Honda has made great strides in almost all spheres of auto manufacturing. It has become highly competitive in making specialty cars as well as cars for everyday use. The Honda Ridgeline is the company’s representative in the pickup segment, the NSX takes over in the supercar segment, and a plethora of sports cars are all part of the family. From the onslaught, we agree that Honda has done exceedingly well over the years. It’s easy to see why the company has done well outside its JDM stronghold.
The popularity of Honda cars is further cemented by aspects such as fuel efficiency and reliability. This has seen them spread their lineup to some unpopular quarters, including motorsports. Understandably, they have performed better in some areas than others. For instance, their excellence in building mid-size family sedans is plausible.
The Honda Fit, Stream, Insight, and Accord are perfect examples of this endeavor. The Honda Freed, the StepWagon, and the Oddessy are all footprints of the marques competitiveness in large-capacity family vans. Although Honda has consistently participated in motorsports, it hasn’t recorded as much success. Nonetheless, their cars have been resilient even though seemingly unreliable as far as winning goes.
We put together a list of Honda sports cars that have proved exemplary over the years.
10 2008-2009 Honda S2000 CR
“S2000s require an attentive driver.” This is an observation made by Car Throttle in one review. Trying to filter through the general performance of the S2000, you find this statement to be fundamentally correct. All S2000s are generally great cars that the world has fallen in love with. They are also offered in many versions yet they all look very similar. It's never easy to pick one and leave the other.
In the production year 2008-2009, Honda built a limited version dubbed the S2000 CR( Club Racer). The CR version was given a stiffened suspension, unique wheels carrying wide sportier tires, a quicker steering, and a removable hardtop. These and other attributes make it one of the best S2000s to own. The same engineer who gave us the NSX is credited for this one too. Only 699 of them were built, although Honda had planned to produce 2000 of them.
9 2017 Honda Civic Type R
The Civic nameplate is one of the longstanding and most distinguishable ones by Honda. The Honda Civic Type R is a performance version introduced in 2017 to a significant enthusiastic market reception.
From the onset, this car was meant to slice competitors with agile movement and practical technology. It was equipped with one of Honda’s most sophisticated suspension systems and made even more performance-oriented by practical aerodynamics. Facing competitors such as the Ford Focus RS and Volkswagen Golf R, this Honda just had to be exceptional. It remains a great choice today.
8 2002-2005 Honda NSX Type-R
Whenever Honda uses the “Type-R” denotation on their cars, enthusiasts expect some magic in their performance. Whereas the NSX is an incredible machine that needs no pampering, the NSX Type-R upgrades its attitude to something you fall in love with.
The Honda NSX begun production in 1990, but the Type-R was produced between 2002-2005. Granted a 3.2 liter Naturally Aspirated V6 engine, this lightweight road performance car still gets car lovers excited. Rumor has it that a second generation is in the pipeline, raising the adrenaline among Honda enthusiasts.
7 1995-2006 Honda Integra Type-R
Here comes yet another “Type-R” badged Honda embraced with love. The Integra Type R was introduced in 1995, and a US model came out in 1997.
The same lightweight, epic engines approach is incorporated in this car. Tilting the scale on at around 23000 lbs, the Type-R came with a standard 197bhp 1.8-liter VTEC engine. Honda discontinued production of the Integra in 2006, but not without making its mark. The Integra became a standard gauge for most of Honda’s performance cars to this day.
6 1966-1970 Honda S800
The S800 is among classic cars from Honda that still makes remarkable stories in a gathering of enthusiasts. Not only was this car finely designed, but Honda made it a people’s sports car that could gracefully trump over the competition.
It was hugely successful, and Honda made them in roadster and coupe configurations, loading them with intricate technology that kept consumers on the hook. Like many cars in the lineup that carried the “S” badge, the S800 became an icon during production years and long afterward. As the predecessor of the S2000, the S800 is an important part of Honda’s history. It’s not surprising that they fetch anything between $9,000 to $30,235 today.
5 Honda Prelude SH
The Prelude lived from 1978 until 2001. History has clearly demonstrated that a vehicle survives in the market this long only because it has gained acceptance and credibility. In other words, it has to be a profitable venture for the company. The Prelude ticked all the right boxes and lived a long, well-deserved five generations.
1997 was the year when the Prelude introduced its fifth generation. It came with a model dubbed SH or Super Handling, which was characterized by a new Active Torque Transfer System (ATTS). The system that was exclusive to the SH model helped to distribute torque to the front tire and also helped to monitor speed, steering angle as well as lateral acceleration. This special treatment of the Prelude SH is ultimately what makes it one of the most unique in the company’s stable.
4 2017–2020 Honda Civic Si.
Honda introduced the Honda Civic Si sedan and Si coupe in 2017. From the review
s of the day, there was an instant desire to understand the vehicle’s power. Some felt it was just adequate, while others felt it could have been better. It made use of a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine making between 174-180 hp. Transmission options include either a six-speed manual or CVT.
The other enticing aspect of this Honda was pricing. It set you back $24,775 and then you could pick any paint color at no extra cost. It also hands you desirables such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, sunroof, hill-start assist as well as white ambient interior lighting.
3 1997-2020 Honda CR-V
Since its debut in 1997, the Honda CRV has grown to one of the most important cars in the company’s history. Having spanned five generations, the CR-V has grown in size, design, capabilities, and popularity.
The 2017-2020 CRV saw major redesigns of this Honda. Part of the design highlights is a longer wheelbase, new LED headlights and taillights, and a dual exhaust. From the increase in its wheelbase, it's more spacious and beefier, making it very distinguished. It’s also in this update that Honda introduced the CR-V Hybrid, thus increasing customer options.
2 McLaren-Honda MP4/4
It would be unfair not to mention one of Honda’s most successful track-focused cars. It’s the McLaren-Honda MP4/4. It’s touted as one of the most successful Formula 1 cars. When it was appreciated for the 1988 Formula 1 season, it scooped a total of 15 out of 16 races. In addition, out of the 1078 laps raced, it was leading in 1003 of them. This is no doubt a legendary performance and one of the most remarkable records ever.
The 1.5-liter engine V6 turbo is recorded to have produced between 650hp at 12,500rpm and occasionally hit 700hp. In hindsight, it was a well-deserved win by the McLaren team riding this magnificent creation by Honda.
1 Honda CRX
Production of the CRX run from 1983 to 1991. It’s one of the short live nameplates, but it didn't bow out without making a mark. The most significant contribution of the CRX to the auto industry is its fuel efficiency at a time when consumers were on the lookout for all possible alternatives. According to Honda, the CRX could take up 50 to 70 miles per gallon.
With record sales of about 50,000 units in1984, the CRX was couldn’t simply be shoved off. Sales skyrocketed in subsequent years and remained relatively stable until it ended production. It’s among the most affordable cars in the aftermarket today with prices from as low as $7,900.