57mpg? That was so 20 years ago - The 1987 Honda CRX

What sort of engine was used for this model?

The Honda CRX was named one of the Top Ten Cars of the Eighties and 1984 Import Car of the Year by Motor Trend magazine, and made Road & Track magazine's "Ten Best Cars in the World" list repeatedly during its production. Car and Driver called it "the definitive entry-level sports car." The new CRX was basically the Civic chassis under a sporty body. Two models were offered: the base CRX and the CRX 1.5. The chief difference between the two was that the base CRX had a 1.3-liter engine (which allowed the car to score amazing fuel economy ratings of 51 in the city and on the 67 highway) and the CRX 1.5 had the 1.5-liter engine. All CRXs had a two-tone paint scheme, comprised of White, Blue or Red with a Silver lower bodyside and bumper treatment. Introduced in 1985, the hot-rod CRX Si came ready to run with a fuel-injected version of the 1.5-liter engine that pumped out 91 horsepower. Able to hit 60 mph in less than 9 seconds, the Si also boasted handling enhancements, such as 14-inch alloy wheels with 185/60R14 high-performance tires. A power sunroof was standard on the Si, as were a monotone paint scheme and sport seats. A CRX HF (High Fuel economy) model replaced the CRX with the 1.3-liter engine. The HF had an eight-valve version of the 1.5-liter engine that produced just 58 horsepower but offered more torque and thus better acceleration around town. Mileage figures for the HF stood at 52 in the city and 57 on the highway.

I think it was the HX model that had a 1.5 liter or maybe 1.6

meant to say HF.

Actually, the original (1983-1987) 1.3 liter Honda CR-X and the later (American-market) CRX HF model could reliably achieve better than 50 mpg, 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 51 mpg for CITY and 60mpg highway.

Truly Ahead of Its Time...

And there's nothing wrong with that. 0-60 isn't important.

its not if everyone was going at that speed. But with faster cars on the road, merging onto highways and out of turns may be a bit of a challenge...

All we need are better driving schools and more educated drivers. For instance in Europe, drivers on the slower lane automatically veer unto the fast lane to allow cars from the onramp to easily merge unto the highway. This is actually taught in their driving schools.

In the US? Never seen or experienced this here. In fact, if our driving schools trained people better, we could be saving so much gas...

Bill, what do you drive?

I think you are right. There seems to be a an abundance of no-so-intelligent drivers in the US.

The CRX is a classic! and a Pop Culture Icon of the 80's. Truly one of the Best Hondas every made.

I will never understand why Honda discontinued the CRX. One great,fun, and practical little car.

When Honda decided to replace it with the 3rd generation (know in the U.S. as the Civic De-Sol, and targeted at the highly successful Mazda Miata/Eunos MX-3) they strayed too far away form the previously winning formula, and it became a sales failure.

The decision to kill off the name-plate/formula altogether was cemented when the (then new) Civic Coupe became so popular.

What changed? Ever seen a CRX's engine... its one of the smallest thing in the world. There are motorcycle engines bigger than that now... hehe.

Also, ever seen a CRX crash? Thats also where all the weight went. I'm sure if you slap an engine to a tin can, it'll get great MPG. But safety is also important too.

Some people don't value there familys safety.

It's won't be a huge technological push; it will be a huge marketing push trying to get all of the alpha-male mongoloids in this country to buy anything other than a 3 ton, V8-powered penis substitute.

As I've stated countless times in this very forum (often to an onslaught of De-Boosting)...

The Honda CR-X stands as one of the finest automobiles ever produced - in both concept and execution.

A Vehicle Far Ahead Of Its Time.

Ive driven a couple, and I gotta say it was never a pleasant experience to even sit in a CRX. It was an obnoxious little car. Good fuel econ, but thats all it had going for it. Didnt even have power steering...
not to mention its hideous styling. Id defintley say the car belonged in the 80's.

I remember this car, I'll bet it was a death trap :-(

I owned an original CR-X 1.3l, it was my very first new car, I bought it my Junior year in high school, and it was simply brilliant.

Note: And I'd watch that betting, because on this one YOU'D LOSE!

My first car was 1984 Civic sedan (red interior and exterior). That was a great little car, I would still have it if I hadn't left home for the Army. It was fun, fuel efficient, and it seemed fast enough to me at that time, and it was surprisingly roomy for its dimensions. I agree that you'd lose on that bet EL34.

My 07 mustang got 27 mpg on highway driving over 200 miles last month. What a fun trip that was!

The weight of the 1987 Honda CR-X HF (with a full tank of gas) was 1,964 lbs.

Impressive mielage! I own a 2007 civic ex with the auto and I attain 7.7L/100km or 31USA miles to the gallon. Opfreak has summed it all up! If you want good mielage check out air car on you tube! This air car will out perform any efficient vehicle! It will drive 5000. miles to the tank! That beats 50mpg! Is the air car the answer?

Impossible to achieve with the weight of every new car increasing...

coming back from NYC to MoCo, MD, we got 30mpg in our 07 accord.

Honda made great FWD sports cars imo. too bad its gone. but the s2k still lives on!

Just keep in mind that the "EPA rating" of 57 miles per gallon did not mean you could actually attain 57 miles per gallon in real world driving conditions. This was true in 1987, as it is now. That's why so many people are complaining about the hybrids' inability to deliver on EPA mileage ratings.

FWIW, the method used to calculate those mileage rating are getting better (i.e., more realistic), but you still can't realistically attain their claimed mileage in real world use. It's for "comparison purposes" only.

24 mpg from NY to Florida piloting my 06 honda Pilot is great for an 8 passenger truck.