“Are you using the right car for your gasoline?”
Even for the 1980s, the 1984 Honda Civic CRX two-seater was absolutely tiny, with a length of a little over 12 feet and a weight of around 1,800 pounds. The CRX debuted as a new model included with the introduction of the all-new third generation Civic line.
There were two engine choices for the CRX in 1984. The CRX got a 1.3 liter/82 ci inline four with a three-barrel carburetor and all of 60 bhp—but this got you 46 city/52 highway by the standards of the day (still 38/47 by today’s standards). It also got you a 0-60 time of about 12 seconds.
Moving up to the 1.5 got you the EW1 76 bhp 1.5 liter/91 ci inline four with a three-barrel carburetor—enough to reduce the 0-60 time to just over 10 seconds and still get 32 city/38 highway by the eighties standards (28/35 by the current standard). A five-speed manual was standard with both engines, but you could get a three-speed automatic with the 1.5—though I’m not at all sure why you’d want one.
All CRXs included a front air dam, a rear spoiler, tinted glass, a front stabilizer bar, rack and pinion steering, power-assisted front disc/rear drum brakes, and 165/70R-13 steel-belted radial tires on 13-inch wheels. Inside, reclining front bucket seats, a 3-spoke Sport steering wheel, and a tachometer were included.
The 1.5 added halogen headlights, dual remote-control outside mirrors, a sport suspension, a rear stabilizer bar, vented front disc brakes, and Michelin 175/70R-13 steel-belted radial tires (a size still somewhat available) on wider wheels. Inside, a quartz digital clock was added.
Options & Production Numbers
Past the engine and transmission choices, California emissions, and the three initial factory colors, the CRX had no factory options. Dealer installed options included air conditioning, aluminum alloy wheels, and a selection of radios.
The first generation CRX found its markets and sold quite well, with over 48,000 in 1984 and a total of 218,000 over four years. In 1985, the fuel injected 91 bhp Si would come along—but that is a topic for another blog post.
The View From 2025
I see early CRX’s occasionally, but they’ve become rarer and rarer on the roads in the northeast. I have yet to see one at an auto show, but I’d love to. First-generation CRX’s are sometimes available in the Hemmings Motor News classifieds, on eBay Motors, and at online auctions such as Bring a Trailer that cater to the eighties car market.
Make my 1984 CRX a 1.5 in Baltic Blue (with the standard metallic gray lower rocker panels), please.
Other Hondas I have written about include the 1983 Civic S hatchback coupe, the 1984 Civic DX hatchback coupe, the 1985 Civic CRX Si hatchback coupe, the 1986 Accord sedan, the 1986 Prelude Si coupe, and the 1988 Civic sedan.
Last updated June 2025.
Eighties Cars 