The Details:

The car I’m reviewing today is the 2002 Honda Accord VP Sedan. The “VP” stands for “Value Package”, and was available only for the 2002 model year. A variant of the Accord DX Sedan, the VP added appearance, comfort and convenience items that were either optional or unavailable on the DX. Outside, door handles and body-side moldings were upgraded from black to body-colored; mud guards were added; pinstripes were applied to the sides; chrome trim was added around the side windows. Inside, VP’s got carpeted floor mats, fake-wood trim for the center console, air conditioning, AM/FM-cassette with CD-player and six speakers, and automatic transmission.

Mechanically, the DX and VP are identical, sharing the same 2.3 liter, single-overhead-cam 16-valve four-cylinder engine, producing 135 horsepower. While on the DX a 5-speed manual transmission was available, the VP comes only with the automatic. Both cars ride on 70-series tires on 14-inch wheels with full wheelcovers; both are LEV-certified.

I purchased my Accord at CarMax of Greensboro on March 21, 2003, for a price of $14,598. It had about 14,000 miles on it at the time of purchase; it now has close to 20,000 miles on the odometer. It is “Eternal Blue Pearl” in color, with “Lapis” (bluish-gray) interior trim.

Impressions on Exterior Design and Styling:

Accords have never been flashy cars, and this one is no exception. There have been two generations of the Accord since its introduction that have impressed me with styling elements not common on most family haulers. The third generation Accord, with its pop-up headlamps, sloped hood, and low beltline, was definitely in a different direction—incidentally, this was the only Accord to use a dual-headlamp setup versus the others’ quad headlamps. The fifth generation Accords, made from about 1993 to 1997, also sported interesting sheetmetal that presented an elevated decklid, sharply chiseled lines, and tapered rear quarters, mimicking the then-current-generation Preludes. The 㤊 model, part of the sixth generation, seems to have regressed a bit in its originality, but makes up for it with clean lines that don’t offend, but don’t make for interesting conversation either. Like other current Honda models, it has a pointed nose with headlamps (on this generation, the first to incorporate headlamps and turn signals in the same lighting assemblies) that recede into the front fenders, creating a somewhat aggressive and chiseled look. The rest of the car is pure family sedan, made especially so by the spindly-looking 14-inch wheels and tires.

The Interior Setup:

Inside is where Accords have always led the way, and again, this one is no exception. The driver is presented with controls, gauges and switches that would be at home in cars costing twice as much (and they are in Honda’s upscale Acura line). The instrument cluster features a huge speedometer flanked on the left by a tachometer and on the right by fuel and temperature gauges, along with a gearshift indicator and the traditional car-diagram warning indicator that alerts the driver to ajar doors and burned out lamps. As the VP comes with not many bells and whistles, there aren’t many buttons and such mounted to the dash and steering wheel. Most controls are located in the center portion of the dash, which protrudes towards the back of the car to make the climate controls and stereo controls equally accessible for both the driver and the passenger. Cupholders can be found in a hidden compartment next to the emergency brake lever; storage is provided in large quantities. There’s a map pocket in every door, a large bin under the stereo, a shallow bin in the top portion of the center armrest, which sits atop an absolutely enormous bin underneath. The trunk, likewise, is very spacious and is expandable by folding down the rear seatback. An oddity common to all Accords is the fact that the rear seatback folds in one piece versus the customary two pieces in most sedans.

The quality, fit and finish of the materials inside are superb. The dashboard is two-tone, with a darker-colored swath that runs across the top. Matte black plastic frames all the controls on the dashboard, and all the buttons and switches move with a rich, expensive feel. Especially impressive is the “thwack” that the turn signal lever makes when it’s engaged. The cloth upholstery that covers the seats and parts of the door panels is obviously a step down from more expensive fabric, but the pattern is nice and it cleans up easily. The carpeted floor mats match perfectly with the carpeting and add a bit of cachet with their “Accord” embroidering.

Finding a good driving position is easy with a tilt steering wheel and ample legroom. All four passengers (or five, if you like) will find plenty of room in this Accord, even with the front seats moved back farther than average. Plenty of headroom is provided thanks to Honda’s traditional low-slung seating.

A special word of praise for the stereo is in order. Equipped with six speakers including separate tweeters mounted in the dashboard, it provides clean, powerful bass at all volume levels, skip-free performance from the CD player, and excellent performance from the cassette deck section. Also noteworthy is the fact that it is a triumph of design simplicity, with knobs for volume and tuning, and simply-labeled, large buttons that can be activated with or without gloves on.

The Driving Experience:

In a word, average. No more, no less. The Accord performs competently, without inspiring excitement, yet it does provide some joy to the driver along the way. Equipped with only 135 horsepower to move 3000 pounds of car, passengers, and cargo, this Accord simply is not going to go anywhere in a hurry. However, I was surprised by how quiet this large four-cylinder behaved in all parts of the power band. It mates well with the four-speed automatic, snapping off upshifts and downshifts with little vibration or harshness. The tranny is sometimes slow to downshift when chugging up a hill, but that is in keeping with its non-sporting nature. Overall, the powertrain is refined and smooth, though another 15 or so horsepower (found on the VTEC-equipped LX and EX models) would certainly help.

Handling is okay, better than I thought it would be given the size of the tires. Although they are the same width as the tires found on four-cylinder LX and EX models (195mm), they ride on 14-inch wheels versus the 15-inchers found on the upscale versions. As a result, body roll is more pronounced when going through curves at speeds higher than average. Grip is pretty good, however, and if you’re willing to scare your passengers a bit you can hustle this car for some laughs (or tears). Road feel through the steering wheel is very good, as is the ride that strikes a fine balance between firm and cushy. Most road surface imperfections are filtered, while larger bumps are reported with muffled thumps into the cabin. Most interior noise is provided by wind rushing around the larger-than-average outside mirrors. The body is tight, with only a couple of little resonating buzzes to be found inside the cabin on rougher road surfaces.

Braking is excellent, assisted by the grade logic programming of the automatic transmission when coming down hills steeper than average. The VP features discs in the front and drums in the rear, yet provides a balanced feel between the front and back usually reserved for cars equipped with discs all-round.

The upside of all this mundane yet competent performance is excellent fuel economy. In both city and highway driving, with a good measure of stop-and-go and idling sprinkled in, I have consistently averaged 28-29 MPG, and I have achieved that on regular unleaded.

The Bottom Line:

For folks who want a roomy, dependable, smooth ride at a reasonable price, the Accord VP Sedan may be the ticket. Be aware, however, that the low price means there are items you’ll have to do without, like power locks, mirrors, and windows, along with cruise control. Being optimistic about the absence of all these goodies, one can say that it’s fewer things to break down the road. For me, it provides the basics—air conditioning, plenty of room, excellent fuel economy, nice stereo—at a reasonable price while still offering the traditional reliability and solid build-quality of the Honda marque.

Amount Paid (US$): 14598
Condition: Used
Model Year: 2002
Model and Options: VP (Value Package) with automatic transmission