We love diving into the history of beloved cars from the past fifty years. Today we will explore the story of the fast and light Honda CR-X,
The Legendary Honda CR-X: The Evolution of a Compact Sports Icon
When Europe embraced hot hatches in the 1980s, vehicles like the Renault 5 Turbo and the Ford Fiesta XR2 set the benchmark for sporty, compact cars. These models took everyday hatchbacks and amplified their performance with more power and better brakes. Meanwhile, across the globe in Japan, Honda had a different vision—a vision that would redefine compact sports cars and leave an indelible mark on automotive history. This is the story of the Honda CR-X, a car that many hailed as the future of compact sports cars.
Honda’s Beginnings: The Evolution of the Civic
The CR-X story begins with the success of the Honda Civic in 1972. Arriving just before the global fuel crisis, the Civic’s peppy engines, spacious design, and affordability made it a 1970s version of the Mini. It was reliable, practical with its hatchback design, and cheap to produce due to low Japanese wages.
Honda naturally wanted to expand the Civic range to appeal to a wider market. The first-generation Civic evolved into a five-door estate and a five-door hatchback with a larger rear opening. A sedan version was introduced, though it resembled a hatchback with a smaller boot opening, similar to the Mini. By the second generation, the sedan gained a proper boot.
In 1974, Honda tested the waters with a sporty version of the Civic called the Civic RS, exclusive to Japan. While RS now often stands for “Rally Sport,” Honda said it stood for “Road Sailing.” Perhaps the 1.2L engine needed a sail to help its acceleration, as it certainly wasn’t quick.
The Birth of the CR-X: Compact Innovation
By the time the third-generation Civic was introduced, Honda had yet to offer a coupé. That changed in 1983 with the debut of the CR-X. The CR-X was shorter than the Civic, with 180mm (7 inches) shaved off the wheelbase, and it featured an aerodynamic shape reminiscent of the Alfa Romeo Junior Zagato. This similarity was no coincidence—the CR-X’s designer owned one.
Initially, the CR-X was a Japan-exclusive model called the Honda Ballade Sports CR-X. Honda had wanted to call it the CRX (without a dash) in Japan, but another company held the trademark. The CR-X’s recessed door handles contributed to an impressive drag coefficient of 0.33. Its new 1.3L EV1 engine provided respectable performance, reaching 0-60 mph in 10.6 seconds, while delivering 56 mpg (5 L/100 km).
For those wanting more power, Honda offered a 1.5L fuel-injected engine that reduced the 0-60 mph time to under nine seconds while still delivering excellent fuel efficiency. The car’s lightweight design—some versions weighed just 760 kg (1,675 lbs)—enhanced its agility, and its five-speed manual gearbox provided satisfying gear changes. However, the optional “Hondamatic” three-speed automatic transmission didn’t offer the same driving experience.
Reception and Mixed Reviews
The CR-X was a hit for its mix of power, economy, and fun driving dynamics. In North America and Europe, the car gained a loyal following, and Motor Trend named it 1984’s “Import Car of the Year.”
However, it wasn’t without its critics. Some felt the lightweight side panels were flimsy, and the paint quality left something to be desired. Handling also divided opinion—Motorweek compared it to a go-kart but criticized how it made drivers feel thrown around. Hard braking could lead to swerving, but under the right hands, the CR-X was a riot to drive.
The Second Generation: Refinement and VTEC Innovation
In 1987, Honda introduced the second-generation CR-X, which retained its compact dimensions but featured a longer wheelbase, growing by 100mm (4 inches). The car’s redesigned pillars improved visibility, and Honda added a pane of glass in the rear hatch for better rearward visibility. Despite these updates, many drivers found the horizontal bar in the rear window obstructive.
The new CR-X had improved suspension and a wider track, enhancing its handling. Although it gained 60 kg (132 lbs), Honda countered this with improved aerodynamics, lowering the drag coefficient from 0.33 to 0.30 (and 0.29 for the HF model). Engine performance also improved without sacrificing fuel economy.
The second-generation CR-X introduced the aluminum 1.6L VTEC engine in 1989, delivering 158 hp (118 kW). This engine’s variable valve timing allowed for both efficient cruising and thrilling acceleration. The VTEC-equipped CR-X could reach 60 mph in under seven seconds while maintaining excellent fuel economy.
Inside, the CR-X featured a revamped dashboard with a more logical layout. Options included air conditioning, power steering, and ABS, enhancing the car’s usability. Motor Trend once again named the CR-X “Import Car of the Year,” while Road & Track praised it as one of the best-value high-performance cars.
The CR-X Del Sol: A Radical Departure
In 1992, Honda replaced the CR-X with the CR-X Del Sol. Known as the “Civic Del Sol” in North America, this model emphasized open-top motoring with a removable targa roof panel. Honda offered an innovative electronic mechanism to stow the roof, although it came with an audible series of beeps during operation. For those who preferred simplicity, a manual roof panel was also available.
The Del Sol maintained the CR-X’s practicality, offering ample boot space even with the roof stored. However, it was heavier and less aerodynamic, which affected its performance and fuel economy. Wind noise at higher speeds also detracted from the driving experience.
The Del Sol’s handling didn’t match its predecessors. It exhibited body roll, understeer, and brake lock-up during hard driving. While it was a comfortable cruiser, it lacked the sporty appeal of earlier CR-X models. Despite some tweaks over its production run, the Del Sol was discontinued in 1998.
The Legacy of the Honda CR-X
Purists often celebrate the first two generations of the CR-X as the pinnacle of Honda’s compact sports car engineering. The cars struck a unique balance of power, economy, and practicality, offering thrills at an affordable price. Modern successors, such as the CR-Z and Civic Type R, have struggled to capture the same magic, as safety requirements and customer expectations have shifted.
The CR-X remains a testament to Honda’s ingenuity during the 1980s and 1990s. It was a car that delivered everyday usability alongside exceptional driving dynamics, earning it a place in automotive history.
Watch the Full Honda CR-X Story on YouTube
Discover the full story of the Honda CR-X in this detailed video on the Big Car YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fa47pFxxowk
For more videos exploring automotive history, visit Big Car’s channel:
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