Did CRX have VTEC?
The short answer: factory VTEC was not available on the US-market CRX, but a Japanese-market CR-X VTEC variant did exist, using Honda’s 1.6L DOHC VTEC engine. In other words, some CRX models did have VTEC, but not across all markets or generations.
VTEC and Honda's rollout
VTEC (Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control) is Honda’s technology that enables multiple camshaft profiles for different engine conditions. It first appeared in production cars in the late 1980s and was widely associated with performance variants from the early 1990s onward, including the NSX. The CRX’s VTEC connection is limited to specific markets and models rather than the entire CRX lineup.
CRX generations and VTEC availability
The following points summarize where a factory VTEC-equipped CRX appeared and what engines were used.
- Japan-market CR-X VTEC (EF8/EF9): Introduced in the late 1980s to early 1990s, these variants used Honda’s 1.6L DOHC VTEC engine (commonly referenced as B16A), delivering roughly 150–165 hp depending on spec and market.
- Other markets and limited imports: In some European or other overseas markets, there were limited or special-issue VTEC CRX variants through specific import channels, but these were not part of the standard regional CRX lineup.
- North America: The US CRX lineup did not receive a factory VTEC option during its production run; US-market CRXs generally relied on non‑VTEC D-series or early non‑VTEC engines. Enthusiasts frequently swapped VTEC powerplants into older CRX bodies for performance gains.
In summary, factory VTEC CRX availability was localized and limited; the mainstream American CRX did not come with VTEC from the factory, while Japan’s CR-X VTEC models represent Honda’s late-1980s push to apply VTEC to compact sportier cars.
Notable engines and swaps
When VTEC did appear in CRX variants, the engine most often cited is the 1.6L DOHC VTEC unit (B16A). Outside of factory offerings, many owners pursued engine swaps, installing B-series VTEC powerplants into older CRX chassis to achieve similar performance gains.
Summary
Did the CRX have VTEC? Yes, but only in certain markets and models—most notably the Japan-only CR-X VTEC variants that used the 1.6L DOHC VTEC engine. The US CRX did not come with factory VTEC, making the VTEC connection to the CRX largely a matter of regional specifics and aftermarket enthusiasm. For fans, the CRX VTEC remains a niche, region-specific chapter in Honda’s VTEC history.
What engine does a Honda CRX have?
The Honda CRX engine type varies by model year, with common options including a 1.5L inline-4 in earlier models and a 1.6L inline-4 in later Si and VTi models. High-performance Si models often featured a 1.6L DOHC engine, while the highest-performance Japanese market SiR models used the more advanced 1.6L DOHC VTEC engine.
Engine variations by model year and trim
- Early models (Gen 1): Featured a 1.5L SOHC engine, with some markets offering a 1.3L in the earliest years.
- 1.5L models (US DX): Equipped with a 1.5L 16-valve D15B2 engine.
- 1.5L HF models (US): Used a 1.5L 8-valve D15B6 engine for high fuel efficiency.
- Si models (US): Featured a 1.6L 16-valve D16A6 engine, a dual overhead camshaft (DOHC) unit.
- VTi models (Japan): Equipped with a 1.6L DOHC VTEC engine.
- SiR models (Japan): Featured the most powerful B16A DOHC VTEC engine.
- del Sol models: Continued this trend, with options including a 1.5L SOHC VTEC or a more powerful 1.6L DOHC VTEC.
Does the CRZ have VTEC?
Yes, the Honda CR-Z uses an i-VTEC engine as part of its hybrid powertrain. The CR-Z's 1.5-liter, SOHC (Single Overhead Cam) i-VTEC engine is designed to balance fuel economy with performance.
- The engine is a 1.5-liter, 16-valve, SOHC inline-4 engine.
- It is part of Honda's Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid system.
- This i-VTEC engine, combined with the electric motor, provides both efficient and responsive driving characteristics.
Did the CRX have VTEC?
The B16A produces 160 PS (118 kW; 158 hp) in the Japanese SiR model and 150 PS (110 kW; 148 hp) in the B16A1 that came in the European 1.6i-VT model. The CR-X was the second car to receive a DOHC VTEC engine, shortly after the Honda Integra XSi.
When did Honda start using VTEC?
April 1989
The Confidence Needed to Innovate. Honda's new Integra, equipped with the DOHC/VTEC engine, was introduced to the market in April 1989. The VTEC technology drew considerable praise as the world's first valve mechanism capable of simultaneously changing the valve timing and lift on the intake and exhaust sides.
