Performance Review: Honda Civic CRX 1.6i VTEC - [1990]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Honda Civic Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Honda Civic CRX 1.6i VTEC is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1990. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1991 Jaguar XJ R-15 6.0 V12 and the 1991 Jaguar XJ 220.This particular Honda Civic has a 1590cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The Civic shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Civic's Front Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1023 kgs (2255 lbs) this makes the Honda Civic CRX 1.6i VTEC in the same weight category as the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Honda Civic shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 1590cc 16V St4 engine produces 150 bhp (111 kW) @ 7600 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 106 lb-ft (143.7 Nm) @ 7100 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2012 Lexus CT 200h 1.8L (105 lb-ft) or the 2012 Mini Cooper Paceman (118 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Honda Civic you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1969 Plymouth Road Runner 440 V8 1st Gen (171.4 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Honda Civic.

The Honda Civic has a Power to weight ratio of 146.6 bhp per ton and 103.6 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1990 Civic competing with the 1969 Plymouth Road Runner 440 V8 1st Gen (171.4 bhp per ton) or the 2005 Cadillac STS 4.6 V8 Sport Luxury (171.4 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Honda Civic generating around 103.6 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1988 Porsche 944 2.7 (128.6 lb-ft per ton) or the 1979 Peugeot 505 2.2 GTi Turbo (128.5 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.10 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.4 secs, this made the Honda Civic CRX 1.6i VTEC as fast as the 2014 Peugeot 308 GT 2.0 Blue HDI 180 (8.10 secs) the 2008 Fiat Grande Punto 1.4 T-Jet 155 Abarth (8.10 secs) the 2006 Volkswagen-VW Golf GT TDi 170 (8.10 secs) the or the 2005 Vauxhall-Opel Astra 2.0 Turbo SRI (8.10 secs). This Honda Civic CRX 1.6i VTEC is also faster than the 2006 Seat Leon 2.0 16v TDI FR (8.20 secs) the 2005 Land-Rover Range Rover 4.4 V8 (8.20 secs) the 2003 BMW X5 3.0d (8.20 secs) the and the 2000 Honda Civic 2.0i VTEC Type S (8.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Civic and the 1993 Porsche 968 Club Sport

When talking about the performance of the Honda Civic on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.32 secs @ 89.3 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1993 Porsche 968 Club Sport (15.25 secs), the 1970 Chevrolet Malibu 5.7 V8 Turbo Hydra-Matic (15.26 secs), and the 1986 Lamborghini LM002 5.2 V12 (15.29 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1990 version of the Honda Civic CRX 1.6i VTEC has a maximum speed of 130mph.

Top Speed of the 1990 Civic equals the 2010 Audi A1 A1 1.4 TFSI S-Tronic (141 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1990 Honda Civic CRX 1.6i VTEC then how about the 2010 Audi A1 A1 1.4 TFSI S-Tronic (141 mph), the 2009 Renault Clio 2.0 RenaultSport III 200 Cup (141 mph), or the 2006 Seat Leon 1.8 20vt Cupra R 210 (141 mph).

Related Links:

1990 Civic Rivals List.

A Brief History of Honda

Car Comparison