The Honda del Sol is a two-seater built from 1994 to 1997 over 2 generations. Between 1994 and 1997 it grew 1 cm longer and gained 8 kg. Engines offered: 4-cyl. Worth buying? It holds up well, with the usual caveat about model years at 4.0/5 — and the year you pick matters far more than the badge (best and worst years →).
What the del Sol is
The Honda del Sol is a two-seater that Honda built from 1994 to 1997 — 4 model years. Our measurements put it at 2 generations, the current one starting in 1997. It has been offered with 4-cyl power. Its closest siblings in the Honda range: S2000, Insight, CR-Z.
del Sol generations, and what changed
These boundaries are not copied from a brochure — they fall out of the measurements. Where the del Sol's length or wheelbase jumps between consecutive model years the platform changed: a facelift moves a bumper by centimetres, a new generation moves the whole car — for the del Sol that gives 2 distinct generations below.
| Generation | Length | Wheelbase | Weight | vs previous | Weight change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 400 cm | 237 cm | 1087 kg | - | - |
| 1997 | 401 cm | 237 cm | 1095 kg | +1 cm | +8 kg |
Between 1994 and 1997 the del Sol gained 1 cm in length (+0.2%) and 8 kg in weight (+0.7%). Cars did not so much grow as thicken — crash structures, airbags and equipment weigh more than the metal they replaced, and on the del Sol that is 8 kg against 1 cm. Full dimensions by year →
Honda del Sol tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment del Sol owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What engines does the Honda del Sol have? Power & range
The Honda del Sol is offered with 1 powertrain — 1.6L 4-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain — 1 for the Honda del Sol, against one or two on most rivals.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-cyl | 1.6L · 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | FWD | Regular |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
The del Sol by the numbers
What the federal and market records say about the Honda del Sol. Each line opens the full breakdown by year.
| Topic | del Sol | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Recalls | 21 campaigns | NHTSA, all years |
| Reliability | 4.0 / 5 | Best and worst years |
| Used value | 16 listings | What it sells for now |
Frequently asked questions
What kind of car is the Honda del Sol?
The del Sol is a two-seater, built from 1994 to 1997 across 2 generations. Engines offered: 4-cyl.
How many generations does the del Sol have?
2 by our measurements, the latest starting in 1997. We draw the boundaries where length or wheelbase jumps between model years — a facelift moves a bumper, a new generation moves the whole car. Over its life the del Sol grew 1 cm longer and gained 8 kg.
What is the Honda del Sol warranty?
New models carry 3 years / 36,000 miles basic cover and 5 years / 60,000 miles on the powertrain. Worth knowing: across our complaint records the typical car reaches the halfway point of its faults at five years, so most repairs land after the basic warranty ends.
Is the del Sol reliable?
It scores 4.0/5 in our data. The honest answer depends on the year far more than the model — see the best and worst years, and when this car starts to break.
How do I check a specific del Sol?
This page describes the model; it cannot tell you whether that car has an open recall or a branded title. Run its VIN against the records — free, and matched to the exact production run.
More in Honda
| Model | Years | Recalls | Best MPG | ForCar score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda Civic | 1981–2026 | 412 | 49 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Honda Accord | 1981–2026 | 415 | 48 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Honda CR-V | 1997–2026 | 177 | 40 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Honda Pilot | 2003–2026 | 197 | 23 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Honda Odyssey | 1995–2026 | 206 | 22 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Honda Fit | 2007–2020 | 94 | 118 mpg | 4.0/5 |
Mark ForCar as a preferred source and our data shows up first in your Google results. One click, no account.