A 330i/ST220 are nicer than the Hondas of the period I've been in in terms of all that stuff.

aka_kerrly said:

This thread must be full of people who have never driven or even had a passenger ride in a Euro R.

I honestly cannot understand why people think they should only be worth £3k when then engine and gearbox are worth that, then comparing a Euro R to a ffin Mondeo or 330i. Neither of those cars come close to the thrills that a Euro R offers.

The 220hp from a k20, combined with low/close ratio gearbox, with a lsd, steered via hydraulic pas, hooked up to a decent chassis is so much fun and it gives so much confidence.

Yes you're getting close to Evo/Sti money but the running costs an potential bork factor on those are next level, a Euro R is barely any more expensive to run than a bog standard Accord and doesn't look like they will get any cheaper if you want one already in the UK.

The Accord might offer more thrills but, in the real world, the features you mention might actually become an annoyance for most people. A 330i, with it's lazier six-pot, longer gears and (probably) more squidgy interior is going to suit more people, more of the time.

Like I said, it's an interesting car and probably quite a fun one, but it's a pretty niche thing in reality.

[Jon_S_Rally]

aka_kerrly said:

what are you on about?

1) reason there are not many Euro Rs in the UK is because they were never officially sold, hence each one is a import.

2) part of the reason Honda didn't bring the Euro R to the UK, the same reason the UK ep3 Civic doesn't have a slip diff not such close gears is because a lot of UK drivers (you could be one) dont appear to want to enjoy driving or never consider going near a racing track.

3) for some people they can only have one car, so one car that allows you to go off to your favourite road and spank the hell out of it then go and collect the wife and kids for a calm pleasant drive home makes A LOT of sense.

Edited by aka_kerrly on Tuesday 25th February 12:50

Don't one and two kind of answer themselves? If there was demand for the Euro R, more would be imported, or Honda would have brought them to the UK. It's a niche car that doesn't meet the tastes of most buyers in Europe. There's nothing wrong with it, it's just not for most people.

havoc said:

A very cool car to those in the know.

Not sure why (other than age and category) it's being compared to the ST220 and the 330i - both are a fair bit softer and, at this age, both (ST220 especially) are likely to be needing a fair bit of TLC...the Ford V6 is probably OK, really not sure about the rest of the package, while an N52'd 330i is probably a safe enough bet but I'd be nervous about an N53. CL7, on the other hand, was built back when Honda really knew how to engineer cars and put them together properly.

Is it worth the money? Hell, someone's asking £16k for a Rover Coupe (and the less said about Ford and Peugeot homologation specials the better), so it's silly season out there. I'd also suggest rarity value adds something anyway.

I did toy with one of these before getting the FD2, but (a) none were for sale; and (b) I knew I'd regret not going full retard and getting the ultimate JDM fanboy-magnet Civic.

Surely it's being compared to those cars because they are sports saloons from a similar era? Comparisons are inevitable. A car is only as good as its maintenance history, so you will get good ST220s, bad Euro Rs and vice versa.

Some people on this thread seem to be getting a bit defensive, but we're all different. Like I said, it's an interesting car, but one of limited appeal to the masses. Doesn't mean it's bad.