Do they still make Honda Del Sol?
The Del Sol is no longer being made by Honda. Production ended in the late 1990s, and there is no current model that serves as a direct successor in Honda’s lineup.
A quick look at the Del Sol’s history
The Honda Del Sol was a two-seat, front-wheel-drive compact with a removable roof that traced its roots to the CR-X lineage. It was available in several markets from the early 1990s through the late 1990s, with various trims and engine options over its lifecycle. Honda discontinued the Del Sol in most regions by 1998, and there has been no official revival of the model since then.
To understand the model’s arc, here is a concise production timeline highlighting the key phases of the Del Sol:
- Introduction and market debut (1992–1993): The Del Sol arrived as a sportier, two-seat variant with a distinctive removable roof, expanding Honda’s sporty offerings beyond the CR-X lineage.
- Mid-cycle updates (1994–1997): The lineup saw trim and option refreshes, including performance-oriented variants in some regions, as well as incremental improvements to styling and features.
- End of production (1998): Honda ceased Del Sol production in most markets, marking the end of its run as a separate model.
The verdict on the Del Sol’s future is clear: there is no active production, and Honda has not announced a direct successor to the model. Enthusiasts continue to hunt for well-maintained examples on the used-car market, where the Del Sol remains a niche collectible.
Does Honda offer a modern substitute or equivalent today?
As of 2025, Honda does not offer a new, open-top Del Sol-style roadster. The company’s current sport-oriented offerings and performance models follow different design directions, with a greater emphasis on crossovers, electrification, and the NSX as a high-performance two-seater. There is no contemporary Honda model that directly replicates the Del Sol’s two-seat, light-weight, open-top concept.
- There is no new Honda domestic model that mirrors the Del Sol’s exact layout or roof design. The brand’s recent sports emphasis centers on the NSX and performance variants of mainstream models rather than a small, two-seat roadster.
- For enthusiasts seeking a Del Sol-like experience, the path today is typically through used-market Del Sols from the 1990s or, more broadly, through older or different-brand roadsters from other manufacturers.
- Honda’s contemporary focus leans toward electrified powertrains, SUVs and crossovers, and high-performance variants (such as Type R versions) rather than reviving a two-seat open-top coupe from the 1990s.
In short, there is no current Del Sol successor in Honda’s lineup. Buyers seeking something similar often rely on pre-owned Del Sols or explore the broader landscape of used roadsters from different brands, while considering modern Honda performance models for a different balance of speed, practicality, and technology.
Summary
The Honda Del Sol was produced from the early 1990s until its end in 1998 in most markets. Honda has not revived the model and does not offer a direct contemporary open-top two-seater. For those craving the Del Sol experience, the primary option remains the used market for the original car, while Honda’s current lineup focuses on other priorities, including electrification and crossovers, with the NSX serving as the closest modern high-performance two-seater in the brand’s catalog.
How many Honda Del Sols were made in the US?
74,936 Del Sols
In total, the Honda produced 74,936 Del Sols for the U.S. in the following breakdown: 1993 - 25,748. 1994 - 21,075. 1995 - 14,021.
How much is a Honda Del Sol worth today?
A: The average price of a Honda Del Sol is $10,500. Q: When was the Honda Del Sol produced? A: The Honda Del Sol was sold for model years 1992 to 1998.
Does Honda still make the Del Sol?
The Honda CR-X del Sol (marketed in other markets as the Honda Civic del Sol, Honda del Sol and the Honda CRX) is a two-seater targa-top car manufactured by Honda from 1992 until 1998. The del Sol uses a front-engine layout based on the fifth-generation Civic and was the successor to the Honda CR-X.
Why was Honda Del Sol discontinued?
Honda stopped making the Del Sol primarily due to declining sales, which were caused by a combination of factors including water leaks from the targa top, a cramped and low-quality interior, and stiff competition from other roadsters like the Mazda Miata. The final model year in 1997 saw fewer than 6,000 units sold in the U.S., making it a financially unviable vehicle for the company.
You can watch this video to learn more about the Honda Del Sol's short production run: 58sAcura AdviceYouTube · Oct 14, 2023
Reasons for the Del Sol's discontinuation
- Declining sales: Sales dropped significantly after its first couple of years, plummeting to under 6,000 units in its final year, which made the car a poor investment for Honda.
- Targa top issues: The removable targa top was a major source of complaints, as it was prone to water leaks and potential damage if not sealed properly, which hurt customer satisfaction.
- Interior and practicality problems: Many owners found the interior cramped and made of cheap materials, and the car lacked storage space, especially for a convertible.
- Market positioning: The Del Sol struggled to find its niche. It was marketed as a sports car but was front-wheel drive and didn't offer the same performance as its competitors like the rear-wheel-drive Mazda Miata, while also being less practical than other cars in the Civic lineup it was based on.
- Competition with the CRX: It was seen by some as an inferior successor to the CRX, lacking the CRX's sharper handling and overall more connected driving experience.
- Structural changes: When the new generation of the Civic chassis was introduced in 1995, it was apparently too long to maintain the structural rigidity needed for a targa top. Honda continued to produce the Del Sol on the older chassis, which likely hurt its appeal and long-term viability.
