In the middle of the horsepower wars of the early '90s, Detroit was busy stuffing V8s and high-output V6s into everything. They wanted to build bigger, better, and faster machines. They were quite successful. The only problem was that the era resulted in a lot of engines that simply aged like milk. However, the 1990s weren't a total loss when it came to sensible engineering. You see, a different story was unfolding on the other side of the world in Japan. It was a story where one modest four-cylinder engine was quietly rewriting the blueprint on what reliability could mean.
This simple inline-four never made headlines or dominated any magazine covers. However, it did something Detroit muscle couldn't. It just kept running, mile after mile and year after year. It was a workhorse that powered everything from bold coupes to daily commuters through hundreds of thousands of miles without complaint. Year after year, this engine would still fire up like it had something to prove.
Three decades later, this humble little inline-four has become a symbol of what happens when engineering is guided by endurance instead of ego. Buckle up, because you're about to discover the legacy behind the Japanese four-cylinder that outlasted everything Detroit built.
The Unassuming Engine That Refused to Die: Meet The Honda F22
1990 Honda Accord LX Coupe
1990 Honda Accord LX Coupe
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When Honda first developed its F-series engines in 1988, it all started with a small 2L inline-four built for the Accord and Prelude models sold exclusively in the Japanese market. However, as the story unfolded, Honda began global production with a 2.2L variant, launching the remarkable production run of the Honda F22.
At a time when Detroit still worshiped displacement and brute force, Honda quietly engineered an inline-four engine that prioritized longevity over thrill. Built from 1990 through 2002, the Honda F22 enjoyed an iconic 12-year production run. It powered everything from family sedans to sporty coupes.
According to Racext, early versions, like the F22A, featured a SOHC 16-valve design with Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI) and a non-interference layout. According to NAPA, this non-interference engine layout meant even a broken timing belt wouldn't destroy the pistons. Later variants, including F22B and F22B1, added DOHC and VTEC technology, proving the platform was plenty versatile. Never straying to far from its original blueprint, the Honda engineering team found plenty of ways to evolve the F22 over its 12-year production run.
1990 Honda Accord LX Coupe - 2.2-liter F22A1 inline-four
1990 Honda Accord LX Coupe - 2.2-liter F22A1 inline-four
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What made the F22 special wasn't high horsepower or cutting-edge performance. It was the kind of overengineering that could only come from early 1990s Honda. The F22 featured a forged crank, balanced internals, and tolerances so precise that owners could neglect maintenance and still rack up 300,000 miles.
While Detroit's V6s and V8s were chasing torque figures, Honda built an engine that quietly made history. The F22 didn't roar. It endured. It powered daily commutes, road trips, and family cars long after most of its American rivals were sitting in scrapyards. Over three decades later, you can still find the F22 under the hoods of daily drivers. With this kind of staying power, it's hard to deny the F22 as one of the toughest four-cylinders ever built.
Inside Honda’s Engineering Masterclass
1990 Honda Accord LX Coupe - 2.2-liter F22A1 SOHC inline-four
1990 Honda Accord LX Coupe - 2.2-liter F22A1 SOHC inline-four
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Under the hood of an F22-powered Honda sat a 2.2-liter SOHC 16-valve inline-four. Depending on the application, the F22 produced between 125 and 160 horsepower and 137 to 145 lb-ft of torque. On paper, it wasn't much. But under real-world conditions, this engine delivered something far rarer than Detroit's brute force, and that was unmatched durability and refinement.
The F22's true secret sauce was found in its balance. Honda used a long-stroke design for strong low-end torque and paired it with lightweight aluminum components to keep vibration down and efficiency high. A forged steel crankshaft, robust connecting rods, and tight manufacturing tolerances meant every F22 felt smoother than engines twice its size. The non-interference valvetrain was another stroke of genius. It meant that even if the timing belt snapped, the pistons and valves would never collide, saving countless engines from early death.
1990 Honda Accord LX Coupe - 2.2-liter F22A1 inline-four
1990 Honda Accord LX Coupe - 2.2-liter F22A1 inline-four
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Its Programmed Fuel Injection system kept fueling precise, while the oil control rings and cooling passages were designed for long-term reliability, not easy profit margins. This wasn't a disposable powerplant. No, the Honda F22 was built to be maintained, not replaced.
Applications for the F22 stretched far beyond the Accord. Variants powered the Prelude, Odyssey, and even JDM models like the Ascot and Rafaga, each tuned slightly differently but carrying the same DNA of endurance. From commuter sedans to family haulers, the F22 proved one thing over and over: consistency beats complexity.
Real-World Proof: The Million-Mile 1990 Honda Accord EX
1990 Honda Accord LX Coupe
1990 Honda Accord LX Coupe
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If there was ever a real-world test of Honda's engineering, it was Joe LoCicero's 1990 Honda Accord EX. This was the car that proved the F22's reputation wasn't marketing hype.
Known as "Million-Mile Joe," LoCicero drove his Accord past 1,000,000 miles in 2011, all on its original 2.2-liter SOHC 16-valve F22A engine. According to Honda Newsroom, the milestone was so extraordinary that Honda threw him a parade and handed him a brand-new Accord to celebrate.
1990 Honda Accord EX Specs
Engine 2.2L inline-4 (F22)
Horsepower 130 hp
Torque 142 lb-ft
Transmission 5-speed manual / 4-speed automatic
Driveline Front-wheel drive (FWD)
0 to 60 mph ~9.3 seconds
Top Speed ~125 mph
Sources: Automobile Catalog, Edmunds
According to Cars.com, LoCicero's car wasn't babied, either. No, this F22-powered Accord worked hard across Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire as part of his job inspecting vehicles, often logging nearly 4,700 miles a month.
What kept this 1990 Accord wasn't just dumb luck. It was consistency, pure and simple. According to the Garage Chief, he changed the oil every 5,000 miles, stuck to one brand of fuel, replaced timing belts on schedule, and followed the owner's manual religiously. Even with salty winters and rough roads, the F22A kept purring.
1990 Honda Accord EX-R Coupe - 2.2-liter 16v inline-four
1990 Honda Accord EX-R Coupe - 2.2-liter 16v inline-four
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What makes this story resonate with enthusiasts is that LoCicero's car wasn't some unicorn, either. This high-mileage hero was representative, with thousands of Accords from this era still running with 300,000 to 500,000 miles on their original engines. Each one validated the same formula, running humbly over decades through modest output, overbuilt internals, and Honda's obsessive precision.
In an age when many engines struggle to see 200K, the F22 didn't just survive. It set a benchmark for what long-term reliability actually means.
How Much Does A 1990 Honda Accord Cost Today?
1990 Honda Accord LX Coupe
1990 Honda Accord LX Coupe
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Back in 1990, the Honda Accord was already a household name, establishing itself as a reliable, sensible, and efficient daily driver. According to CarGurus, the 1990 Accord was offered in three different trim levels, with MSRPs ranging from $12,145 to $16,395.
1990 Honda Accord Value
Trim Level Starting MSRP
DX $12,145
LX $14,695
EX $16,395
Source: CarGurus
Fast forward to 2025, and the market for a 1990 Accord is modest but interesting. According to Classic.com, data collected over the past five years shows that the average auction price of a 1990 Honda Accord sits at just $7,344. The top sale recorded over this time was $12,750, while the lowest recorded sale came in at $4,300. Of course, price will vary based on originality, mileage, and overall condition.
2025 Market Value: 1990 Honda Accord
Average Auction Price $7,344
Top Sale $12,750
Lowest Sale $4,300
Sales Count 4
Source: Classic.com
Even with three decades in its rearview, there are still plenty of reasons why a gearhead would want to scoop up one of these '90s F22-powered Accords. For one, these Accords are powered by an engine that doesn't just survive, but thrives with high mileage. If you find one with good records, proper maintenance, and an original engine, you're simply buying a proven recipe of dependability and longevity. Plus, when you factor in the parts availability, since the platform was widely used, and the simplicity it provides compared to modern electronics-loaded cars, picking up one of these "bulletproof" engineering legends seems like a no-brainer today.
So, for just a few thousand dollars, you can own a piece of Honda's durability legacy. Just take a look at this 1990 Honda Accord EX, the same model as Joe LoCicero's million-mile club victor. With 137,381 miles on the clock, this sedan brought $6,500 up on the auction block.
Another shining example is this bold red 1990 Honda Accord LX. With just 47,905 miles run up on the odometer, this F22-powered Accord was auctioned off for $12,900 last year.
At the end of the day, the Honda F22 still stands as a reminder that real engineering isn't flashy. No, it's humble and it's built to last. From the first 2.2L F22A in 1990 to the final variants that bowed out in 2002, it was the kind of mechanical honesty you rarely see today with its forged crank, clean design, and bulletproof reliability baked into every bolt.
So, whether you're chasing nostalgia or just want a machine that'll outlive trends, the F22 is the heart of a golden era. It's an engine that hung its hat on being quiet, dependable, and timeless. This four-cylinder didn't just run. It simply refused to die, even three decades later.
Sources: Automobile Catalog, Cars.com, CarGurus, Classic.com, Edmunds, Garage Chief, Honda Newsroom, NAPA, Racext