Honda CR-X

This article is about the first and second generations of the CR-X. For the third generation, see Honda Civic del Sol.

The Honda CR-X, originally launched as the Honda Ballade Sports CR-X in Japan, was a compact front-wheel-drive sports car manufactured by Honda. The first generation CR-X was sold in some regions outside Japan as the Honda Civic CR-X. The name "CR-X" and what its acronym stands for is widely disputed, the most popular being "Civic Renaissance model X".

In the American market, the CR-X was marketed as an economy sport hatchback, having room for just two passengers. European markets, however, received a more powerful ZC 130hp (97kW) engine and 2+2 seats. Redesigned in 1987 and produced to 1991, the CR-X was popular for its performance, nimble handling, and good fuel economy. In the US its performance model, the Si (note: 1590 cc SOHC (D16A6) engined, unlike the JDM Si 1590cc (ZC) DOHC), was a favorite. Honda's 1992 CRX del Sol was marketed as a CR-X in some markets.

The original 1.33 liter car and the later American-market CR-X HF (High Fuel economy) model could reliably achieve very good gas mileage, more than a decade before gas-electric hybrids appeared on the market, and at no price premium over the base model; the 1.3 liter was rated (at current ratings) at 41 mpg city and 50 mpg highway.[1] The Japanese Si and European 1.6i-16 models came with a 1590 cc DOHC engine putting out 130bhp (97kW; 132PS). Though similar versions of the same engine, the Japanese Si engine was stamped ZC, whilst the European engine was stamped D16A9.

The R. Straman Company of Costa Mesa, CA converted 310 Honda CR-X's into convertibles from 1984 to 1987. The Straman-built CR-X Spyder was the cover car on July, 1984 issue of Road & Track Magazine. These conversions are known as a coach convertible.

The chassis was significantly changed in 1987 from its original torsion bar front and semi-independent rear, to fully independent wishbones all around in line with its sister Civic/Ballade models. Although Honda tried to update the look of the car with a new body, the end result looked very similar regardless. Outside of North America, this generation 2 CR-X was available with a 1495 cc sohc or an updated version of the 1590 cc DOHC ZC engine. Many of these were fitted with fuel injection as standard.