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20 Forgotten Honda Cars That Deserve a Second Life

Cameron Eittreim July 2, 2025

Honda’s reputation for reliability and innovation has made it a household name across the globe. Over the decades, the brand has launched groundbreaking models that have shaped automotive trends and captured the hearts of drivers. Yet, not every Honda has enjoyed lasting fame. Some models—rich in engineering ingenuity, spirited performance, or unique charm—have quietly slipped into obscurity. These forgotten Hondas tell a fascinating story about the brand’s willingness to experiment and push boundaries. As we revisit these overlooked classics, it’s time to shine a spotlight on the hidden gems that truly deserve a second life on today’s roads.

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1. Honda Prelude (Third Generation)

1280px prelude — A classic 3rd gen Honda Prelude coupe gleams under the sun, showcasing its iconic Honda 4WS badge and sleek vintage lines. | Photo by Vitali Adutskevich on Pexels

The third-generation Honda Prelude stands out for its innovative four-wheel steering system—a feature that made it a technical marvel when it debuted in the late 1980s. Its sleek coupe styling and agile handling delighted enthusiasts, offering a unique blend of sportiness and sophistication. Yet, despite these achievements, the Prelude is often overshadowed by flashier Hondas from later eras. It’s a true icon that deserves renewed appreciation for its bold engineering and timeless appeal.

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2. Honda CR-X del Sol

Honda crx del sol vti — A vibrant red Honda CR-X del Sol Targa gleams under the sun, capturing the spirit of ’90s Honda sports cars. | Photo by Furkan Ceylan on Pexels

The Honda CR-X del Sol brought a refreshing twist to the compact roadster category with its ingenious Targa top, letting drivers enjoy open-air motoring at a moment’s notice. While the Mazda Miata grabbed most of the headlines, the del Sol offered agile handling, practical reliability, and distinct Honda flair. Its playful spirit and quirky design set it apart from rivals, making it a hidden gem for those who appreciate fun, affordable driving experiences.

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3. Honda Accord Aerodeck

A classic Honda Accord Aerodeck shooting brake stands out with its unique wagon silhouette and timeless 1980s styling. | Photo by Алексей Игнатов on Pexels

The Honda Accord Aerodeck showcased a unique shooting brake design, blending wagon practicality with coupe-like sportiness. Especially popular in Europe, its sleek silhouette and versatile cargo space made it stand out from conventional family cars. Today, the Aerodeck is a rare sight, contributing to its status as a cult classic among enthusiasts. Its blend of style and utility is a reminder of Honda’s willingness to push design boundaries.

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4. Honda Beat

Honda Beat 2944 4 — A vibrant yellow Honda Beat, the iconic Japanese Kei car, sits parked on a city street, exuding retro charm. | Photo by JDM Kuruma on Pexels

The Honda Beat is a true microcar marvel, boasting a mid-engine layout and a lively convertible top that captures the essence of carefree driving. Designed for Japan’s Kei car segment, the Beat delivers surprising agility and charm packed into a pint-sized frame. Its playful character and scarcity outside Japan only add to its allure, making it a standout favorite among collectors and those who appreciate quirky, fun-filled motoring experiences.

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5. Honda S-MX

A boxy Honda S-MX minivan stands out with its quirky charm and unique design in an urban setting. | Photo by Bradikan .Cars on Pexels

The Honda S-MX broke the mold of traditional minivans with its boxy silhouette and famously quirky asymmetrical doors. Designed with urban versatility in mind, it offered a spacious interior wrapped in unmistakable style. Despite its bold personality and practical features, the S-MX never found mainstream success outside Japan. Today, it stands as a reminder of Honda’s adventurous approach to automotive design and packaging.

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6. Honda Ascot Innova

A rare Honda Ascot Innova sedan coupe stands out with its sleek lines and distinctive styling, a true collector’s gem. | Photo by Gleb Krasnoborov on Pexels

The Honda Ascot Innova blended the best of both worlds with its sedan-coupe hybrid body and a host of advanced features for its era. Its aerodynamic styling and refined interior set it apart from more conservative contemporaries. Despite these strengths, the Ascot Innova remained largely unknown outside Japan, making it a hidden treasure for enthusiasts seeking something truly distinctive from Honda’s past.

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7. Honda Legend Coupe

Acura Legend 2 — A sleek Honda Legend Coupe stands parked under soft sunlight, showcasing the timeless elegance of classic luxury Honda design. | Photo by Nelson Cartagena on Pexels

The Honda Legend Coupe once stood at the pinnacle of Honda’s lineup, combining luxury refinement with impressive performance. Its sleek, understated styling and advanced features made it a sophisticated choice for discerning drivers. Despite its former flagship status, the Legend Coupe has become a rare find today, fading quietly into obscurity. This elegant grand tourer remains a hidden treasure, waiting to be rediscovered by fans of classic Japanese luxury.

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8. Honda Orthia

A classic Honda Orthia wagon in pristine condition, showcasing the sleek and practical design of Japanese ingenuity. | Photo by Nate Biddle on Pexels

The Honda Orthia was a practical, Civic-based wagon designed exclusively for the Japanese market. Its understated styling and versatile cargo space made it a popular choice for families seeking reliability and utility. Today, the Orthia is a rare collector’s item, cherished by enthusiasts who appreciate its blend of subtlety and day-to-day usefulness—a quiet classic from Honda’s diverse lineup.

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9. Honda Quint Integra

A pristine early Honda Quint Integra hatchback sits gleaming in the sunlight, showcasing classic Honda design lines. | Photo by Erik Mclean on Pexels

The Honda Quint Integra laid the groundwork for one of Honda’s most beloved nameplates. Arriving in the early 1980s, it introduced sporty styling and hatchback practicality to a new generation of drivers. Its sharp looks and versatile layout made it a standout in a sea of ordinary compacts. Though often overshadowed by its successors, the Quint Integra remains a significant chapter in Honda’s sporty evolution.

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10. Honda Vamos (First Generation)

A charming retro Honda Vamos microvan stands parked on a quiet street, showcasing its classic boxy design and vintage appeal. | Photo by Tausif Hossain on Pexels

The first-generation Honda Vamos stands out as one of Honda’s most eccentric creations. This quirky microvan, known for its minimalist design and surprising off-road capability, quickly developed a cult following in Japan. Its rugged versatility and cheerful character made it a true one-of-a-kind oddity. Today, the original Vamos is a rare sight, representing Honda’s willingness to experiment and embrace unconventional ideas.

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11. Honda Ballade Sports CR-X

A pristine Honda Ballade CR-X coupe gleams in the sunlight, showcasing the iconic lines of the original CR-X. | Photo by Erik Mclean on Pexels

The Honda Ballade Sports CR-X made an impact as a lightweight, fuel-efficient coupe that helped define Honda’s sporty compact legacy. Its sharp styling and nimble handling appealed to drivers seeking fun without sacrificing economy. Serving as a precursor to later performance-focused Hondas, the Ballade Sports CR-X remains an important, if often overlooked, milestone—a testament to Honda’s commitment to blending efficiency with driving excitement.

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12. Honda Crossroad

Honda Crossroad 7 Scaled — A sleek Honda Crossroad SUV stands parked on a city street, showcasing its Land Rover-inspired design and rugged charm. | Photo by Sebastian Pichard on Pexels

The Honda Crossroad represents one of Honda’s most unexpected ventures: an SUV based on the Land Rover Discovery. With its boxy, rugged styling and true off-road capability, the Crossroad was a bold departure from Honda’s usual fare of efficient sedans and hatchbacks. This rare model stands as a fascinating anomaly in Honda’s history, showing the brand’s willingness to experiment with new segments and embrace a more adventurous spirit.

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13. Honda SMX Lowdown

A sleek, lowered Honda SMX cruises through city streets, turning heads with its bold urban stance and custom style. | Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels

The Honda SMX Lowdown brought a new edge to urban motoring with its lowered suspension and sportier looks. Designed to appeal to young, style-conscious drivers, this variant quickly became a cult favorite. Its distinctive stance and bold personality set it apart from standard minivans, making the SMX Lowdown a memorable chapter in Honda’s history of quirky, enthusiast-friendly vehicles.

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14. Honda City Turbo II

A classic Honda City Turbo II hot hatch is parked with its iconic Motocompo folding scooter ready for urban adventures. | Photo by Denniz Futalan on Pexels

The Honda City Turbo II captures the playful spirit of 1980s Honda innovation. This hot hatch boasted turbocharged power in a compact frame, delivering lively city performance. Its most memorable feature was the optional Motocompo scooter, which fit neatly in the trunk for ultimate urban mobility. With its quirky charm and impressive engineering, the City Turbo II stands out as a true symbol of Honda’s creative golden era.

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15. Honda Civic Shuttle

A classic Honda Civic Shuttle AWD wagon sits parked on a quiet street, showcasing its unique boxy design. | Photo by Jakub Pabis on Pexels

The Honda Civic Shuttle took the beloved Civic platform and added wagon versatility, offering generous cargo space and the option of all-wheel drive. This practical yet nimble model became a favorite for families and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Despite its useful features, the Civic Shuttle is rarely spotted on roads today, making it a nostalgic treasure for those who remember Honda’s creative approach to everyday transportation.

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16. Honda Torneo Euro R

A sleek Honda Torneo Euro R, a true JDM performance sedan, stands poised with sporty lines and bold alloy wheels. | Photo by Denniz Futalan on Pexels

The Honda Torneo Euro R is a true hidden gem in Honda’s performance sedan lineup. Powered by a high-revving engine and equipped with sharp, responsive handling, it offered an exhilarating driving experience that rivals remember fondly. Beloved by JDM enthusiasts, the Euro R’s understated looks conceal its sporting pedigree, making it a sought-after collectible for those who appreciate Honda’s racing DNA in a practical four-door package.

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17. Honda S800

A beautifully restored Honda S800 gleams under the sun, showcasing the timeless charm of this classic vintage sports car. | Photo by Dhanush N on Pexels

The Honda S800 was a standout in the 1960s sports car scene, featuring an advanced, high-revving engine that showcased Honda’s engineering prowess. While the S2000 tends to steal the spotlight today, the S800 deserves renewed recognition for its lively performance and elegant design. This early roadster paved the way for Honda’s future sports cars and remains a cherished classic among vintage car enthusiasts.

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18. Honda Insight (First Generation)

Insight08 — A sleek first-generation Honda Insight hybrid gleams in the sunlight, showcasing Honda’s iconic commitment to fuel efficiency. | Photo by Mochammad Algi on Pexels

The first-generation Honda Insight was a trailblazer in hybrid technology, debuting as Honda’s first hybrid and setting new standards for fuel efficiency at the turn of the millennium. Its lightweight, aerodynamic design and impressive economy made it a visionary step forward. Yet, the original Insight is often eclipsed by more recent hybrids, despite its pivotal role in shaping eco-friendly motoring and paving the way for the hybrid cars of today.

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19. Honda Z600

A vibrant orange Honda Z600 microcar showcases retro charm with its compact design and classic 1970s styling. | Photo by Ralph on Pexels

The Honda Z600 arrived in the early 1970s as one of the brand’s first exports to the US, instantly drawing attention with its cheerful styling and ultra-compact proportions. Designed to be fun, economical, and easy to drive, the Z600 stood out among larger American cars of the era. Today, it remains a beloved curiosity—an early glimpse of Honda’s ingenuity and playful design philosophy.

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20. Honda Accord Type R

The Honda Accord Type R brought track-ready performance to the midsize sedan segment, featuring a high-revving engine, sport-tuned suspension, and precise handling. Designed to compete with Europe’s finest sports sedans, it showcased Honda’s engineering prowess and racing heritage. Sadly, the Accord Type R was limited to select markets, leaving many enthusiasts longing for its blend of everyday usability and exhilarating performance. It remains a true performance icon waiting to be rediscovered.

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Reviving Honda’s Hidden Gems

From innovative hybrids to quirky microvans and high-revving performance sedans, these forgotten Hondas capture the brand’s remarkable diversity and bold spirit. Each model tells a unique story of engineering excellence, design experimentation, and driving joy. Preserving and celebrating these hidden gems isn’t just a nod to the past—it’s a way to keep Honda’s adventurous legacy alive for future generations. Let’s continue to rediscover, restore, and honor these remarkable cars that truly deserve a second life on the road.

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20 Forgotten Honda Cars That Deserve a Second Life

1. Honda Prelude (Third Generation)

2. Honda CR-X del Sol

3. Honda Accord Aerodeck

4. Honda Beat

5. Honda S-MX

6. Honda Ascot Innova

7. Honda Legend Coupe

8. Honda Orthia

9. Honda Quint Integra

10. Honda Vamos (First Generation)

11. Honda Ballade Sports CR-X

12. Honda Crossroad

13. Honda SMX Lowdown

14. Honda City Turbo II

15. Honda Civic Shuttle

16. Honda Torneo Euro R

17. Honda S800

18. Honda Insight (First Generation)

19. Honda Z600

20. Honda Accord Type R

Reviving Honda’s Hidden Gems

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