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Honda CRX History
Honda CRX
Among the niche models produced by Honda down through the years, the Honda CR-X remains one of the most desirable (and missed) cars of all. Introduced in 1983, the CR-X went through two life cycles before Honda decided to do away with the car which was sold as a two-door hatchback.
Today, CR-X models are scarce which means that even if you own a twenty year old car you can sell it for a premium price, but then why would you? The CR-X was sold as the Civic CR-X in some markets beyond Japan where the car was built. Essentially a souped up Civic, the CR-X joined the Si as two of the performance based Civics of its time. Yet, the CR-X had certain attributes not found in other Civic models including sport handling and tapered hatch area with rear spoiler. The CR-X was also powered by a peppy and highly fuel efficient 1.5L I4 engine which returned nearly 40 mpg on the highway. Indeed a HF (high fuel economy) version of the CR-X sacrificed horsepower for torque, but in return gave drivers an EPA certified 50 mpg on the highway!
The first generation CRX sold from 1984 to 1987 and was followed by the second generation edition which made its debut in 1988 and was last built for the 1991 model year. Sitting on the trusty Civic platform but with its own sport shaped body, the CR-X was known for its uniquely styled bumpers, hood, headlamps, suspension and interior treatments.
Come 1988 when the second generation CRX was released, the car had grown longer, wider and heavier in tandem with the changes that Honda made to the Civic. Unlike the Si, the CR-X emphasizes a sporty look more than actual performance although Japanese and European versions of the car featured optional engine choices which improved horsepower by fifty percent. The American CRX never lost its fuel efficient label, though customized cars soon appeared which traded fuel economy for honest to goodness street performance.
So why the decision to abandon the CRX? Well, right about 1991 Honda was investing more money to promote its premium brand, Acura, and the thinking then was to keep the Civic Si alive while pouring more green into building the Acura Integra, a car based on the Civic platform. Clearly, the bulk of the enthusiast audience for Civics was with the Si, not the CR-X which meant that new customers would be steered to the more popular model or bumped up to the now larger and much more luxurious Acura Integra.
And, if you're wondering how popular the CRX still is there are no less than three dozen very active internet forums still proclaiming the virtues of a model that hasn't been produced in nearly two decades. Yes, even with ongoing rumors of the CR-X's eventual return (CR-Z?) the iconic model remains an enthusiast's favorite with some fans who appreciate its look, feel and ride as well as its enduring legacy.
Among the niche models produced by Honda down through the years, the Honda CR-X remains one of the most desirable (and missed) cars of all. Introduced in 1983, the CR-X went through two life cycles before Honda decided to do away with the car which was sold as a two-door hatchback.
Today, CR-X models are scarce which means that even if you own a twenty year old car you can sell it for a premium price, but then why would you? The CR-X was sold as the Civic CR-X in some markets beyond Japan where the car was built. Essentially a souped up Civic, the CR-X joined the Si as two of the performance based Civics of its time. Yet, the CR-X had certain attributes not found in other Civic models including sport handling and tapered hatch area with rear spoiler. The CR-X was also powered by a peppy and highly fuel efficient 1.5L I4 engine which returned nearly 40 mpg on the highway. Indeed a HF (high fuel economy) version of the CR-X sacrificed horsepower for torque, but in return gave drivers an EPA certified 50 mpg on the highway!
The first generation CRX sold from 1984 to 1987 and was followed by the second generation edition which made its debut in 1988 and was last built for the 1991 model year. Sitting on the trusty Civic platform but with its own sport shaped body, the CR-X was known for its uniquely styled bumpers, hood, headlamps, suspension and interior treatments.
Come 1988 when the second generation CRX was released, the car had grown longer, wider and heavier in tandem with the changes that Honda made to the Civic. Unlike the Si, the CR-X emphasizes a sporty look more than actual performance although Japanese and European versions of the car featured optional engine choices which improved horsepower by fifty percent. The American CRX never lost its fuel efficient label, though customized cars soon appeared which traded fuel economy for honest to goodness street performance.
So why the decision to abandon the CRX? Well, right about 1991 Honda was investing more money to promote its premium brand, Acura, and the thinking then was to keep the Civic Si alive while pouring more green into building the Acura Integra, a car based on the Civic platform. Clearly, the bulk of the enthusiast audience for Civics was with the Si, not the CR-X which meant that new customers would be steered to the more popular model or bumped up to the now larger and much more luxurious Acura Integra.
And, if you're wondering how popular the CRX still is there are no less than three dozen very active internet forums still proclaiming the virtues of a model that hasn't been produced in nearly two decades. Yes, even with ongoing rumors of the CR-X's eventual return (CR-Z?) the iconic model remains an enthusiast's favorite with some fans who appreciate its look, feel and ride as well as its enduring legacy.
