Honda Ascot

Honda Ascot: Which Version Should You Buy?

The Honda Ascot catalogue covers two generations of Sedan models produced from September 1989 through August 1997. Choosing among them comes down to engine output, transmission, kerb weight, ground clearance, fuel requirement, and braking hardware. The first generation has four versions, while the second has nine.

The Honda Ascot catalogue covers two generations of Sedan models produced from September 1989 through August 1997. Choosing among them comes down to engine output, transmission, kerb weight, ground clearance, fuel requirement, and braking hardware. The first generation has four versions, while the second has nine. Every listed Ascot uses Gasoline, an Inline engine with four valves per cylinder, no boost, and FWD. Buyers seeking the strongest specification should consider the second-generation 2.5 AT with 180 hp and 225 Nm. Those prioritizing a lighter car and a Manual gearbox should compare the 135 hp first-generation 2.0 MT at 1,230 kg with the 135 hp second-generation 2.0 MT at 1,250 kg.

Honda Ascot generations: what changed?

The first-generation Honda Ascot was produced from September 1989 through September 1993 as a Sedan. Its four versions comprise three 2.0 AT or 2.0 MT specifications and one 2.3 AT. Outputs range from 135 hp to 165 hp, all versions have 160 mm of ground clearance, and the fuel tank holds 60 litres. The lightest is the 135 hp 2.0 MT at 1,230 kg; the heaviest is the 2.3 AT at 1,370 kg.

The second-generation Honda Ascot ran from October 1993 through August 1997, also exclusively as a Sedan, with nine versions. Its range expands from 135 hp to 180 hp and includes 1,996 cc and 2,451 cc five-cylinder engines alongside the four-cylinder units. Tank capacity rises from 60 to 65 litres, an increase of 5 litres. Ground clearance is either 155 or 160 mm, depending on the version. Recorded kerb weights span 1,250–1,340 kg, although several Automatic versions have no measured kerb weight.

Honda Ascot engine and specs

Repeated version names refer to distinct powertrains, so output is included to identify each one precisely.

Among the nominal 2.0 versions, specific output separates the engines clearly. The 135 hp, 1,997 cc specification produces about 67.6 hp per litre, the 150 hp version about 75.1 hp per litre, and the 160 hp, 1,996 cc five-cylinder version about 80.2 hp per litre. The 2.3 versions produce about 73.1 hp per litre, while the 2.5 AT produces about 73.4 hp per litre. On power density alone, the second-generation 160 hp 2.0 AT and 2.0 MT lead the catalogue.

The 135 hp and 150 hp 2.0 engines share 1,997 cc displacement, but the 150 hp specification adds 15 hp and 5 Nm. The second-generation 160 hp five-cylinder engine adds another 10 hp over the 150 hp engine, although both produce 186 Nm; their torque peaks differ, at 4,000 rpm for the 160 hp engine and 5,000 rpm for the 150 hp engine.

The second-generation 2.3 engine has 211 Nm, only 1 Nm more than the first-generation 2.3 AT. Both produce 165 hp from 2,258 cc, but the first-generation version specifies 95 fuel while the later 2.3 versions specify 92 fuel.

Honda Ascot performance, mpg and economy

Acceleration from 0–100 km/h is not measured for every Honda Ascot version in the supplied specifications. Top speed is also not measured for every version. City fuel consumption, highway fuel consumption, and combined fuel consumption are not measured for every version, so a Honda Ascot mpg figure cannot be calculated from this catalogue data. CO₂ output and environmental class are not measured for every version as well.

Consequently, horsepower-to-weight comparison is more useful here than an unsupported acceleration claim. The first-generation 135 hp 2.0 MT carries approximately 9.11 kg per hp, compared with approximately 9.70 kg per hp for the 135 hp 2.0 AT. The 150 hp 2.0 AT improves that figure to approximately 8.87 kg per hp, while the 165 hp 2.3 AT reaches approximately 8.30 kg per hp.

In the second generation, the 160 hp 2.0 MT records approximately 8.13 kg per hp, while the 160 hp 2.0 AT records approximately 8.25 kg per hp. The 150 hp 2.0 MT is approximately 8.67 kg per hp, the 165 hp 2.3 MT approximately 7.88 kg per hp, and the 180 hp 2.5 AT approximately 7.44 kg per hp. Among versions with measured kerb weight, the 2.5 AT has the strongest power-to-weight result.

Honda Ascot weight, clearance and dimensions

Every version uses independent spring suspension at both ends and Ventilated disc front brakes. Rear brakes vary. The first-generation 135 hp 2.0 MT uses Drum rear brakes, whereas both first-generation 2.0 AT versions and the 2.3 AT use Disc rear brakes. In the second generation, the 160 hp 2.0 AT, 160 hp 2.0 MT, and 2.5 AT use Disc rear brakes; the 135 hp and 150 hp 2.0 versions plus both 2.3 versions use Drum rear brakes.

The 155 mm clearance applies only to the second-generation five-cylinder 160 hp 2.0 AT, 160 hp 2.0 MT, and 180 hp 2.5 AT. All other listed versions have 160 mm, giving them 5 mm more clearance.

Which Honda Ascot version should you buy?

For maximum output, choose the second-generation 2.5 AT. Its 180 hp and 225 Nm exceed the second-generation 2.3 versions by 15 hp and 14 Nm. Its measured kerb weight is 1,340 kg, only 40 kg above the 2.3 MT, producing the best measured weight-per-horsepower result in the catalogue. It also has Disc rear brakes, although its 155 mm clearance is 5 mm below the 2.3 versions.

For the strongest 2.0 with a Manual gearbox, choose the second-generation 160 hp 2.0 MT. It produces 25 hp and 5 Nm more than the 135 hp 2.0 MT while adding 50 kg of measured kerb weight. Compared with the 150 hp 2.0 MT, it adds 10 hp, matches its 186 Nm, and has the same 1,300 kg kerb weight. The trade-off is 155 mm rather than 160 mm of clearance.

For the most favourable measured combination of clearance and weight, the first-generation 135 hp 2.0 MT is the lightest at 1,230 kg and retains 160 mm of clearance. The second-generation equivalent is 20 kg heavier but adds a 65-litre tank, 5 litres more than the earlier car. Both use a 5-speed Manual gearbox, produce 135 hp and 181 Nm, and have Drum rear brakes.

For a 2.3 engine with a Manual gearbox, only the second generation offers the 2.3 MT. It combines 165 hp, 211 Nm, a measured kerb weight of 1,300 kg, 160 mm of clearance, and a 65-litre tank. Against the first-generation 2.3 AT, it is 70 kg lighter, has 1 Nm more torque, uses 92 rather than 95 fuel, and substitutes a 5-speed Manual for the 4-speed Automatic.

For an Automatic 2.0, the second-generation 160 hp 2.0 AT offers the highest output and Disc rear brakes, but its clearance is 155 mm. The 135 hp and 150 hp second-generation 2.0 AT versions retain 160 mm and use Drum rear brakes; their kerb weights are not measured. Buyers who need a weight-based comparison should therefore avoid assuming that either is lighter than the measured alternatives.

Honda Ascot reliability and problems are not measured in the supplied data. Purchase condition, maintenance history, price, availability, and repair records are also not measured, so no reliability or value ranking can be made responsibly. Based strictly on catalogue specifications, the 2.5 AT is the performance choice, the 160 hp 2.0 MT is the strongest 2.0 Manual choice, the 2.3 MT balances 165 hp with 160 mm clearance, and the first-generation 135 hp 2.0 MT is the lightest recorded choice.