Honda CR-X

Honda CR-X generations: what actually changed for a buyer

Measured performance in 2 generation is concentrated on three 1.6 MT cars: 1.6 MT 124 hp does 0–100 in 8.4 s and 205 km/h at 940 kg / 1290 kg gross (7.58 kg/hp); 1.6 MT 131 hp does 7.5 s and 212 km/h at 910 kg / 1290 kg (6.95 kg/hp), city/highway/combined 8.3 / 5.4 / 6.8 l/100 km, fuel 92; 1.6 MT 150 hp does 8.1 s and 222 km/h at 1010 kg / 1470 kg (6.73 kg/hp), 8.8 / 5.8 / 7.3 l/100 km, fuel 95.

1 generation (1983–1987), Coupe, 5 versions. Power runs 71–125 hp. The entry 1.3 MT is 71 hp / 52 kW, 1300 cc, Manual 5, Carburetor, front brakes Disc, ground clearance 150 mm. Kerb mass, tank, torque, 0–100 and top speed for this 1.3 MT are not measured. The two 1493 cc versions share 101 hp / 74 kW at 5900 rpm, 132 Nm at 5000 rpm, compression 9.2, bore × stroke 75 × 84.5, fuel 95, Distributed injection (multi-point): 1.5 MT is Manual 5; 1.5 AT is Automatic 3. The two 1590 cc versions share 125 hp / 92 kW at 6600 rpm, 144 Nm at 4700 rpm, compression 9.6, 75 × 90: 1.6 MT Manual 5 and 1.6 AT Automatic 3. Rear suspension, rear brakes, engine position, kerb mass, tank, 0–100 and top speed on all five 1 generation versions are not measured. What a buyer gets here versus later cars is the only 3-speed Automatic in the model (later automatics are 4-speed) and the only 71 hp / 1300 cc engine.

2 generation (1987–1992), Coupe, 9 versions. Clearance stays 150 mm; tank is 45 l where measured. The lightest CR-X in the whole catalogue is 2 generation 1.5 MT 105 hp at 900 kg. That 1.5 MT is 105 hp / 77 kW at 6500 rpm, 129 Nm at 4500 rpm, 1493 cc, Carburetor, fuel 92, Manual 5, 8.57 kg/hp (900 ÷ 105). Pair 1.5 AT 100 hp is 100 hp / 74 kW at 6300 rpm, 125 Nm at 4500 rpm, 920 kg, Automatic 4, Carburetor, fuel 92 — 20 kg more and 5 hp less than the 1.5 MT 105 hp. Injection versions start at 1590–1600 cc.

Measured performance in 2 generation is concentrated on three 1.6 MT cars: 1.6 MT 124 hp does 0–100 in 8.4 s and 205 km/h at 940 kg / 1290 kg gross (7.58 kg/hp); 1.6 MT 131 hp does 7.5 s and 212 km/h at 910 kg / 1290 kg (6.95 kg/hp), city/highway/combined 8.3 / 5.4 / 6.8 l/100 km, fuel 92; 1.6 MT 150 hp does 8.1 s and 222 km/h at 1010 kg / 1470 kg (6.73 kg/hp), 8.8 / 5.8 / 7.3 l/100 km, fuel 95. The 150 hp car is 100 kg heavier than the 131 hp 1.6 MT and 0.6 s slower to 100 despite 19 extra hp, but it is 10 km/h faster at the top (222 vs 212). 1.6 MT 160 hp is 160 hp / 118 kW at 7600 rpm, 152 Nm at 7000 rpm, 1595 cc, 970 kg, 6.06 kg/hp — the best mass-to-power figure in the model — but 0–100 and top speed are not measured. Two 2 generation automatics have 1600 cc and almost empty sheets: 1.6 AT 131 hp and 1.6 AT 150 hp list Automatic 4, FWD, boost No, Inline 4, tank 45 l, clearance 150 mm, front brakes Ventilated disc; rpm, torque, compression, bore, valves, fuel, injection, engine position, rear suspension, rear brakes, mass, 0–100 and consumption are not measured. 1.6 AT 125 hp (1590 cc, 125 hp / 92 kW at 6600 rpm, 144 Nm at 4700 rpm) also has kerb mass, 0–100, top speed, consumption, engine position, rear suspension and rear brakes not measured.

3 generation (1992–1998), Roadster, 12 listed versions (catalogue field counts 13). Body is the buying fork: this is the only Roadster. Clearance drops 10 mm versus 1–2 generation (140 vs 150 mm). Tank stays 45 l. Injection is Distributed injection (multi-point) on every listed 3 generation engine; fuel is 95. Front/rear suspension is Independent, spring / Independent, spring. Front brakes are Ventilated disc on all twelve. Rear brakes split: Disc on the 1.5-litre cars, the 107/125 hp 1.6 cars, and the 155/160 hp 1595 cc pair; Drum on 1.6 MT 130 hp, 1.6 AT 130 hp, and 1.6 AT 125 hp.

Engines and specs

Every Honda CR-X version below is Gasoline, Inline 4, valves 4 per cylinder where measured, boost No, FWD. Distinguish identical names by horsepower.

3 generation Roadster (1992–1998)

Layout on all twelve: Front, transverse. Compression: 9.1 on both 103 hp 1.5s; 9.3 on both 130 hp 1.5s; 9.4 on both 107 hp 1.6s; 9.2 on 1.6 MT 125 hp and both 130 hp 1.6s; 9.6 on 1.6 AT 125 hp; 10.2 on 1.6 AT 155 hp and 1.6 MT 160 hp. Bore × stroke is 75 × 84.5 on 1493 cc, 75 × 90 on 1590 cc, 81 × 77.4 on 1595 cc.

2 generation Coupe (1987–1992)

Injection: Carburetor on both 1.5s; Distributed injection (multi-point) on 1.6 MT 124 / 131 / 150 / 160 hp and 1.6 AT 125 hp; not measured on 1.6 AT 131 hp and 1.6 AT 150 hp. Engine position Front, transverse where measured; not measured on 1.6 AT 125 / 131 / 150 hp.

1 generation Coupe (1983–1987)

1.3 MT injection is Carburetor; the 1.5 and 1.6 versions are Distributed injection (multi-point). Engine position is not measured on all five.

Power per litre (hp ÷ litres): 1 generation 1.3 MT 54.6 hp/l; 1.5 MT/1.5 AT 101 hp → 67.6 hp/l; 1.6 MT/1.6 AT 125 hp → 78.6 hp/l. 2 generation 1.5 AT 100 hp → 67.0; 1.5 MT 105 hp → 70.3; 1.6 MT 124 hp → 78.0; 1.6 AT 125 hp → 78.6; 1.6 MT 131 hp → 82.4; 1.6 MT 150 hp → 94.0; 1.6 MT 160 hp → 100.3; 1.6 AT 131 hp on 1600 cc → 81.9; 1.6 AT 150 hp on 1600 cc → 93.8. 3 generation 1.5 MT/1.5 AT 103 hp → 69.0; 1.5 MT/1.5 AT 130 hp → 87.1; 1.6 MT/1.6 AT 107 hp → 67.3; 1.6 MT 125 hp → 78.6; 1.6 MT/1.6 AT 130 hp → 81.8; 1.6 AT 155 hp → 97.2; 1.6 MT 160 hp → 100.3. The 1493 cc 1.5 MT 130 hp in 3 generation (87.1 hp/l) out-specifics every 1590 cc 107/125/130 hp 3 generation engine; only the 1595 cc 155/160 hp pair beat it.

Performance and economy (mpg / l/100 km)

0–100 km/h and top speed are measured on five versions only.

• 2 generation 1.6 MT 131 hp: 7.5 s, 212 km/h — fastest 0–100 in the model.
• 2 generation 1.6 MT 150 hp: 8.1 s, 222 km/h — highest measured top speed.
• 2 generation 1.6 MT 124 hp: 8.4 s, 205 km/h.
• 3 generation 1.6 MT 160 hp: 8.2 s, 210 km/h.
• 3 generation 1.6 MT 125 hp: 9.3 s, 190 km/h.
• 3 generation 1.6 AT 125 hp: 10.5 s, 185 km/h.

All other versions: 0–100 not measured, top speed not measured.

Arithmetic on those six: the 3 generation 1.6 AT 125 hp is 1.2 s slower and 5 km/h slower than the same-generation 1.6 MT 125 hp, and 60 kg heavier (1060 vs 1000 kg). The 3 generation 1.6 MT 160 hp is 0.1 s slower to 100 than 2 generation 1.6 MT 150 hp (8.2 vs 8.1) and 12 km/h slower at the top (210 vs 222), while carrying 100 kg more (1110 vs 1010). The 2 generation 1.6 MT 131 hp beats the 3 generation 1.6 MT 160 hp on 0–100 by 0.7 s (7.5 vs 8.2) despite 29 fewer hp, because it is 200 kg lighter (910 vs 1110).

Fuel (l/100 km), city / highway / combined:

• 3 generation 1.5 MT 103 hp: 6.9 / 6.2 / 6.5
• 3 generation 1.5 AT 103 hp: 7.8 / 6.5 / 7.1 — +0.9 city, +0.3 highway, +0.6 combined versus the matching Manual
• 3 generation 1.6 MT 107 hp: 6.9 / 6.0 / 6.5
• 3 generation 1.6 AT 107 hp: 8.1 / 7.5 / 6.3 — city +1.2 and highway +1.5 versus the Manual; combined is 0.2 lower than the Manual (6.3 vs 6.5) as recorded
• 2 generation 1.6 MT 131 hp: 8.3 / 5.4 / 6.8
• 2 generation 1.6 MT 150 hp: 8.8 / 5.8 / 7.3

CO2 and eco class: not measured on every version. All remaining versions: city, highway and combined not measured.

On a 45 l tank, combined 6.5 l/100 km (3 generation 1.5 MT 103 hp and 1.6 MT 107 hp) is 45 ÷ 6.5 × 100 = 692 km of range on that figure; combined 7.1 (1.5 AT 103 hp) is 634 km; combined 6.8 (2 generation 1.6 MT 131 hp) is 662 km; combined 7.3 (2 generation 1.6 MT 150 hp) is 616 km. Those ranges use only the listed tank and combined figures.

Dimensions and weight

Wheel sizes: not measured on every version.

Ground clearance: 150 mm on 1 generation and 2 generation; 140 mm on 3 generation (−10 mm).

Tank: 45 l on 2 generation and 3 generation; not measured on all 1 generation versions.

Kerb / gross kg:

3 generation: 1.5 MT 103 hp 1041 / not measured; 1.5 AT 103 hp 1071 / not measured (+30 kg vs the Manual); 1.5 MT 130 hp 1030 / not measured; 1.5 AT 130 hp 1060 / not measured (+30 kg); 1.6 MT 107 hp 1044 / not measured; 1.6 AT 107 hp 1074 / not measured (+30 kg); 1.6 MT 125 hp 1000 / 1320; 1.6 AT 125 hp 1060 / 1320 (+60 kg kerb, same gross); 1.6 MT 130 hp 1030 / not measured; 1.6 AT 130 hp 1060 / not measured (+30 kg); 1.6 AT 155 hp 1160 / not measured; 1.6 MT 160 hp 1110 / 1415.

2 generation: 1.5 AT 100 hp 920 / not measured; 1.5 MT 105 hp 900 / not measured; 1.6 MT 124 hp 940 / 1290; 1.6 AT 125 hp kerb not measured / gross not measured; 1.6 MT 131 hp 910 / 1290; 1.6 MT 150 hp 1010 / 1470; 1.6 MT 160 hp 970 / not measured; 1.6 AT 131 hp and 1.6 AT 150 hp kerb not measured / gross not measured.

1 generation: kerb and gross not measured on all five.

kg/hp where mass exists: 3 generation 1.6 MT 160 hp 6.94 (1110÷160); 1.6 AT 155 hp 7.48; 1.5 MT 130 hp and 1.6 MT 130 hp 7.92; 1.6 MT 125 hp 8.00; 1.5 AT 130 hp and 1.6 AT 130 hp 8.15; 1.6 AT 125 hp 8.48; 1.6 MT 107 hp 9.76; 1.6 AT 107 hp 10.04; 1.5 MT 103 hp 10.11; 1.5 AT 103 hp 10.40. 2 generation 1.6 MT 160 hp 6.06; 1.6 MT 150 hp 6.73; 1.6 MT 131 hp 6.95; 1.6 MT 124 hp 7.58; 1.5 MT 105 hp 8.57; 1.5 AT 100 hp 9.20.

Payload where both masses exist: 3 generation 1.6 MT 125 hp 1320−1000=320 kg; 1.6 AT 125 hp 1320−1060=260 kg; 1.6 MT 160 hp 1415−1110=305 kg. 2 generation 1.6 MT 124 hp 1290−940=350 kg; 1.6 MT 131 hp 1290−910=380 kg; 1.6 MT 150 hp 1470−1010=460 kg.

Which Honda CR-X version to choose

If you want the Roadster (3 generation only). The numbers split into four buyer jobs.

1. Lightest measured 3 generation car with a 0–100 figure: 1.6 MT 125 hp at 1000 kg, 9.3 s, 190 km/h, 8.00 kg/hp. Rear brakes Disc. Combined consumption not measured. 2. Fastest measured 3 generation car: 1.6 MT 160 hp, 8.2 s, 210 km/h, 1110 kg, 1415 kg gross, 10.2 compression, 81 × 77.4, 100.3 hp/l, 6.94 kg/hp. Versus 1.6 MT 125 hp that is +35 hp, +110 kg, −1.1 s to 100, +20 km/h. Combined consumption not measured. 3. Strongest Automatic in 3 generation: 1.6 AT 155 hp, 155 hp / 114 kW at 7300 rpm, 153 Nm at 6500 rpm, 1160 kg, 7.48 kg/hp, 97.2 hp/l. Heaviest CR-X in the catalogue. 0–100, top speed and consumption not measured. Do not confuse it with 1.6 AT 107 hp, 1.6 AT 125 hp, or 1.6 AT 130 hp. 4. Cheapest-to-run sheet among 3 generation cars with consumption: 1.5 MT 103 hp or 1.6 MT 107 hp, both 6.5 combined. The 1.5 is 103 hp, 1041 kg, 10.11 kg/hp, 69.0 hp/l; the 1.6 is 107 hp (+4), 1044 kg (+3), 9.76 kg/hp, 67.3 hp/l, torque 140 vs 133 Nm and 4600 vs 5000 rpm. The extra 97 cc buys 4 hp and 7 Nm, not a consumption cut.

Skip 3 generation 1.5 MT 103 hp if you can get 1.5 MT 130 hp: same 1493 cc, same Manual 5, +27 hp (103→130), +5 Nm (133→138), peak 5900→6800 rpm, compression 9.1→9.3, mass 1041→1030 kg (−11 kg), kg/hp 10.11→7.92. 0–100 and consumption on the 130 hp 1.5 MT are not measured, so the paper advantage is power and mass only.

Same-name 3 generation pairs: 1.5 MT 103 vs 130 hp; 1.5 AT 103 vs 130 hp; 1.6 MT 107 vs 125 vs 130 vs 160 hp; 1.6 AT 107 vs 125 vs 130 vs 155 hp. The 130 hp 1.5 and 130 hp 1.6 manuals match on 130 hp / 96 kW at 6800 rpm, 138 Nm at 5200 rpm, 1030 kg; the 1.6 is 1590 vs 1493 cc (97 cc more) and 75 × 90 vs 75 × 84.5, compression 9.2 vs 9.3. Specific output is worse on the 1.6 (81.8 vs 87.1 hp/l). If both 130 hp manuals are on the table, the 1493 cc 1.5 MT 130 hp is the denser engine; the 1590 cc 1.6 MT 130 hp is the larger one at the same mass and output.

Automatic tax in 3 generation, where both sides exist: +30 kg on 103 hp 1.5, 130 hp 1.5, 107 hp 1.6, 130 hp 1.6; +60 kg on 125 hp 1.6. On 125 hp that tax is also +1.2 s and −5 km/h. Rear brakes on 1.6 AT 125 hp are Drum; on 1.6 MT 125 hp they are Disc.

If you want the Coupe and measured pace (2 generation). The buying order by 0–100 is 1.6 MT 131 hp (7.5 s, 212 km/h, 910 kg, 6.95 kg/hp, fuel 92, combined 6.8), then 1.6 MT 150 hp (8.1 s, 222 km/h, 1010 kg, 6.73 kg/hp, fuel 95, combined 7.3), then 1.6 MT 124 hp (8.4 s, 205 km/h, 940 kg). The 131 hp car is the one to take if the 7.5 s figure is the point: 19 hp less than the 150 hp 1.6 MT but 100 kg lighter and 0.6 s quicker to 100, with 0.5 l/100 km less combined. Take the 150 hp 1.6 MT if 222 km/h and 460 kg payload matter more than the 0–100. 1.6 MT 160 hp at 970 kg is the best kg/hp in the model (6.06) and matches 3 generation 1.6 MT 160 hp on 160 hp and 152 Nm at 7000 rpm (118 kW here vs 117 kW in 3 generation); 0–100 is not measured, so it does not beat the 131 hp car on the stopwatch in this dataset.

Avoid 2 generation 1.6 AT 131 hp and 1.6 AT 150 hp if you need a complete spec: displacement 1600 cc is listed, but torque, rpm, mass, consumption, 0–100, fuel, injection and rear brakes are not measured. 1.6 AT 125 hp is better filled on the engine (125 hp, 144 Nm at 4700 rpm, 1590 cc) but mass, 0–100 and consumption are still not measured.

The 2 generation 1.5s are the light Carburetor 92-fuel pair: 1.5 MT 105 hp at 900 kg (lightest Honda CR-X listed) versus 1.5 AT 100 hp at 920 kg. Neither has 0–100 or consumption. Versus 3 generation 1.5 MT 103 hp they are 141 kg and 121 kg lighter, with 10 mm more clearance, Carburetor instead of Distributed injection (multi-point), and a Coupe body.

If you want the first Coupe (1 generation). Spec sheets are thin: no masses, no 0–100, no tank. Choose by gearbox and displacement only. 1.6 MT 125 hp is the strongest Manual (125 hp, 144 Nm, 1590 cc, same peak as 3 generation 1.6 MT 125 hp on hp/kW/rpm, torque 144 vs 146 Nm and 4700 vs 5500 rpm). 1.6 AT 125 hp and 1.5 AT 101 hp are the only Automatic 3-speed cars in the model; later automatics are 4-speed. 1.3 MT 71 hp is unique: 1300 cc, Carburetor, 54.6 hp/l, front brakes Disc (not Ventilated disc). Do not pick 1 generation if you need a measured 0–100, a tank figure, or a kerb mass — those values are not measured.

Problems and reliability as far as the numbers go. This catalogue does not list failure rates. What it does list as buyer-relevant gaps: 0–100 and top speed not measured on 21 of 26 listed versions; consumption not measured except six versions; kerb mass not measured on all 1 generation cars plus three 2 generation automatics; rear brakes not measured on 1 generation and on several 2 generation cars; wheel sizes not measured everywhere. Where rear brakes are listed they are Disc or Drum — 3 generation 1.6 MT 130 hp, 1.6 AT 130 hp and 1.6 AT 125 hp are Drum while neighbouring 125/155/160 hp cars are Disc. Fuel is 92 on 2 generation 1.5s and on 1.6 MT 131 hp, 95 on the rest where measured. Drive never leaves FWD; there is no second driven axle to choose.

Short map. Roadster + measured speed: 3 generation 1.6 MT 160 hp. Roadster + lightest measured 3 generation kerb with a 0–100: 1.6 MT 125 hp. Roadster + automatic: 1.6 AT 155 hp on power, or 1.6 AT 107 hp if you want a combined 6.3 l/100 km figure. Coupe + fastest 0–100: 2 generation 1.6 MT 131 hp. Coupe + highest top speed: 2 generation 1.6 MT 150 hp. Coupe + lowest kg/hp: 2 generation 1.6 MT 160 hp. Lightest car: 2 generation 1.5 MT 105 hp. First generation is a spec-incomplete Coupe choice, with 1.6 MT 125 hp as the peak listed output there.